Project Notebook
We have a number of projects in process and in that vein we are presenting a cross section of these in our note book this time. Two notable efforts involve TR3's that represent how disparate these projects can be. One of the cars will be taking a path toward pure originality and true 100 point restoration. The second car is an example of a hands-on fun build being done by three guys in their back yard. We will also begin to showcase a Bug-eye and a TR6 that are going through total builds, again demonstrating the how the definition of restoration is viewed by the owners of these cars.
The first TR3 came to us in boxes from Alabama and is an example of a car being restored to maintain and continue a special family attachment. The customer that is controlling the direction of the build is the son of the man who originally bought the car back when he was a young U S Naval officer. The car was used extensively for several years and then parked. As so often is the case life gets in the way of maintaining unpractical cars and they get shoved to the back of the garage until opportunity, desire and nostalgia make a restoration possible.
Over the course of several years starting back in the 1980's attempts were made to restore the car. The engine was rebuilt by TRF, the body was lifted and a lot of work was done to the chassis. The body shell was stripped and primed to prevent the ravages of nature and rust. These are all good things when it comes to proceeding with a total restoration, and better than hauling a car out of a chicken coop subjected to the ravages of time.
When we got into the car (starting with the chassis) we found it necessary to redo a lot of the work. Some to insure that the car was period correct and some to improve quality of parts and processes. The pictures in our album illustrate where we are today with the chassis done, the engine running and the body out for paint. This will be a Featured Car in the near future.
The second TR3 started as a request to rebuild the engine for a car that three guys (brothers and nephew) decided to take on as a family project. They saw the engine as something that was somewhat beyond their skill sets and opted to have us help them. Because they were not looking at this restoration from a purists point of view there was a great deal of flexibility allowed in the build. For example the engine is actually a TR4 that came to us in plastic bins, which didn't present serious problems but was a challenge none the less. As the project progressed we were charged with making sure the entire power train was viable. They brought us their frame, we found a TR3 transmission and everything was assembled to a point where one could put a pseudo seat on the frame and drive it! For this build we had to use all of our talents to find parts, fabricate missing pieces and adapt the differing models to fit the TR3 mold. But as you can see we made it work and it is back home ready for the body to be fitted.
The AH Sprite (bug-eye) is another car that came to us in many, many boxes! The car has been painted a classic BRG and is pretty straight. It was damaged in an accident that severally damaged the bonnet and front end. Repairs were made to the damaged areas as well as to the common rust out in the floors, sills and panels. The bonnet was replaced with a totally new piece. We have completed replacing all of the suspension and brakes and are currently rebuilding the drive line. This car will be a nice driver and fun ride so attention to detail is important but not exempt from reusing existing parts or employing minor variances from original.
The TR6 is an example of using modern thinking and adaptive technologies to build a car that preserves the styling of the TR6 while creating a car that can cruise on the highways and interstates with today's cars. We are well on the way to building the frame and suspension. As you can see we are using gas shocks at the front and back, heftier brakes, adjustable trailing arm brackets, all hung on a powder coated, reinforced frame. The engine will be rebuilt and will transfer power to the wheels via a Toyota 5-speed. Again, this will be featured in future Project Notebook entries.
