Member (FOG 13)

A $30,000+ 1957* TR3A Restoration Project

1967 Picture of me "Race Ready" in one of my two previous TR3's both of which are now probably somewhere in the Triumph Great Beyond

When I reached my middle 50's and was a few years away from retirement, I decided I needed a new hobby. Since I was also now approaching my second childhood, I suddenly had fond memories of driving one of the two TR3's I owned as a youth.

Like many memories of the past, the good old days conjured up the thrill of flying down a highway inches from the road and performing marvelous "toe to heel" footwork as I did four wheel drifts around the "S" curves on the cow path roads of WV.. I put out of my mind the uncomfortable spine jaring washboard ride, the cumbersome cussable sidecurtain windows, getting wet even with the top up and sidecurtains on, and freezing in the winter. I just knew I had to have another Triumph! Unfortunately I should have been satisfied with fond memories since my Triumph "hobby" has become ones worst nightmare.

I don't expect many people would admit to being a sucker or to admit spending the amount of money necessary to make a very bad investment right...I decided to do so to hopefully prevent others from making my mistake and also to help others understand what a complete restoration will cost.......

My Resoration Nightmare Began With:

FRANK'S FOREIGN CARS 2777 Harrisburg Pike, Middletown PA

I spotted a listing in a local Car Buyer magazine for a 1958* TR3 that was advertised as having extensive restoration work. I drove to Frank's Foreign Cars in Middletown and looked at the car. I asked Frank and his assistant if the car had any body damage and Bondo (Body Putty). They both answered "No" the several times I asked this question and further replied that the car needed only "cosmetic work". The price was pretty steep (I am embarrased to admit how much), but he showed me a long list of things he said he had done to the car. I said OK since a reputable Sports Car dealer Mechanic would not lie about such things....... .......

Oh how wrong and how Ripped Off was I.. When I started stripping the body for its "cosmetic work", I was stunned and sickened by what I found. To say it as nicely as possible, "The car was a piece of Crap"! Not only was there body putty everywhere and MAJOR rust damage in EVERY body part, but it was evident the car had been wrecked and the front end was out of alignment.. We even found that the body was not bolted to the frame but had actually been welded to the frame! We also did not find much of any evidence of the long list of things Frank reportedly had done to this car.

When I confronted Frank with some of this evidence (it got worse later), he said he knew nothing about the body problems. Considering how he suckered me in the first place, he must really have thought I was dumb enough to accept his reply........ How could a sports car mechanic who did "extensive work" on a car, not know the condition of that car.. He added insult to injury by offering to SELL ME replacement parts. The moral to my story certainly is "Caveat Emptor" or Buyer Beware and never buy any vehicle from Frank's Foreign Cars!

For anyone considering a car project, I would recommned dealing only with people you know. The best bet is to join a car club and take the advice of members who have already seen it all..I did not join a car club until after the fact. In talking to members of my club, I have no doubt this car when completed, should receive a prize for the worst starting project car in the history of Western PA Triumph Association.... and probably the most expensive. In hind site, I would have acutally saved money by using this car as an expensive parts car and buying another in better condition for the restoration.

* In Dec 2007, I learned that my car is acutally a 1957 and not a 1958 even though it is registered as one. I purchased a "British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certified Copy of Factory Record" and found the car was built on 11 Oct 1957 but was probably not sold until 1958 when it was "registered" with Department of Motor Vehicles. The car was originally black, came with whitewall tires and an ocassional rear seat that was removed sometime before my purchase.

As a 1957 this makes my car an early wide mouth and a bit more rare than a 1958 model.

Project Beginning: Disassembly and Revealed Damage 1998-2002

Click on thumbnail description to see enlarged photo of Stripped Car

       
       
       

 

Thumbnails of Frame Off Restoration in Process

Body Restoration 2002-2005
       
     

 

Engine and Body Mounting Oct - Nov 2005

 
       

 

Interior and Trim 2006

 
       
*False Color in previous pic because of lighting. Vinyl and carpet are actualy same color.

Completed Car June 16th 2006

White Top and side curtains have yet to be fitted

 

"Cosmetic" Parts Purchased For "Frank's" Car

The following is a list of purchased items necessary to complete Frank's Foreign Car "Cometic Work".. Items are not listed in any particular order and I have probably forgotten a few. Most of the parts were purchased from the Roadster Factory.

Item
Cost
Item
Cost
Door Skin
$149.00
Heater Hose
$ 10.00
Wing Bead Kit
$ 52.50
Vent Lid Seal
$ 11.50
Bonnet Hinge Kit
$ 27.25
Door Check Strap
$ 16.00
Stoneguard Set
$ 44.00
LH/RH Panel End Stiffener
$ 60.00
Boot lid hinge kit
$ 27.25
Idler Lever and Bracket Assy
 $ 68.75
Bonnet Fastener Kit
$ 22.00
Sealer Plate Kit
$ 23.00
Pipe to Water Pump
$ 14.50
Hardware Kit
$ 12.75
Hose Water Heater to Dash
$ 16.00
Door Seal Kit
$ 75.00
LH/RH Front Wing Repair Panels
$140.00
Locking Handle Kit
$ 64.00
Hardware Kit Wing
$ 12.75
Body Mounting Kit
$ 69.95
Misc. Hardware
$100.00
LH/RH Quarter panel
$256.00
Wing Bead Kit
$ 52.50
LH/RH Outer Sills
$ 30.00
Rear Apron
$411.95
Wiring Harness
$189.95
LH/RH Inner Sills
$200.00
LH/RH Floor Assy
$400.00
Seat Slide Kit
$ 84.95
LH/RH Original Front Fenders
$300.00
Original Trunk lid
$ 50.00
Engine Rebuild + Carbs *
$4,500
Front Grill
$145.00
Engine Mounting Kit $30.00 Brake Pipes & Hoses $112.00
Front Bumper + Overriders
$330.00 Monza Exhaust + Downpipe $200.00
Peg Set body $40.00 Head Light Replacement Kit 2 $280.00
Body Gaskets, Plugs, Seals, Covers, Misc Hardware $345.00 Fan Belt $16.00
Rear Oil Seal $8.00 Speed and Tach Cables
$32.00
Repair Transmission Bell-Weld $43.60 Repair Gas Tank
$176.00
Recore Radiator $371.00
Windscreen Rechrome
$275.00
Water Pump
$103.39
Choke Cable
$26.95
Carpet + Accessories
$430.00
Interior Trim Panels
$308.00
Capping & Dash Recover
$56.00
Glove Box
$30.00
Two replacment cappings
$80.00
Seat Springs
$350.00
Seat Recover Kit
$350.00
Recovering Labor
$558.00
Carb Heat Shield
$49.00
60 Spoke Wheels + Adaptors
$1,330
165 x 15 Coker Whitewalls 4
$476.00
 Interior Mats $25.00
Dash Mirror
$40.00
Front Bonnet TR3 Badge
$103.00
Seat Belts
$30.00
Tonneau Cover
$234.95
Boot Cover
$250.00
Convertible Top
$250.00
Side Curtain Rebuilt est $1,300 Rebuilt Original Water Pump $200.00
Estimated Labor
$7,000
    

*Engine work done by Ed Woods (FOG 1) Pittsburgh, PA

Original cost of supposedly "Cosmetic only" car which was actually a POS = $5,000

This "COSMETIC PARTS CAR " to date ( 9/07) cost approximately $30,000 to completely restore and update. This amount accounts for items that have been forgotten but will be added if remembered. Future items to be added include side curtains (about $1,600) and an overdrive transmission (about $1,200).

The only fortunate part of this entire nightmare is having a body mechanic with the expertise of an artist. Bunny Dersham of Jersey Shore, PA has literally transformed Frank's "rust bucket" into a solid car as good or better than new. If you live in the Central PA area and want excellent quality body work done on your car, contact Bunny who lives in Jersey Shore PA (Contact information below).

Updated Report On Car Since The "Launching" In June 2006

I am very happy to report my car now has over a thousand fun driving miles since June 2006. Wherever i drive this car people shout, point, give me the thumbs up, and ask what it is. It draws a crowd when I park. Every tenth person tries to buy it without even asking what I would want even though its not for sale.

The only problem I have encountered is the self destruction of a reporduction water pump after only a few hundred miles. I was warned about the poor quality of these reproductions but thought I might beat the odds. Fortunately after searching the Internet, I found a rebuilt original that has been pumping water for over 800 miles now.

I also found there may be a problem with my new 60 spoked Dayton wire wheels. They are so out of balance that too much weight is required for stickon weights on inside of wheels. Weights had to be added to outside of rims which detracts from appearance of wheels. Perhaps the spokes need adjusting. If anyone has any suggestions.......

I am also happy to report that the car has placed in every show entered this summer. Some of the awards include:

Aug 18th 2007: Gamble Farm Inn Jersey Shore PA Show

1st Place Foreign Import Class

July 14th 2007: American Antique Car Association Show Williamsport PA

1st Place Foreign Sports Cars

June 16th 2007: Bellefonte PA Show (Over 650 Cars Registered)

2nd Place Foreign Imports

May 19th 2007: Gamble Farm Inn Jersey Shore PA Show

1st Place Foreign Import Class

Links:

Tim Yoho E-Mail

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