Triumph TR3A

ArkRescue

ArkRescue

Adopt me please !
Gilligan said:
So I can't help myself sometimes when it comes to auctions..sticking my card in the air netted me a 1959 Triump TR3A project car at Knott's auction last weekend.

Now the reality sets in. Do I complete the well-begun restoration (very well done so far - the chassis complete and rolls; apparently the guy passed on and the car came from an estate sale) or cut my losses and eBay the thing right away?

:whistle:
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What's the matter? I wasn't enough of a project for ya'?

:whistle:
 
Claff

Claff

New Member
chuckster said:
I have a 96 MX5 that is great. Thinking about restoring it and have found a number of web sites for the parts to do it. Car runs great even with 158000 on it. Went to Brandywine Parts on 235 and walked out with close to $900. in parts for under $100.
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I started out with a '96 Miata (the car in my avatar). That one got rear-ended and killed about eight months after I got it. Bought it from the insurance company, brought it home, stripped it and made my money back and then some.

Now we have four Miatas here (90, 93, 99, 05), nine sets of wheels and tires, a garage full of spares, etc etc. Great, simple, reliable, fun cars. Sometimes they're even fast:

http://claffie.com/photos/110831/images/110831_14.jpg
 
Railroad

Railroad

Routinely Derailed
I have a '96 Miata with about 80k on the odometer that's on it's second engine, because I hurt the first one badly with a mistake gear change in the wrong direction at 55+. Not good to redline a car that needs an oil change at 70k miles going from 5th to 2nd (apparently I cracked a compression ring on #1 piston). I bought the engine replacement, hoses, belts, radiator, clutch, etc., etc. because I love the car. Now it needs some bodywork and paint (and a replacement top), and for lack of money It will spend most of the winter months under a tarp. I have new tires for it and 2 sets of wheels. It's new fender is in my office on my desk, standing on end and propped against the alcove wall.

I love my Miata and may never give it up if I can avoid it.
 
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Railroad

Railroad

Routinely Derailed
Back on topic: Triumph and MG cars stirred the hunger in me that led to the Miata. I have no garage, no money, and no time to restore a British beauty. My friend who had spent many an hour getting his Spitfire on the road laughed every time I said the word "Miata," but I really had no other choice.

At one point in my life I had (not a sports car) a '69 Austin America. I put two engines together to make one good one. When it was healthy, its handling and cornering were amazing. I hated having to sell it when kid #1 came along.

I have dreamed my way through more than a few frame-off restorations, figuring ways to do this and that without breaking the bank, and at the other extreme figuring out all the things I'd do if money were no object. It's probably a good idea on God's part to keep me within my limitations.
 
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Merlin99

Merlin99

Visualize whirled peas
PREMO Member
Gilligan said:
Sunbeam Tiger ..as in with 289 V-8? I thought I had one of those tracked down locally about 20 years ago, but never got to see it.
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There's a guy down on Lou's Way that had a couple of Sunbeams that he was trying to let go of a while back.
 
Gilligan

Gilligan

#*! boat!
PREMO Member
In for a penny..in for a pound. :whistle:

Bought a complete and running engine out of South Carolina already. Found a windshield and frame out of Long Island..well on my way to having all the missing or questionable bits in hand. The only expensive part I still need is the front fairing.
 
Gilligan

Gilligan

#*! boat!
PREMO Member
A trailer load of body parts is starting to look like a car.

The day it all came home:
 

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Gilligan

Gilligan

#*! boat!
PREMO Member
What is spozed to like like when I'm finished with it. Spent another day headed in that direction...slowly...
 

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ArkRescue

ArkRescue

Adopt me please !
Gilligan said:
What is spozed to like like when I'm finished with it. Spent another day headed in that direction...slowly...
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Gee, just how long is it going to take? I thought you said you'd have it done by Spring? Remember that ride you promised me? :gossip:
 
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