| Triumph TR3
Build circa 24th Oct 1955
This is thought to be the first Australian assembled TR
Commission No. DTR 8860
The car was found in a farm shed in Drouin Victoria. The pet Goat had been using it for butting practice for many years. After negotiating a price the vehicle was trucked home in 1992 and the work began. Quite a bit of rust was found in the body but the chassis being covered in oil, ( typically TR ) was protected and rust free. The car was completely dismantled by my son and I. Every panel, nut and bolt, engine, gearbox, diff, suspensions were removed. The engine was re-built to 2100cc, fully balanced with a mild cam, Commodore valves and springs. Vanguard fan hub short extension was fitted for easy fan belt removal and fitting. Commodore 16inch electric fan fitted in front of radiator keeps engine cool at all times.
3a starter motor, ring gear and bell housing were fitted. Gearbox and overdrive re-built. 3a diff assembly set up for competition. All new suspension and 4 new hubs. Ford Escort rack and pinion steering incorporating original steering wheel. Flasher switch and horn button moved under dash with easy access. Commodore alternator, complete re-wire with braided loom. Quartz Halogen tripod head lights. 10inch drum brakes all round with power booster. Ford Mustang rear drums slightly wider to accommodate 3a diff housing. Stops really good!!! Chassis was sand blasted and zinc coated before getting a good coat of black 2pak enamel.
Body shell was sand blasted, all rust cut out, new front floor pans, boot floor pan and outer sill panels fitted. Inner sills were ok.
Front and rear guards repaired and re sectioned to remove rust.
Flashers fitted to original panel for safety reasons. 3a nose panel on the car was discarded and a TR3 panel was located and rebuilt
Factory steel hard top located and re-trimmed. Seats re-built and re-trimmed in leather. Door trims and dash re-trimmed in original Australian green and white check material, pattern photographed and screen printed on roll of material. Plush pile carpets. Soft top, tonneaux and hood stick cover in green vinyl. Paintwork 2Pak as close to original colour as possible
Restoration took me 7 years of painstaking work, and nearly a divorce. Has done about 6000 miles since completion
Car was used as a wedding car for my Daughter in 1999 and my Son in 2001.
Its a beautiful car and great to drive. Gary Sexton |
