Hello list,
Remember last Friday a post appeared about a '3B for sale in PA?
Well, I am pleased to announce I am the lucky guy who bought it. Havn't
moved the car to Connecticut yet, will do so in the next few weeks.
I have always been interested in getting a TR3A or B, and my wife fell
in love with the TR3's at a few British car shows I dragged her to.
Can you believe I answered that post last week, got a phone number and
was talking to the owner arranging a trip to see the car. My wife was
just as excited as I was. All I have to do is always refer the the 3B
as "her" car. Yeah, right!
Anyway, I did my homework on the TR3B and thought I would be prepared to
tell if the car was original. Well, I didn't find exactly what I
expected. Very close to what I expected, but well, you will see.
The car is a '62 TR3B, titled as a '63 (naturally)
It is the second series TR3B, a TCF car.
The Commission Number reads TCF1927L
The Body tag reads 2459/TSF (Yes, thats TSF)
The Engine Number is TCF1869E ^
Question # 1
Did any body tags ever read XXXX/TCF? I know they made some 330 TSF
series cars before and during the TCF series run. Does anybody ou there
with a TCF series '3B happen to know what their body tag reads?
And, Question # 2
I expected the engine number to be slightly _higher_ than the Commission
number, not lower. What do you think my chances are this is the
original engine? Slim to none? If it is not the original engine, I
can't believe a DPO found a TCF series motor, especially one only 58
numbers away from the Commission number.
Yes, I am going to get the British Heritage Trust certificate but as you
can imagine, I am quite anxious about this info.
BTW, the car is very solid, but will need a frame off restoration to do
it right. Car hasn't run since 1980, and has been stored well. The
engine turns, second gear syncro feels bad and the car was the victim of
a horrible respray in a previous life. There is overspray _covering_
the Commission number plate!
Now my problem is whether to keep plugging along on the TR250's, or dive
into this one...If I devoted my time on the '3B it would be done before
either of the rusty 250's...Hummmm
Henry "getting a more respectible sig line, but stopping short of
reaching Andy Mace status of barns full of Triumphs" Frye
thefryes@iconn.net
TR3B TCF1927L
TR250 I guess now I have to look up the Comm. #
TR250 Ditto
PS. Steve Thornton, Add me to the '3B owners list. Steel wheels, no
overdrive, it was green, then red, havn't found out what color it was
originally, yet!
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