Starting the TR3 Restoration
Matt and I started by removing the apron and bonnet.
Next, we examined the battery box. Always a corroded mess on any Triumph, this one had been poorly and unprofessionally repaired: poorly welded and horribly patched with body filler.
This is a common problem area for TR3s. Here's what fell out that has been trapped there for 50 years. That's a Bic ink pen in all that dirt and rust; no idea how that got in there. It still writes.
The remainder of the car was just as bad. We needed to use the body saw to cut four bolts in caged nuts to free the rear wings, but the wings themselves were in (maybe) excellent condition.
Completely stripped of all wings, doors, hood, boot and apron, with all the corrosion, body filler and poor repairs this TR is not a pretty sight. We turned the body cart into a temporary workbench.
Here's where we stored the body parts for now. We lag-bolted a chain to the rafters, fabricated some hooks from 1/8-inch wire and hung the parts from the chain.
As the truth unfolded throughout the dis-assembly process, it was clear that this car was far from the "just re-assemble" state we initially assumed. All that body filler needs to go so we can see what's underneath. The front wings need to be repaired. The entire battery box needs to be replaced. There are many areas under that peeling undercoating that need some corrosion repair, metalworking and better fitment.
Fortunately, the mechanicals are in excellent shape. Since the car will need a total re-spray, I'm considering a change to Triumph Racing Green. That color will still compliment the already-chosen light-brown interior.
UPDATE: The expensive red Winton wool carpet won't look good with green paint, so I'll match the shade of re-sale red to the carpet.
