TR2/3/3A `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really Nice!

[toysrrus]

Hi Folks,

Check this one out! Ebay listing # 120244590196: $17K & 4 days to go. Will it approach the previous TR3 that was on there the other wk??????

The only thing I see that would need to be changed would be the steering wheel.

Personally; I love the color combo!!

Personally; I love the car!!

Personally; I don`t have the $$$!!

Personally; I think that S__ks!!

Oh Well; There`s always another day!!

Regards,

Russ

 

[Andrew Mace]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

...but I could live with that steering wheel, since it appears to be a nice period accessory piece incorporating the original horn button/control head assembly!

 

[DCtr3]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

yeah, saw it when it popped up last night. Opening bid was 19.57

 

[Don Elliott]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

I have a few comments. It looks very nice and sound fine. The rear fenders are repros because the line down from the tail lights to the bottom corners are too straight. This is a big problem with the repros. The outer sills below the doors look too straight and they don't follow thew curve of the door. On the repros I have used, I had to have a sheetmetal shop use his rolling wheel to get the right curve.

The hoses for the carbs should be below the carbs and the tops for the float bowls should be 180 degrees facing outwards. TRA would probably dock a point (like they always do on my 1958 TR3A) because the oil filler cap does not agree with the wording of the TRA judging standards. They say it has to have the three thumb indents - therefore mine is not from S-T. I know mine is because it's still the same one that came with the car when I bought it new. I argue that with them but to no avail. Look at the chrome chains on the door pulls.

 

[NickMorgan]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

It looks like a lovely car. I like everything about it! In a way, I think I prefer it to the original car that was on eBay a couple of weeks ago. I would have been scared to use the original car in case it got damaged. I would be prepared to take the risk with this one!!

 

[NickMorgan]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Wow Don, what knowledge. You've ruined it for me. I don't want it any more!!!

 

[PeterK]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

The colors are refreshing after so many reds, including ours. Really like the small mouth pucker too.

 

[Twosheds]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

You can't put the side curtains in the boot with that CD changer in there!

 

[toysrrus]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Who Cares?

Who drives around with their side curtains anyway?

Who drives around with their top up as well?

Russ

PS: I think it just broke the $20K barrier & 4 days to go.

 

[Twosheds]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Who Cares?

Who drives around with their side curtains anyway?

Who drives around with their top up as well?

Russ

PS: I think it just broke the $20K barrier & 4 days to go.

I do, as well as some other TR3 drivers who go on trips during which the weather might turn cold and/or wet and who want to continue.

And who care not one iota to listen to a CD while driving a TR3.

That's who.

 

[toysrrus]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Well Twosheds,

I agree with you on the CD player. Ea. & every time I drove my LBCs; I never listened to the radio. I always enjoyed hearing the engine & change of gears.

Relative to the side curtains; Well, I guess its whatever turns you on & whatever your needs may be.

My previous comment simply meant that this is a Super Nice Car no matter what!

Russ

 

[toysrrus]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Hi Don,

I never realized that there was a "Curve" at the bottom of the doors. I`ve had two TR3s and they all seemed quite straight.

One of the TRs was an Orig. Owner car `58. Maybe its just an illusion on my part thinking they were all "Straight"?

Just a passing thought,

Russ

 

[Don Elliott]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

I had to curve the outer sills about 1/4" from front to back and about 1/8" from top to bottom. If you don't, the repro sills will be flush at the front and back where they mate the A & B posts, but in the center under the middle of the door, the sill will be 1/8" or so inside the bottom edge of the door.

Another way you might correct the curve is to add 1/4" of Bondo to the sill half way along.

The repro outer sills and bent on a modern brake press set at 90 degrees all the way. That's why they are straight. The original silles were pressed in tooling dies that resulted in the correct shape.

In fact, setting the brake at 90 degrees actually gives the sill a 85 to 90 degree bend and the top as well as the outer face actually come concave - not flat from top to bottom.

The front cut-away to clear the front bottom corner of the door when you open it wide is not enough and you may bend the corner of the door if it is not corrected. The rear ends of the outer sill are made about 1/2" to 5/8" too short and you have to MIG in a small piece of sheetmetal to close it.

 

[Twosheds]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Well Twosheds,

I agree with you on the CD player. Ea. & every time I drove my LBCs; I never listened to the radio. I always enjoyed hearing the engine & change of gears.

Relative to the side curtains; Well, I guess its whatever turns you on & whatever your needs may be.

My previous comment simply meant that this is a Super Nice Car no matter what!

Russ

Sorry I got a little defensive.

I agree that it's a nice car and I'd love to have it. But the steering wheel would stay and the CD player would go as far as I can toss it.

 

[NickMorgan]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Don,
I will never look at a TR in the same way again. I never knew about the differences with the repro sills. I had heard that the top of the repro wings is the wrong shape but didn't know about the rear of the wings. It is very obvious in those pictures though. Now I will be looking at all the early TRs on eBay to see if I can spot the repro panels!
Nick

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

..it is a genuinely nice TR3, Don is correct on the issues,but I must say I have done several TR3 and never noticed the sill curve. I shall take a good look tomorrow.Are you saying the doors are curved? I am not sure what you mean about the rear fenders either...
The car is quite nice but a few items are wrong. He should have flat glass front turns I think. The rear interior back panel is incorrect I think too.Missing the top door weatherstrip also. But this is nitpicking, its a fine car.

 

[TRTEL]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Now that he put the top on, it shows a glitch. Looks like someone started installing the tenax fasteners from both ends, but didn't quite finish up in the middle, which is of course where they should have started. Looks like a throw away top to me. You can see daylight thru the bulge on the inside pic.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

...a 57 TR3,factory sills,doors, fenders...some day I'll finish it, altho not to spec.

 

[4aKen]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

I couldn't live with this nice TR after this experience.

 

[toysrrus]

Re: `57 TR3 Small Mouth on ebay: Really, Really N

Hi There BOXoROCKS,

Really nice looking TR you have there!

I like the "Louvres" in the hood and simply everything about the car!

Hope you get to finish her soon! If not please contact myself and maybe, Just maybe I`d be able to finish her?

Best Wishes,

Russ

PS: The `57 TR3 currently sits at $20.2K / 2-1/2 days to go: Frankly, I`m
kind of surprised at the bidding activity.