TR2/3/3A Proof of non-black TR3 frames! Plus decision time

[sammyb]

I have the wheels off the '59 TR3, and started taking a wire cup brush to the dirty, oily frame.

Guess what? It's red! No black to be found.

That means it left the factory Powder Blue with a Signal Red frame and Blue interior with White piping and Black weather equipment.

Since the PO painted it British Racing Green, it's green and red -- Christmas colors.

Now the decision -- paint the frame black or red?

 

[Alan_Myers]

Hi Sam,

A red frame would be unusual and interesting!

However, if the car will be painted a color that doesn't look particularly good with red, it might not be all that great.

It sort of depends on what you'll be doing with the exterior, IMHO.

Cheers!

 

[71tr]

Re: Proof of non-black TR3 frames! Plus decision t

Go with the red frame, be unique!

 

[Don Elliott]

Re: Proof of non-black TR3 frames! Plus decision t

My frame was painted primrose yellow when it left the factory. I bought it brand new in 1958 after I had the dealer undercoat it. When I did my restoration, I melted off the residual black tar undercoat and found the pale yellow painted frame. I restorad it black because no one in 1988 would have believed me. Now we see all the nicest TR's in concours show with any colour of frame that was an available colour at or near that time. I say this because Primrose Yellow was no a TR3A colour until ablout 6 to 10 months after my TR was built on that pale yellow frame.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A

 

[Guest]

Sammy, you sure that wasn't red lead primer?

Bill

 

[sammyb]

Bill,
Yes, this is certainly paint, not the standard primer. In places where road grime couldn't strip it, it was really red.

 

[PeterK]

My signal red 3A has a white frame. Not quite a funky a combination as yours though. Original seats were blue (underneath the current covers) and I suspect that the exterior was white too.

I'd be tempted to repaint the frame black. white or light grey. Advantage of a light color is so you can spot cracks and leaks more easily. Peter