Tropical TR
Jedi Hopeful
Offline
I am restoring my TR3A (TS52910L, EB# 51292, produced in May 1959) and hope I can get more clarity as to whether older or later style TRIUMPH letters should be used below the front badge. When I got the car, it had the smooth shiny (albeit pitted) later style letters mounted. But that doesn't mean it was the original apron/letters...
The conflicting or less than specific authorities:
- TRA Judging Standards/Restoration Guide addresses this in two locations, specifying older style letters up to TS50000 and the smooth, slim letters to be used on late model TR3A "not before TS50000."
- Bill Piggott in his "Collector's Originality Guide" states that the later style lettering was used from EB72384. That would put it way beyond TS50000.
- Moss USA specifies older style for "most TR3A" and the newer style for late TR3A-3B "change point unknown"
- TRF specifies old style ribbed letters for TR3A, TR3B and later smooth letters "used on some TR3B."
The only agreement I see from these sources is that the newer style letters did not appear BEFORE TS50000. However, it seems that they could have started well beyond that point and well beyond my TS52910L.
Or maybe the factory interspersed the usage of both styles for a while?
Any light that can be thrown on this would be appreciated, also from those who have TS numbers close to mine.
Regards,
Walter
The conflicting or less than specific authorities:
- TRA Judging Standards/Restoration Guide addresses this in two locations, specifying older style letters up to TS50000 and the smooth, slim letters to be used on late model TR3A "not before TS50000."
- Bill Piggott in his "Collector's Originality Guide" states that the later style lettering was used from EB72384. That would put it way beyond TS50000.
- Moss USA specifies older style for "most TR3A" and the newer style for late TR3A-3B "change point unknown"
- TRF specifies old style ribbed letters for TR3A, TR3B and later smooth letters "used on some TR3B."
The only agreement I see from these sources is that the newer style letters did not appear BEFORE TS50000. However, it seems that they could have started well beyond that point and well beyond my TS52910L.
Or maybe the factory interspersed the usage of both styles for a while?
Any light that can be thrown on this would be appreciated, also from those who have TS numbers close to mine.
Regards,
Walter