Graeme Robinson Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I think I may have a problem on my 59 3a in that the car is ready for final trimming but my B Posts appear to be missing a piece of steel that corresponds with the cockpit cover that sits over the rear wheel arch and effectively provides a finishing detail. The way my car is at present, you would be able to poke a finger into the cockpit finishing trim i.e. at the top of the B post. I've just purchased my next project, a later 61 model which has this closing piece in place (see attached photo) but showing my ignorance I dont know if this is a characteriestic of the later model I purchased the car with the bodywork largely complete and being unfamiliar with the sidescreen TR's I assumed all was as it should be. I've attached a photo (1st picture - grey car) that hopefully will provide an illustration of what I've tried to describe but I'd welcome any thoughts on how I may get over this problem. Many thanks Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 It should look like the picture of the unrestored car and it needs a bit of careful work with a welder to fix it. If you haven't the equipment or the skill to do it yourself, look for a good restorer who can. It shouldn't be a major job to sort it out. Unfortunately, you are going to destroy the paint in the affected area. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graeme Robinson Posted August 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 As I suspectedIan, do you know if there's a repair panel/piece avaiable? Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I wouldn't have thought that there was a repair piece available unless you bought a new B post and just cut the top off. It shouldn't be too difficult to make though, I'd start with a small offcut from a suitable angle section. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 If you MIG weld this the paint will burn back about 1/2in and will be sound about 1in away. Take a few more photos and some measurements and any welder will fix this up for you, by copying the yellow one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pogo Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I wonder why it got cut off in the first place? I haven't got any close up photos of my TR2 but it looks more like the unrestored one from what I can see on some pictures I have found. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 It is not structural. It is to stop the end of the trim capping being squashed out of shape as you heave yourself out. I would also suggest it was for health & safety to stop your fingers getting trapped..but not in 1953. Simple bit of steel to make up and you can be sure it matches the trim rail profile. Araldite the missing bit on? Pop rivet and fill then repainted locally. Drill and mig spot weld then repaint locally? Make up and shape a bit of wood that the trim capping can sit on and bash that in with suitable glue. You could polish it as a feature if on both sides. ( concourse could be out with this option) Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 It is not structural. Pop rivet and fill then repainted locally. +1 or screw it. Lots of convertibles have this part chromed and screwed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graeme Robinson Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Lots of great ideas, thanks everyone. I think I'll use my new aquisition as a template & weld the new sections in, hopefully the impact on my new paint won't be too dramatic. My initial hope was that there may have been variation in design over the years to explain the omission but I can't think why this has been chopped off; I'm certain that the B posts are new replacements. Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 They are quite often missing or have been damaged in some way. Originally they were also quite often leaded on the front face to get the door capping to elbow capping gap correct as well. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boggie Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I wouldn't have thought that there was a repair piece available unless you bought a new B post and just cut the top off. It shouldn't be too difficult to make though, I'd start with a small offcut from a suitable angle section. Rgds Ian Note the repro B posts are not great. We ended up fabricating our own from sheet steel. Buying one and hacking off the top piece Graeme needs is about all they are good for... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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