TR2 Nose shape and some originality questions

[irrational]

Hi again.

And once again thank you for eveyone's patience and advice and apologies for another slew of questions.

 

I saw a very knowledgeable person today that had restored 13 TR3s in his life so far and he appreciates originality.

I will likely ask him to restore or help restore my TR2 in future. Although that's very expensive in labour!

He pointed out several things on my TR2 that I would like to confirm if possible.

He also pointed out many original items that are not common to still find like nuts and bolts etc. This is very reassuring as well!

 

1: He said, from a direct top view of the nose, the top "lip" should really be close to the back of the reveal beading of the bottom "lip".

It seems that mine's nose is slightly flattened at the top and/or extended at the bottom.

Its hard to tell. So my question is, does a smallmouth TR3 and TR2 have a different nose shape if viewed from the top or side? Currently it looks as if mine has a little underbite but it doesn't look wrong to me.

Many photos I see online seem to indicate the top is fairly far forward, but I don't know if these are original noses as some seem further back again.

 

2: Should the oil cap on the rocker cover be a smooth cylinder (with horizontal slots at the bottom) or have indentations on it? Should it always be black painted or can it be chromed?

 

3: As far as I know TR2 orginal carpet is "loop pile". Are TR3s different? I assume from John Skinner that the wool woven carpet is better quality and close enough to use. My carpets seem very old and black, where the interior is Stone. So was it possible to specify black carpet with stone interior? Or is it just a very old replacement carpet? I am not sure about replacement, because the boot carpet is definitely a cheap replacement and different to the interior.

 

4: I thought my distributor cap was correct. He says its similar, but from a mini. He says the part where the wires come out should be away from the engine, where mine towards the front of the car. So mine's rotation is 90 degrees out. Comments?

 

5: I have an aerial on the car, which is not connected to anything. But it seems there is a possibility that the hole for this in the right front wing is not necessarily wrong? Any comments?

 

6: The master cylinder cover. My filler cap is on the bulkhead side, but most that I see have the filler cap on the engine side. I was told that the cover can't be put on the wrong way (I haven't checked this yet), so it must be originally like this or, if it is reversible, should the filler cap be towards the engine?

Should it be painted black or be clear metal? Comments?

 

7: Is it possible for anyone to send me a photos of the inside of the nose around the grille? The top and sides specifically.

I keep thinking there is a panel or something missing, but I can't find this detail online.

 

8: Could I also have a photo from above of the front bumper?

Mine doesn't seem to stretch far enough left/right, but apparently it could be that the curvature is wrong and not that its the wrong bumper.

 

As always any information would be invaluable as I research work to be done on the car.

 

Dirk

 

[Lebro]

A few selected answers:

 

2) Smooth

4) Easy to correct, get the right cap, & swap the HT leads over keeping the correct orientation.

5) No aerial is fitted as standard

6) Pretty sure bulkhead side is correct

 

Bob.

[EdwinTiben]

Take a look at my photoalbum, have been nitty about the details, so almost all correct

 

You'll find pictures of the nose.

 

The tr2 had the top of the cone closed, later tr3 smallmouth had the top open to have more cooling.

[Alec Pringle]

Hi Dirk,

 

your car was originally destined for Bulawayo, and I think you'll find that whilst Rhodesian cars were not shipped CKD the export specification for Rhodesia did include at least a token amount of local assembly and content. Not dissimilar to South Africa, in other words. It wouldn't be surprising to find some minor variations from the norm as OE.

 

Rhodesian Standard Triumph cars were never that thick on the ground, and it wouldn't be a surprise to find later replacement items sourced from BMC or Ford who actually assembled cars in Rhodesia, and whose spare parts supply was more plentiful . . . . and that must have applied even more so after UDI. Similarly 'local content' TR spares from South Africa need not necessarily have been identical to UK manufactured equivalents.

 

Cheers

 

Alec

[Fireman049]

Hi Dirk ~

 

Here are photo's of a 1955 TR2 front apron.

 

Tom.

 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2017 by Fireman049

[preston]

This is what I think is the correct cap for the TR2. I've seen two different styles.

[preston]

Here is a picture of the front of my 56 TR3, same as the TR2 except the grill is at the front of the opening. Maybe the bumper in the picture can help you.

[Lebro]

Here is a picture of the front of my 56 TR3, same as the TR2 except the grill is at the front of the opening. Maybe the bumper in the picture can help you.

Nice car, looks a bit like mine, only better

This is what I think is the correct cap for the TR2. I've seen two different styles.

Agree.

 

Bob.

[EdwinTiben]

This is what I think is the correct cap for the TR2. I've seen two different styles.

Correct, was a Nice

Deal finding those NOS !

 

You can find adhesives with the correct pattern on eBay if you have the right cap.

[irrational]

@Preston

That is indeed a beautiful TR3!

My oil cap is the "A" type, thank you! After some inspection it seems the original cover and cap were cleaned and chromed. The chrome is coming off, so I will just return them to black.

I just hope i can find the correct paint. I am sure my club members can help with that.

 

@Tiben.

Thank you for the photos. Your car's nose definitely matches mine. I have also found that my bumper is indeed gently curved all the way where it should be straight for the most of the middle of the nose.

I don't know if it is the wrong bumper or if it somehow became curved. I looks right otherwise.

 

@Lebro.

This is the odd thing. From your photo the top part of the TR3 nose does seem more in line with the bottom. Perhaps just that angle as Tiben's TR2 nose looks the same from that angle as well but like mine frim a different angle. I have decided to not let that bug me for now.

 

@fireman049

Thank you for those! Its a good perspective. Now that I know what to look for I will be able to tell if something is off with the nose inside.

 

All this is certainly starting to complete my plans for the car, which currently is forming more along the shape of mechanical refurbishment and fixes where required and a return of everything non-original to original. With a strip/repaint pushed back some years when I have everything I want. Even that is likely to just be a strip and repaint. Not a full restoration. I like the patina.

 

Dirk