Andrew Smith Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 Hi all Just been flicking through the various Forum pages and came across Mike Kitchener's post in “Member’s Websites” showing his ingenious flip front on his 3A. Perhaps this should be marketed, I've had my apron on and off so many times for one thing or another it would have saved me hours, and skin!! Have a look at it, what are the general thoughts? http://mikek.9online.fr/flipfron.htm No doubt the concourse fraternity would have palpitations though Cheers Andrew http://www.zen21606.zen.co.uk/Forum%20Gall...smith_1_big.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclepete Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 andrew this was a suprise! i have seen pictures of a 3a (i think) fitted with a swing down front light, grille and valance centre section, all be it without bumper or over riders fitted, leaving the wings fixed and thought this a great idea. (i have looked at the possibility of doing mine and think it would be very easy, except i like my bumpers!) i think the method you have shown would be butchery, let alone upsetting the concours fanatics!! i could only see it being possible with a fibreglass front end - may as well buy a spitfire! i am sure the racing nuts use this method already? peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Kitchener Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 Marketable? Palpitations , Butchery Keep them coming!! http://mikek.9online.fr/index.htm Cheers Mike Originality : the power of independent thought or constructive imagination ( Meriam Webster's online dictionary ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted July 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 i think the method you have shown would be butchery, let alone upsetting the concours fanatics!! Peter I have to disagree with this particular quote in part. Yes, it would upset the concourse types, but Mike's sorted the car for himself and seems to have stuck two fingers up to the originality and concourse buffs. Good on him. I feel far too much attention is paid to concourse, originality and the constant search for those elusive half points. Those who know me, know that concourse cars and me do not mix. In fact, whilst restoring my 4A to concourse (SUV 407F) in 1993 I suddenly thought, "this would be murder to own", so sold it! Well-done Mike, great idea but probably not for all. Cheers Andrew See? http://www.zen21606.zen.co.uk/Forum%20Gall...smith_2_big.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclepete Posted July 11, 2004 Report Share Posted July 11, 2004 andrew when i said butchery i was refering to the photos showing the whole of the car cut off forward of the baulkhead and replaced with a fibreglass construction! then again electronic ingnition, rack and pinion steering, slotted brake discs, adjustable shocks all great ideas (in my opinion) but where do you stop? i suppose its a personal satisfaction thing. questions as to whether a windscreen wiper motor body should be silver painted or wrinkle black seem a bit pointless as long as it works but what is the point of having an old lady if it is just 4 wheels, engine, gearbox and a fibreglass mould dropped on top? peter ps nice engine bay - is it plastic? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted July 11, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2004 Hi Peter I agree, where do you stop before most, if not all, of the car's identity is lost? But I do feel making our cars fit for modern use is a must and obviously at the discretion of the owner. However, as I said, I do feel some go OTT in search of elusive concourse points. Each to their own I guess, but I would sooner be out driving mine (rain or shine) than worrying about minor details! Anyway, why go to such extremes in search of originality unless you already have an original car? Generally, in my view, there seems to be a common misconception in the classic car world about "original" and "original specification". I've met many owners, and dealers, who class their cars as an "original", when these cars have clearly been rebuilt (usually costing many thousands) so the car is, de facto, a rebuild to original specification. Sadly, the unscrupulous amongst them often sell these cars to uninformed buyers as an “original” car: Caveat Emptor! Of course, I'm not saying that replacing consumable items classifies a genuine original car as non-original; I'm talking about rebuilds. Take TS1 and 2, would you say these cars are “original” or rebuilds to “original specification”? I know what they are claimed to be and it’s great they have been rescued and preserved. As long as we keep our cars on the road, in one shape or another, I guess that’s all that counts. Indecently, I saw a TR3A replica on ebay a few weeks ago.........why? Cheers Andrew PS, No, it's not real plastic: it's imitation! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclepete Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 andrew i saw that TR3a rep as well! apparently it is all metal? do not know what it is based on though? 3 or 4 months ago a black TR3 made £9.6k on ebay with GRP replacement panels?? peter ps i will dig out that 3a article with the swing down apron and post you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted July 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 ps i will dig out that 3a article with the swing down apron and post you Hi Peter There is an article and photograph in TRaction 194 (April/May) on a swing-down apron on page 24, although there are no technical details it looks quite straightforward is this the one? Also on pages 36 & 37, there is an article on my car (TRK 639) and how it came to be in my possession. Cheers Andrew http://www.zen21606.zen.co.uk/Forum%20Gall...smith_1_big.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Kitchener Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Hi Andrew , Thanks for your opinion and the very interesting article in TR Action concerning your car . Cheers Mike PS . Your engine bay looks great !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Kitchener Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Hi Peter , Thanks for your opinion .....You're probably right , steel is better , but if fibreglass/plastic/grp was good enough for Triumph when they built the Le Mans TR3S cars , then it's good enough for me . Cheers , Mike (the butcher) http://mikek.9online.fr/index.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclepete Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 andrew yes that is the article i was refering to, looks easy dosn't it! the 3a front bumper and overriders are not too difficult to remove anyway. i think that some form of removable cross bracing would be a good idea, to stop the front end spreading or closing once the apron is swung down. keep in touch on that one. phoenixbes@aol.com apologies to Mike if i have touched a nerve or two. regards peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Kitchener Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 apologies to Mike if i have touched a nerve or two Peter , No problem......My nerves are untouched :-) Concerning the swing-down apron , I think that it would be necessary to incorporate some kind of air duct to direct air towards the radiator when the car is travelling at speed , unless the electric pusher fan is powerful enough and you don't mind it running all the time . It might also be possible to keep the front bumper if the apron were hinged like on my front . Cheers Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted July 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 PS . Your engine bay looks great !! Cheers Mike, Non-original of course! Peter, Can't see me carrying out this for some time yet, but it's on the radar! Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclepete Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 see traction issue 196 'clamshell TR3' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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