Graeme Robinson Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 I spent the best part of the weekend stripping down the chassis of my 1960 L/H drive 3a that I've recently acquired; something that is puzzling me is that in parts where I've been able to see the paint layers the original colour appears to be light blue. When I took off the engine mounts and steering box off these also had the same colour blue underneath them. I'm assuming that this is perhaps a primer layer but is it possible that some cars left the factory with different colours applied to the chassis or were a customer preference? I'm waiting for the vehicle trace records from Bill Piggott but from memory this doesn't detail chassis colour. Thanks Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) The factory painted them in whatever colour was available in the gun at the time.Contemporary B&W film often shows light or white coloured chassis. Stuart. Edited September 22, 2014 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 But usually glossy (not too glossy ....) black. Hon. Pres. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Is there any truth in the story that the "works " chassis were painted white so they could spot cracks earlier? This leading to the changes in the chassis evolution and stiffening of the shocker mounts and front towers? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Yes. 'Works' TR4s had white-painted chassis frames for that very reason. It was one of the minor, no-cost, wheezes dreamed up by Ray Henderson and myself in 1962. The earlier TRs, though, did not have this aid .... Hon. Pres. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 My Italia has a light blue chassis underneath the Vignale factory finish. We have a video of factory TR3 assembly with several light coloured chassis visible. Does Graham know any way we can spot the Italia ones? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graeme Robinson Posted September 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 thanks for all the replies gents, coincidentally I received the vehicle trace from Bill Piggott in the post today which tells me that whilst the car is currently in what appears to be Primrose Yellow it actually left the factory in a colour scheme of Black with Red Leather. This surprised me as the tub has obviously had a thorough re-spray at some point in its life span and there is no hint of Black, all areas that would ordinarily be in original body colour (wheel areches, under carpet areas, under car etc.) are in the same yellow. Also I thought the originaly spec of the seats was vinyl as opposed to leather? On the original subject of chassis colour; I think I'll stick with Black as I'm not sold on a colour scheme of Black on a light blue chassis! Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 My Italia has a light blue chassis underneath the Vignale factory finish. We have a video of factory TR3 assembly with several light coloured chassis visible. Does Graham know any way we can spot the Italia ones? AFIK when the chassis left the factory they were in standard form and the different mounts were done in Italy so no way to tell which is which. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
McMuttley Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 All this Graeme Robinson and Graham Robson is very confusing Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rhino_mac Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 All this Graeme Robinson and Graham Robson is very confusing Just what I was thinking! It was like the OP was answering his own questions for a moment or two. Glad I wasn't the only one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Elliott Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) See below Edited September 22, 2014 by Don Elliott Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Elliott Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 I bought my 1958 TR3A brand new in May 1958. I had the S-T dealer apply an undercoating of black tar down below before I went to pick it up. In 1987, I stripped the TR for a full body-off restoration. It was then that I removed the rest of the tar still on the chassis etc. That's when I found out it left the factory with the chassis painted primrose yellow. When my TR was built in Feb. 1958, Primrose Yellow was not even a TR colour yet. I wrote to Bill Piggott and at that time, he said he had never heard of any sidescreen TR chassis painted a different colour than black. He added that is why they call it the black-works. With Bill Piggott's advice, we decided that I could do no wrong painting the chassis black. That's what I did. Since then, I have seen a smallmouth TR3 and also a 2 TR3As with the chassis painted red. I have seen one in Powder Blue as well. Several have concluded that the chassis were all built by outside parts manufacturers and when they were painting any body of car any colour, the painter would empty the remains in his paint gun where it might do some good - such as on a TR chassis. See mine in 1987 where the yellow chassis can be seen on the angled front support struts. It is a novel custom today that many restores are painting the chassis any colour they like, as long as it was a colour available around the time of the assembly of the TR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graeme Robinson Posted September 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Thanks for all the replies everyone, really interesting history regarding how the factory dealt with finishing the chassis but I think I'll stick with Black; I'm keen to retain the original spec but I can't see powder blue with black body & red interior somehow!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EdwinTiben Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 I think it looks great! How about this kind of history on your car! A story to tell each time again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevesTR3 Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 (edited) I have a one owner 1960 TR3 LHD Signal Red 94,000m car which the chassis is painted Light Blue.Was suprised when i steam ceaned off all the dirt and waxoil. But Hey Ho genuine factory finish! *I have left the chassis in original Powder Blue and will Clear Waxoyl it, to show off its History. Edited July 22, 2020 by StevesTR3 Picture included Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 Hi Steve welcome to our forum. Ye s you are correct, my 3A Chassis is going to be Silverstone Grey. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 Mine has evidence of red in the awkward crevices.....I reckon repainted by the works, as no way was it red in period. Iain Ps it’s not going to be red now either. :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 8, 2020 Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 11 hours ago, iain said: Mine has evidence of red in the awkward crevices.....I reckon repainted by the works, as no way was it red in period. Iain Ps it’s not going to be red now either. :-) You never know it might have been as I have seen lots of mix and match colours chassis to body. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted June 8, 2020 Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 (edited) Mine is Post Office red and I like it. However I have trouble keeping the bodywork clean let alone cleaning the chassis. I have a pressure washer for use after a muddy drive, but it is hard to reach all corners. I did have the chassis zinc coated at the rebuild which seems to have helped. So some of the chassis is old oil colour ( as designed by ST ). Richard & B Edited June 9, 2020 by Richardtr3a Clarity Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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