Paul J Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) I started my restoration November 2015. Lots of disappointments as was to be expected, mainly a badly bent chassis which with foresight I should have discovered before buying. CTM sorted it and also converted it to IRS from solid axle. Before stripping the car I converted it to RHD. What really hurts with this kind of restoration is the amount of your pride and joy that gets brushed up from the garage floor and disposed of in bin bags. New floors, sills, lots of panel patches,, battery tray, B post inners and backs, the list goes on. Now at the stage that I can tidy the MIG away (not too far) and start the final finishing underway. My Resto has been carried out slightly differently to the norm as I completed the finish on the undersides, engine bay, boot inner and wing inners, all the less visible areas. So now down to finishing all the visible bits which I think will be done professionally. Panel gaps have been tedious though I feel I'm there now, nothing ever seems the perfect job. I would never have achieved this position without the advice and research from this forum, thank you all. It's also sourced me a OD gearbox, wire wheels, stainless exhaust system and far too much to list. Still lots to do but I'm getting there. Not sure about the wheelbarrow look pipes, think something will need to be lost there. Thanks all Paul Edited November 28, 2018 by Paul J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 That looks good! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tonyloz Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Im at a similar stage with my 3 so know how much time and efort goes in Well done..its looking great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Hi Paul, don;t stop now - still a lot to do. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Looks good, I presume you converted it to RHD ? Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted September 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Yes Bob yet another typo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Looking good, and light at the end of the tunnel! As for the exhausts....maybe a bit of a trip hazard going on there, and if one don't get you,the other one will! Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Yes Kevin the ends are extensions that will come off with a bit of work. With the bumper on they are not as pronounced. But need to buy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 This car came with a factory hard top, I'm aware these are not very popular as the Surrey back version. Practically are they so bad, I placed mine on yesterday to see how it looked and personally i don't think it's that bad, certainly replacing it with a £3000 + Surrey would seem foolish. As a winter use only hardtop I think mine will be fitted and tested. Any thoughts. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Thats a Microplas top by the looks of it Paul, apart from a bit of lack of side rear quarter vision they arent too bad. They work OK especially if you can get a nice headlining in it as it wlll be pretty snug then. TBH you may as well keep it anyway as they arent really a saleable item. There has been one on Ebay several times and it has failed to sell. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saggy Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Oh keep the wheelbarrow handles, they are a great optional extra - to grab and lift and push whilst chinning yourself on the fuel filler ! Actually, you have put in a lot of hard work during cold miserable wet winter months and it is really looking rather good even before painting (Wedgewood Blue?) and finishing. I salute you sir. Regards the top - keep it, but personally I prefer the look of the normal folding hood. The profile from the side looks the best of any of the softop cars IMHO. Also, the softop does fold down neatly by comparison to others and looks very tidy with the cover over it. Well done - you have accomplished a lot and are in the home straight now and will be ready for the sun in the spring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Oh keep the wheelbarrow handles, they are a great optional extra - to grab and lift and push whilst chinning yourself on the fuel filler ! Actually, you have put in a lot of hard work during cold miserable wet winter months and it is really looking rather good even before painting (Wedgewood Blue?) and finishing. I salute you sir. Regards the top - keep it, but personally I prefer the look of the normal folding hood. The profile from the side looks the best of any of the softop cars IMHO. Also, the softop does fold down neatly by comparison to others and looks very tidy with the cover over it. Well done - you have accomplished a lot and are in the home straight now and will be ready for the sun in the spring. Hi Saggy Yes there has been a lot of work put in to get to this stage, as this is my first attempt at car restoration I have made many processing mistakes, doing things in the wrong order and having to go back over things again. The next one would be so much easier but I would need a lot of persuasion. I agree with you re soft top, it's my intention to mainly use the soft top but maybe the hardtop can be fitted for winter use. Unfortunately I have just discovered the frame supplied with the car though in good condition is actually a TR5 frame so I will need to replace it, more expense. Sorry to disappoint you but it's going back to its original Triumph racing green colour, during its life it's also been a metallic blue and lastly a crimson. Looking forward to the next stage now, fitting out the interior and lights. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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