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Hello, just become the owner of a 1955 TR2


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1. Girling discs? I can't see the evidence, John. You can use the later brake and masyer cylinder assembly on drum-braked cars. Furthermore, even if the car turns out to have Girling discs, these were often retro-fitted, as in my TR3 KST 277 (cf. My "Mystery KST 277" ongoing diary account, p. 2, TR2/3/3A Forum here), in the late 1980s.

NB. There was no evidence, but John is, nevertheless, right in his assumption. I can confirm that this TR2 is indeed equipped with Girling disc brakes.

2. The scuttle has bolts for aeroscreens which were not fitted to TR3As, unless I'm mistaken.

3. The scuttle has no vent lid which is correct for a TR2, as Peter Wigglesworth has just pointed out. Which is why there is no lever on the dash capping either.

4. Nor are the seats the later, more padded, design, despite white piping. They're TR2/TR3.

5. The doors have no handles, which would be fitted if, as you claim, this car were a TR3A.

6. The engine is a factory exchange, so may still sport the plate with the date when it was fitted. That's a late TR3 number, isn't it?

7. The carbs are H6 after all, when you see that the inlet manifold is fitted to the block with four screws, not the two of the H4s. But what does that prove?

8. Although the two-slot bonnet is a TR3 or 3A one, the front cowling has a headlights assembly which is specific to the TR2 and TR3.

9. The boot is not TR3A one. It has no handle, but a lock, and coach locks on both sides, with teardrop shaped covers. These points indicate a restored TR2, with correct doors, front apron, scuttle, and boot. The Girling brakes were fitted later, as was the bonnet.

10. Originality is one category, another, equally important and increasingly valuable, is a TR's history over time, the six decades since it was built. Modifications, replacement chassis (I replaced a repaired chassis on OGB 800 TR2 with an as good as new TR3A Californian one I bought from Glen Hewitt and which was later repaired by Neil Revington under the car's regrettable change of hands). I retro-fitted brand new H6s on it and log inlet manifold, when Stuart Jenkins had fitted HS6s and 4A manifold and also the "original" black rocker cover to replace an aluminium Triumph Tune one.

So one would have thought these items were original to OGB 800. But they weren't. It had a 4A engine and overdrive box, the latter fitted by Jenkins, and twice rebuilt at my expense in Sheffield during my ownership. But still had its TR2 front drums, assisted by an after market servo. I used to think "original" was crucial and the sign of ultimate value. I was wrong. These cars have had their histories and that is also part of their incredible value to us.

Edited by DavidBee
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If you are working on it yourself I have a list of specialists in various disciplines. If you need a specialist you must look for a company who know the car and are honest, not based near Lincoln. Ainsworth Engineering are very reliable and near Hastings. My car was with a paint shop for a two week job and they kept it for five months. There was a Stag in the workshop and we met at Classic Le Mans by accident. His Stag was there for two years. Send me a pm if you need any specialists. Good luck Richard & B

Edited by Richardtr3a
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On 6/6/2020 at 10:17 PM, Lebro said:

 Would be interested in the boot locking hardware - single central handle (TR3A) , or central lock & 2 X side coach key fasteners (TR2 /3)

Bob, having seen the photos of the boot, I can confirm it fits the latter description.

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With no vent lid it is a TR2 body and the Commission number confirms it. It has just been modified over the years with a few TR3A parts. Does it have 3A rear indicators?

 

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5 hours ago, John McCormack said:

Does it have 3A rear indicators?

No. See above.

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Welcome John, looks like a great find and with some history. Not unusual for a 65 year old car. My experience restoring a 1960 TR3a was more like an archeological dig with each day turning up new artifacts like kids toys in the gas tank, metric bolts jammed into 1/4 fine thread cage nuts, a dzus key trapped behind the front grill etc.  I wish you many happy hours bringing it back to life and enjoying it. Better start practice smiling and waving now as you will be doing a lot of it.

Stan

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3 hours ago, foster461 said:

Welcome John, looks like a great find and with some history. Not unusual for a 65 year old car. My experience restoring a 1960 TR3a was more like an archeological dig with each day turning up new artifacts like kids toys in the gas tank, metric bolts jammed into 1/4 fine thread cage nuts, a dzus key trapped behind the front grill etc.  I wish you many happy hours bringing it back to life and enjoying it. Better start practice smiling and waving now as you will be doing a lot of it.

Stan

Many thanks Stan! Looking forward to finding out more about it, and more importantly, getting behind the wheel! 
 

cheers,

 

John 

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On 6/15/2020 at 6:22 AM, 2long said:

 

The price is very fair, and they weren't chromed, so primer is correct, prior to spraying black. I bought one in the 1980s for OGB 800 which didn't have one, chrome or otherwise. Some owners were taking them off then.

Edited by DavidBee
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3 hours ago, Brian Eldred said:

I've just read this with interest, as I've also just bought a 1955 TR2. Mine was restored in 1996/7 and not run since. I think I had better start another post!

Well done, Brian! Welcome to the Forum. Loads of advice here from very helpful people.

My first TR was a 2, not brilliant, but very reliable and used all year round. Still in the TR Register and current owner rallies it, as I once did.

Edited by DavidBee
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