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New to this - advice needed!


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Hello all,

I am looking for a TR 6 for what will be my first restoration project. It is something I have always wanted to do and, having recently retired, I now have the time to devote to such a project.

That's the plus part! The minus is that I have absolutely no prior experience or automotive skills to call upon. Having spent weeks researching, talking to people and watching TV restoration shows, YouTube clips etc. I'm beginning to wonder if I am being too ambitious, but part of the appeal is to learn new skills as well as owning and driving a car that I have previously only been able to admire from a distance.

I have started looking for a car to get started, but I am concerned that despite looking at the buyer's guides etc. I really don't know what I'm looking for and could easily end up buying a pile of scrap if left to my own devices!

I've seen a couple advertised within my budget, but the dealer is a good 2 hour drive away and I can't find much about the company online.

Any help or advice would be very much appreciate.

Thanks 

Dan

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Many of us have faced our "first restoration project" and while it can be a steep learning curve these are very simple cars by modern standards and parts are readily available. For an amateur the most challenging task is welding but you can probably find a local college course if you are intent on doing that yourself. It is not difficult if you have the right equipment. What you do need is plenty of room. Once you start to take a car apart it is amazing how much space the parts takes up. Get a copy of the workshop manual and take lots of photographs so you know how everything goes back together.

There might also be someone close to where you live that will be prepared to help with the vehicle selection and actual restoration. Best of luck.

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Best to join the club and then find your local group as theres bound to be someone who could look at the car for you to give you a better idea of what your getting yourself into.

Stuart.

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I have just joined the club and I've been in touch with my local section.

I have a double garage which I'm in the process of tidying to make space!

I've actually found a potential project but it is in Lancashire - about 2 hours away.

I've spoken to the dealer who sounds OK, but the car doesn't appear to have any documented history other than original log book. I'm quite keen to do the work...in fact that is the main appeal...I'm just nervous about buying the wrong thing.

I will try the local group to see if anyone is willing to accompany me.

Thanks for the advice.

Dan

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Hi Dan,

Welcome to the forum and the club.

You may find that one of the members has a project car for sale, hidden in a garage, probably at much better value for money than from a dealer. Documentation is a very good idea, know what you are buying.

Mick

 

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36 minutes ago, Dan Middleton said:

I have just joined the club and I've been in touch with my local section.

I have a double garage which I'm in the process of tidying to make space!

I've actually found a potential project but it is in Lancashire - about 2 hours away.

I've spoken to the dealer who sounds OK, but the car doesn't appear to have any documented history other than original log book. I'm quite keen to do the work...in fact that is the main appeal...I'm just nervous about buying the wrong thing.

I will try the local group to see if anyone is willing to accompany me.

Thanks for the advice.

Dan

Have you a link for the dealer? Is it on his website?

Stuart.

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A quick check of DVLA of PWH 909H reveals that it was last taxed in 1991 and the MOT database doesn't go that far back to give any details of previous MOTs.

It might have been bought in the renovation boom of the late 80's and never got restored for some reason.....................

The colour and hard top look good though!

Regards

Bill 

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20 minutes ago, Dan Middleton said:

I can't copy the link for some reason.

It is https://www.ah-classic-cars.co.uk

Dan

Presumably the Magenta one, pictures dont show a lot but at least its complete, I would be having a very good look at the chassis. Looks marginally better than the green hardtop.

Stuart.

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If I can offer my advice; if you’re new to the classic car scene or car scene generally, the best course of action would be to buy the best one you can afford and get to know it and how to maintain it.  As stated above, the TR sports cars are pretty simple and generally pretty easy to work on but a restoration is a major undertaking (to do properly) as well as (most likely) more expensive than you might initially think.  Also, if you’re new to this you will probably need to buy some tools (I’m assuming here, forgive me if I’m wrong).  If you purchase a safe and running car that you intend to restore eventually you’ll give yourself time to acquire what you need and research what the car needs.

For a great read on the tribulations of classic car ownership/restoration have a look at the marvelous thread in the General TR section called “What a year that was”.  It is a great source of info and also quite revealing when it comes to the highs and lows of a restoration.

Also, along with the buyers guide and shop manual this forum and 6-pack.org (if you end up with a US market car with carburetors) are great resources.

Good luck with your purchase whichever way you decide to go!

C74

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Thanks Charlie,

Two things that everybody has told me: it will take longer and it will cost more!

Fortunately, I have plenty of spare time...unfortunately I don't have lots of spare cash!

You are correct about tools - I don't even own a socket set just now, but hopefully part of the pleasure if this project will be building up a collection of stuff alongside the skills and knowledge to use them?

I don't underestimate the undertaking, but it is quite daunting at the moment, so I will take a look at your recommended reading in the hope that it will inspire as opposed to deter me.

Dan

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Dan

I see that you live in Stamford so assume that you have joined the Cambfollowers?

If so we have a tool loan scheme which has most things that you will require for a TR to top up your basic set of spanners, we also have a tech guru who doesn't claim to know all but he has a sort of Register of local members that have done particular jobs and are willing to help.

George 

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Hi Dan

If you want to know what you may be facing with a TR, and havent done so already have a Youtube look at 'Cheftush' and 'Elin Yakov, Rusty beauties'.

Elin is a great 'inspiration' as very little gets away from him!!

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Dan,

Lots of good advice above!    If I may add, on getting yourself equipped, look at Halfords for tools, spanners and sockets.      Their "Advanced" range is as good SnapOn, IMHO, and they offer just as good a guarantee -Lifetime, no questions.     The one time I had a ratchet wrench fail (it was a 1/4" drive and I was abusing it!)  the manager took a new on out of a new set and handed it to me!  And see if you can get a "Trade" cad from  them - see: https://www.halfords.com/help-and-advice/orders-and-bookings/payment-and-savings/trade-card/what-proof-of-trade-do-i-need/

When you have your car, a workshop manual will be a big help.   The proper "Brown Bible" is best! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumph-TR6-Repair-Operation-Manual/dp/1869826132/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UX59SXCD673F&keywords=TR6+workshop+manual&qid=1648219162&s=books&sprefix=tr6+workshop+manual%2Cstripbooks%2C85&sr=1-1

 

Good luck! 

John

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Hi Dan

Your not many miles from me ( near Spalding) Im in the TR Lincolnshire group we also have a small south group that meet for coffee every month your more than welcome to pop along. Every one has already given good advice I would try and get a solid car to start with because as we all know the cost to restore will ultimately be triple what you estimate  perhaps you might want to give TRGB a call they may be of some help they may not have some thing themselves but they may know of one that may be of interest  

Chris 

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Hi Chris,

Thanks for the message. I've also heard from Wayne in Spalding and I have family connections over there.

I'm not sure of the etiquette of local groups. Being across the border in Cambridgeshire I was directed to the Cambs group, but Spalding would be more convenient for me.

If you don't mind an interloper from across the border, can you let me know when and where the next meeting is planned and I will try to get over.

Dan

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1 hour ago, Dan Middleton said:

I'm not sure of the etiquette of local groups. Being across the border in Cambridgeshire I was directed to the Cambs group, but Spalding would be more convenient for me.

Hi Dan,

The group etiquette is very simple: go to whatever group takes your fancy. Try a few out and see how you get on. Some people are members of more than one group - even better, more choice of activities and different friendships.

Mick

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Dan,

I finished my first restoration in April 2021 and it was just something that I had always wanted to do. It was immensely satisfying, and just as good when finished and you get to drive your work.

The first thing that I did was to make sure that I had a team of people on board who were prepared to do all the bits that I couldn’t do, mainly welding and spraying. Other services like gearbox rebuild etc went off to specialists recommended by the great people on this forum.

One tool that is absolutely essential is a camera! I took thousands of photos and I still never had the perfect angle/focus point for many later references but there is usually somebody on the forum who can produce one, and pretty quickly.

It will take longer than planned, mine took 4 years and I won’t even mention the cost!! But it is a journey to be made …….

Good luck and enjoy.

Tim

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You're already having doubts so it's a non-starter, buy a decent Tr6 , drive it and enjoy it this summer. You only live once

There's plenty of other fun practical projects you could do with far less investment of time, space and money. Build yourself a cheap trike or custom motorbike from scratch, design the frame and fabricate it yourself etc. Build a mini tracked tank for your grandson, whatever. Loads of options.  

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Have to agree with the previous post. Dan if you had bought either the Magenta TR6 or the green TR6 buying either would have been the easy part, ask me how I know?

To do a TR6 properly requires previous experience with the TR5/6, to jump off the deep end as a "raw recruit" would in my opinion lead to another failed resto. The costs are high and knowing what you are doing is essential. As stated above, buy the best you can afford and enjoy the constant improving of said car and the learning curve involved in doing so.

Welcome to the club btw and I am sure the correct car will be yours in time.

Alan G

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