Return to my Blog-1957 Triumph TR3 Derelict Build Update

Work on my 1957 has proceeded since my last posting in November 2014.Just not documented in my blog...

The winter was generally not a good build season due to a number of contributing factors-many beyond my control. \As I look back on my entries there has been a lot of justification of lack of progress but I think it comes with the territory...Over the winter and into spring I had to continually remind myself the build is a hobby of mine and as such should not be a burden to my sense of well being if I don't get around to turning wrenches and making progress. A fine line to walk for sure..

I have fabricated some more panels for the interior...trial fitted -they look good. My son also got involved by doing some custom fabrication for me on the interior panel that goes behind the seats in front of the gas tank. I hope to post some pictures soon.

Through extremely good luck and good fortune I was able to purchase a small mouth valance for the car from Drakes Motors-Kelowna for a very reasonable price. The component needed a lot of work and it took me a couple of tries to get it to a point where I was satisfied with the structure and the alignment with the front fenders. I am now ready to do the final minor repairs and get a coat of filler on the repair patch areas. I am please made new patch panels out of sheet metal and then skimmed them with fibreglass filler. Now very strong and much more structurally sound. I am pleased with my workmanship. Very fit for purpose for a derelict build like the '57. I hope to get a coat of primer on before the end of the day tomorrow...

I also lucked out on procuring replacement seat covers at a heavily discounted price from Drakes. I started to dismantle the old seats-got one completed and have since moved on...I will get back to the work at a later date.

After much deliberation on my part I decided to purchase a steering column kit from Moss motors. I looked a jury rigging something up-even going as far as looking at hot rod options but after careful
deliberation spent the $325 to buy the unit...I really wanted to use the original steering wheel which was proving difficult to adapt to the options I was looking at. One interesting aspect of the kit was the tube housing was painted blue-bright blue...not sure why but I decided to squirt on a coat of chassis black. I did a trial fit..had some issues with the firewall grommet which ended up consuming an extra hour of work until I got things lined up.

There are many other minor tasks completed. I probably worked on the car about 1/10 of the time I had originally allocated. Life got in the way and I have to go with the flow.

1957 Triumph TR3-Gas Tank Repair

I received a phone call from my radiator repair shop that the 1957 gas tank has been repaired, cleaned and pressure tested and is now ready for pick up. Great news. I wanted to recycle the tank and get it out of my garden shed.. It had rusted through on the bottom. The technician put a patch panel in. I will repaint it when I take possession at the end of next week. (the shop is located in a city 150 kms away)......

1957 Triumph-templates made for replacement panels

Time in Garage Monday:  2-1/2 hours

I made up templates for the interior kick panels. Took some fitting and extra time. My son came over and picked them up to take to his shop. The first 2 are done. I also completed the patterns for the checker plate flooring I intend to install. They will be passed on once the other panels come back. Once I get the right hand kick panel installed I can start working on the wiring as on the panel is where the fuse box is going to be located.

I also cleaned up the drivers side floor and put some rust neutralizer on a small patch of surface rust.

I kept repeating the mantra...."better to be out in the garage building something than sitting around daydreaming about it"......it felt good to be out there and away from my screen devices...

1957 Triumph-Installed Panel between Trunk and Gas Tank

Time in Garage Sunday-4.25 hours

I rivited in the steel replacement panel my son made up for me a few months ago. The panel is painted and fits really well. I used seam sealer afterwards. Overall I am very pleased.

Project Update 1957 Triumph Build

I have gotten out of the habit of updating my daily progress in this blog. An oversight on my part I believe and a situation I am going to rectify starting now!!!

I actually have been working on the 1957 since my last blog entry. Progress has been much slower than I anticipated but nothing new there if you have been following my blog history!

There have been some successes for sure but peppered with lots of challenges. I have been doing patch panels for the passenger side sill repair and painted the divider between the trunk and gas tank and fitted and refitted the doors a couple of times. (still not finished)... all good...the challenge has been mainly focused on finding stored parts....I have had to do a lot of sorting and searching over the past month or so. Garage functionality and tidiness continues to be major barriers...

I still struggle with making the build a priority. I am finding it very challenging to make my way to the garage and get down to work? I find the situation perplexing and to be honest I am not sure of the "why" but something is out of kilter....

I have adopted the concept of spending a "power hour" working on the car. I purchased a magnetic white board (small) with a dry erase marker and have attached it to my tool box. I write down the goals I have and what time I enter and leave the garage. Shooting for an hour at a time. The process seems to work so far as it keeps me focused to actually stay physically in the garage for the allotted time!!

'57 & '59 Project Plan -Setting Reasonable goals?

Project Plan

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1957 Triumph Tr3 Rat Rod

Phase 1 of the ’57 Triumph Project: to December 15,2014

Complete the 57 to engine start up . Get parts painted in October2014 and installed where it makes sense through the balance of 2014….Move the car outside for the winter-EARLY DECEMBER IS PREFERABLE. Intent is to move it out at whatever stage of completion. Tarp to be installed and vehicle winterized. Potential engine/trans may not be serviceable. Would need to change focus on drivetrain if this is the case.

Make sure the car is appraised and insured before doing so.

The rat rod will be the main focus during October 2014. Intent is to keep expenditures low through the balance of the project.Scrounging parts etc. Focus on “coolness” without excess.

Phase 11 of the build starts in May 2015 with a focus during the winter of 2015 to locate missing components such as a gas tank, rad test and painting , windshield, etc etc.

1959 Triumph

Phase 1 “goal” of the ’59 Triumph project is to body mounting on the assembled but not completed chassis before April 15th.Classified as a “the” winter project. Includes chassis build up but potentially not hydraulics or front brakes, brake lines , shocks etc..(long list) but to rolling chassis status.Includes the Moss Rack and Pinion etc… Expenditures to be kept to a bare minimum through the winter. Look at the potential of utilizing the “spare” rear brake parts etc…..List to be compiled in the winter outlying what needs to be purchased. Body will not be permanently mounted on chassis. Intention is to refurbish the1957 engine to operating status and start it up before April 2015. A starter motor might be a required purchase… Once again focusing on component check out and installation where applicable and to use all existing parts before any new components are purchase. Note: both engines check out then the ’57 will be swapped back into the rat rod... If only one works out then an engine transplant on the ’57 will be considered. At least explored.

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Phase 11 of the project is the body work and final paint which will commence in mid May 2015. Funds to be put aside for the project through the course of the winter. Intention is to undertake the body work during the summer months inside the garage. Budget estimate is around $1000.00?

Once the body work is completed focus will turn back to the procuring the required component pcs.

1957 deficiency list

Gas tank

Steering column

Windshield

Side curtains

Seats???

Need to further exploration on the status of the parts in the partsbins and fasteners? Is there anything to sell? i.e. the moss side rail, steering box etc.

1957 Progress Report

Time in Garage this week(actually the driveway) 10 hours

I have spent an additional 6 hours working on the challenging left hand rear fender. The fender was very marginal originally and when repairing it the first time I did not realize there was another area of weakness that I had overlooked. Plus I had missed putting in a couple of rivets which further compromised the fit up. All of this has been resolved and the final fit up completed. I am fairly happy with the outcome. I will be doing an update video on YouTube on Monday to show what I have been doing. I will post the link on this blog.

I also did about 40% of the body painting. Originally I had painted the body with Por 15 gray finish to preserve the body which over the past few years has transformed into kind of a flat green hue with streaks of dark gray/black. I like the patina so I decided to continue the theme for the rest of the car.  I had a green custom mixed at my local paint store and through a process of applying and matching made a decision to add some flat black to the mix. I am not 100% happy with the match up but through trial and error I am getting closer. At least now the panels blend to a reasonable degree. I enjoyed applying the paint and playing around with making the finish. It hasn't taken too long so far.