T.R.:Written off 1983, Returned to the road 2006

Gilbert '71 T · Post by **Gilbert '71 T** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:29 pm

Nice teaser picture Barry, looking good

Sounds like you've been looking at it for too long though, I'm sure the finished article will be very special once everything else is bolted up

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:30 am

After CLM, things have been moving on at a fairly good pace (lots of long days and 1-3 a.m. finishes

). I was hoping to take the car to the T.R. International this weekend, but really needed one more day for MOT preparation, so looks as though it won't happen now.

Anyway all of the outer panels have been mounted on a bed of Waxoyl, with the horrible wing top trims fitted. The brakes all went on fine, with brilliant service from Classicar on the calipers. The carbs have been rebuilt, and new fuel lines run through, plus the fuel pump has been overhauled.

Originally the dash would have been painted, with many folk fitting a wooden overlay panel for that Faux Jaguar look. I thought I would do something a bit different, so trimmed it to match the seat/trim colour. It looks 'right' and in keeping, plus the lower (black) 'crashpads' have been recovered in black to tidy them up.

I tried the engine this evening. Because of the design of the engine, it's possible to remove the distibutor and it's pedestal, and get a cordless drill directly onto the oil pump driveshft. This meant that the oil pressure could be built up to full running level, and allowed to run for a couple of minutes (just to flush it well through). Once that was done, even just cranking the engine was producing 40-50 psi on the gauge, a bit different from the 911's. The engine has a mechanical fuel lift pump, which has a manual lever as well. This meant that the fuel could be pumped upto the carbs before cranking.

With the above preparations, all that was left was to turn the key. It started as though it had just been left for five minutes: a couple of compressions and it was off, no trouble at all, and very reassuring.

For the MoT all I need to do is fit the number plates, bonnet, bumpers and balance the carbs. BTW, the number plates were ordered through my local car accessory shop at 3 p.m., and had arrived by the next morning

Pretty amazing for pressed aluminium plates.

The interior has now arrived, and looks fab, so order of events is MOT items, test drive and MOT, surrey top and side glass, interior, fit wire wheels, re-mop the paint (still not happy with it: I suspect that it the car survives here into the winter I might have another go at it), badges and general finishing off.

Covered dash:

Cooling after 1st engine run:

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:37 am

well done Barry fantastic job, no 'knocking or banging' when you started her up, like you heard at CLM

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:45 am

Barry, the TR is looking fantastic

Dyno Soar · Post by **Dyno Soar** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:28 am

Good work mate.

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:42 am

soon be time to don the flat cap and leather driving gloves Barry!

'What'O chap, look at that fine filly across the way' and all that

good work fella

BTW what are you plans for it? Is it a keeper or a completed project you always planned to sell on?

Post by **Bootsy** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:04 am

Mike wrote:well done Barry fantastic job, no 'knocking or banging' when you started her up, like you heard at CLM

Viv_Surby · Post by **Viv_Surby** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:20 pm

Bootsy wrote:
Mike wrote:well done Barry fantastic job, no 'knocking or banging' when you started her up, like you heard at CLM

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:28 pm

Thanks all.

I'm delighted to say that there didn't appear to be any knocks or bangs, then again it was only me and the car in the workshop .... I don't love it that much

As for the future of the car, I don't really know to be honest. On the one hand, I want to use it and enjoy it, having sold the other 911 (Gulf Blue) before I'd enjoyed it much. Against that, I've got the 911 to do, and frankly I'm not going to be able to get too far on that without getting hold of some 'classic car money'.

I would think what will actually happen is that I'll finish the car, use it but have it quietly up for sale at the same time. It won't be a cheap one, so I can't see it suddenly going and really the absolute ideal would be to get into a position where I could afford to have the TR, the 911 and the Hornet all in the classic car stable. Coupled with the little Ducati, that would give a lovely combination of vehicles: something for every occasion

. Still life doesn't often work out that neatly, so I expect there'll be a bit of car shuffling along the way

.

Next installment soon: having missed this weekend's deadline, there's another (more local) event next weekend so hopefully we'll make it there instead. In fact I think there's literally soemthing on every weekend until mid/late September, so plenty of opportunity to use the car.

Ferry Man · Post by **Ferry Man** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:24 pm

Barry, don't make the mistake of selling that car too cheap (like you did with the 911).
That's going to be a very fine car. Price it accordingly or sell it to me for your usual modest cost and I'll flip it, make a couple of grand, and teach you a lesson.

Just think of all the money you can release and tip into that new 911 project.

Ian Donkin · Post by **Ian Donkin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:03 pm

Barry

If you are going to sell it, take it back to the guy you bought it from and see how much he'll pay you for it now - that's another fantastic Carter job coming to an end; don't give it away too cheaply this time!

Come on guys - we need to give Barry some price / value coaching lessons

.

JonnyG · Post by **JonnyG** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:45 pm

Barry you know Paul speaks the truth, the car is beautifully put together, sexy door gaps and the hours you have put into it, if you sell then get good money

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:20 pm

Barry,

Nice work as always.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:07 pm

Thanks as ever for all of the positive comments. One thing's for sure, I don't dare sell it cheap now: I'll never hear the end of it

.

Next instalment in a couple of days, hopefully.

Gilbert '71 T · Post by **Gilbert '71 T** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:58 pm

I've just caught up on this, a bloomin fantastic job there Barry, but then I think we always knew it would be

Huge congratulations on the start-up, I hope you're feeling suitably chuffed with yourself

. incredible how much pressure runs through that engine at idle as well. Now you've heard it running you must be chomping at the bit to take it out

How are things coming along? I am really looking forward to seeing the finished piece at the Northern weekend, that is if it's still the plan to bring it along