12 Years in the Making

A club restoration project comes to an end

In October 2002, in the windy desert of Laughlin, Nevada, a Triumph TR3 will be raffled off by the Desert Centre Triumph Register of America. It will be the culmination of a 12-year club project that has seen its share of starts and stops.

In 1989, a fellow named Phil Hunt proposed the idea: a club restoration project that would serve as an educational test bed for technique and provide a focal point for club members. One year later, when another fellow named Bob Schaller donated a 1960 Triumph TR3 to the club, the project took solid form.

Projects of restoration usually begin with the antithesis of creation: destruction. By taking something down to its essential components, we are able to rebuild to specification and start fresh. The DCTRA did just this. Disassembly was carried out with a series of monthly workdays. Over the course of three years—one day per month—the club stripped the TR3 down to its nuts and bolts, ready for rebirth.

The sheet metal was rust-free with the exception of the rocker panels. These were removed and discarded. New steel was put in the rust’s place. The engine was machined by a club member, assembled with care, and stored for insertion at a later date. The frame was stripped and dipped to remove all the dirt and grease, then painted. Suspension pieces were cleaned, replaced as needed, painted, and reinstalled.

To pay for the parts needed, the club held garage and bake sales. The club treasury also contributed to the project. When enough muffins had been sold, the transmission was rebuilt and the differential serviced. A new fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines, and universal joints were installed.

As would be expected with a lengthy British car restoration, silly-looking scenes unfolded. One such spectacle featured six men pushing the TR3 frame down the street as it was guided by one fine lady steering with a pair of Channellock pliers on the steering shaft. Barbecue cookouts were held to keep enthusiasm for the project going. Some of the wives also pitched in, cleaning parts, painting, and assembling. When the frame was completed, the car was moved to another member’s garage, where the body was cleaned and assembled.

With the car becoming whole once again, it was moved to Roy Stoney’s British Sports Car Service, and the rebuilding continued. At this point, the restoration slowed to a crawl. Then, Cliff Philpott was appointed to head up the forgotten project and things took off. He rallied the troops and monthly workdays were reinstituted. Wiring was replaced, upholstery installed, and new tires were mounted and balanced.

Twelve years after the project began, the little red Triumph TR3 with black interior is ready for the raffling block. Everything works properly and the car can be viewed at the DCTRA web site: www.dctra.org. Cuts, bruises, scrapes, and club teamwork have conspired to bring back a classic.