My '73 TR6 is getting closer to being done

[tr6oldtimer]

I am an amateur restorer, and I want to thank Len for this site, as it has helped me get this far. I still have the boot and bonnet, as well as two front wings and a passenger door to go, but it is starting to look good.

Mallard blue, DCC PPG urethane sanded the covered with PPG speed clear, 2000 grit sanded and buffed out. (Like I said, a rookie who hates orange peel)

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/tr6oldtimer/TR6%20Body%20Painting/PB170002_edited.jpg

Oh, the wheel is temporary while I refinish the originals.

[TR3_Nut]

I am an amateur restorer, and I want to thank Len for this site, as it has helped me get this far. I still have the boot and bonnet, as well as two front wings and a passenger door to go, but it is starting to look good.

Mallard blue, DCC PPG urethane sanded the covered with PPG speed clear, 2000 grit sanded and buffed out. (Like I said, a rookie who hates orange peel)

Oh, the wheel is temporary while I refinish the originals.

Excellet job Ray. You must be excited with the progress you've made. I'm restoring a 59' TR3 now. Am just wrapping up panel repair and minor collision repair and then time for primer, filler, paint. Len has been a huge help and has furnished a Tekna Copper gun, Airvantage sander, and lots of misc. supplies. Great site. I've learned a ton. Good luck with wrapping up your resto!

Pat
Folsom, CA

[Len]

I am an amateur restorer, and I want to thank Len for this site, as it has helped me get this far. I still have the boot and bonnet, as well as two front wings and a passenger door to go, but it is starting to look good.

Mallard blue, DCC PPG urethane sanded the covered with PPG speed clear, 2000 grit sanded and buffed out. (Like I said, a rookie who hates orange peel)

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/tr6oldtimer/TR6%20Body%20Painting/PB170002_edited.jpg

Oh, the wheel is temporary while I refinish the originals.

Nice work Ray, it looks like you're painting it in sections and that shouldn't be any problem with that color. Just make sure you mix the paint real well before each painting session.

[jpmitch]

Great work. It's very close to the color of my 76 TR6, but mine is supposed to be BRG. I'm doing a Stag now in Sapphire blue. Lots of luck with your 6. John

[tr6oldtimer]

Great work. It's very close to the color of my 76 TR6, but mine is supposed to be BRG. I'm doing a Stag now in Sapphire blue. Lots of luck with your 6. John

Thanks, painting with a dark color is a pain in the arse. The original Mallard Blue was really Mallard Green, not much blue at all. Years ago, I had the car repainted, and the color match had more blue then original. It looked great, like a teal in the sunlight and blue in the shade. When I took on this project, I thought to return to the original color, the wife said no to which I agreed. Originality can only go so far. If I was really concerned about originality, the paint would have a gloss, but no reflections, like the enamels of the past.

I almost bought a Stag when they first came out. If I had, then that would probably be my project car.

Good luck on yours, I bet parts are a bear to find.

Post some pics so we can drive these American Iron guys nuts.


Oh Len, the biggest problem with painting individual panels for is matching the final buff finishing. Just when I think I am done, I see something I missed.

[Mooch]

I like that car a lot and it looks nice .
If I was really concerned about originality, the paint would have a gloss, but no reflections, like the enamels of the past.


In my opinion that quote is how all cars should still look .

Mooch

[Mooch]

I would suggest you clean your yard up Ray .


Mooch lol

[carcrazy]

Looking good Ray! What condition was it in originally?

[another2centsworth]

nice color and job TR 8)

[tr6oldtimer]

Looking good Ray! What condition was it in originally?
I had to replace both rocker's, skinned driver's door, replaced both floors, and repaired rust damage on the upper rear fenders and where they connected to the tub.
I did a full off frame, complete transmission rebuild, complete engine rebuild, suspension, etc.
Looking at this I have come a long way.
78817882
7880
7883

Thanks 2 cents. The color is Mallard Blue, a teal. Looking back, I have to agree, not bad for an accountant.

[Eddie]

Wow Ray! I really like that. I love the color too.

The TR6 is my favorite British car from that era, by a long shot. It was actually pretty quick and sporty for its day.

How's the Lucas electrical? :D I have fixed so many Lucas electrical screw ups in my day. I'd tell you the secret, but I would have to assume that you already know it. :privateeye:

And on that note, why do the British drink their beer at room temperature? :p

[tr6oldtimer]

Wow Ray! I really like that. I love the color too.

The TR6 is my favorite British car from that era, by a long shot. It was actually pretty quick and sporty for its day.

How's the Lucas electrical? :D I have fixed so many Lucas electrical screw ups in my day. I'd tell you the secret, but I would have to assume that you already know it. :privateeye:

And on that note, why do the British drink their beer at room temperature? :p

Lucas, the Lord of Darkness is dead in this car. Having owned a TR4 years ago, I learned how to kill the beast.

Thanks for the complement. A TR6 is a fine touring car, hell even Paul Newman, who raced one for awhile, gave it up for Z cars, which is what my soon to be ex-wife did just to piss me off.

[Eddie]

Are you saying you ripped the Lucas wiring out? A lot of people do that. I even put a few GM alternators in British cars for customers.

But a guy that does restorations for collectors showed me how to deal with the Lucas wiring. Besides making sure that everything is corrosion free and fits like it should, you use the conductive grease (like you buy for a battery installation) on every single junction.

The wiring in those old cars is typically butchered when you go to restore them. But collectors want to see the Lucas wiring, and they want to see it working too.

[idickers]

If you need to return your car to stock Lucas form, the parts show up regularly on eBay: Scroll down the link to find the for genuine Lucas electrical system smoke, which is NLA :D

http://www.mez.co.uk/lucas.html

Ian

[tr6oldtimer]

Actually, I have owned this car since 76. The wiring never gave me any trouble. There were a couple of places. near the engine where new wiring was needed a well as a few connectors. I wrapped the loom with period tape. The alternator worked when last I drove the car and before that, all it needed was a diode or two.

The only thing I really need is the wide water pump, and they are dear.

[Eddie]

The wiring never gave me any trouble.

That's because no ham fisted gorillas ever worked on it. I have seen where the terminal was mangled, or broken off and the wire was wrapped around the terminal. I have seen terminals crimped, stretched, and cracked. I have seen amateur splices, corroded wires, and cold solder joints.

Electrical repairs are right up my alley, and the Lucas electrical system is simple to restore to original working order if it hasn't been butchered and tampered with.

I do the neatest wiring you will ever see, and I know how to hide aftermarket wiring or make it look stock on any car. That's my thing.

[Roger J.]

Ray, would you happen to have any use for any parts from a (I think) 64 or 65 TR4?. There's a shop next to my work that has had one setting here for quite some time, and the shop owner is going to scrap it. The car is pretty beat up. Looks like they cut out some parts of it for another car. But the engine and drivetrain looks fairly complete, bumpers look okay,, and it looks like there could be a few other useable parts on it (door handles, window cranks, gauges, etc.).

I don't know anything about these cars myself. Just hate to see good parts go to the scrap yard.

[tr6oldtimer]

Damn, but I would love to get a 64-65 TR4. It was the first Triumph I owned and drove all over the country. However, that car has had some parts taken off it (body parts), and it would make quite a project for me. That and the fact that I live in California makes it even more difficult.

However, there are people who may pay the same or more for the car then a scrape yard. If you can get a picture or two, I can post on the Triumph forums, and I am certain, there will be people on the East Coast interested in the car.

Send me a message on this board or through my profile with more particulars and you may just make a collector happy.

[Roger J.]

I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow after I talk to the shop owner. In case he has any objections to me posting them.
The most significant thing I noticed in looking it over was that it appears someone had cut out the rear vertical part of the one door jamb. So the rear quarter is flopping in the breeze. The rest of the body might be a complete loss, although the trunk lid didn't look too bad on the outside.

[Roger J.]

Okay Ray. I got some pictures of this poor old car. The body is definitely a goner. The whole passenger side is a mess, and most (if not all) of the driver's side. Here's a couple pics. I'll post more after work.

8240...8241...8242...8243

[tr6oldtimer]

Thanks Roger, I have posted the photos to a Triumph forum. We will see if there is interest.
Looking forward to more photos.

[Roger J.]

Ray, I just sent you an email, but forgot to ask,,,, would you like me to just email the rest of the pictures to you. I don't want to use up a bunch of Len's server space posting them here.

[Len]

Ray, I just sent you an email, but forgot to ask,,,, would you like me to just email the rest of the pictures to you. I don't want to use up a bunch of Len's server space posting them here.

If you open a PhotoBucket.com account you can insert a full size image without taking up any server space.


http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i340/autobodybasics/dent2.jpg

[LittleBritishCar]

It is looking good. My dad started restoring his TR6 in 1977. It was only five years old at the time but had seen a lot of use as a daily driver. He took his time doing it. In fact, he took 31 years to finish it!