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Triumph TR3 - Frame color

What color was the frame and running gear from the factory? Flat black, gloss, something else?
TIA
chris

I was just cleaning up and doing some painting on the underside of my 3A before it got too cold to lay on the floor. It's hard to believe, but my frame was originally a very dark green. I have heard that they were painted colors other than black, but I like a gloss black. As far as I can tell, the car I mentioned was white from the factory, red now. A green frame would look fine with a white body, but with red, I prefer black.

There is probably a reference book with the author's best guess on this. Also concours guidelines from somewhere, but I can't provide them, sorry. I think a gloss black would be the best choice, but that's just one layman's opinion. You may need to post your commission number to get an expert's opinion.
Tom

I bought my TR3A brand new in May 1958. I paid an extra $35.00 to have it undercoated. In 1987 when I started to strip it for my restoration, I removed the tar from the frame and found that it was primrose yellow. I've also seen several red frames, both as original and as restored. Click on the site below - then click on the 4th photo along to see my yellow frame.

No-one believed me back in 1987, so I had it sprayed gloss black. It looks good and cleans up nice for the concours judges. I never lost any points at VTR or TRA because it is glossy black. The frame on the BRG TR3A that I'm restoring now is also gloss black.

Don Elliott

http://www.rucompatible.com/triumphmtl/member_cars.htm#TR3

http://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbthreads/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/1919/ppuser/4127
Don Elliott

I bought my TR3A in 1958 and have been restoring it for the last 4 years. The frame on mine had undercoating on it from the start but when I removed it I found that the frame had been painted the same color as the body, Sebring White, in several places. There were a lot of places where the undercoating had come off and it was just rusty so I do not know what it looked like in those places. I sand blasted the frame, primed it, and painted most of it with gloss POR-15. I also sprayed inside the box sections with an anti-rust primer with the frame in all four positions.

hjr
hjr

Thanks! The restoration book that just came suggests black, but not what flavor. Those other colors are interesting! I was sent a picture of a red frame by someone selling their cars, and wondered what was going on there. Now, that question is also answered!
chris

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2006 and 15/01/2006

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