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Triumph TR3 - I Think I'm Being Robbed

Has anyone had a full body resto done on a TR3? I gave my crashed shell to a body shop to do rust and collision repair on. After giving me a $9700 estimate, he wants $22,000 for what I consider to be a very mediocre job! This seems like the price of a full frame up mechanical and cosmetic restoration. There was no dissaembly or re-assembly included in this deal.Is my next step, get a lawyer?
Thanks for any input.
Marty
Marty Scott

If there was no disassembly, then you are being robbed. I paid about $6000 5 years ago to do an MG TD. I've had estimates in the range of 3-4K to fix dents and such and paint on my TR3 driver. 22k seems excessive even if they had to replace many of the panels.
H Singh

When I did the total body off restoration of my 1958 TR3A from 1987 to 1990, I spent 1400 hours. I would guess that I spent about 700 - 800 hours for the metal work I had to do on the body.

The painting was done outside and that cost me $5000.00 in 1989.

For more detail, click on the photos below :-

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

Don Elliott
Don Elliott

I had a rolling chassis job done last fall. They welded new ears, replaced the rocker panels, removed all body putty, welded new parts where needed and painted. Cost: $5000.00 USD
John Triska

Thanks for the responses,
I had a collision a couple of years ago and needed to replace all sheet metal except the bonnet from the cowl forward. I completely diassembled the car and removed the body from the frame before I got the estimate. There was really no hidden rust on the car other than what little there was under the paint that hadn't bubbled up yet.
These guys took the project on as filler over the winter of 03-04. They say they have 900 hours in on it and I can't justify that based on the amount of rust there was or the quality of work they did. I provided new inner fenders and firewall, floor pans, inner & outer rockers, used front fenders and apron.(not included in the bill) I feel they billed every idle hour that winter to my car.
I don't have time at this moment to completely fill you in on the story, but I'll get back with you guys soon.
Thanks again, Marty
Marty Scott

This thread was discussed on 06/06/2005

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