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TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR3 - Replacement Knock-off Quality

I just received four new two-eared knock-offs purchased on sale from TRF. Aside from being poorly packed so that they rattled loosely against each other resulting in scratches, the imprinting of the lettering on their faces is suprisingly clunky and rough. By that, I mean that, rather than the thin, clean lines found on my badly beaten but original knock-offs, these look deeply stamped and roughly finished at the "trough" of the letters, almost as if they'd been drawn with a handheld engraving tool. They weren't, of course, but they look it. The letters are each about 1 to 1.5 mm in thickness, and almost as deep. They really "scream" their message, allowing you to read them from about 15 feet away. The packaging indicates they were manufactured in Great Britain.

Are these what are generally available, or is it possible to locate a set with the more toned-down and clean lettering? Because of the scratching, they're headed back to TRF, but I would imagine the letters on the next set would look the same.

Sure, this is a major vanity indulgence, so maybe I'm being overly picky. But, hey, it's a gift from me to me.

Thanks for any insights on this.

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

I have had so many parts from all sorts of TR suppliers that were of a quality that was not to my level of acceptance as for fit, workmanship or finish that I decided a long time ago that I'll only buy parts that are to be "seen" if I can walk through the stock-room myself and decide if I want it on not.

I did this at Cox & Buckles (now Moss UK) when they were still in Richmond-on-Thames. I went through and said "yes" to over $3600.00 worth of parts and "no" to others.

I did it 12 years ago ar TRF when I was there and again this past summer. I did it 3 times at Moss in California.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Good advice, Don. I wish I could tour all those wonderful places with you!

The marvelous folks at TRF are sending replacement knock-offs in exchange for the earlier set. I did happen to see a lovely picture of the knock-offs in the downloadable catalog on the Moss UK website, and it appears they have the "deeper" lettering as well. So it appears all is well in knock-off land. TRF reports that they all come from the same supplier, so there you go.

Time to knock-off and get back to work.

Holiday greetings to all!

Bill
Bill Stagg

This thread was discussed between 04/12/2003 and 05/12/2003

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