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Triumph TR3 - replacing inner sills and floors

I'm in the process of replacing the floor panels on my TR3A. Now I see that I will also need to replace the L.H. and R.H. inner sills. I didn't want this job to turn into a complete body off restoration. The body, while not great, was restored by previous owner with some filler and a not too shabby paint job. Is there any hope of replacing the floors and inner sills, without replacing the outer sills and other body panels, or should I just commit to a full restoration.
jek Kaplon

It's something only you can decide. Maybe you can match the paint that's still good. The previous owner may know the exact number and brand that was used. If you want to drive the car this year, I wouldn't start a complete restoration.
Tom

The door sills are welded to the inner sills, so they both need to be done at the same time. To see what is involved in a full body off restoration, click below. It took me three years and about 1500 hours. Oh Yes - it cost me about $13,000 for parts and $5000 for the painting which was done professionally. This was 1987 to 1990. Since then, I've driven over 82,000 miles and still get 2nd in class at TRA and VTR National concours events.

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

The outer sills will be a breeze compared to the inner ones, and they're only about $25 each if I remember.
It is easy to end up doing a full restoration, and difficult to know just how far to go....
Best to come to grips with the fact that bodywork is expensive, no matter how you slice it. Could be either of your man-hours or dollars, but it is time-consuming work - and it's what everybody sees. No one seems to notice if you have upgraded to TR4 valves with thinner stems for better flow, for example.
For me, the best decision I have made was not to worry too much about originality. This approach is not for everyone but it has allowed me to make faster progress.

Jim
J. S. Wallace

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2005 and 10/05/2005

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