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Triumph TR3 - Side curtain radio mount

Not much happening on this site so I thought I would throw out a question. Anyone ever seen a radio unit that mounted on top of the trans. cover? Back in the early 70's I had a 3A that had a 2 component radio that mounted in a u shaped metal / covered in vinyl assembly. It was screwed to the transmission cover with 4 screws and just fit under the battery box. I can't remember what brand the radio was but I recall it being British. One part housed the controls and the other had the fuses. Any ideas? Brian
B. Towne

Brian,

You can see one of the original tunnel-mounted brackets and radios on TeriAnn Wakeman's TR3 website: http://www.cruzers.com/~twakeman/TR/index.html. Click on the "Gallery of Images" and check it out.

A terrific Virginia gentleman, Fred Thomas, sells beautifully powder-coated replicas of these radio mounts, complete with speaker grills. You can hail Fred at vafred@erols.com. Tell him Don Elliott sent you.

I installed a radio/CD player in my 1960 TR3A last month. It was difficult deciding where to place it as I really didn't want a "modern" radio appearing jarringly out of sync with the TR's classic interior dash area. The final answer was to mount it in the glovebox by building a simple hanger bracket out of sheet metal and suspending it from the top of the glovebox. The added benefit is that the player is out of sight and locked up, and there is still plenty of room in the glovebox.

It is, of course, difficult to hear music at speed in a TR, with or without the top on, so sufficient power and good speakers are important. Because I love listening to music while driving, I was willing to sacrifice some of the space behind the seats to speaker placement, but it was important to avoid drilling or cutting body parts to install them. The answer was a prefab, wedged-shaped speaker box that holds two 6x9 Infinity triaxial speakers I got through ebay. They sound great, and the volume can keep up with the road and wind noise when needed.

Another item I agonized over was installation of an antenna. Playing CDs was my primary objective, but having access to the radio became compelling to me. Again, I didn't want to deface the body to mount an antenna, and, to be honest, I didn't like the way they looked on the car. The answer to this came in a 15-inch flexible whip antenna I placed in the corner of the rear seat. It doesn't protrude above the top of the car and it's easily removed if desired. The reception is just fine for my purposes.

I'd be happy to share pix of any of these items. Shoot me an email address if you're interested.

Good luck,

Bill Stagg
1960 TR3A

Bill Stagg

Bill Thanks for your reply. I checked on TeriAnn's website and read her rebuild history. We are a strange lot arn't we.. Congratulations to TeriAnn for her determination. The picture of the mount is similar to what I remember but perhaps mine was an older style. As I mentioned the assembly housed two seperate components. The fuse "box" was mounted above the control "box". I think they must have either been under the bat. box or the car did not have a heater. Maybe this was all just a dream or more likly someone home made. I had a very early 2 that had the glove box door removed and a panel in its place that housed a radio It looked good but eliminated the glove box. Thanks again for your reply.
B. Towne

Housed the fuses? How many fuses does a radio need? Tubes maybe? Never saw onelike this, just curious.
Tom

Oops! You're right Tom I meant to say tubes. Thanks for correction. Must be the RUM!
B. Towne

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2004 and 21/05/2004

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