British-Cars.org

Welcome to the DMR Site for British Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 - The Final Fling

Gents,

I just don't know how you all bring yourselves to do it. I just wrapped up the first year with my '61 TR3A and I was struggling mightily to find that one day when I would slip off the road and into the garage for the next round of maintenance, repairs and "enhancements." It just kills me to park it.

Mercifully, the right time finally came yesterday. Those of us in Indiana were graced with the most unbelievably (and unseasonably) gorgeous day Tuesday with blue skies, white clouds and temperatures hovering around 80 degrees.

In what can only be described as a fortuitous alignment of the LBC planets, I had business that day in southern Indiana requiring me to drive an hour and a half into the more geographically interesting, hilly part of our state. This was done with great relish and with top up and sidecurtains in place as the morning was chilly at highway speed. After bailing from the appointment around 1 pm, I dropped the top and sidecurtains and took off for any curvy road I could find to take the long way back to Indianapolis. On a whim, I headed away from Indy toward Brown County to catch what was left of the fall.

At a gas station the TR and I were approached by the owner of a 60's era Mini (which he was ruefully not driving at the time). He suggested a road near Nashville, Indiana, that might be fun to try. Within the hour I was on Indiana Route 45, slicing my way through curves and ridgetops in a crazy, loopy run that seemed to last forever. The sun and air were that perfect temperature that washed over car and driver. Speeds varied between 30 and 45, with much up and down shifting. No traffic. No worries. Just pure driving enjoyment. Did I mention I had Buckwheat Zydeco pulsing from a boombox in the back seat? For two cents and a dare I would have driven down to New Orleans to get a jump on Mardi Gras.

With temperatures forecast to drop 20 degrees over the next 24 hours, I knew this was my last fling for the season, and it was a glorious one. In fact, this may have been THE most enjoyable run of the year. So much so that I am now firmly dedicated to squeezing out that remaining play in the steering linkage and doing what it takes to get the responsive handling that would have made my run that much sweeter.

So...get ready for another barrage of questions this winter now that I've pulled the TR into drydock.

I'm just asking, is this fun or what?

Thanks to everyone for your continued help and advice. You guys are terrific!

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

Bill - I couldn't think of a better way to end the TR driving season. You said it all !!! Your success this summer with the TR makes me pleased that I could help.

Don
Don Elliott

Bill:

Greetings from the northern part of Indiana. I agree with your assesment of last Tuesday's (11-04-03) weather. After about 4200 miles for this season, I kissed the TR2 on the hood emblem Tuesday night and told it good night for the winter. Next time that you are going to southern Indiana, take Highway 135 out of Indianapolis and follow it to Salem. Glorious smooth stretch of road that was designed for a good side screen car.

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
Louis Metelko

Hi Lou!

Thanks for the road tip. I did a short stretch of 135 that day going from Trafalgar to Nashville, and it was a terrific ride. Glad to know there's more in store.

Squeezed that final warm weather ride in at the last moment. Now it's time to hit the to-do list.

Again, Mary Beth and I thoroughly enjoyed TRA in Auburn this year. It was our first TR event and we had such a blast. And that weather! Nice work by you and the gang, Lou. Good show!

Stay warm up there, and enjoy the coming holidays.

Bill
Bill Stagg

This thread was discussed between 06/11/2003 and 10/11/2003

Triumph TR3 index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now