Forum Advice from the TR Register
The TR Register Forums are an amazing place to get advice and help. You can ask any question no matter how stupid you may think it is and someone will respond with some wise words. It's like parental guidance for you rebuild. Join the Tr Register if you are not a member. It is worth every penny. Below is some advice from TR Register members on the important stuff when setting out on a rebuild.
From Jim in Australia
Worth having some sort of sandblasting kit, even small, to clean up where you are looking for spot welds to drill out, and for cleaning where you are going to weld. Plus some powerful work lights.
From Ade in the Pennines, UK
Try and keep sub-assemblies together until you deal with them.
From Menno in Holland
Your first investment should be a proper digital camera. One with a macro function for close up & details.
Firstly: I remember that I needed 3x the space of the car to store all the parts. Most were on shelves - I had them catalogued like the Moss catalogue,
Second: Never, never throw anything away as 'unusable'
Third: Shop around. Parts prices may vary!
Forth: Don't get carried away! It's a money pit. Stick to your plan and stay within budget. Put aside about +50% of the total sum for 'unforseen'.
Fifth: Try to collect parts before you set off. It's very frustrating having to wait for an item for weeks... without the possibility to go forward with the project.
Sixth: Use local suppliers for the upholstery, powder coating, spraying etc. A proper, local guy can make miracles come true.
Seventh: Don't be temped to tackle the engine at an early stage. TR engines don't like to be unused for years.
Eighth: Upgrades? Do you need them? Some are useful.
Ninth: Ask for info on the forum before you start a new part of the project. Do's, don'ts, hints and tips make things easier.
Finally: step away from the car from time to time...
...and not really a restoration item: remember that the value of your pet project goes up every time you add an item. Be sure to have it re-insured from time to time. This is often overlooked by restorers.
Pete in Warwickshire, UK
Get a load of those stackable cardboard fruit trays from Sainsburys to store parts. Make up an index sheet for each tray and as you place a part in a tray mark up the index with the part description.
Worth having some sort of sandblasting kit, even small, to clean up where you are looking for spot welds to drill out, and for cleaning where you are going to weld. Plus some powerful work lights.
From Ade in the Pennines, UK
Try and keep sub-assemblies together until you deal with them.
From Menno in Holland
Your first investment should be a proper digital camera. One with a macro function for close up & details.
Firstly: I remember that I needed 3x the space of the car to store all the parts. Most were on shelves - I had them catalogued like the Moss catalogue,
Second: Never, never throw anything away as 'unusable'
Third: Shop around. Parts prices may vary!
Forth: Don't get carried away! It's a money pit. Stick to your plan and stay within budget. Put aside about +50% of the total sum for 'unforseen'.
Fifth: Try to collect parts before you set off. It's very frustrating having to wait for an item for weeks... without the possibility to go forward with the project.
Sixth: Use local suppliers for the upholstery, powder coating, spraying etc. A proper, local guy can make miracles come true.
Seventh: Don't be temped to tackle the engine at an early stage. TR engines don't like to be unused for years.
Eighth: Upgrades? Do you need them? Some are useful.
Ninth: Ask for info on the forum before you start a new part of the project. Do's, don'ts, hints and tips make things easier.
Finally: step away from the car from time to time...
...and not really a restoration item: remember that the value of your pet project goes up every time you add an item. Be sure to have it re-insured from time to time. This is often overlooked by restorers.
Pete in Warwickshire, UK
Get a load of those stackable cardboard fruit trays from Sainsburys to store parts. Make up an index sheet for each tray and as you place a part in a tray mark up the index with the part description.