Returning member - and 704 FTT

[Ben Davies]

Hello, All.

After a gap of 13 years or so I’ve rejoined the Register and bought myself another TR.

Previously the owner of a TR6 (SLF 991L) that I sold on to Neil (ntc) and that was later restored by Marko at Classic Marks, I now have a TR3a.

A couple of month ago I purchased 704 FTT - a car well-known to many on here as it had been in the ownership of Brian Chidwick, who sadly passed away last year, since 1977.

Overall it’s in very good shape: solid, including in all the places where often they aren’t, and with a lovely patina that I don’t want to lose.  It needs a suspension overhaul, new radiator and a couple of other things sorted, but the flaky chassis (a CTM unit that was powder coated when the car was restored in 2007) was going to need attention sooner or later. The coating has failed pretty much all over and is flaking; even where it hasn’t visibly failed, the surface is beginning to suffer underneath it.  So I’ve bitten the bullet, taken the body off and will be giving it a decent refurb and recommission over the coming months. The good news is it’s all pretty solid… so should be a great car once done and i can’t wait to drive it.

I’ve said it’ll be on the road for the summer. I’m just not saying which summer, obviously.

I’ll try to post some progress reports on here as I go. And thanks in advance for all the sage advice! 

Cheers,

Ben

[RogerH]

Welcome back Ben,

Do look after the car.

 

Roger

[Bluestone]

+1

[Ben Davies]

40 minutes ago, RogerH said:

Welcome back Ben,

Do look after the car.

 

Roger

Thanks Roger - rest assured it’ll definitely be looked after. 

[Pete Muncer]

Ben - good news to know that 704 FTT will be back on the road at some point (whichever summer!). Brian was a founder member of Lea Valley Group, and also entered many of the tours run by the Carpenters Arms Classic Car Club in Harpenden, which I help organise - so it would be very appropriate to see the car again at any of our events, LVG or CACCC, in the future - you will be very welcome.

Keep in touch.

Cheers

Pete Muncer

[Lebro]

Hi Ben.will we be seeing you at the Surrey Oaks on Sunday around midday (Thames Valley group monthly meeting place)

Hope so, 

Cheers

 Bob.

[Ben Davies]

Thanks Bob / Pete. 

Will be trying to get along to as any things as possible, especially once the car is back on the road, so hopefully catch up with you both sooner or later! 
 

cheers,

ben 

[Ben Davies]

A quick update on progress with my TR3 while I wait for the rain to stop!

Removed the body with no major drama.  The chassis has been blasted, painted and is back on the stands being built up again.  Gearbox and axle have been checked over, new seals fitted, cleaned / painted and all back together. Steering box is rebuilt and awaiting a coat of paint.

Slowly working my way through painting all the brackets and fixings. Every time I think I'm done I find something I'd forgotten...

Will turn to the body next but nothing major to do. A couple of minor repairs needed to the NS front inner wings (where the chassis mounting plate is sandwiched to it) and to the gutter of the OS front wing. That's the trickiest part I think: does anyone do a handy gutter repair section for the wings by any chance?  Guess I might just have to make it.

 

Thanks for all the help and advice so far!

[Ben Davies]

Bit of delay in posting an update on progress but it's a good one... car now finished and back on the road with a fresh MOT as of this week (bumper with number plate added since the photo). 

Thanks to those on here who've provided help and answers to questions - particular thanks to Rob Salisbury, who handily lives just around the corner and has been able to offer encouragement (and tools!) first-hand as he passes by walking Max the fantastic collie - cheers, Rob!!

Been good fun getting it together and satisfying to get to this point. Now to put some miles on it. 

Hopefully see some of you out there this summer!

Ben

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Welcome again Ben

Will look out for you and the car through the summer

 

[Smithfire67]

Well done done on the restoration! Car looks great. 

I have serious shed envy....

Clive

[Ben Davies]

On 4/30/2025 at 7:13 PM, Smithfire67 said:

Well done done on the restoration! Car looks great. 

I have serious shed envy....

Clive

Thanks Clive.   Having the car in there has at least stopped the garage filling up with other stuff. How long that will last, who knows?!

 

Got quite a few miles in this week locally and replaced the non-functioning temperature gauge. All working more or less as it should, colortune just arrived so that will take some of the guesswork out of my carb setup. But it doesn't feel too far off. 

Still not 100% happy with the steering: I was expecting it to be heavy, but with the 3degree caster conversion was hoping for a bit of self-centering after a turn but not getting any... everything is wear-free and greased, steering box top-cover is the Revington spring-loaded one correctly adjusted.   So this weekend I'll take the wheels off again and re-check the alignment of column and steering box as the workshop manual suggests...  anything else I should be looking for?

Cheers,

Ben 

[Rob Salisbury]

Nice one Ben, keep fixing the car, as you know Max makes a bee line for you whenever he sees you on the drive!!

[Smithfire67]

On 5/2/2025 at 5:53 PM, Ben Davies said:

Thanks Clive.   Having the car in there has at least stopped the garage filling up with other stuff. How long that will last, who knows?!

 

Got quite a few miles in this week locally and replaced the non-functioning temperature gauge. All working more or less as it should, colortune just arrived so that will take some of the guesswork out of my carb setup. But it doesn't feel too far off. 

Still not 100% happy with the steering: I was expecting it to be heavy, but with the 3degree caster conversion was hoping for a bit of self-centering after a turn but not getting any... everything is wear-free and greased, steering box top-cover is the Revington spring-loaded one correctly adjusted.   So this weekend I'll take the wheels off again and re-check the alignment of column and steering box as the workshop manual suggests...  anything else I should be looking for?

Cheers,

Ben 

Plus one for Colortune.....love mine.