TR Chassis

[Andrew S]

Quick question, do you think on a full restoration, fitting a brand new chassis to a TR5 devalues the car or not?

Cheers
Andrew

[staginhiding]

Hi Andrew 25 years ago I had a TR6 chassis refurbed by Rubery Owen who were as far as I know the original suppliers.
They did a fantastic albeit expensive job.
If they are still the people making them I can only see it as a plus..

Sam

[Andrew S]

Cheers Sam

I bought one for my TR6 from someone who made them in Birmingham and very pleased but I have been looking at a TR5 that needs restoration and just have it in the back of my mind that if I do a nut and bolt restoration on it as I did my 6, then it could be seen as 'not being original'. On any other car, cant see this being a problem, but as the 5's are such a rare breed, I have to get it right.

[staginhiding]

If the chassis us made as the original and not as a tubular affair I can't really see it as a negative thing.
others might see it differently.
i know a neighbour of mine was so excited by a special chassis he had on his MGA and according to him had been offered lots of money for it.
not sure that's the same on the TR 5 but I'm not an expert..

Sam

[len]

Hi
I am in the early stages of a full restoration on a TR6, At the moment the chassis is with a very well established and respected chassis specialist , CTM, based in Southampton.
Colin at CTM can normally repair and carry out slight improvements ,Strengthening etc .he also can supply new chassis if needed. I would give him a call . very helpful chap.
Tel 01489 782054
personally I don't think a new chassis devalues a TR, if its beyond repair , which some are ,well its the only way to go. Who wants a chassis with patches everywhere ?
My own chassis needs basic repairs , definitely not rotten , so professionally done ,no one would be put off by that.
Are you planning on a full resto on a TR5 ?
Lovely looking car !
Len

[Andrew S]

Thanks Len and Sam

CTM are the best. Ill give them a call as at this stage I don't know the state of this chassis so looking at my options. My TR6 chassis that I did rusted from inside so also looking at options of having a chassis being dipped to ensure that any inside rot is stopped and then treated. The TR5 I am looking at belongs to a friend and under a cover, so will need the lot doing to it and the usual of parts missing.

Cheers
Andrew

[len]

Andrew
just as a guide a new chassis for a TR6 , using the existing turret section and rear cross diff section is approx. £2600 - £3000
not sure if that was + the dreaded vat or not
Don't let slip where your friend lives !..... I may be knocking on his door !
Good luck
Len

[Andrew S]

God, they've gone up in price. My one I bought in 1992 was £1380 +vat.
Yes, its hidden away OK

[GDPR]

Triumph chassis aren't the only things rocketing in price - when I bought the heritage shell for my MGB in 96 it was £2200 - now it is £8450! Almost quadrupled in price.....

[staginhiding]

The Rubery Owen one I bought in the 70's was £780 which was a lot of money back then.
i think a reasonable TR6 would have cost you around £2500-£3000

[Motorsport Micky]

The original chassis of all the TRs whatever model suffers from various levels of corrosion.

It's saving grace is with it being a separate chassis the body tub on top can be unbolted (after bracing) and the bodywork itself can best be described as single skin with only the floor pan and A and B post areas having multiple layers of welded steel. Happily these can all be unpicked and the replacement panels slid into position and the multiple layers again welded up.

Because it's a separate chassis I can't see how anybody could object to a new chassis (especially by CTM who are the acknowledged leading TR new chassis firm accepted by VOSA). Any repair carried out to your original chassis can only put back a relatively small percentage of a new chassis strength, especially because CTM strengthen their new chassis in the problem areas before it is subjected to stress and corrosion.
Unless the TR5 is a low mileage original car that has never had bodywork repairs (or likely to need them) fitting a new chassis can only be seen as a huge bonus, and any future purchasers will undoubtedly mark the car up for having had one.

Micky

[Andrew S]

Cheers Micky

[stagmuffin]

Regardless of new or repaired I think I would also consider galvanising thr chassis andrew, think there are some not to far from you and its a bellt and braces job then, I would always give preference to this type of resto.

Steve

[len]

hi
I have got a feeling the galvanising is not as straightforward as its sounds, something to do with gases getting in side the box sections, bit complicated for me !. just what I have read. I am going to paint mine 2k when I get it back,
Len

[darrellprice]

As I also have a TR6 I would say a new frame can only be a positive. It is a key area that any knowledgeable buyer would look at when going to buy a TR; knowing that you weren’t looking at forty plus years of corrosion and dodgy repairs can only be a plus. Would you recover the full cost of the new frame upon a sale, maybe not, but assuming it is a decently made frame it is certainly a positive both for yourself and any future owner.