Page 34 - Sep 2022

The Int erview continued from page 33
A. My goal is to restore it to factory standards and reliability
with some safety and handling upgrades. While I'm not
shooting for a Concours type restoration , I do want to
bring a 60 year old car back to , or slightly better, condition
than it was when it was new.
Q. At present is there a piece of the restoration puzzle that is
holding you up? Some decision that you just can't make Above: With the frame now ready for paint,
yourself make? the only question is, what color to paint it.

A. I'm currently struggling with paint color. Triumph had
very few choices for paint in the 1962 model year. Even
worse, none of the original formulas exist and some of the
components are no longer made, so I'm trying to match the
original colors or have colors mixed . I have had limited
success so far but have settled on two that I like and have
the colors out now where I can see them every time I walk
by, trying to pick the one I like best.
Q. To date, how many hours have you spent on this car?

A. I have bout 600 hours in it so far. The next step is paint
the body and get it back on the frame.

Q. Does everyone in your family share your love for
automobiles or is this a singular passion? How does your
spouse feel about living with a project that has taken 600
hours and isn't finished yet?

A. My oldest son and a couple of friends are always
available if I need a hand. My wife, Kelley, and my mother,
who is an experienced upholsterer, have committed to help
with the sets and the interior.
Q. What about the people from whom you bought the TR4? I
presume they were sad to see it leave their garage?

A. I bought the TR4 from a couple who had originally bought
Above: Mechanical work complete, the
the car at a salvage dealer in north Florida in 1974 with a
TR4's chassis sits patiently waiting to be
plan to restore it. It appears he spent several years
reinstalled. The parts for the car came
replacing and repairing the car. In 1982 his job was moved
wrapped in vintage newspaper , below.
to North Carolina. At that time all the parts were wrapped
in newsprint and placed in storage. In 2000 he moved to
the Nashville area. The car was covered and placed in the
corner of his garage where it sat until I bought it last year.
As I loaded the car on my trailer the wife came over to me
with tears in her eyes and said, ?this car has been a part of
my marriage for 47 years and we never got to drive it?. I
promised the lady it would run and drive again.

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