TRIUMPH TR3B RESTORATION PROJECT TCF SERIES CAR UK V5C MATCHING NUMBERS COMPLETE

For sale in this listing is my 1962 Triumph TR3b (TCF series) restoration project.This is a rare and desirable sidescreen TR variant.I personally imported this car from the USA in 2017 with the intention of restoring it in my retirement. The USA was the only place I could find a complete and original TR3b project car, that hadn't been messed with.However, due to a decline in my own health, it has now become impossible for me to restore this car, so it is for sale.All VAT and duties have been paid and I have a NOVA approval letter. However, as the car is MOT test exempt, I have already been able to register the car with the DVLA and so have a V5C issued in my name. The NOVA therefore is now academic, but I have kept all of the paperwork relating to it anyway. Having a V5C totally removes the possibility that the DVLA won't like something in an application to register the car. Also, as I understand it, any future need for them to inspect it. This will save you considerable inconvenience later. It's all been done for you already.The car is currently SORN'd, but will need to be re-SORN'd by the new keeper, as it cannot be transferred. The car has been issued with an age related, three letter, three number registration mark with an A suffix for 1963. Although the car was built in 1962, it wasn't registered in the US until 1963. However, as there are no conditions in the special notes section of the V5C, I believe the number is transferable, thus allowing you to replace it with an older three letter, three number mark if you desire, or maybe even a private mark (subject to DVLA rules).HISTORY OF THE 3BThe TR3b cars started to be produced a couple of months after the end of the TR3a production run. They were made to satisfy the demands of the North American dealerships, who could not get hold of enough TR4's to sell, meaning that some dealers had no cars to sell at all! Also, at this time, it was thought that there was still sufficient demand for a traditional, cut away door sports car.As the TR production line at Canley was by now busy building the new TR4, the TR3b body production and car assembly was given to the Forward Radiator Company, using TR3a tooling removed from Mulliners. Both of these companies were by this time subsidiary's of Standard Triumph.There were two series of TR3b cars made - the TSF & TCF series. The TSF cars were basically the same specification as a late TR3a. The TCF cars on the other hand, had the larger TR4 2138cc engine and four synchro gearbox fitted, making the TCF series the best specification of sidescreen TR ever produced.The production run was small, with only 3334 TR3b's of both series being made. This included 29 chassis provided for the Italia. The TCF cars numbered only 2804 (or there abouts) and except for a very few cars that were sold directly to servicemen based overseas, all were shipped to the USA. All were LHD and all had adjustable steering as standard.  HISTORY OF THIS CARThe car has a build date of 7th June 1962 and was despatched to a Standard Triumph dealership in Detroit, Michigan on 21st June 1962. I bought the car from a dealer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, so presumably it spent all of it's life in the State of  Michigan, up until the point that I bought it.I only have a little history for this car in the US, which is lifted from the original eBay listing, also what the dealer told me at the time. The previous owner had the car for over 52 years, the last 25 years of which it was in dry storage. The mileage on the MPH gauge is apparently genuine at 58,428 miles.The car has never been apart so far as I can tell. The photos for this listing were taken in the US from the sellers eBay listing and others that he sent me. It is still finished in its original red paint and red trim.In my ownership it has been stored in a dry garage and is in exactly the same condition as when I bought it. Nothing has been removed.ID PLATES AND NUMBERINGThe following numbers are taken from the plates fitted to the car. They all match what is on the BMIHT factory search certificate.Commission number TCF 469 LEngine number TCF 503 EBody number TSF/1012Also known is the gearbox number, but this is never mentioned on the certificates. TSF 961To explain the numbering. The first series of cars started at TSF 1 L and went up to TSF 530 L.When the TCF series was introduced, the numbering started again for the commission number and the engine only. Because the body and gearbox had not changed at all, they continued to number these with the TSF prefix.Hence, all commission and engine numbers for TCF cars run approximately 500 behind the body and gearbox numbers. I undertook some considerable research to establish this, to make sure that this is a correct factory matching number car, which it is. Also, I have records for 5 other 3b's cars which display the same number shift.The lack of an "O" on the commission plate indicates that this has always been a non-overdrive car.PAPERWORKI have the following paperwork:-Copy of the Michigan State Certificate of Title (originals are invariably withheld by Customs & Excise)Shipping information, including dates, vessel and port information etcNOVA certificateDVLA V5CSORN paperworkBMIHT factory trace record              TR3B DIFFERENCESThe usual assumption is that a TR3b is exactly the same as a TR3a. To a large extent this is true, especially with regard to  the TSF cars. However, TCF cars do have some significant differences, which make them more desirable:-Larger 2138cc engine as standard on TCF cars.4 synchro gearbox.Only one brass ID body plate above battery box (no Mulliners body number). The one fitted replaces the EB plate.Different commission number prefixes.Engine oil filler moved to rear of engine, as TR4 engine used.The seats in my car are a hybrid of the early TR4 seat, but with the dish removed in base so that TR3a runners can be used.Adjustable steering as standard.9" TR4 rear brake assembly used.Weight stated on commission plate is 1170kg, up from 1120kg stated for the TR3a. Nobody knows why this is. Maybe it is to take account of the possibility that overdrive might be fitted? CONDITIONI don't want people to be misled. This car will need everything doing, but is a nice complete and original project car to have a go at this winter, ready for it's 60th birthday next year. It is way above some of the other cars I have seen for sale, most of which seem to be missing many if not most of their parts.New floors and sills are de-rigueur these days and there are also numerous other metalwork repairs required.All the panels will go again with some work, including the front apron which has had a slight nudge in it. One door has what appears to be a bullet hole in it!The car will obviously need new trim, carpets etc.All mechanical and electrical parts will need attention. Someone has installed an alternator at some point.The engine is seized from standing, but given a rebuild would automatically replace all the pistons and liners, I don't see this as a particular issue.Somebody has put bolts between both front suspension coil springs, presumably to harden the ride? Again, springs and shocks would be replaced as a matter of course.So far as I can tell, the chassis looks sound, although I have noticed that at least one outrigger has rusted away, but the frame looks solid. You need to check for yourself really.COMPLETENESSI would just like to clarify what my definition of completeness is. The car is 60 years old next year and some items have not survived, either because they have been worn out or perished. These include the carpets and the hood, which I don't have. The car never had a tonneau as far as I know. The sidescreens are in the boot along with the brake calipers that were removed to allow it to roll.I haven't crawled all over the car to check every nut and bolt, but you can see from the photos that it is very, very complete. The car is fitted with a heater. All of the gauges are correct. The seats are original and correct to this car and loose. The hood frame is fitted (but not shown in the photos for some reason). Grill is loose. Cubby lid is with car, also the wipers. Correct late SU H6 carbs fitted. Correct adjustable steering wheel and split steering column.Rear view mirror and gearstick are incorrect. INSPECTIONI have tried to be as honest and thorough as I can be in the description above. However, there is nothing like inspecting the vehicle personally. You don't have to if you feel it unnecessary, but I can't be responsible for anything you are not happy with if you don't. I think that is fair. I am retired and can be available most days with a bit of notice. PRICINGIt cost me exactly £9267.18 to buy and ship the car back to the UK, then have it delivered to my front door. This includes all taxes and Customs charges.Obviously, I am not expecting potential buyers to subsidise the fact that I chose to pay for a personal import from the USA, but I do need to get back as much as I can. Therefore I am open to sensible offers using the "Make an Offer" feature.BIDDINGPlease only bid or make offers if you have the intention and means to pay for and transport the car home. I don't usually respond to ridiculously low offers.PAYMENTThe car needs to be paid for by bank transfer well before the day it is collected. I won't release the vehicle if the funds aren't in place.I will not accept a bankers drafts or cash on the day. Paypal is not available for this item due to the fees charged.COLLECTIONThe car is quite difficult to move at the moment, as all four tyres are flat. I will resolve this before collection.You will need a car transporter with a good winch, preferably electric. TR's have a narrow track, so please bear this in mind if hiring a trailer. I can assist with loading, but you need to bring another able bodied person with you as well.You can contact me at:-[email protected] with any questions you have.TERMSI am not a massive fan of endless terms and conditions. I would much rather rely on common sense and fairness, but unfortunately they seem to be necessary, just so that we both know what is expected from each other, and when. BIDDINGPlease do not bid if you are not sure about an item, or you are not intending to complete the transaction. Like any auction, your bid legally obliges you to complete the sale. It also incurs me in selling fees, which I would need to recover. All of my items are available outside of eBay, so apologies if I have to withdraw them early, but eBay is not the only place I sell from. PAYMENTI expect to be paid in a timely manner - 5 days doesn't seem unreasonable, unless we have agreed something different. Please don't exceed this time without contacting me, as this may result in the item being relisted. Items will not be released until payment is received in full, including postage. Paypal is fine, or you can send me a cheque, but please remember I will not be sending the item until it has cleared. To be safe, this is normally 10 ten days from when I have banked it, not three. Under no circumstances will I accept a bankers draft.NON-PAYMENTAll non-payers will be reported to eBay, mainly so that I can get a refund of the fees I have incurred. I will also set up an automatic rejection for any future bids you place. PACKINGI pack VERY well, so it is extremely unlikely that an item will arrived damaged, unless someone has maliciously or deliberately tampered with it. I will not compromise on packing simply to make a parcel smaller to save postage.POSTAGE Postage is for delivery within the UK mainland only. Additional charges may apply to more remote parts of the UK, especially the islands. I will combine postage where possible.INSURANCEI will try to include in the postage cost the correct level of insurance. Some items are not allowed to be carried, although sometimes they will take it uninsured. This is at your risk if you want me to do that.OVERSEAS BUYERS PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BIDDINGPostage stated will only include sending the item to the eBay Global shipping hub, so long as the item is accepted by them. It does not include the delivery from them to you, or any tax or duty payable. Some countries are outside of the scheme. RETURNSI try very hard to describe items accurately, to the point where I make them sound worse than they actually are. However, I am human and therefore can miss something or make a mistake. If this is the case, I will fully refund the item when I receive it back from you, so long as it is in the condition I sent it, and that you accept responsibility for the cost of the return postage. Please don't bid if you are unwilling to do this. I won't take items back just because you've changed your mind.FEEDBACKMost of my feedback relates to selling Triumph TR classic cars parts, so you will be able to tell what sort of guy I am from this. Feedback is reciprocal.

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