BLACK BEAUTY – 1958 TR3A – FOR SALE – Restored

I purchased BLACK BEAUTY January 28, 2010. She had been off the road since 1969. The next eight months were devoted to restoration. I have enjoyed her, and my 1960 MGA (BLUE BELLE), but with it harder for my body to bend, I have not driven her in almost two years. Time for someone else to enjoy her.

Becoming a member of the British Cars of New Hampshire, my “Fifty Years Leading to My TR3A” was featured in their March, 2010, newsletter. Click on the front cover (to the right) to read my story.

I began this page in May 2024, and as a passive seller, I trust someone with an interest will stumble upon this page and contact me. I have many, many restoration images. This page took me almost a year to develop, but a sign on my desk for over forty years reads, “The Best Way to Get Something Done, Is To Begin.”

I have documentation of work done, about $35,000 in receipts. Of course that is much more than I will be selling her for. All that I will pass along to the next owner and conservator, as well as all restoration images on a “thumb drive” – I feel it important to document the history of the car, and save it. Also included, the last license plate from the 60s, that registration, and the city sticker on the windscreen. I had a restored overdrive transmission installed, and still have the original transmission as well. Also have some other small extra parts (including accessory radio — SORRY — SOLD — 5 September 2024 — thank you, RAY

I have almost twenty file folders of images from day of purchase through the restoration. Thought it easiest to share in “slideshow format” beginning with the day Black Beauty became mine. Purchased in Connecticut, she arrived at Sports Car Services in Vermont for a makeover. Not on the road since 1969, the rear license plate still on the rear, and Chicago permit on windscreen. Take a look — click an image to begin with larger images — more slideshows coming. At the end I have added a gallery of interior images – note original leather seats.

Restoration underway 3 February 2010

The below gallery of images shows work in February and March 2010. A replacement gas tank had been installed, thus some cuts in the body. We obtained and installed an original tank. The next images show the interior driver and passenger sides — surface rust only, and all taken care of at the body shop (cost plenty).

I believe it important to you (and value added) to see what is underneath the expensive paint job. Down to bare metal – expert repairs by a metal artist, including the front wing weakened by a mouse nest we found concealed – you should be impressed and pleased with what you see. Thus many “body shop” images follow (I also have over 40 images taken by the shop I can share).

This was a car that in the 1960s was in Chicago, and maybe “on the streets.” Hoping a “survivor” I wanted to keep as much as the surface “original” (as I thought it was) as possible. As you can see, that was not the case sadly. But you can see that we went down to the original bare skin, and repaired back up — looking at these photos you know what you are getting.

Starting to work with these images to share with you – hopefully the next owner and conservator – I was overwhelmed with the extensive work done, essentially from the bare metal out. This next “slideshow’ (click to enlarge) shows you the progress on April 19, 2010. But keep looking – the work gets more intense and involved.

and, work continued in early May 2010 —

On June 1st, Jason, the owner of the body shop specializing in vintage autos, sent me over 40 images of detailed bare metal and repairs. I will develop as a separate page, let me know and I can share with you.

Next, below is the status as of June 11, 2010. Nellie Ann and Cricket were happy to hear the news.