March 2011. I was looking for a decently restored TR3 and had been shamed into visiting the factory for a tour by a couple of German Plus8 owners I met in Munich the previous year. Sat in a 4/4 in the visitor centre, a day later was back for a test drive.
It was raining, getting the side screen under the hood flap was a nightmare, the wipers didn't clear the screen, the driving position felt strange with the wheel so close to the chest, don't mention the weird handbrake! The car kangaroo'd away from the factory, needing clutch slip and revs to get it going, the brakes felt crap, the steering heavy. Everything creaked and groaned and rattled as did my teeth over bumps and potholes. And I could have sworn that the bonnet seemed to flex when cornering. I looked for a radio then realised that I'd never hear it over the flapping hood and rattles.
After an hours run I drove back to the factory and told them I'd have it!
