Bill and Sheri Pyle's
1949 2000 and 1960 TR3

Our Triumphant start with Triumphs

A long, long time ago, in the land of Lisle, there was a cute little 1962 Spitfire impaled by a tree. We're not talking small tree either. We're talking a diameter of at least 3 inches. This tree was growing up and out of the middle of the car. Sheri and I were visiting a friend and looking out his window, saw this sad, pitiful sight. Sheri had always wanted a little red sportscar so I called Bob Erickson for advice. Bob and I grew up together and I remembered he used to have Triumphs. The owner was asking $150 for the car and Bob thought it sounded like a good deal so we dragged the car home to Itasca. (And we thought he was our friend!) We promptly joined ISOA, figuring we would get the technical help we would need to get the car in driveable shape. Well, 2 years and 3 Spitfires later, we finally had a running car. Running, but still not altogether. The seats weren't bolted down, the doors weren't on and the car wasn't insured or licensed but I wanted to test the engine. So I took the car for a ride around the block.... and got pulled over by the local police. I told him the story of this little red car and all the time and energy that had been put into getting it back in shape. He said he was looking for a red car that had been tearing up and down the streets and he knew it couldn't be me so he let me go. Whew!!

We finally completed the Spitfire and had it on the road for about a year when I got a deal on two TR3's.

We restored the better of the two cars with fewer problems than we had encountered with the Spit. Sheri kept the Spit, I drove the TR3. The problem was that she couldn't keep up with the TR3. She took my car for a ride and I think that was the last time she drove the Spitfire. I found another TR3 for myself and we sold the Spit because we didn't need more than two Triumphs. Ha! Silly me.

We received a call from a Snake Shedor telling us of a later model Spitfire for sale. The owners were getting a divorce and the wife wanted the car removed ASAP. The first $100 takes the car away. Sheri called her to let her know we would be there within the hour with a trailer. This turned into the Pyle racecar. We never did any work to it…just autocrossed it. We were autocrossing in Utica and ran into former club member Peggy Tiffany. She mentioned that she had a 1949 2000 saloon for sale. So we decided to take a look. It was almost up to the frame in dirt as it had been sitting in her garage for 8 years. The interior had about an inch of mouse crap and snakeskins. This weak heart of mine couldn't let it suffer any longer. We dragged her home and spent 4 ½ years restoring her…..Just in time for the 1995 VTR Convention. She looks great but is definitely a handful to drive. The February picture in the ISOA calendar shows how much fun it is to take her for a long drive.

About five years ago I had the opportunity to buy another TR3 that needed restoration. We sold Sheri's TR3 and this was to be her replacement. I had burned out on restoring the 2000 so I never got started on this new project. This has become the Girlie Restoration. Sheri and the ladies of ISOA are going to show us guys what they can do. We'll keep you posted.

by Bill "Whizmo" Pyle

Copyright © 2003 Illinois Sports Owners Association