Paul Dorsey wrote:
>Why would I want a skidplate on my TR3? (I don't plan to use it off-road)
>
>On second thought- do they protect me from speedbumps?
>
I'd guess they were handy for the Tulip, Alpine, Shell 4000 (TR4's), and
comtemporary performance rallyes. And maybe for speedbumps too. Can't
see much use on highways. In a few photos of the works TR4's, I *think*
I can spot a factory style skid plate on there. I have some photos of
contemporary european TR4's which clearly show custom skid plates. I
think the TR3 in the South American Inca Trail Rally (2002?) had a
custom skid plate, not factory. For that kind of driving I'm sure they
were popular back in the day.
In the summer I drive my TR4 on unpaved mountain roads a fair bit and
the stock radiator guard doesn't protect against big rocks. Well, it did
but now one of the welded mounting tabs is broken. I bought an original
option skid plate from Moss a couple years ago but it wouldn't fit my
TR4 -- I've meant to have a custom plate made that would be lighter,
will provide more protection for the oil pan, and might as well have tow
hooks too.
Steven Newell
Littleton, CO USA
'62 TR4
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