The SLK to TR3 Body Swap Project

The Birth of an Insane Idea

It all started with two unlikely cars, a crazy idea, and a fabricator who’s tough to impress.

The project kicked off when Colin, the man behind Red White and Boosted, realized his channel needed a skilled fabricator to take things to the next level. Enter Cory—a guy who doesn’t get excited easily. After tossing around Porsche and Mercedes build ideas to no avail, Colin finally found the perfect pitch at his friend Neil’s vintage British car shop: a pair of Triumph TR3s from the ‘50s, sitting there like abandoned relics of the past. The price? Scrap value. The potential? Limitless.

Meanwhile, fate had already provided the second half of the equation: a wrecked 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK, left at Colin’s house by someone who later went to jail and told him, “You can keep it.” With no title in hand and little hope of getting one, Colin had all the motivation he needed to turn it into something wildly unique.

The plan? Frankenstein the two together—Triumph TR3 body, Mercedes SLK underpinnings. A lightweight British roadster with a German supercharged heart. The perfect mix of classic style and modern performance.

Thus the SLK to TR3 transformation began.

Precision is everything, and getting a TR3 body to sit just right on an SLK chassis means checking dimensions, adjusting clearances, and preparing for inevitable fine-tuning. Of course, lifting and lowering the body multiple times is no small task, but it’s all part of the journey.

The plan? Measure twice, cut once, and get everything lined up perfectly before making any permanent changes. Moving the steering column and trimming a few key areas are just a couple of the challenges we’re expecting to tackle.

Making the Cuts

With all the bolts loosened and panels prepped, it’s time to start cutting. The biggest challenge is ensuring we don’t lose critical elements like the vehicle identification number (VIN), but as it turns out, there are plenty of backup VINs on the SLK.

Once the cuts are made, the real fun begins. The body is carefully positioned on the chassis, and the team steps back to assess how well it fits. Surprisingly, the alignment looks promising. The wheels line up perfectly, and the initial shortening of the chassis appears to have paid off.

Addressing the Fitment Challenges

As expected, some adjustments are still needed. The TR3 body has to move further back to achieve the ideal fit, which means more cutting and refining. It’s all part of the process, and the goal is to ensure the car doesn’t just look good but drives well too.

In the midst of all the excitement, there’s plenty of good humor and camaraderie. Discussions about modifications, future adjustments, and the sheer ridiculousness of the project keep the atmosphere light. Whether it’s cutting away unnecessary components or discovering forgotten Mercedes parts, it’s clear that this project is about the love of the build.

The Suspension Factor

One of the biggest revelations is the need to lower the ride height significantly. The TR3 body is sitting higher than expected, and it’s going to take some creative solutions to bring it down to an acceptable level. Cutting into the remaining floor sections and fine-tuning the suspension will be crucial moving forward.

The wide-body discussion also comes into play, with thoughts about potential fender flares and wheel fitment. The wheels currently stick out quite a bit, making it clear that some bodywork adjustments will be necessary.

Looking Ahead

As the body comes back off and further trimming is planned, it’s clear that this project is far from over. However, progress is being made with each step. The next phases will involve finalizing the positioning, addressing potential rake issues, and integrating the steering system.

For those who doubted whether this project would work—it’s happening. The proof is in the progress, and every cut, adjustment, and re-measurement brings us one step closer to completion.

Watch the Whole Build Come Together

What started as a wild idea has turned into one of the craziest builds you’ll ever see. From day one, this project has been about pushing boundaries, blending old-school British charm with modern German engineering, and having a damn good time along the way.

If you want to see the full transformation—from tearing down the SLK to the final body swap—be sure to check out the complete SLK to TR3 playlist:

Watch the full series here: Red White and Build – SLK to TR3 Playlist and check out more wild projects on the Red White and Boosted YouTube channel.

Keep wrenching!