Description
The Triumph TR3A belongs to the lineage of the early sporty roadsters produced by Standard-Triumph in Coventry in the late 1950s. It derives directly from the TR2 launched in 1953, Triumph’s first attempt to offer a simple, fast and exportable sports car, primarily aimed at the American market. The TR3, which appeared in 1955, already introduced several important improvements, notably Girling disc brakes at the front — a remarkable innovation for a car of this class at the time.
In 1957 the TR3A appeared, a significant evolution of the model. Externally, it is recognisable by its widened grille, designed to improve cooling, as well as its external door handles and various trim refinements that make it more practical and civilised. The car nevertheless remains faithful to the original philosophy: a simple, light and robust roadster designed to deliver sporting performance with easy-to-maintain mechanics.
Under the bonnet, the TR3A uses the robust 1991 cc Standard-Triumph inline four, fed by two SU carburettors. This engine develops around 100 horsepower, allowing the car to reach nearly 175 km/ h, a very respectable performance for the late 1950s. The separate chassis, independent front suspension and rigid rear axle with leaf springs offer handling typical of British roadsters of the era: direct, lively and highly communicative.
The TR3A is also distinguished by a rare technical detail: it is one of the last mass-produced sports cars to retain very low cut-away doors, inherited from the early TR2, which allow the arm to rest on the body as on a competition car. Precise rack-and-pinion steering, disc brakes and the substantial torque of the engine contribute to its reputation as a car particularly effective in rallying and amateur competition.
Between 1957 and 1962, around 58, 000 TR3A units were produced, the vast majority exported to North America. It today represents one of Triumph’s most iconic models of the classic era, combining a very pure English roadster aesthetic with simple but robust mechanics.
The example presented here is a 1961 Triumph TR3A, belonging to the late period of the model’s production, a time when the car benefited from the latest improvements brought to this generation of roadsters that became a reference among post-war British sports cars.
The engine has been completely rebuilt about +/- 10 years ago, and runs perfectly. It is fitted with a rack-and-pinion steering system that gives it extra driving pleasure. It also has all the rain equipment: side windows, soft top and tonneau cover.
