***Vendor supplied images*** ***French registered car, located in Bruxelles at present***
Highlights
A very nicely presented example of the perennially popular TR3A
In a great colourway and complete with chromed, cross spoked wire wheels
A good maintenance history and a recent mechanical overhaul
The Appeal
The Triumph TR3 was a more powerful upgrade of the company’s popular TR2 roadster with better brakes. The car was released in three unofficial versions, the original the “A” and the “B.” The TR3 series was a popular model enjoying significant success on the road and in competition. It went on to become the company’s third best selling model (after the TR7 and TR6) with a total of 74,800 built and sold worldwide.
This example has enjoyed a single-family ownership since it was imported to mainland Europe from the United States in the late 1990’s. It has clearly been a well-loved member of the family with diligent maintenance and plenty of love, care and attention lavished upon it. This is an example of the “A” model which was a slight update of the original with a lockable boot, full width grill and a few other upgrades. 2D588703-B71A-4770-B9B7-E1FC98CDE85A_1_105_c.jpeg666.17 KB
The History and Paperwork
This TR3A was produced in January 1960 and was destined for the North American market
As a result, it was produced in factory left hand drive
This is designated by the L suffix to the chassis number
The car was originally produced in white with black hood and trim
The car was thought to have remained in the USA until it was exported in around 1999
The car was then understood to have been restored in the Netherlands
The current owner’s father then purchased the car in 2010
The car was then bought by the daughter and son-in-law
These family members have kept and cherished the car ever since
There is plenty of accompanying paperwork with the TR3A
This includes ownership documents in its current jurisdiction
A factory build record certificate is also included
A professional appraisal report from 2020 in present in French
A French historic vehicle registration certificate is on hand
A number of workshop manuals are helpfully included
Numerous invoices for maintenance work are included
These date from 2021 and 2022 and document significant expenditure
One of these details a complete mechanical overhaul in 2022
A fully retrimmed and refinished interior presenting in excellent condition
Predominantly trimmed in black with accents of wood veneer
Pristine side screens and zipped tonneau are included
The sporting interior is surprisingly spacious for such as a compact sports car. The low backed, bucket seats are finished in black leather and are arranged into horizontal box pleats. These are in great shape and fold forward to provide access to the rear, carpeted luggage shelf. The carpets are in great condition, presumably more recent replacements, and are edge bound and finished in black. The door cards and rear side panels are finished in black vinyl and appear to be without fault.
The charming dashboard consists of a vinyl trimmed steel frame with wood veneered panels inserted into the apertures. The big white on black speedometer (calibrated in miles) and tachometer sit directly ahead of the driver and surrounded with black vinyl to help quell reflections. These sit behind a big, original Bakelite and chrome, three spoked steering wheel. The centre, veneered panel is home to four supplemental gauges and various switchgear. On the passenger side there is a wooden lidded glove box and large, chromed grab handle.
The boot is decently sized and finished in body-coloured painted steel. The floor is protected by a fitted vinyl mat. A sperate lower spare wheel locker is hidden behind a body-coloured panel. This contains a full sized, spare wire wheel and tyre. The requisite tools are also housed here. 11B20E3F-AD7F-424B-9490-4E74A138B205.jpeg350.95 KB
The Exterior
This example is finished in a delightful, summery Primrose Yellow colourway
The vinyl hood, zipped tonneau cover and side screens are in contrasting black
The obligatory chromed wire wheels are present to round off the look
The TR3A exhibited a number of aesthetic changes over the original model. These included the wider front grill and external door handles with a lock, now as standard, on the boot lid. This example looks to be in great condition with its paintwork more recently applied following its export from North America. No notable imperfections are reported or noted within the photographic package.
The brightwork of the grill, bumpers, panel trims, windscreen surround and light bezels are bright and lustrous throughout. Auxiliary driving lights are fitted at the front together with a period AA badge. The period correct marque and model badges all appear to be original, present and correct. A chromed luggage rack is fitted to the boot lid for additional utility and flexibility.
The TR sits on deeply chrome, 70 cross-spoked wire wheels. These are affixed with central, twin-eared chromed spinners. These are 15-inch items and are shod with a matching set of quality Michelin XZX tyres in 165 SR 15 configuration. These are reported to retain around 90% of their original tread.
The cabin glass and light lenses are clean, clear and bright. The cabin glass looks to be original and in fine order. The black vinyl hood exhibits a minor amount of wear on the passenger side but is otherwise in good order. Black side screens and zipped tonneau are present and in good, recent looking, order. F04238A6-7FA2-4717-9319-6B5C28753178_1_105_c.jpeg791.92 KB
The Mechanics
The TR3A was fitted with a 1,991cc straight four OHV engine
This was originally rated at around 95bhp endowing the car with a 105mph top speed
This example has benefitted from a full mechanical overhaul in 2022
By today’s standards the TR3 looks like a small and compact sports car. This, of course, helped keep the car light with a kerb weight of usefully under 1,000 kgs. Putting a relatively potent, by the standards of the time, 2L engine under the bonnet made for a very competitively performing car. The 0-60mph sprint was dispatched in around 10 seconds which was impressively quick in 1960.
This example has benefitted not only from a relatively recent restoration but a full mechanical overhaul by specialists as recently as 2022. This amounted to over Euros 1,200 worth of expenditure and covered an inspection of the majority of mechanical systems with rectification undertaken where needed. The car also enjoyed an MOT equivalent technical inspection done in August 2020 and a full professional appraisal undertaken the following month. Both of these should give the new owner a high degree of reassurance about the mechanical condition of the car.
The under-bonnet presentation is excellent with the engine bay side panels scrupulously clean and free from any corrosion or noted imperfections. The cam cover is brightly chromed, and the twin SU carburettors wear large, meshed air filters. The original brass data plates appear to be present and feature the correct corresponding numbers. The underside of the car looks to be in excellent fettle, too, with a number of new parts in evidence including the exhaust system. 99C4DE41-71C6-413B-A8F0-10DE06D04127_1_105_c.jpeg652.48 KB
Summary
It is easy to see why the TR3 when on to be such a successful model for Triumph. It was surprisingly swift for a late 1950’s model and had the looks and sporting credentials that helped define the image of iconic British, two-seater sports cars. It ticked every box and got all the enduring success it deserved.
This example is a lovely looking car with its Primrose Yellow paintwork and dramatically contrasting hood and side screens suiting the little car so well. The bright chromed wheels help complete the archetypal look and persona of the Triumph. In factory left hand drive configuration, this is a car that would suit a wide range of geographies and is bound to bring enjoyment and pleasure wherever it goes.
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