Highlights

Factory-fitted with Competition Department upgrades
Rebuilt from chassis up in and repaint in BRG
Mechanical refurbishment by Argento Historica in 2018
Work to cooling, fuel and braking systems in 2020
Eligible for European touring and hillclimb events
Upgraded with rack and pinion steering and alternator
Recently refurbished wire wheels
MOT valid to May 2026 with no advisories

The Appeal

This car is testament to the rugged TR3’s capabilities as a competition car when new. Far more than its Abingdon rival, Triumph’s nimble sports car appealed to press-on drivers, including the first keeper of this 1957 TR3A. He specified it with competition-oriented springs and shocks, an aluminium engine sump, and a skid plate that were fitted by the Competition Department before it was despatched to Pennsylvania, USA.

In the intervening years the car has spent time in South Africa, where it was converted to RHD in 2012 and received what the vendor describes as a ‘chassis up rebuild.’ It returned to the UK in 2018 when it was mechanically refreshed by specialists Argento Historica. Two years later it was resprayed in appropriate British Racing Green. At the same time it received new carpets, various period accessories and attention to the brakes, cooling and fuel systems.

The vendor acquired the car in 2019. He has kept the car well and it remains in good order following the extensive work. It is a mark of his approach that he invested in the 2020 work and has given the car a voluntary MOT, which is valid to May 2026 with no advisories.

Certificates from the TR Regieter, BMIHT and Standard Register all verify the car’s factory specification. Here is a chance to acquire a historically interesting TR3 in good order with potential to enter some interesting European events.

The vendor says:

“Aside from the official factory works race and rally cars, this car is the holy grail in terms of its new specification, and was a UK sourced personal export car with Competitions Dept. upgrades to Pittsburgh USA, where there was a thriving local competition scene in period

“It is also eligible for the increasingly popular many prestigious European touring and road competition hillclimb events, where the organisers are seeking only the most interesting cars with a view to granting entryIt now needs to go to a new home where it will be cherished and taken to driving events/ rallies/ competitions and on tours, for which it was built.”

History and Paperwork

Factory built in December 1957
Originally dispatched to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a personal export car
Factory fitted with Competition Department upgrades
This is verified by TR Register, Standard Register and BMIHT certificates
Originally finished in Signal Red with left-hand drive configuration
Exported to South Africa around 2012 where it was converted to right-hand drive
We are told this work included a chassis-up rebuild
Relocated to the United Kingdom in 2018 and registered on 2nd October 2018
Mechanically refurbished by Argento Historica Limited in 2018
Purchased by the current keeper in August 2019
Resprayed in 2020 plus new carpets and fitted with period accessories
Attention to fuel, braking and cooling systems at same time
MOT valid until 15th May 2026 with no advisories
Supplied with a British V5C registration certificate in the seller's name
Registered as a Historic Vehicle
Vendor advises car is supplied with a history file
Vendor states car is eligible for European touring and hillclimb events
Odometer shows around 8,000 miles
Vendor advises he has added approximately 2,500 added since purchase
VIN number TS24750L0

The Condition

Repainted in British Racing Green in 2020 and remains in good overall condition
Paintwork shows some areas of age as highlighted in photos
Passenger door is noted to be a slightly different shade of green following repair work
Bodywork presents well with straight panels as shown
Seller notes rust around a drain hole in the floor pan near the pedals
No structural advisories on MOT
Fitted with headlight stone guards, Lucas driving lights, and wing mirrors
Black vinyl convertible top with polished windows showing light age
Removable side curtains with sliding windows also showing light age
Black tonneau cover included
Recently refurbished silver-painted 15" wire knock-off wheels
Interior features bucket seats trimmed in black leather with white piping
Carpeting, door seals, and door sill plates replaced during refurbishment
Equipped with red seatbelts, tinted sun visors, and a lockable glovebox
Banjo-style steering wheel with Jaeger 120-mph speedo and 6,000-rpm tacho

The Mechanics

1,991cc inline-four engine
Four-speed manual transmission with overdrive
Overdrive unit replaced in 2021
Dual SU carburettors with chrome valve cover
Upgraded with rack-and-pinion steering
Converted to alternator
Drum braking system recently serviced
Cooling system flushed during refurbishment
Fuel system serviced with new in-line filter
Ignition system updated with new points, condenser, distributor cap and rotor arm
Exhaust system adjusted
Oil sump gasket replaced to address leak
Electrical system converted to use an alternator under current ownership
No advisories on MOT

Work by Argento Historica Limited in 2018–2019 included:

Removed, inspected, and cleaned carburetors
Drained and flushed fuel tank
Fitted in-line fuel filter
Repositioned engine ground
Cleaned regulator contacts
Replaced generator-adjustment bracket
Replaced battery bracket
Replaced points and condenser
Replaced distributor cap and rotor arm
Replaced spark plugs and plug wires
Flushed cooling system
Replaced fan belt
Inspected tropical cooling fan
Removed oil sump to address leak
Replaced sump gasket
Adjusted exhaust system

BEFORE YOU BUY

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