1959 Triumph TR3A (titled as a 1961) black interior with white piping, 4 speed manual transmission; steel disk wheels and wheel covers; one of only 58,236 “large mouth” TR3s built 1957- 1961. Enjoy this as a “driver” or treat this to a cosmetic restoration. This appears to be a well preserved TR3 with a new top, new cover for top bows, no side curtains, or tonneau cover, older paint, old brightwork and offering a platform for either summer touring or a restoration project. The car drives well, engine is strong with good compression and has working electrics/gauges/lights.
The Triumph TR3 is the poster child for postwar sports cars, with its low cut doors and minimalist styling, and a 2 liter motor shifting through four gears like a proper motor car!
“These Triumphs offer the unfiltered British roadster
experience, with style that belies their diminutive size.
Performance that's better than many of their contemporaries makes
them enjoyable on the road even today. Simplicity and widespread
parts availability help keep them on the road tomorrow. Speaking of
tomorrow, TR3 prices have been quietly sneaking higher but have yet
to really skyrocket, leaving plenty of appreciation potential.” -
Automobile Magazine
“For sheer fun driving, the TR3 for '58 is hard to beat regardless
of price.”- Car and Driver, 1958 Road Test
Sports Car Market: June 2001
1955-62 Triumph TR3 written by Gary Anderson- excerpted:
The Triumph TR3 may be the last real bargain among English
sports cars. For reasons Triumph lovers can't understand but don't
complain much about, these cars never caught the tide that swelled
prices of Austin-Healeys and Jaguars. Nevertheless, the TR3 offers
all the quirky touches so dear to an Anglophile's heart, is capable
of hearty performance on secondary roads and interstate speed when
necessary, and attracts a large and loyal following of enthusiastic
owners.
The prototype Triumph was introduced in 1952 at the same show that
introduced the Austin-Healey. It was produced by the stodgy
Standard-Triumph Company, known primarily for its dependable family
sedans. Sir John Black's Standard Company had rescued the Triumph
name from bankruptcy in 1944. Many believe that Black produced the
Triumph sports car just to spite William Lyons and Jaguar, which
had partnered with Standard to produce the SS sports cars of the
1930s, but went its own way after the war… aggressive development
of the TR2s gradually improved the marque, and when the TR3 was
introduced in October 1955 it had much to offer the enthusiast who
craved an English sports car but was still concerned about his
budget. Starting in 1957 the TR3 offered disc brakes on the front
wheels-MGAs and Austin-Healeys didn't follow suit until 1959. The
TR2's grille opening… was finally replaced on the TR3A in 1958 by a
full-width grille that dramatically improved front-end styling.
The four-cylinder, 100-horsepower Vanguard-based engine, more of a
step-brother than a descendent of the fabled Vanguard tractor
engine, produced sporting performance- the TR3 was capable of 0 to
60 mph in less than 12 seconds and a top speed of 105 mph. Not bad
for a car that sold for $2,675.
[In 2001] a very good example of the TR3 or TR3A can be found for
less than $15,000. That amount buys a distinctive body style with
cut-down doors, a very English interior, a full complement of
large, round instruments spread across a flat dash, and the pride
of enduring top-down motoring in all weather. The multi-part
folding top is only useful to keep the sun off on hot days, and the
side curtains only seem to appear as part of the boot equipment at
car shows.
