PENDING SALE****1956 Triumph TR3 small mouth. The odometer shows 75,000. Comes w/ British Motor Heritage Certificate.
When I purchased it, it was in pretty rough shape--it looks like it sat in a garage for awhile. I've had to do quite a bit of work to it to get it up and running and now it runs well and starts on the first try. Little puff of smoke when starting but that's normal since it's a choke start. I replaced all the tubes, battery, fuel pump, alternator, gaskets, spark plugs, fluids, rebuild the carbs (took it to a specialist in Denver who then calibrated them). I also had a luggage rack installed and ordered a tonneau cover -- but I haven't gotten around to punching the holes for it yet so it's still in the box. I have all the receipts--about $4K.
It's pretty original or has period replacement parts. it was converted from negative to positive ground and an alternator installed vs a generator. There's a battery conditioner installed. There is also a electric radiator fan. I had the electric fuel pump removed to go back to the original choke. The soft-top looks new-- the windows are clear without any scratches. The side windows look to be original or pretty close to it. There's a spare in the trunk. The engine number doesn't match the certificate but I've heard that the engines were swapped just prior to shipping sometimes but who knows.
As for the body, the paint is good to fair. It was changed from the original white to red exterior and it was a decent spray job back in the day but I have no idea when it was done. There's some minor cracks, scratches, and bubbles and places where someone touched it up but with a paint that was a little off-color. There is some minor surface rust in the interior but I have no idea if that is the case under the paint. It doesn't appear there's much rust on the undercarriage. There is some surface rust in the wheel wells. There is some bumps on the passenger wheel well under the hood so there might have been front end damage at one point. The black carpets are in good shape. Tires are good. I purchased the Triumph rubber mats and installed a remote CD/radio player and speakers.
It was also recently detailed. The seats and interior are in pretty good shape--the seats themselves are original but where recovered in tan. The seat covers look good -- there is a small break in the thread on the driver's seat. The seat belts are old but good. There's a removable back seat and a cover to hide the soft-top internal frame. The dash is good but there are some minor scratches and pricks. Unfortunately, there's a faint "fuel pump" with an arrow right by the steering wheel with permanent marker.
The tires are in good shape and the original wire wheels are in good shape. The chrome looks to be original -- there's some surface issues on the front bumper and wheel knockers but other than that, the chrome is good. The window wipers don't work -- but they wouldn't help anyone in a rain storm anyway. The blinkers, headlamps, interior lights, horn and gauges all work (gauges appear to be original). No cracks in the windshield but plastic side curtains do have some minor scratches. Mirrors are original and in good condition.
It drives straight and true--the steering wheel is responsive without much give. Feels like a normal classic car over bumps so the shocks/struts are good. The gears are good but it could use adjusting on second. I've gotten it up to 70mph according to google maps but the speedometer is a little off at that speed.
Sorry for so much detail but want to be completely honest with you. It's my second british car. Purchased this guy and I thought I would love it. I think it's a blast but unfortunately it's not for me.
The VIN -- TS11449L
