Vehicle Description
British sports cars were the backbone of early SCCA competition and
cars like this 1959 Triumph TR3 were the ideal combination of
practical fun. With a nice restoration, great colors, and a classic
roadster look, this Triumph gets everything right.
The color is called Silverstone Gray, and it's a wonderful
alternative to the familiar British Racing Green and red roadsters
you'll see all over the place. Actually, TR3s are rather rare and
have seen substantial gains in value over the past few years as
people discover the fun of the low-slung two-seaters. The
restoration is fresh, with a beautiful paint job that seems to glow
from within when it's under the lights and it looks even better in
the sun. It's unlikely that any Triumph coming out of England in
the 1950s was this nice, suggesting that there's a great deal of
time and money invested in the final result. The low-cut doors and
long hood give it the appearance of a much more substantial car
(you can certainly see some Jaguar influences there), and with
accessories like wind wings and fender-mounted mirrors, it looks
properly dressed. The chrome bumpers are in nice condition and the
Lucas taillights are just beautiful little things that are quite
neatly integrated into the body for an unmistakable look.
The handsomely appointed black leather interior is stylish while
maintaining its sense of minimalism. The buckets hold you in place
and are trimmed in jaunty silver piping that adds an upscale look
without cost, and there are sisal floor mats that do the same for
the carpets. The banjo-style steering wheel is big enough to really
lever the steering around sweeping corners and the steering
position is actually quite good. Big, round Smiths gauges are
distinctly British and eminently functional and it looks as though
there's nothing in this car that doesn't help it work better. No
radio, no windows, and just a heater to keep you warm on cool
summer evenings. The 4-speed manual's stubby shifter falls easily
to hand and slips through the gears with a practiced ease that will
become second nature before you're finished with your first drive.
There is, of course, a simple top for those moments when you can't
outrun the weather along with side curtains that have never been
used and the trunk is actually well-shaped and nicely finished, a
pleasant surprise.
Given the car's featherweight bodywork, the 2331 cc inline-4 is
plenty gutsy to make an entertaining drive. No, it's not
terrifyingly fast, but the old adage of "it's more fun to drive a
slow car fast than a fast car slow" certainly applies here. It's
just a joy to run through the gears and to feel the suspension
working under you. It never puts a tire wrong and the front disc
brakes are reassuringly powerful. The engine itself is neatly
detailed with a pair of side-draft SU carbs and a finned aluminum
valve cover, plus beautifully finished inner panels that really
make it look polished. Hoses, clamps, and other little bits are
quite correct, so it looks right from any angle. The aforementioned
4-speed has great ratios for spirited driving and the exhaust
system has the right baritone bellow that signifies British
performance. The suspension is basic, but it offers a nice balance
between ride and competence and those chrome wire wheels with
165R15 blackwalls are the perfect bit of sparkle to finish it
off.
Complete with its tool roll, Heritage Certificate, and manuals,
this is an affordable British sports car with a great pedigree that
you can actually drive. Call today!