Lot Ended
Description
Former multiple concours
winner; only 4,500 miles since meticulous restoration; various choice
upgrades; overdrive; full weather equipment; transferable number; find a
better one!
Dating from
1958, this spectacular TR3A is a multiple concours-winning example,
presented in impressive condition throughout following a meticulous
restoration approximately 15 years ago. Since then, it has covered fewer than
4,500 miles on a rebuilt, balanced and lightened engine. It also benefits from a
galvanised chassis and a TR4A overdrive gearbox, making it both mechanically
robust and highly enjoyable to drive.
The Triumph
TR series is widely regarded as the quintessential British sports car of the
1950s. The original TR2 was powered by a durable 1,991cc four-cylinder wet-liner
OHV pushrod engine and was capable of reaching a genuine 100mph. In period, it
was also praised for its impressive fuel economy, returning around 34.5mpg over
long-distance testing. The TR3 followed in 1955, offering increased power, front
disc brakes, and optional overdrive on the top three gears. This electrically
operated system was controlled via a dashboard
switch.
Further
development led to the TR3A, introduced in 1957. This model featured a wider
front grille, external door handles, a lockable boot handle, and a full tool kit
as standard. Mechanically, it retained a strong boxed-section chassis with
independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung live rear axle, combined with
disc and drum braking. With around 104bhp and 117lb ft of torque, it could
accelerate to 60mph in approximately 10 seconds and reach a top speed of just
over 109mph. The model was eventually succeeded by the more modern TR4 in
1961.
This
particular TR3A was built in October 1958 and was originally a left-hand drive
car, believed to have been first owned by an American serviceman stationed in
Germany. It returned to the UK in March 1964, the V5C stating this as the
date of first UK registration. Since then, it has had six owners, the
previous owner acquiring it in April 2010.
Over the
following two years, the car underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration.
It was later sold again in 2021 via Brightwells to the current owner
and has since been kept in dry storage, covering just 219 miles over the last
five years.
The
restoration work is extensively documented through a large collection of
invoices. Key mechanical upgrades include a full engine rebuild by Worcester
Classic Cars, featuring new pistons, lightening and balancing, and conversion
for unleaded fuel.
Additional improvements include an alloy sump,
upgraded rear crank oil seal, electronic ignition, and a rebuilt TR4A overdrive
gearbox with synchro on all gears and overdrive on second, third, and
fourth. A new TR4A clutch kit was also fitted, along with an uprated cooling
system featuring an alloy radiator, electric fan, and Evans Waterless
Coolant.
Structurally
the car is equally impressive, all outer panels being chemically stripped
and e-coated by SPL of Dudley before being professionally repainted in red. The
car also received new stainless steel bumpers and brightwork, stainless steel
headlamp guards, a new aluminium fuel tank, painted wire wheels with new tyres,
and a stainless steel exhaust system.
The interior was fully retrimmed
in black leather, and new weather equipment (hood, sidescreens, and tonneau
cover) was fitted. A battery cut-off switch was also installed. The chassis was
found to be in excellent condition, being a galvanised unit fitted by a previous
owner.
Since the
restoration was completed, the car has covered around 4,000 miles in fair
weather use and remains in outstanding condition. It has an impressive
competition history, winning the TR Register Birmingham Group TR2/3 Concours in
2012 and going on to win the Master Class Concours six more times over the
following seven years, competing successfully against later TR models including
the TR4, TR5, TR6, and TR7.
Supporting
documentation includes a V5C, an older style V5, a 1974 green logbook, 19
historic MOT certificates dating back to 1998 (when the mileage was 14,840), and
a large file of restoration invoices along with a transferable “660 FOW” number
plate.
A light recommissioning on the
engine, cleaning the plugs and
fresh fuel would benefit the car massively as it seems to run a bit
lumpy
Overall,
this is arguably one of the finest TR3A examples out there, and it remains a
strong contender for further concours success in the
future.
Contact
james.booth@brightwells.com