Easy Project? 1958 Triumph TR3A
The Triumph TR3 was a British sports car built between 1955-62. It succeeded the TR2 model with greater power and improved braking. The TR3A was a slight evolution to the TR3 but was never an official model. This ’58 TR3A looks to be a solid survivor that only needs the fuel system flushed to be a runner again. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this Triumph is available here on craigslist for $13,500. Another great Barn Finder T.J. tip!
Triumph TR3s were a product of the Standard-Triumph Motor Company of Coventry, England. TR3 production would total 74,800 units of which the “TR3A” was 58,200 copies. The cars were sometimes referred to as “side screens” for their removable plexiglass side curtains. The TR3A differed from the TR3 only in its use of a full-width radiator grille, exterior door handles, lockable boot handle, and a full tool kit as standard equipment.
TR3s would become quite popular in road course racing before their standard disc brakes, which provided for excellent handling in tight curves. We’re told a great deal about the seller’s TR3A, so the pictures do most of the talking. And what they say is this is a solid sports car that has minimal rust to be dealt with. Since the fuel system needs cleaning, we must assume it’s not running. But that may be all it needs for now.
You could do a full restoration or drive it as-is once running again. The interior is very nice, the bonnet for the passenger compartment looks good, and the machine overall looks cared for, not a car left to languish in the back of a damp barn or garage, The odometer reading is under 10,000 miles, but no mention if that’s anywhere close to being accurate.
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Comments
I would say that the odometer says 90,000 miles not 9K.
Russ… this is a good candidate for restoration but there aren’t any “easy projects” on British cars this old. It is nice to see they are still out there.
A TR3 was my first exposure to the world of sports cars. Rude, crude and loud. Loved it.
I had a 1959 back in San Francisco in 1964, great car generally. Loved it. Got married and suddenly she decided, she hated it. Like all dumb men, I sold it (the fact that the starrer had bit the dust and the flywheel developed a crack helped me to justify the decision) 6 months later I was divorced. That much for that.
NOT running–“need to clean the fuel line”?? You can knock off $6k right away for a non running tub. Anybody will know a car will sell MUCH better if the car is running. Can’t believe this person is that lazy or unknowing, so I would suspect more “surprises” from this.
The speedometer is stuck at 30mph. The car will need a complete going through, more than just cleaning the fuel system.
There’s nothing wrong with that, except that it’s going to take more work.
What appear to be moth balls (try asking for those in a store nowadays) on the floormat is not encouraging.
Parts for these are readily available and not expensive compared to may European cars of the era. The engine is robust with replaceable cylinder liners. Mine went 140,000 miles before it needed a rebuild.
A great candidate for amateur restoration to whatever level you want….the restoration will not return anything on your investment.
“We’re told a great deal about the seller’s TR3A, so the pictures do most of the talking.” ???
Why does the face of this Triumph always remind me of the fertility idol from the first Indiana Jones movie? I’ve never owned a Triumph sports car, but I did have a love-hate relationship with a Triumph motorcycle years ago. If nothing else, it taught me patience.
First exposure to British vehicles was one of these. Then I worked on a 1969 Jaguar E type to solidify my bias to anything English…