Fresh Out of Storage: 1955 Triumph TR3
This 1955 Triumph TR3 recently emerged from storage, and the seller believes it requires little before serving as a fun weekend driver. It presents well in its current survivor form and could also form the foundation for a satisfying DIY restoration project. The seller has listed the TR3 here on Craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona. It could be yours for $12,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this British beauty.
Triumph released the TR3 in 1955 as an evolution of, and a successor to, its TR2 model. Most of the significant changes were mechanical, with Triumph focused on greater engine power and improved braking. Our feature car is a first-year example that the first owner ordered in Pearl White. The seller states that it recently emerged from storage, but supplies no details regarding the hibernation period. The paint holds a warm shine, although a close inspection reveals a selection of small chips and imperfections that are consistent with this car’s survivor status. The panels are straight, but the best news is that this classic has spent its life in Arizona. That state’s climate is conducive to steel preservation, leaving this TR3 rust-free. The trim and glass look acceptable for a vehicle of this type, but there is no information supplied on the condition of its Black soft-top.
The same 1,991cc four that had served admirably in the TR2 made a return in the TR3. However, with larger SU carburetors and a few other tweaks, engine power rose from 90 to 95hp. Ongoing development saw the figure climb to 100hp in 1956, with the power feeding to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Although the ¼-mile sprint was never the greatest strength of the TR3, its ability to cover the distance in 18.1 seconds and hit 105mph was nonetheless impressive for a British sports car from this era. The seller is sparing in their description, supplying no information regarding this Triumph’s mechanical health. However, their insistence that it requires little to serve as a fun weekend driver suggests there is no bad news facing the new owner.
The photos seem to indicate that if the buyer spends a few days in their garage with some high-quality cleaning products, this Triumph’s interior should present quite nicely. The Black upholstered surfaces are free from wear and distress, with the White seat piping offering a welcome contrast. The dash looks really nice, and there are no visible issues with the “banjo” wheel. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, further cementing this car’s survivor status.
This 1955 Triumph TR3 is a first-year survivor offering a few tantalizing options for the new owner. Returning it to active service in its current form would seem to be a straightforward exercise, but so would a restoration. It depends on the buyer’s budget, and how willing they are to commit to a project build. One of its greatest attractions is that its solid nature allows them to take their time with any decisions. The question is, which path would you choose?
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Comments
Nice driver TR3! I would clean up the engine compartment, detail the paint and drive this nice example! No further items to be addressed unless needed! It is a good looking example that doesn’t need to be over restored! Just my take!!
Nice example. Most importantly, it appears genuinely rust free. I’d agree with Joey, keep this one in tidy “driver” state, maybe just go through service items like fluids, belts, hoses, etc and just enjoy it. I haven’t been following the market for these TRs closely, but at first glance the price seems pretty reasonable for a complete and rust-free car that’s close to ready to drive?
I note the author says “there are no visible issues with the “banjo” wheel…” but the leather/vinyl wrap around the rim is non-standard, so quite possible that the original finish underneath (kind of a Bakelite black plastic?) may be degraded.
Not sure what year this is without seeing the commission number but it’s not a 1955. A ‘55 would have a “small mouth” grille and a red & black Triumph badge on the bonnet.
My 57 TR-3 had the small mouth front end, I think it was 58 when they revised it.
I have a 55 TR2 and didn’t know that TR3’s were sold in 55. Can someone enlighten me on when the change happened?
OK, Wikipedia says October of 55. I am enlightened.
If this was a 1955 TR3 (built in October as one person suggested) it would have the following:
1) Small mouth grill.
2) Lockheed drum brakes all around unless someone converted it to Girling front disk brakes from a later year TR3.
3) No exterior door handles.
If the commission number was included in the listing it would help answer many questions regarding the actual model year of this TR3.
I suspect that somewhere over the years the date was miswritten when the title was transferred. It looks to be a 3A. Made after 1958. It has door and trunk handles, wide mouth grill, and a high port head. The seat covers , on the other hand, are early TR3. The commission number, if original, will tell you when it was made. From the pictures the car looks to be in good shape.
Agree about the model year. I learned to drive in Dad’s TR3. Commonly if not officially known as a TR3A with the wide grill like this had. Cars been gone since 1985. But I think his was a 60. This maybe older, but not 55. I’m certain 55 was the small mouth. Or the front clip Could be changed. Regardless , gorgous car and same color as Dad’s. If only I had money
Wiki is wrong. TR3s started in late 1956. This is a TR3A though, not a TR3, because of the wide-mouth grill and the protrusions for the turn signal round lenses in the rear, which weren’t seen until the TR3A emerged. TR3As began in 1958, so this car is no earlier than 1958.
The TR3 and the Bugeyed Sprite were the ultimate sports roadsters, both absolutely great cars. Too bad I am so old, or I would be tempted.
I question your comment about the round turn signals in the rear, my 57 had round turn signals identical to the ones on this car!
The very very last few hundred 57 smallmouth TR3s had the turn signal bosses added on the rear. Prior to this there was only 1 brake light in the center as my early 57 has. His did not meet import regs.
Sounds like everyone, including me, has been bit by the overlapping parts on British and German cars of the ’50s and 60s. In a couple of my cases early square taillights on a ’53 MG TD, backup light mount on a ’59 Porsche Convertible D, and all sorts of variations of engine parts. Sounds like that’s going on here on this nice TR.
This looks like a nice driver quality restoration project. It looks to be resprayed white. The snap bosses on
The doors are white as is some firewall rubber. It will need new rubber over the windshield and the engine compartment.
The hubcap’s are rusty particularly the left
Front. I would replace the calipers and rotors. The turn signals may be controlled by the extra toggle switch on dash left. Extra gauge under dash.
All of these are common on older tr’s.
I personally would check to see if engine
Turns over and for a compression test.
Good solid triumph tr for restoration.
I sent an email to the lister on Craigslist to post the commission number … if he replies maybe we’ll have an answer!
This is either a TR-3A that for some obscure reason has been given the identity of an earlier 1955 TR-2, or it is a TR-2 that has been rebodied as a latter TR-3A. There never was a 1955 TR-3…only a TR-2 with a small mouth and doors with no locks. There is something fishy here and no doubt at all that EITHER the body OR the paperwork has been doctored.
Seller just got back to me … it’s a ‘59 and it has overdrive that he forgot to mention! If I had the garage space I’d be all over this!
I find it odd the seller has not edited his Craigslist ad to correct the year or the model’s name or add the OD option, it is still listed as a 1955 Trt3, but searching on “Triumph” finds it, so I guess whatever works.
It’s a shame that whoever resprayed the car didn’t bother to cover the engine compartment before starting.
Wish I could. Always wondered what happened to Dad’s exactly. That was in South East Kentucky , 40 years ago , so who knows. Loved that car. Lots of great memories
Seller has updated the ad to 1959 TR3a.
Finally! I’m surprised no one has snagged this one yet … looks like a decent driver for the money.