1957 Triumph TR-3 Roadster

1957 TRIUMPH TR3 CONVERTIBLE. #TS820781. 

(Stock #4327.) The very cute and very popular TR3 was introduced in 1955 as the successor to the similar but more primitive TR2, which had arrived in 1952. With more power and better braking capability, the TR3 initially had a “small mouth” front grill as had the TR-2. Later TR3’s moved on to a “wide mouth” design; few of the very cute early cars can be found today. The TR3 was quite the powerhouse for 4 cylinder British sport cars of the 1950’s. With a 2 litre, twin carburetor engine and 4-speed manual transmission, the car was capable of a 0-60 miles-per-hour acceleration time of 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 105 miles per hour. It was fitted with the recently introduced front disc brakes and fitted with the standard (for the time) British roadster configuration of a folding convertible top, sliding side curtains and a full tonneau cover for weather protection and open air motoring. Our car is one of the early cars and was sold new in South Africa. As such, it was built to English specifications with right-hand steering. The car was sold by Frost Motors in Knysna, South Africa to an American living in Tennessee and later, in 2007, sold to a local (Mendham) enthusiast who, in 2008, fully rebuilt the engine to exacting and higher performance standards with the preferred twin Weber carburetors. He had the transmission fully rebuilt, with a new overdrive unit, by specialists in 2009, then disassembled the differential and reassembled with all new seals and gaskets, fully rebuilt the braking system, record the radiator, replaced the clutch, pressure plate and throw-out bearing, installed a new water pump and fuel pump, added a rack-and-pinion steering system, rebuilt front and rear suspensions, etc. He enjoyed the car for another 10 years before rebuilding all of the instruments in 2018. Since that time, he has faithfully serviced the car and enjoyed it in club events and sunny weekend drives. With all of the work done, the car is now ready for a new owner to enjoy. Odometer Reading: 8,010 miles. $32,000.