1961 Triumph TR3A Roadster
The Triumph Motor Company announced the TR3 in October of 1955 as a successor to the TR2. The TR3 was powered by the same 1991 cc, four cylinder, overhead valve engine as the TR2. For the TR3, the horsepower was raised to 95 by utilizing larger carburetion. The engine was paired with a four-speed transmission. New cylinder heads, adding 5 additional horsepower, were fitted to the engine during the first 12 months of production. Top speeds for the TR3, with the upgraded carburetion, now approached 110 mph.
The car was offered with front independent suspension and a live rear axle, initially with drum brakes at all four wheels. Within the first year Triumph switched to front disk brakes, with which this example is equipped, becoming the first British production car to do so.
The car had low-cut doors and minimal weather protection. It had a small opening in the front with a deep-set grille. Performance was on par with cars of this era, the MGA and Austin-Healey 100, and the car was well received. More than 13,000 TR3s were manufactured between 1955 and 1957, with the majority of those imported to the United States.
Common options for TR3 included overdrive, a hard top, and wire wheels. A rear seat was offered, but was purchased by only a handful of buyers.
Triumph updated the exterior in 1957. This design is now referred to as the TR3A, although this was never the official company name. The car’s grille grew wider and was less recessed, headlight treatment was slightly altered and door handles were now standard. A locking trunk handle and larger bumpers were also installed. Mechanically, the TR3’s original specifications remained mostly unchanged. Triumph sold more than 58,000 TR3A's during the car’s six-year run, however, it is believed that only 10,000 of the original 58,000 built are on the road today.
The TR3 is a very desirable automobile which helped make Triumph a leading producer of open two-seat sports cars throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s.
The TR3A being offered here was purchased in Colorado and has been with the same owner since 1989. It is being offered in unrestored condition. The car received a new interior and carpets in 1991, which are in very good condition. It comes with documentation regarding upgrades and upkeep along with service manuals.