With a world-wide status for reliability and performance, the Triumph TR3 was recognized in this period as “the world’s most popular sports car.” The TR3 series carried on the marque’s legacy as being safe, powerful, economical, and fun. The TR3 had a fantastic reputation on the road and on the race track.
In fact, many British automobile aficionados think this Triumph model may be the quintessential example of open cockpit motoring for this era. Following the successes of the TR2, both on the track and in sales, the TR3 was introduced to great fanfare and reception. The TR3A followed soon after featuring modest upgrades. These included a wider front grille (as seen on this beautiful example), exterior door handles, lockable boot handle, and came from the factory with a standard tool kit. Unfortunately, the tool kit is no longer with this particular car.
Triumph's TR3 was the first volume-production sports car with standard front wheel disc brakes and this continued on with the TR3A. The car was well known for its superior braking ability and combining this with excellent engineering and design of the suspension, springs, telescopic dampers, and more led this platform to be an autocross favorite.
It is reported that the total production run of the TR3A was 58,236 which makes it the third best-selling model built by Standard Triumph, following the TR6 and TR7. It is further estimated that of the nearly 59,000 TR3A’s built, less than 10,000 are extant.
This particular example, wearing Litchfield Green paint and a black with white piping interior, sports a wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and racing style eight-spoke Mini-Lite wheels. The car also comes with a brand new custom made tonneau cover; however, it does not have a top, top frame, or side curtains. Included are receipts showing many years of general upkeep and maintenance. The TR3A came from the factory with a 95-horsepower, 1,991-cubic centimeter inline four-cylinder engine connected to a four-speed manual transmission as standards. The current caring owner of the car is the curator of the Rolling Art collection of cars and motorcycles, and is a “genuine petrol head” and former overall winner of the 1992 La Carrera Panamericana. He states the TR3A is a pleasant driver and goes on many errands and tours.