1959 Triumph TR3A |

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1959 Triumph TR3A

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£8,790

Mileage~1,627 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine2.0L
LocationBasildon

SOLD

1959 Triumph TR3A

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Consigner and Editor

Assisted by its competition success, the TR3A was refined into arguably one of the most exciting sports car of its era.

Following the export and competition success created by the Triumph TR2, the upgraded 1955 TR3 featured a host of significant improvements. Along with an increase in power, came the notable fitment of front disc brakes, the first British car to feature them as standard. When considering the raw driving appeal of the TR3, its 2-litre engine and agile handling made the perfect ingredients for a compact and charismatic British open-top roadster. The ~100BHP TR3A models were brought in for the last four years of the model's production run. Aside from the new high port head, the change to 1 3/4-inch SU carburettors and improved brakes, the styling was updated and proved to be another hit for export markets, where the vast majority ended up. Today, the TR3 is a much sought-after preposition, with excellent parts availability and an impressive network of support and specialists.

Recently resurfacing after an extended period of storage, this 1959 LHD TR3A has been in the hands of an enthusiast since the 1990s and has now been inherited by relatives. Well maintained over the years, this example with a smartly presented red leather interior needs a little fettling to the engine. Appealing to someone looking for a classic to tinker with, the car has sound mechanics, a solid chassis, excellent chrome and a near perfect interior.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Sean the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The Triumph was my uncle's pride and joy, spending much of his time maintaining and enjoying the car.

Essentially an inheritance, the family are at odds with the prospect of owning a 1950s sports car. That said, it holds great sentimental value to them, having been cherished by close family for decade and always storage away from the weather as you can tell from the condition.

With a house move occupying their mind, the combination of lack of space and limited use means that they feel it would be better to go to a new home, where it will be used and enjoyed. They will be happy to answer any questions about the car to the best of their ability in the comments section below.

Sean

Vehicle Owner

Sean saved £1,440* when they
sold their Triumph with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Perfectly presentable as it is, a new lick of paint would complement the metalwork, trim and excellent interior.

Wheels and Tyres

The steel wheels are in good condition, with no rim damage. There are a few mild signs of age to the chrome hub-caps, but they all look presentable.

Uniroyal Tyres are all over 20 years old and show advanced signs of age, with cracks noted on the sidewalls. They all have plenty of tread as pictured.

Bodywork

The panel work is well mounted to the car, with acceptable panel gaps and a decent panel flow. The doors opened and closed with ease, and there were no issues with the catches or hinges. There were no dents on the car, although we noted a handful of blemishes to the metal. These include light corrosion on the lower section of the nearside rear wing and a mark on the nearside front wing but overall the car is remarkably free of distracting panel damage.

The chassis frame of the car appears to be in good shape and we couldn't see any significant issues with the floor pan, boot floor, suspension mounts, spare wheel section or wheel well. The sills, front valance and area around the fuel tank look positive too.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The black paint has an even coverage and decent shine, but its finish is showing its age. The bootlid of the car has mild spidering and there is a mottled effect that afflicts much of the rear lower paintwork. The rear wings have a mild paint reaction in the form of under-paint bubbling too and we noted light scratching on some panels consistent with storage wear.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The windscreen is in good condition, with no issues with its lights and lenses.

The chrome finishing is in decent order, with no damage or age noted on the bumpers, grill, trim or windscreen frame. There is a little surface wear on the hub caps. The wing beading is in good shape.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Beautifully finished while retaining many of its original features, the cabin has been well restored.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in pleasing condition in a deep red. There is no major wear to report, they look great. The carpets also appear in good shape, with no signs of dampness.

Dashboard

The dashboard is cleanly presented with a good array of legible dials. There are signs of age on the bezels and switches but complement the authentic feel of the cabin. The door cards are free of scuffs and the rear trim is in good shape.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The Moto-Lita steering wheel is in good condition, with the black leather trim presenting well. The gear stick is also in good condition.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

A sound and smooth running engine, a significant amount of effort has been focused on it over the years.

Engine and Gearbox

The car started up without any problems, and no knocks or misfires were heard. The oil pressure stayed at 70 psi and there were no dashboard warning lights flagged up. The exhaust emitted a little black smoke but nothing significant. The engine presents well, with evidence of maintenance and upkeep.

The 4-speed gearbox is said to operate as it should and the clutch is in good working order. The vendors had a local mechanic out to get the car running after long term storage, and also to give an overview of the general condition. Their report concluded that the engine sounds strong, but a new owner would be best giving the car a thorough going over due to the fact it has been in long term storage, and also making note that cooling of the engine needs further investigation.

Suspension and Brakes

The car brakes operated, without grinding and the car moved freely. The bricks placed in front of the front wheels in the photos and videos act as chocks and were placed there as a precautionary measure. The handbrake was fully operational

The suspension components appear to be in good visual condition with a surface sheen of mild corrosion.

The Drive

On this occasion, despite the successful initial start-up procedure, the engine wouldn’t catch and idle without the intervention of constant application of the accelerator, due to a worn choke linkage. It can be adjusted manually but it appears that the carburettors would benefit from an overhaul.

The engine has been recently checked over by a mechanic working on behalf of Blacktop Autos. His report stated that the fuel lines have been cleared, drained the fuel tank and added fresh fuel, he has cleaned and gapped the spark plugs and the battery has been replaced. It is also menetioned that the car runs warm but the conclusion is that it is strong engine and the issues are exacerbated due to the lack of use.

Electrics and Other

The vinyl roof is in good order, with no damage or wear. The rear screen is free of marks or age. It lowers and raises easily.

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History and Paperwork

Well maintained over the years, a little focus on the carburettors and cooling should get this car back to a former glory again.

The car was owned by Sean's uncle who used it in Spain for several years. The car was brought into the UK in 1990 and retained by the same owner until it was registered under Sean's partners name earlier this year. It has been placed in storage for at least a decade but it had been started up and checked over. Due to an imminent house move, the restoration photos have been packed away, but Sean assures us that they will be passed over to the new owner once discovered. The car was recently checked over by Blacktop Auto's who produced a high level summary of the engine health. These can be seen in the paperwork gallery.

The TR3A comes with a current V5 and has more than one key.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned an HPI check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Key Details

ModelTR3A
Transmission4-Speed Manual
Reg. Date31-08-1990 (Manufactured in 1959)
CC1,991
Mileage~1,627 on clock
ColourBlack
Interior ColourRed
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #TS50320L
Engine #TS50478E
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers2
Tyre BrandUniroyal
Tyre Age20 years +
# of Keys1 +
LHD or RHDLHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~4 Months, ~34 year family ownership
Key FeaturePreviously well maintained
Auction ID2160

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Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : SeanP Sale Date 03.10.2024

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

3 Comments

Rose24

2 months ago

Good morning Sean, can you tell me if the TR3 has the side screens to go on the doors please and can you remember the Spanish numberplate (perhaps you have a photo) and which part of Spain in the car came from? Many Thanks

SeanP

Seller

Rose24

2 months ago

Hi side screens is a no can’t ever remember
Seeing any spainish number plate unfortunately not and my uncle travelled around I can remember him saying Alicante sorry I can’t be more helpful

SeanP

Seller

SeanP

2 months ago

My info that I have is very patchy at best
Thanks Sean

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Vehicle Location

Basildon

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