1957 Triumph TR3

Coming to market after an extraordinary 50 years of ownership, this 1957 Triumph TR3 is now seeking a new, conscientious owner to become the next custodian of this British classic.

The TR3 has been thoroughly enjoyed over the past five decades. It underwent a full home restoration during the late 1970s, which was completed in the early 1980s and included the installation of several new body panels and a rebuilt engine. In recent years, the car has been part of a collection, seeing very little use. Approximately two years ago, it underwent extensive recommissioning work and has since covered just 60 miles before being returned to display.

This is a well-maintained example that remains in very usable condition. With a light service and a bit of freshening up, it will be ready to hit the roads once again.

The Triumph TR3 presents itself nicely overall. Most of the body panels were replaced during the restoration in the late 1970s, as detailed in the handwritten notes available in the documents section. The paintwork was also completed at the same time. While there are a few blemishes here and there, such as the occasional spot of orange peel and some light scratches, these only add to the patina and charm of this British classic.

Starting at the front, the chrome work is in excellent condition, showing no significant signs of tarnishing. The grille is also in good order, with no damage, and both headlights retain a bright finish with no cracks or chips in the lenses. The bonnet sits evenly within its aperture, with consistent gaps, and the turn-lock fasteners hold it securely in place.

Along the curvaceous flanks, the panels appear to align as well as one might expect—likely as well as they did when the car was first built. There may be some slight misalignment in the doors, but this is typical and consistent with how they would have been originally. A small ding on the passenger-side rear quarter panel has marked the paint slightly, but once again, this adds to the character of a usable classic. The roof fits superbly and is in excellent condition; the original side screens and tonneau cover are also included, though they do show some signs of age.

At the rear, the boot fits well, as does the luggage rack affixed to it. The lights and indicators are in good condition with no damage, and the chrome over-riders maintain a bright finish. The steel wheels, painted to match the body colour, are fitted with original-style chrome hubcaps, all in good condition. These are paired with a matching set of Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres, which still have plenty of tread remaining.

The interior transports you back to the 1950s when things were simple and functional, free from the complexity of modern electronics.

The seats have been reupholstered in red leather and remain in very good condition, showing minimal signs of ageing. The red leather extends to the door cards, which are also in good order.

The dashboard leather is well-preserved, and the instruments are neatly presented. The seller notes that the odometer reading of 45,015 miles is incorrect, as the unit was replaced several years ago when the car had covered approximately 80,000 miles, although the exact mileage of the replacement unit is unknown. All the switchgear reportedly functions as expected, with only a slight patina visible on the lettering. The original steering wheel is in good condition, while the aluminium gear knob features a switch on top to operate the overdrive.

The red carpets complement the seats and show little sign of wear throughout the cabin, extending into the boot, which is also clean and tidy.

The 2.0-litre engine in the TR3 would have originally produced around 102bhp, a respectable amount of power for such a small, lightweight car.

The car starts as expected, with just a slight hesitation that could likely be resolved with a full service. Once running, the engine performs well. Equipped with a four-speed gearbox, the gear changes are reportedly smooth. The car also features overdrive, operated by the aforementioned switch on top of the gear knob. Unfortunately, the seller has been unable to get the overdrive to function correctly, and it is believed the issue may be related to the solenoid, though this has not been confirmed.

In 2018, a significant amount of money was spent on the Triumph, replacing bushes, ball joints, brake cylinders, shock absorbers, and many other components, all of which are detailed in the paperwork. Since then, the car has only covered approximately 60 miles.

Looking at the underside and chassis sections reveals them to be in good condition, with minimal signs of corrosion or areas of concern.

The V5C registration document is present and shows no previous keepers, although there may have been some listed on the original registration certificate.

There is a log of handwritten notes showing what parts were purchased and when, even listing the VAT at the time of each entry (oh, to have VAT back at 8%!).

Accompanying the notes are invoices for parts purchased and work carried out, including the most recent invoice from 2018 when the car underwent a full inspection and had £5,845.90 worth of work done only 60 miles ago.

This is a British classic coming from over 50 years of ownership. The car has been cherished from the moment the vendor acquired it all those years ago and even underwent an at-home restoration from 1977 until the early 1980s.

For the past few years, the car has been on display and hasn’t seen much use. Now it’s time for the next lucky custodian to take over the reins of this 1957 Triumph TR3. With a light recommissioning, it will be ready to be enjoyed once again. We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. To arrange an appointment to view this vehicle please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.