1961 Triumph TR3A

The included V5c document indicates that this lovely TR3A has had just three owners since its 3rd of February 1961 registration and it’s been in the custodianship of the last of those, vendor Paul Norman, since 1986.

“I’ve owned 44IDEA for the majority of its life. The previous owner was Anston Garage, Rugeley, Staffordshire, from whom I bought it. I don’t know the history prior to this, though last year I did meet a previous owner from the late Sixties in Sutton Coldfield.”

Paul had the engine rebuilt following a broken crankshaft in 1987, and that included a reconditioned gearbox, a new dynamo, loom and crankshaft. A stainless-steel sports exhaust and Kenlowe fan were fitted at the same time.

“It had a body off restoration in 1992, which included stripping the chassis and having it repainted in black enamel, a full respray and underseal treatment. I’ve provided photographs of the work at various stages of the process.”

Since then, 44IDEA hasn’t wanted for anything, being maintained to an excellent standard. Works have included the addition of a heater matrix, the valves being ground, and head skimmed (both in 2019), a new front anti-roll bar, fresh upper wishbone bushes (last year), electronic ignition and five new tyres, amongst other bits and bobs.

“It’s only completed around 4500 miles since completion of the restoration circa 1996, and in dry conditions only. It remains in very good condition and, while I am biased of course, it is a joy to drive.”

We’re more used to seeing Triumph TR3s in Triumph Racing Green, Signal Red or Pure White, but we have to say that Powder Blue really helps the model’s lines to sing. Combine that with its wide-mouthed ‘Michelotti’ grille (Paul fitted a fresh one relatively recently), double-sweep side profiles and pert-derriere, and it’s an intoxicating mix.

“The body panels are excellent, and the paintwork in particular belies its age,” adds Paul. We can add that given its dry-weather only miles post restoration, it remains tip-top. It may have been a few decades since its restoration, but you’d be hard pressed to know; there are few stone-chips, and the finish remains pretty close to flawless.

Brightwork is a touch mix’n’match with that newish grille offset by patinated headlight bezels, but that doesn’t detract from the car’s undoubted charm. Wire wheels are very good, new tyres were fitted in 2015 and it sports a chrome luggage rack with horizontal wooden slats on the boot lid. The compartment below it opens to reveal a matching spare tyre.

The car comes with that eye-catching registration number, too.

The Blue Vynide interior is a thing of majesty and for us provides a corking contrast to that Powder Blue exterior. There’s no doubt that the next owner of this car will be feeling ‘Blue’ all the time, but in a good way – the diminutive TR3A looks like a perfect clear summer sky.

“The interior trim, seats, carpets, black and white soft tops and beige tonneau cover are serviceable, in the main look okay, but may be best described as a little tired, and particularly the black top and side panels. I have only held on to them as I think they may be original to the car when new – they certainly look that old,” says Paul.

We think the interior certainly has a good bit of life left in it yet. It still presents relatively sharply; the dashboard covering is good, as are door cards and seats. The chrome dials present very well (the speedometer was recalibrated by Restorations), as do the steering wheel and gear lever.

You read that correct above, it comes with the choice of both white and black soft tops and matching door cards (with the latter thought to be original), as well as that tan tonneau.

It’s a striking cabin and we love it.

“The car is absolutely mechanically sound,” says Paul. “The engine runs and pulls well, with excellent oil pressure (it had a new oil pump at engine rebuild, 4500 miles ago). It’s comfortable and great fun to drive; the reconditioned gearbox gives a smooth change and the overdrive functions perfectly.

“Things you should know? Everything works as it should except the fuel gauge, which works but is inaccurate only measuring ½ full when the tank is full. I have replaced the tank sender unit with a new one, but it has not solved the problem. Also, it is obvious when you look at the battery terminals, but to confirm, the polarity has been swapped to negative earth.

“The chassis and underbody are in very good condition and rust free, except for a little surface rust in places underneath.” This is confirmed in our photo gallery, as our snapper got down on his hands and knees to bring you the all-important underside pictures. It’s a robust picture with fresh looking suspension components, a straight chassis and well protected metal. In fact, we think Paul’s being hypercritical with regards any surface rust because as our photographs show it’s super clean.

The engine bay too, is very smart. Remember to watch the Video Review below; it’s all good and gives a lovely indication of the car’s condition, however 4 minutes 40 seconds in is our favourite part – that’s when the uprated stainless four-port sports exhaust system gives you an aural indicator of its full root and toot. And on the move, it’s even fruitier.

The TR3A’s upgrades are detailed in the car’s history file, and you’ll also find those photographs of the restoration process (which can be viewed in our Gallery, below).

There are a multitude of invoices in the file, with perhaps the most important being the one from Ray Bryan Car Body Repair Specialists of Burton-on-Trent, dated 9th October 1992, totalling £5040 for a body-off restoration including sandblasting, a full repaint (of both) and undersealing. £5040, oh those were the days! If you flick through them, you’ll get a very good idea of the level of work carried out and the range of parts replaced.

You’ll also find a ‘Practical hints for the maintenance of the Triumph T.R.3’ booklet, a lubrication chart, lots of expired tax discs and MOT test certificates, as well as the current example of the latter (which runs until 03/08/2022, advisories have been addressed!).

Finally, a Standard Register certificate confirms chassis number, build date, bodyshell number and that the colour scheme is its original.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and then maintained to the highest of standards.

This is one sharp looking and even sharper driving little cookie. The Blue-on-Blue aesthetics are to our eyes, superb. It’s a car that’ll have onlookers and bystanders turning, craning their necks, and proffering thumbs-up a plenty.

The body remains almost post-restoration perfect; mechanicals too, are in post rebuilt rude health. There’s room for a bit of interior tickling if the next owner should so wish and one or two small bits of brightwork could be similarly restored, but neither is a necessity by a long way.

We think 44IDEA is a right little charmer and as such, think it’ll sell for somewhere between £21,000 and £26,000. In terms of smiles-per-pound, anywhere in that range seems like bloomin’ good value to us.

Here’s to a scorching summer, in which to enjoy a lovely little bit of Blue.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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’.