We all have those odd projects that we know we need to do but somehow time – and maybe interest – get away from us and we are left to sweep up the pieces. Here is an example of restoration project that never got off the ground in the form of a 1962 Triumph TR3A for sale on Hemmings in Topping, Virginia for $5,200.
The seller of this one-owner Triumph is the proprietor of the restoration shop that stored the car for almost 25 years before the owner decided that he no longer had interest in the sports car. I would be curious as to what the car looked like when it arrived 25 years ago, since it is covered in surface corrosion to the point that the car has taken on a yellowish-orange appearance over its original white. The photos show it inside a tent or fabric building with tarps underneath the car.
Body-wise, the Triumph looks straight and none of the panels exhibit any obvious dents or major scrapes. The vendor says that the interior floors and trunk floor may need to be replaced. He also mentions rust-through on the fender bottoms which would indicate larger corrosion problems underneath the panel. On the positive side, the sills -or rockers to us- are said to be in good condition. Replacing sills on an open car like this one requires skill to keep it from being welded into an odd shape.
There are photos of the chassis provided and there is surface corrosion on it as well. None of the photos show serious rot on the chassis and the outriggers shown look pretty good. A friend who is restoring an MG-TF had his chassis powder coated and the results were remarkable. There are replacement chassis available for most TR-series Triumphs, but they ain’t cheap.
The interior is rough and that is being charitable. The car came with leather upholstery and to do it right, leather should go back into it, in my opinion. At least all of the seat frames are present and they can be restored. On the plus side, all of the gauges are in place and the glass in the windshield frame looks serviceable. No photos of the top or side curtains were provided, so assume they are MIA.
We aren’t told anything about the condition of the engine and driveline so the buyer should expect the engine to be seized after sitting so long. For someone planning to restore a car, an engine rebuild should be in the budget near the top of the list, anyway. The transmissions in these old Triumphs are pretty reliable so the new owner might be OK with just a fluid change.
The asking price is not out of the realm of reason for a car this complete and solid and there have been TRs restored that started in much worse condition. This might be a perfect project for an ambitious home restorer that wouldn’t mind farming out some of the work while doing what they are able to do themselves.
Looks to have been stored in a pretty humid environment. Sad…
“We all have those odd projects that we know we need to do but somehow time – and maybe interest – get away from us…”
And money, don’t forget about money. I’d restore old cars all day every day if I had the money.
Yep buying a car is the easy part. The getting it back on the road takes time and money.
Had a BRG TR3 decades ago. What a fun car. There was a new subdivision just under construction on the edge of town (Bend Ore) . The streets were started with this very cool big asphalt circle. I was out there one day going around and around faster and faster until I was in a 360 degree drift. POP! What was that? POP! I slowed down and drove home. Coming to a stop in my driveway I heard “tinkle,tinkle,tinkle”. Got out and looked things over. I was popping spokes on my wire wheels. :-) Terry J
Wire wheels and bias ply tires don’t take very well to drifting. But what fun you must have had! Guessing no seat belts either. Good times!
My first car in High School 1959 BRG Tr3 A a little on the rough side but I loved it.
Was outside for a long time at one point by the look of the seats.
If it’s a TR3A it’s not from 1962.
Hemmings says it is TS 69137L and the photo of the commission plate confirms.
So that makes it definitely a TR3A. Built in the middle of 1960. Mine was TS 72119L and I think I figured it out one time to early September.
Now I’ve heard of some states and dealers at the time basing the title year on the year sold so within a year would be reasonable but did this one sit around from 1960 until the beginning of 1962 to get titled? Tough to say. Mine was built in 1960 and was titled as a 1961. Not really sure what the shipping times were back then. I’m sure there’s a chart in some Bill Piggot book detailing the minutiae.
It’s definitely not a TR3B. Those all had commission numbers starting with TSF1 or TCF1.
My dad had a 1956 TR3 when I was a kid. Still have many wonderful memories of riding with my dad in that car.
I had a 1962 TR3B that I bought in 1965 for$700. I burned up a lot of great miles in that car. Now I’m 77 and have a 1961 TR3A that is lovely but I can’t get the suspension sorted out . Too many years between TRs.
Hi mike
I bought this car and bring in France 🇫🇷
I build a garage and in some days the tr3 will go in for a full restoration!
Let’s continue the life of this pretty car !!
Br
Olivier