EXCLUSIVE: 1961 Triumph TR3A

What Makes It Special? This is the last of my project cars from when I lost my storage and workspace last year. It’s a driver quality car with no rust. It’s covered 62,000 miles. It runs and drives alright, just needs a new brake light switch and a tune-up (but all the needed parts are included). Also included is a set of 60 spoke wire wheels, with tires, hubs, knockoffs, and spacers to allow switching to wire wheels. It has an interesting textured paint job. The seats are from a Triumph GT6 but included are a set of stock TR3 seats. This should be an easy summer project. It has a Massachusetts title that is in my name, so there will be no issues at the DMV. Delivery possible in New England.

Body Condition: No visible rust. Painted BRG with unusual texture paint. Stock interior with TR6 seats but original seats are included.

Mechanical Condition: Runs, starts, shifts and stops OK. Needs a brake light switch and tune up (parts included).

Reader Alan P’s TR3 looks like a great find that would make for a great summer driver! The paint job is a bit odd, but it at least protects the body from rust. Personally, we would live with the paint for the time being and just focus on the things that impact how the car runs and drives. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like there’s much to be done on that front and even the interior looks to be in nice shape. So, if you’d love to have this classic British Roadster, be sure to contact Alan via the form below!

  • Asking Price: $9,500
  • Location: Marlborough, MA
  • Mileage: 62646
  • Title Status: Clean
  • VIN: TS 77094 L

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Comments

  1. Todd

    Very tempting, I’m in Massachusetts so it’s close.

    Like 3
    • SMS

      Go for it. If you’ve never driven one give it a try. Bet you’ll be hooked.

      Like 1
  2. SMS

    At one time I had three TR3’s in the garage. Think it is the best all around sports car I’ve ever owned. Not the fastest, best handling, or best looking. Just the best fun.

    If no rust this seems like a good price. I personally like the original seats.

    Like 5
  3. Little_Cars

    Is it possible those GT6 seats are actually more uncomfortable than the originals? Looks like the horn button was swapped off of another later Triumph as well. I like looking at the Standard Triumph logo in the center of the steering wheel while I’m scraping my left knuckle on the road below the drivers door. This seller did what I did on an MG just to preserve the body for the next owner—I roller painted it with matte chalkboard paint which looked great from about 20 feet away. Can’t fault him for that.

    Like 2
    • Jim S

      This is the stock horn button and turn signal assy. Standard Triumph logo was never standard on the center of the wheel. When you start swapping away from the stock steering wheel (which this on is) it becomes a challenge to get the original turn signal / horn button to fit. Something about the way the aftermarket wheels mount and you lose the ability to run the little tube down the column that the wires go through. Usually people end up with a button somewhere on the dash and whatever logo you want in the middle when they swap in a period correct Mona Lita or the like.

      Like 3
      • Little_Cars

        “MOTO”-Lita. Just finished installing one on an MG. And yes, the horn button was too fiddly to work so I put a button on the bottom edge of the dash, within reach while driving but not in the way of one’s knees.

        Like 1
    • SMS

      Comfortable is not an adjective I would ever think of to go with a TR3.

      Matter of fact how many times has any of us been comfortable while having fun, laughing, or smiling ear to ear? Am sure there have been times but not that many.

      Like 1
  4. Howard A. Rube GoldbergMember

    Nice “elbow scraper”,,,

    Like 2
  5. Coventrycat

    It is so refreshing to see one of these that isn’t over restored with chrome wire wheels, every “sports car” accessory you could buy in Road & Track, and a stupid picnic basket. A nice honest car.

    Like 2
  6. PDXBryan

    “It runs and drives alright” “Runs, drives, shifts, and stops OK”
    Dang, the level of enthusiasm is underwhelming. Is this because of condition or does Alan just not really care that much for old Triumphs?

    Like 1
  7. Wayne

    The first British sports car that I ever drove was a TR3. So I have a soft spot in my head for these. Plus, they just look cool! The condition sounds goods as dose the price. But too many MGs at the moment.

    Like 0
    • Willowen

      Never got to drive the first one I met, but logged many miles in the other seat. My favorite thing with the cut-down sides was putting those cigars I was smoking then out on the passing pavement … fun! Bartlesville AF Station, OK 1960. Drove another one up in Anchorage, my next (and ultimate) USAF assignment. Shabby beater, running on crusty old Town & Country tires, standard wear on most Alaskan cars then, but loads of fun too. Were I more at liberty, as they say, I would happily fly out there, oversee whatever this needs and drive it back to SoCal.You could keep the wires, too; I’ve had all the fun with those I’ll ever want. “Unsprung weight” is a real thing, kids!

      Like 1
      • Little_Cars

        This Barn Find TR3 doesn’t have wire wheels, if that’s what you mean. Unless some are included in the sale, all the photos show a steel wheel car. :)

        Like 0
  8. Al

    Remember driving a powder blue TR3 at a dealers, way back when. Loved it. Lead to buying a 62 TR4. Far more civilized with roll-up windows but same great handling and feel. Thought Triumph had it all over MGB. Possibly most fun car I’ve ever owned and that includes a handful of Vettes.

    Like 0
  9. TimM

    Looks like a rat rod sports car!! Only because of the flat black paint!! Hope it’s not hiding tons of bondo under the paint job!! I have no idea where these rot out!! It is a car from the salt belt!! On a better note it looks like a blast to drive and I bet it doesn’t weight much!!!

    Like 1
    • Little_Cars

      They are saying that is flat green paint. My aforementioned MG was a purple rat rod Midget in the truest definition of the phrase. Best ratty thing done to it (before I got it) was a pair of white leather belts used as door straps.

      Like 0
  10. Del

    Nice

    Like 0
  11. Del

    Nice

    Like 0
  12. Herald948Member

    I’ve gotten used to seeing ads for such cars where the exterior is gorgeous in its new paing, while the engine bay is…uh…less so (i.e., untouched in any way ever). This car is almost the complete opposite. ;)

    Like 1

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