The owner of this 1959 Triumph TR3A found this car at an estate sale in a barn. Yes, it’s a legitimate barn find! After four years of garage storage, the owner has decided they have too many projects, so it’s time for the TR to find a new owner. Thanks to BarnFinds reader Matt H. for sending in this great find!
From what we can see from the dim pictures, the majority of the body shell looks sound but certainly not pristine. The different color on the nose may be a clue to a previous accident, along with the primer on the front fenders. We’re told the owner has a clear title but has no previous history of the car. They do state that the gas in the tank is from the 1970s, which will certainly require some cleanout and perhaps coating. The wire wheels are a nice option from an appearance standpoint, but I would suggest either sending them to a specialist for refurbishment or purchasing new ones (and splined hubs, never replace one without the other) before trying to drive the little British roadster.
The 1963 plate is interesting, as it is neither the year of manufacture nor the last year on the road if the owner’s claims of 1970s gas are true. A reproduction taillight lens is easy to find for less than $20. Trivia time: Mock’s was still in business as of 2017 and was still owned by the Mock family.
The driver’s floor looks like the worst of the rust, but I’d say that’s repairable rather than replacement being necessary.
Non-original upholstery and no carpet, but other than that the interior of the TR3A looks to be complete.
The current owner purchased a few parts for the car and some manuals. I’ll bet readers know that TRs could still be crank-started through the TR4, but do any readers know what the T-shaped tool on the left of the crank handle is used for (yes, I do know)?
Note the “Triumph” wrenches on the right. Unfortunately, those are probably not original as there was a Triumph Tool Company; this reference page states that original wrenches were made by T. Williams Co. and are marked appropriately. Pretty cool looking, nonetheless!
Contrary to the seller’s opinion, the Reno Rallies hosted by Harrah’s Club were not typically speed events. I would term them as “gatherings,” with time-speed-distance and other types of low-speed competitive events held for entertainment. Later versions were off-road forest-type rallies, however.
This should be a 1991cc version of the reliable (yes, I used that word in connection with a British sports car) wet-liner four-cylinder engine. It looks complete and is still equipped with its original type of SU carburetor. I think this would be a great start for a restoration or refurbishment, and the joy of driving a side-screen TR with the top down has to be experienced to be believed! If you feel the same way, you can find this car in Vancouver, Washington here on Craigslist. The asking price is $7,000, which may be a bit high, but I’ll bet cash talks! Please tell us about your TR3 experiences in the comments below!
That T handled tool opens the bonnet latches.
There’s a lot to do here, so I agree the price is high.
Excellent, Michelle — although I’m not surprised at all that you knew that!
The T-handle tool also opens the spare tire boot … don’t have a flat without it! :-)
Or in my case, a fairly BIG flat screwdriver!
RE: the 1963 license plates. The plate was issued in ’63 and then sticker tags were applied every year to the same plate. If you look at the tags, it was last licensed thru Oct. ’79.
Will need lots of work but it looks like a solid candidate for rehab. Value depends on how much metal needs replaced but I like it.
Washington State used the ones with the “63” from 1963 through 1965. In 1966 on they just said “Washington” on the bottom.
Hagerty values are pretty strong, so I hope this one gets a proper restoration.
#1 Concours condition $46,900
#2 Excellent condition $33,800
#3 Good condition $19,000
#4 Fair condition $10,400
Well, the t-handle is a dzus fastener tool. As used on the TR3, including the hood, spare tire cover and the side screens on the door.
Hood and spare wheel cover yes, side curtains, no. I seem to remember that mine had knurled, round, threaded knobs, although it was back in 1979 that I owned it so I stand to be corrected.
Don’t forget the safety hood latch. I know because TWICE the hood on my TR3A blew off and broke the windshield!!! The second time it also hit my head. It is easy to forget latching the dzus hood fasteners and take off down the road. It breaks the pot metal hinges right off once you go over a fairly low speed. THAT can ruin a day! Sold it back in 1978 before I got married, for $500, but it ran well. .
I’m glad to hear that’s happened to someone else, my 2nd TR3 back in 1976 I was working to get the carbs synced and took a test drive without turning the dzus fasteners down. The hood slammed back hit the top of my head and flew straight up in the air.
This one looks to be in #5 condition. Mine from years ago was #4, but ran well when I sold it for $500, but that was in 1978. So, I think $7,000 is too much, but we’ll see.
I had one of these in ‘69-‘70 while stationed at Nellis AFB, NV. It was a very pretty light yellow color with a black roll bar and the wire wheels as well. It didn’t really like the heat there and was a little suspect about when it would decide to just quit running until it cooled down. BTW, what color would you call this one, limey green?
Who is Mocks? I’m a long time Brit car guy (including my current smallmouth TR3 and TR250) and don’t know them. Do you mean MOSS? If so they are still in business and was still owned by the Moss until earlier this year.
They are referring to the Mock’s Corvallis license plate frame on the rear plate shown in the 3rd picture.
No overdrive switch. It would have been to the left of the steering column and left of the heater knob that is there. Probably means no OD. Too bad as one present could help justify the price.
The seller says it has a racing frame. I wonder what he means by that? There is no evidence of anything “racing” in any of the pictures.
IMHO Without inspection of the bottom this is probably a 3 or 4k car.
Seller is probably talking about the adjustable rear lever action shocks which you could adjust from super firm to loose, 1 through 10 clicks on the adjusting knob. We use them on our stock style suspension race cars.
i had a ’54 tr2 years ago .great little car, wish i had kept it.
as i am new to this i presume that the auto sitting on those
rollers means that the engine is not functional?
Welcome aboard Alex. Not necessarily, as they are mainly used to move the car around in the garage without having to push, pull and steer it in umpteen different directions just to get it where you want it.