A storage-fresh 1958 Triumph TR3 with one-owner history and roots in period racing is the kind of discovery that still gets enthusiasts talking. This example recently surfaced on Facebook Marketplace in Assonet, Massachusetts, carrying an $8,000 asking price and a story that stretches back more than six decades. According to the seller, the car was raced and enjoyed throughout the 1960s before being parked in 1969, where it remained until recently emerging from long-term storage. Thanks for the tip, Paul!
That history alone makes this TR3 worth a closer look. The seller describes it as a complete, original, and untouched car that has spent nearly 60 years off the road. Cars with documented long-term ownership are always interesting, but when they also have period competition history, they tend to attract attention from Triumph fans and vintage sports car enthusiasts alike.
The listing states that the roadster remains in its original black-over-red color combination, with what the seller says is its original paint and interior. As always, buyers will want to inspect the car for themselves, but originality is a big part of the appeal when it comes to early British sports cars.
One of the more intriguing details is the collection of accessories included with the sale. According to the seller, the car comes with all three tops: a tonneau cover, a speedster cover, and a soft top. Soft doors are also included. Those pieces can be difficult to locate separately, so having them accompany the car could be a significant plus for someone looking to preserve or restore the package as a whole.
The seller also mentions that the original tool kit remains with the vehicle. Included items reportedly consist of the crank, hammer, and other factory tools. For enthusiasts who appreciate completeness and period-correct details, that’s the kind of thing that often gets noticed.
As for condition, the seller describes the car as having minimal rot and “awesome patina.” Those are seller claims, of course, and prospective buyers can review the available photos and additional images the seller says are available. What does seem clear from the listing is that this is being presented as an unrestored survivor rather than a recently rebuilt example.
The TR3 occupies an important place in sports car history. Lightweight, simple, and direct, these cars helped establish Triumph’s reputation in the American market during the 1950s. Many have been restored, modified, or transformed over the years, which is part of what makes original examples so intriguing when they surface.
Whether someone chooses to preserve this car’s long-storage character or embark on a full restoration, the next owner will be starting with a vehicle that comes with a story. A one-owner TR3 that was reportedly raced in the 1960s and then parked in 1969 isn’t something you see every day.
Would you preserve this Triumph as an untouched survivor, or would you return it to the road and relive its sporting past?
It certainly is an interesting find, however for me $8K is a bit too much for someone else’s history. I have always liked these older TR’s and I am one of the old dinosaurs who still appreciate them, yet the market for these is dwindling. No young people want them and those of us older ones who DO like them either have too many projects (like me) or need to acquire a find like this for a bargain price. This car is a ‘bronze’ example but the owner wants ‘gold’!
It was up for $1,000 a few days ago before it got a clean https://barnfinds.com/parts-car-or-worth-saving-1959-triumph-tr3/
At least it’s a lot more presentable here. Did someone buy it for $1k and hope to clean it up and flip it? Or is this the same seller who had the decency to finally clean it up a bit.
different seller so is flip. Would have liked to have seen a video of it pulled out and cleaned
Rebuild/restore it to as near original as possible and then enjoy it! They are wonderful little cars. I have personally owned a TR2, 3a, 4 and 4a before I became a classic car dealer and then I had a 5, 6 and 7, and the use of a friend’s TR 8. Of the lot, the 2, 3, 3a and 4 were the most enjoyable as a “sports” car while the rest were just far too comfortable “roadsters”.
I would rebuild/restore it to as near original as possible and then enjoy it! They are wonderful little cars. I have personally owned a TR2, 3a, 4 and 4a before I became a classic car dealer and then I had a 5, 6 and 7, and the use of a friend’s TR 8. Of the lot, the 2, 3, 3a and 4 were the most enjoyable as a “sports” car while the rest were just far too comfortable “roadsters”. I am trying to delete the picture as it isn’t a good one but the “cancel” button won’t do it.
Minimal rot and awesome patina? How about awesome rot? The body on the little Brit roadster needs serious patchwork. So does the interior, and who knows how much mechanical work it will take to wake ‘er up again. Chances are the motor is stuck, and that’s probably just the beginning of the fun. $8k, frankly, is way too much in my extremely humble opinion. You could find a much more doable project for that amount.
This is the same car that was featured here for $1,000days ago after it was given a cleaning https://barnfinds.com/parts-car-or-worth-saving-1959-triumph-tr3/ Look at the before and after.
I see this as a car for a young guy in a gearhead family. Dad buys it and the kid does all the work.
While its “all there”, it looks like every single piece of it is beyond the “patina car” stage. There’s patina, and then there’s just driving around a beat-up POS. This one is mostly the latter at this point.
You’d have to disassemble it just to clean it up properly, so you might as well blast and paint and plate or pressure wash everything in the process. At least you’re not hunting down parts from all over the world.
A kid could learn a lot about the hobby with this one if they have the motivation and resources and space to do it. It mostly just needs a lot of sweat equity as opposed to parts, and when it’s done, it’d be a really nice family keeper.
https://barnfinds.com/parts-car-or-worth-saving-1959-triumph-tr3/ as far as cleaning
This is where the term “fright pig” came from – when I can see this much rot in the outer body skin, I know there is more in the structural areas….
I see no evidence of the racing claim at all, no roll bar etc. – this is an old, tired strategy to imply greater value – Dan Gurney probably didn’t race it.
If it has a clean title, it may be worth the 1k asked a few days ago.
These are great cars (I had one in 1969 that I loved) but there are much better projects out there IMO.
Poor baby. Here in California we call that the “east coast body cancer”.
We had the same description in Durban, South Africa, which is also on the East Coast. Funny story, Durban is very nearly on the exact same latitude as Western Australia, so if you sail direct due East you end up in Perth, Australia and yet we don’t claim to come from “Down under” like the Aussies do. I wonder why?
Tie me kangaroo down, I don’t know- maybe because of the original colonist’s sentimental viewpoint of being estranged from England as to be released from prison ?
Don’t like flippers. From 1000 up to 8000 is sleazy.
Love cars of the 1950s, but this is a boat anchor! If it has that much rot in the visible outer panels and engine bay, the floor and chassis are going to be gone as well.
Spurious claims of “racing” without any backup are just fraudulent.
Very sad, but this is simply not worth the trouble.