This morning I was out running errands when I saw a fellow roll by in a beautiful, fire engine red late 60’s Camaro convertible. It was the perfect time for a top-down spin down the main drag– the sun had been up for hours, but it was still nice and cool– and all I could think was, “There’s a guy who has it figured out.” For one morning, at least, there’d be no busted knuckles, no streaks of rust, no gasoline-coated fingers or oil on the garage floor. Just drive and enjoy. Who wouldn’t like to trade some of the hard work for more cruising in the sunshine? If that sounds appealing, then take a quick look at this powder blue 1962 Triumph TR3B. Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, this award-winning show car is up for auction here on eBay. With a current bid of $23,600 and six days left in the auction, though, keeping your hands clean might come at a premium.
The TR3 was a natural evolution of the previous TR2, which had debuted in 1953. By the early sixties, the basic design was growing long in the tooth. Giovanni Michelotti, fresh off his work on the Triumph Herald, was brought in to produce the designs for the TR3’s successor, the TR4. Yet the little TR3 was the car that had made Triumph’s name stateside, and American dealers were nervous about the radically different look of the new car. Their concerns prompted Triumph to produce a few more of the tried-and-true TR3 in 1962.
The commission number of this example tells us that it was rolling out of the factory in October 1962, just as another Michelotti-designed Triumph, the Spitfire 4 Mk1, was beginning production. As a later TR3B, it received the 2,138 cc version of the Standard inline-4, which resulted in an improvement in horsepower and top speed: 110 mph, without overdrive. And although it did not leave the factory with it, this car does now have the optional Laycock-de-Normanville unit, activated by the labelled switch on the dash and providing overdrive on the top three gears. First gear didn’t totally miss out, though, since even cars without overdrive received the TR4’s gearbox with synchromesh on all gears– first included.
This is a show car and, as you’d expect, it really needs nothing. Two successive owners have treated it with the utmost care, although the seller is quick to note that the car is driven to shows and around town. If an enthusiast really wanted to get into one of the rarest TR3s with minimal hassle or fuss, he’d be hard-pressed to find a better example. And just think: no sourcing parts or figuring out if it’s spark or fuel the engine isn’t getting. No dealing with welds where there should be bolts or metal screws where there should be welds. No body filler. No exhaust leaks. No bins of gears, bolts, and gaskets as the transmission lies strewn across the workbench. Just the perfect vehicle for a top-down, summertime ice cream run. Drive and enjoy.
Yes, that is an original color.. I remember working on at least one in this color combo in the late 1960’s. I was probably replacing a head gasket. Those jobs seem to seek me out, including one of my own TR4’s.
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At that time I drove an Austin Healey 100-4, but TR 3’s were quick enough, and reliable enough to be desirable. They also had thick body panels and did not rust quickly.
Not only can I confirm that this is a production color, between the description and the color there’s a 98% chance I know a past owner of this car, who sold it when he was getting up in years……..
Great car for show or driving! With the OD it will keep up with Interstate traffic with no problems. Great for weekend exploring two lane black top Blue Highways. Easy to work on, when you have to. Parts are available from Moss or The Roadster Factory. At anything under $40,000 this will be a bargain.
How do I know? I have TR3B TCFxxLO in my garage. Had it for 54 years so far and just finished a full frame off, nut and bolt restoration. Factory Powder Blue with Black Leather interior. Hard to drive this car without smiling.
Great write-up Andy.
yep. Powder Blue is correct for those years of Triumph. I have an early 1962 TR4 in this color and very early Spitfires could come in this blue too. When they came out with the TR4A they changed to a very similar but slightly darker shade called wedgewood blue.
Useless Triumph paint color trivia of the day…found out when sourcing correct Powder blue paint for my TR4 that the very same Standard-Triumph powder blue was used on the Gulf racing team cars, GT40s and Porsche 917 that ran at LeMans and others.
This is the hot setup for a TR3. TR4 engine and 7 speeds!
Don’t care for the color but that’s just me.
Mine was also the same pale blue which I didn’t like so I had the fenders and door painted white. Looked good back then although I don’t think I would do the same thing today.
Hello, Andy. Wow, than you so much for that write-up on my car. Kudos to your professional caliber. It’s a fun car. It was ‘born’ in May 1962 , not October, as the BMIHT birth certificate reflects it’s an early TCF# car, #181. I named her Frisky Lady Sings The Blues, because she’s blue and Frisky relates to the name of Henry Meadows Ltd. British-built ‘little’ cars; hence, England. I thought I’d combine the two, ‘Frisky’ and being in the music biz. My Uncle Frank had a powder blue ’59 TR3A. I wasn’t born yet at the time. Years later in the late 70’s when I was a little tike, I saw a picture (which I still have) of his ’59 TR3A. I knew then that one day I was going to own one.
I wasn’t aware of the powder blue connection to the Gulf team / Ford / Porsche cars. Thx, I appreciate the trivia comment I read by your viewer, ClassicCarFan, and the learning of the Gulf Racing / Powder Blue / Ford / Porsche connection. I always thought the powder blue colors were similar or the same but wasn’t sure of it. The other interesting thing is the connection to me overall on a personal note; i.e., the powder blue TR3B, owned two Porsche 968s, own a Ford ’69 Shelby GT500, own die cast scale 1:43, 1:12 Gulf racing team Le Mans cars, and am a big trivia fan!
Please tell your member, Alexander, yes it’s probably the man he knows. His name is listed in the eBay ad. Thank you again, Andy. Cheers.
Andy, there is a TR3 Powder Blue Club in Australia. If you google it, you’ll see how rare powder blue TR3s are and even more rare are the TR3B powder blues. Less than 35 originally painted PB TR3Bs known remaining. I had no idea until I read that in a 1980 Triumph published book out of the U.K. (c1980).
Rene’ Valentine – Drummer/Percussionist
1962 Triumph TR3B – Powder Blue
Glad you enjoyed it! And sorry about the confusion with the production date. I misinterpreted the source: production of the TCF series would have *concluded* in October of ’62. Best of luck with the sale, and I wish for Frisky to have many more happy years with her new owner!
Thanks for the background and sharing. My Powder Blue TCF68L was also “born” in early May of ’62. The BMIHT even gave me the name of the ship that it came in on to Chicago.
DonP, that’s awesome. You’re welcome. Can you please tell us the name of the ship? Oh, my. Rare indeed, your powder blue #68. 54 years of ownership….you must have purchased in 1967, right? Neat.
Had to dig to find my BMIHT Certificate.
My 3B has a “Build Date” of 11 May 1962 and a “Date of Despatch” of 18 May 1962. It was shipped from “24 Queens Dock, Glasgow” aboard the Vessel “Iris”. Destination; “Standard Triumph Distributors, Inc., Chicago”
How it wound up in Calumet Auto Wreckers yard, just 5 years later, by June of ’67, I’ll never know.
Thx, for taking the time to look up your info. Well, what do you know. Our TR3Bs could have been twins. Mine was built 18 May 1962 (the day yours was completed, and “Date of Despatch” 24 May 1962. Took 6 days; yours took 7 days. Wonder if they were shipped together since they did overlap on the 18th of May. Wonder also if May was color of the month for production. Guess we’d have to check the records of how many powder blue TR3Bs were built in May compare to other birthing months. I miss my car. Transporter carried her off on July 1. :-( She’s in a good home. Will visit hopefully next year.
Rene’ Valentine
Drummer/Percussionist – Hari Kari (KISS)
Hi Rene’
It is really good to hear your story about our 3B, you have kept her looking as good as when she was brought back from a sad condition.
Did I send you a pic of her in pre-resurrection form? Did you add the wire wheels or was that the owner from Chicago?
Sure was a fun car to build and drive. Did the previous owner give you the Triumph Register of America plaque from the Best in Show at the National meet that year. I think that should stay with the ol’girl.
By the way, she was painted with Imron paint from DuPont, it has held up pretty well under your care!
Hey Rene’ this is Ron Harrison we have talked a few times. I built TCF181 just like you have it except for the wire wheels which were not original to the car. BTW she won best in show at the Triumph Register of America national meet. I made sure to keep her as true to original as possible. You have given her great care!
Hello, Ron! I just saw this now. Yes, the wire wheels came with the car when I acquired her. I did want the disks instead but she’s a beauuuty either way. I sure miss our chats via the telly. How r u, Mr. Ron? Do you still have my #?
The car went from you (original owner) to M. Chance, to C. Stein to me. I’m 2nd registered owner. Kept copy of British Heritage Certif. and all records. I have extra keys from U.K.
What a thrill to drive her. Take care.