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Proper Patina: 1960 Triumph TR3

proper-patina-1960-triumph-tr3

While a nice shiny paint job always looks great, sometimes the dings and dents a barn find acquires from years of being parked can make for a much more interesting look. The problem with most barn finds is that the so called patina is really just rust. This 1960 Triumph TR3 on the other hand has what I would consider to be the proper amount of patina to give it character. There isn’t any rust and the paint and body tell the story of a car that has been parked for the past 40 years. This documented survivor can be found here on eBay.

proper-patina-1960-triumph-tr3-side-view

The second owner purchased this car in ’64 and drove it for two years, at which point it began suffering from an overheating issue. They parked the car with the intent of getting around to fixing the problem when they had time, but they never found time to fix it. It was parked until the current seller bought it in 2012.

proper-patina-1960-triumph-tr3-interior

The interior looks complete, but is showing its age. The dash is cracked and the carpets are dirty. The front seats appear to have already been recovered and look very nice. One could restore the interior or use it just as it is. The second owner claims when they bought it in ’64 it had already been resprayed once, so there could be some surprises hiding under the surface.

proper-patina-1960-triumph-tr3-rear-corner

While this British Roadster would look great after a respray in its original Sebring White, it has a lot more charm as it sits. The seller has already done the heavy lifting and gotten it running and driving. So, would you leave the exterior alone or start prepping it for paint?

Comments

  1. Avatar Hans Von Mehler

    Leave as is!

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  2. Avatar John D

    I would buff it up, paint blemishes and all. I like the look of the old paint with a shine on it. Then I would drive the daylights out of it.

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  3. Avatar Will M

    I think the area below the doors could be a lot more Bondo than one would hope.

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  4. Avatar Jim R

    The car needs a paint job, then again I don’t get this patina garbage.

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  5. Avatar THIBEAULT

    In high school, a friend had one of these and he was in the band, so every day after class when he had band practice, another freinfd and I would steal the car from the school parking lot and drive around in it. Because the side curtains did not have locks on them, we could easily get into the car and a 50 cent piece held on the contacts under the dash bridged the gap that allowed the push button to start the car without the key. I often wondered if he wondered why he was getting such shitty gas mileage with this car.

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    • Avatar Greg Smith

      I had a TR3 in High school and stayed after school for jazz band. How funny!!

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      • Avatar THIBEAULT

        Wasn’t you Greg, but ask a few of your friends if they had the same idea!!

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  6. Avatar jim

    the one on barnfind is at $8655 with reserve not met. the twin is at $7600 with no reserve and this one is $15000 buy it now. you make the choice.
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Triumph-Other-TR3-B-model-Triumph-Tr3B-/380630406253?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item589f57146d

    Like 0
  7. Avatar paul

    I’d say it’s an excellent starting point for a restore, this is past the point of patina the old Buick blue conv from the other day was a great patina car.

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  8. Avatar FRED

    WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL THERE WAS ONE OF THESE FOR SALE AT ONE OF THE SHADEER CAR LOTS IN TOWN.A FRIEND OF MINES OLDER BROTHER OWNED AND STILL HAD FOR OR FIVE OF THEM IN THE DRIVEWAY.I ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD CHECK OUT THE ONE AT THE CAR LOT.WHEN WE GOT THERE HE SAID LET ME DRIVE.WE TOOK THAT CAR AND DROVE THE SNOT OUT OF IT. HE SAID IT RAN AND HANDLED WELL. THEN WE TOOK A CORNER AND HIT A POTHOLE AT THE SAME TIME. THAT TORE OF THE WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM. WE TOOK IT BACK AFTER TWO HOURS OF DRIVING IT LIKE WE STOLE IT AND HANDED THE SALESMAN THE KEYS AND SAID IF YOU PUT A NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM ON IT YOU GOT A DEAL. THE DEALER WAS SO CHEAP THAT HE SAID NO AND PUT IT BACK ON THE LOT. I ENDED UP WITH AN MG AND THAT NICE OLD TRIUMPH SAT THERE FOR A FEW YEARS.

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  9. Avatar scot

    ~ vinyl wrap the Triumph! preserve the patina just in case -see what i’m sayin’?

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  10. Avatar rancho bella

    I find this to be a delightful and honest representation. Notice the back tires?…..ready for some mud and snow action. As to the price…….I have no idea what it should sell for.
    This is about as good as a photo presentation can be to a buyer, did I miss anything?

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    • Avatar paul

      Yes the floors in the pics are quite good.

      Like 0
  11. Avatar justonemom

    R U kidding me! That is a POS…original white..really…so what’s all the red under the white peeling paint….I have a real TR3 and this car would be good for parts…and bid not met at $9000 …? Who are you guys? I’m a girl and I know a POS when I see it…

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    • Avatar paul

      The red you see is primer under the paint.

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      • Avatar paul

        The reddish oxide primer was common back then but I’m with you on the 9,000 g.

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  12. Avatar Dolphin Member

    As 50+ year old cars from New England go, this TR3 is pretty good, but looking at a few of the photos and then reading about it having a “rust free” body is a concern. And the snow tires don’t help.

    For me the bottom line is: Ignore the hard sell in the listing and go drive the car. If it starts, runs, and drives as well as the seller says, figure what it’s worth to you and bid. If the bidding goes higher, don’t chase it. There will be others.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar jim

    reserve still not met and bidding is higher then the volvo 1800e.

    Like 0

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