Hankering to step into a stalled British roadster project? Here on craigslist is a 1957 Triumph TR3, partially dismantled four years ago for a brake job that was never completed. I think that’s plastic or a windshield laying over the bonnet, too bad that couldn’t have been moved for its photo shoot. The car is located in Houston, Minnesota and the asking price is $7,900. The seller has sold his shop, so everything must go, including parts and a variety of other cars. Your excursion to pick up this TR3 could net other interesting stuff! We have Barn Finder Gunter Kramer to thank for spotting this Triumph-in-waiting – thanks, Gunter.
The TR3 entered production in 1955 as a follow-on to the rattly but rugged TR2. The first TR3s carried over the “small mouth” grille from its predecessor, but with the grille now set forward in the opening, rather than deep into the tunnel of that narrow mouth. The 1991 cc in-line four-cylinder carried over as well but with a few more ponies thanks to, first, larger SU carburetors, and later, a high-port head. This motor does run, but the car is not roadworthy of course. Snicking through the four-speed manual remained the same – with no synchro on first but overdrive as an option. Triumph dished out front discs in 1956 – the first British production car to do so and a welcome upgrade from drums all around. If you’re feeling flush, the seller has a body-less, title-less TR3A in parts that he’ll let you have for $1500. Two motors are in that pile, along with several transmissions.
The sale includes this small-mouth nose. The seller’s idea was to convert his large-grille car to the earlier (’55-early ’57) “pre-facelift” style. I bought an MGA coupe from an estate with this surgery started – we never knew why since the old front pan was perfect. Traveling this road is not for the faint of heart; we had to install, then break and reinstall the nose before new paint could be applied. I would say “Thanks very much for the extra nose” and then offload that item at a swap meet pronto.
The tail reveals a few of the styling cues I love seeing on early British roadsters – bumpers that seem an afterthought, delicate tail lights, the round signal lights, and not shown but well-known – the cut-down doors. I’m not a fan of luggage racks, but that can be remedied. The listing doesn’t include underside photos so the question of rust is still hanging in the air. What would you do with this TR3 if it landed in your driveway?
I don’t think it is Houston Texas where this car is located. According to the map on craigslist it’s Houston, Minnesota.😊
Thanks! I managed to correct that!
How hard can a brake job be? LOL. You’d have to throw the old parts back on to roll it on to a trailer.
It’s body on frame requires a good look for that price. If it’s solid maybe you can talk the seller out of more parts to go with it. I drive a race car that’s made out of two separate cars and has had the rear 2 feet replaced 3 times. Did a front half replacement on a friend’s Porsche 9146. Over the years have done rear and front replacements and all it takes is a whole lot of time and patience.
I always enjoy your comments and photos, bobhess. Thanks!
We all enjoy yours too Michelle. You put in a lot of work to get the full story and details out to us.
I was thinking about the Triumph TR2 just the other day. A BF reader commented on another car (mocking the need to reach across for the window crank) implying that couldn’t be a sports car???? Where did the world of sports cars take a wrong turn???? It was when they added frivolous things like windows, brake boosters, and power steering. From there it went all downhill when manufacturers loaded on A/C, power windows and power seats. Don’t get me wrong, I love EFI and VVT, they improve the experience. Long live the Triumph TR2. I hope I don’t sound like that other old guy sentimental guy.
The Brits didn’t like the MG TD when it arrived, because it was less sporting than the TC and all previous brethren! If you weren’t greasing your chassis every few thou miles, enduring rain inside the car, rattling your teeth out while driving, jamming into the seats shoulder-to-shoulder, overheating at 60 degrees F, failing to proceed sometimes for any of myriad reasons – well, it just wasn’t a sports car.
My only grumble with the TD is aesthetic; the wheels look too small for it. The TF looks ok with a similar size of wheel, but it was re-shaped to suit… but I would say that, ‘cos I have one. Very chuckable; definitely a sports car!
The nose piece on these are bolt off/bolt on interchangeable….assuming you can get the bolts out. A 57 would have been a smallmouth. This car may have been built very late in 57 but would have been sold as a 58 model year. TR3 “A” was not an official Triumph designation but this is one. Really need many more pictures to see if the trip is worthwhile!
This probably IS a 57. It has the older screw terminal regulator box, banjo fitting carburettors and….NO door handles! 58 models got exterior door handles but retained the older regulator and carbs. Like you said, the nose is easily (!) swapped and someone probably liked the later wide mouth better. I have had every nut and bolt in by 59 (built in October 58) removed during its 27-year restoration and the nose WAS slightly easier to remove than the rear wings, if only because of less exposure to road moisture. Somewhere around 20 bolts involved for the front apron. There are no interior pictures but another clue would be the side curtain brackets. 57s had wedge types and I believe that the dzus ones were introduced on the 58 model, along with the door handles. The ask is a bit high but would be OK if the extra stuff was included, not sold separately. The commission number (VIN) would also be a definite help.
Have had mine 50 years and have enjoyed each of the 16 years it has actually been running. Not going to go into the missing 34 years.
Another item is the boot (trunk) lid. The 58 got one central handle. The 57 and earlier had the central lock and outer dzus fasteners under “toilet lid” covers, such as this has, although the flip up lids appear to be missing.