Survivor: 1959 Triumph TR3A

TR3A

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Now this is a car I wish I could buy! Showing only 32,721 miles, which may or may not be accurate, the seller makes quite a case for this being a well-loved car. It’s located entirely too close to my home (and near-empty bank account, darn it) in Arden, North Carolina (yes, I already mapped it, it’s less than 4 hours away). The auction listing is here on eBay, with bidding just over $2,000 but not yet at the reserve. This is by no means a perfect car, with a little bit of surface rust and wear here and there, but it would make a terrific driver! The seller reports rear brakes are questionable and the steering is a little loose; there aren’t a whole lot of TR3’s you can’t say that about! A few bumps and bruises are just that; minor flaws that wouldn’t keep me from enjoying the heck out of this car. The optional overdrive is functional and the lights, turn signals, horn, heater, and wipers work. I even like the wide whitewalls with this paint.

interior

I just love the worn area in the carpet by the gearshift where I’m sure the long-term owner rested their arm while enjoying the car. I hope someone buys this car and enjoys it just as it is (ok, maybe go through the brakes and steering)!

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Rick

    Bidding is already over $8K, I would be very surprised if it went for anything less that $14-16K.

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  2. ClassicCarFan

    Nice. I do feel that there may be a bit more “tidying” required on this one than you think. The surface rust you can see indicates rather a lot more hidden away in there probably? but it is still a good staring point.

    And personally, white-wall tires should never be seen anywhere near a Triumph roadster of any sort….but that’s just me.

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  3. jim s

    if the underside photos, the seller is willing to email, show everythink to be ok and all there this would make a great driver. make it safe and restore as your time/money allows while you put miles on it. but will have to wait to see were the bids/reserve end, it may price itself out of the driver market. when the white walls are worn out replace with black i think. back when these were just cars you would see both white and black walls mixed on the same car. great find

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  4. Paul B

    The whitewall tires are correct for the era, but you’d have to be old enough to remember. ;)
    Check out Triumph and MG and Sunbeam magazine ads and brochures from the era and you’ll see those elegant whitewalls on these roadsters! I recall them also in the showrooms and on the street.
    This looks to be a great unmolested example of a TR3 and I wish I could buy it; I’m even in North Carolina. Best wishes to the auction winner!

    Like 0

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