UPDATE – It appears this TR3 has sold. We hope it went to a good home!
Most barn finds start life with a loving and caring owner that drove and maintained them. But due to some circumstances, their beloved car got parked and forgotten. This 1960 Triumph TR3 was obviously one of those cars. Sadly, it wasnt parked in the garage and forgotten. Even though there is some obvious moisture damage, it actually looks solid and could probably be made to run again. The $7k asking price almost makes this project tempting…
This TR3A has had the same owner since 1965 and was probably parked around the same time. It was originally parked indoors, but for whatever reason was pulled out into the elements two years ago. It appears that someone put a tarp over the entire car and sometimes that can cause more rust then it prevents. The body actually looks good, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some serious rust hiding under the paint or on the underside. Save yourself some pain and get it inspected before buying.
It appears that the car’s interior has been covered for all these years and it is in surprisingly good condition. After installing a new steering wheel and giving everything a good cleaning the rest of this interior should look good, as long as there aren’t any hidden surprises.
The area that causes us the most concern is the engine bay. The engine appears to be the original 1991 cc straight four, but we doubt it’s anywhere near running. Hopefully the engine will at least turn over. Parts are cheap for these cars, so it shouldn’t be too expensive to do a rebuild, as long as there are no serious problems.
It makes us sad to see an open top roadster like this left out in the rain. We just hope the last two years havent done too much damage to the floors and undercarriage. Like we said before, the parts are cheap for these cars, but replacing any sheet metal will make this bargain turn into a money pit. If you are interested, the car is listed for sale by Gull Wing Motor Cars in New York, with an asking price of $6,950.
Haha, in 1966 we put a small block Chevrolet V-8 complete power train, Powerglide and rear axle in one of these. It was the most frightening car I ever rode in!!!! Sweet memory.
I think $5k would be more realistic. It doesn’t look bad though.
Are total project TR3s really worth 8K? Why am I not surprised at who is selling this?
Is it just me or are there just not nearly as many inexpensive, “fun”, little cars being made today as there were in the 50’s and 60’s?
I’ve done several TR3s, from driver to show car. I’m with Dan Farrell- $5K would be about the top of the market if you wanted to stay above water. The relatively sound nose is a big plus, but there are a lot of fiddly rust traps on these cars. Nothing particularly difficult, but time-consuming. This does look like a much better start than most of the TRs in my part of the country- West Virginia, where the tin-weevil is the State Insect.
My memories of the TR3 are riding around the back roads of Gainesville Fl. at night with my brother’s neighbor. Something about those low slung doors where you can literally reach out and touch the ground was terribly exciting all those many years ago. I’ve wanted one ever since, but not for eight grand.
hello the tr3 is sold for 5900 dollar.i am shipping the tr3 to germany ,i have a paintshop in germanyi am looking for more info over the car,can you help.thanks martin germany.