1958 Triumph TR3A

The Standard-Triumph Motor Company produced the TR3 from 1955 until 1957, and it was the first British production car to have front disc brakes as standard equipment. Power was from the ubiquitous Standard 1991cc four-cylinder engine that now produced 100 horsepower. The four-speed gearbox was available with optional overdrive, which was electrically operated. The low-cost vehicle offered adequate performance with a top speed of just over 100 mph. Zero-to-sixty was accomplished in 10.8 seconds. Most were sent to the United States, with just one-tenth of the production total staying in the United Kingdom.

The TR3A was built between 1957 and 1961 and came with several cosmetic upgrades from the standard TR3. The list includes a wider front grill incorporating indicators, exterior door handles, disc brakes, a lockable boot handle, and an improved interior. The total production of the TR3A was 58,236, which made it the third best-selling TR after the TR6 and TR7. It is believed that approximately 9,500 of the TR3A survive in modern times.

The TR3 was powered by a Standard wet liner inline four-cylinder engine displacing 1991cc. The overhead-valve unit initially offered 95 horsepower, which was an increase of five horsepower over the TR2. This was accomplished with the addition of larger SU-H6 carburetors. Horsepower output later rose to 100 with the addition of a 'high port' cylinder head and enlarged manifold. The engine was mated to a four-speed gearbox that could be supplemented by an overdrive unit on the top three ratios, electrically operated and controlled by a switch on the dashboard.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019