1960 Triumph TR3A

The popularity of the Triumph sports car was due to its pleasant appearance, rugged reliability, affordability, and performance. Produced by the Standard-Triumph Motor Company from 1955 until 1957, the TR3 was the first British production car to have front disc brakes as standard. Beneath its bonnet was the ubiquitous Standard 1991cc four-cylinder engine that now produced 100 bhp and was paired to a four-speed gearbox with available optional overdrive, which was electrically operated. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in a spirited 10.8 seconds and top speed at just over 100 mph. Only one-tenth of the production of over thirteen thousand remained in the United Kingdom as the TR3 sold very well in the United States and was a motorsport 'stalwart' in the Sports Car Club of America.

The Triumph TR2
The first of Triumph's TR tradition began with the TR2 of 1953. Available solely in roadster configuration, its 121 cubic-inch (1991cc) four-cylinder Standard wet liner inline four-cylinder engine produced 90 horsepower, thanks in part to twin H4 type SU carburetors. The TR2 had an 88-inch wheelbase, was 151 inches long, 55 inches wide, and stood 50 inches tall. The suspension was independent at the front with coil springs, while the rear had a live axle and leaf springs. Lockheed drum brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power.

By the time production of the Triumph TR2 ended in 1966, a total of 8,636 examples had been built.

Triumph TR3 Mechanical Specification
The Triumph TR3 continued to rest on an 88-inch wheelbase (sharing the same chassis as the TR2, TR3A, and TR4), a length of 151 inches, was 56 inches wide, and stood 50 inches tall. The front suspension used double A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, and manganese bronze trunnion, and anti-roll bars could be added as optional equipment. The rear had a solid axle, conventional leaf springs, and lever arm dampers. The steering was via a worm and peg setup.

The 121.5 cubic-inch (1991 cc) Standard wet liner, overhead valve, inline four-cylinder engine had larger SU-H6 carburetors than its TR2 predecessor and initially produced 95 horsepower (5 more hp than the TR2). Output soon increased to 100 bhp at 5,000 RPM courtesy of a 'high port' cylinder head and enlarged manifold.

The transmission was a four-speed manual unit that could be optioned by an overdrive unit on the top three ratios, electrically operated and controlled by a switch on the dashboard.

Drum brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power, with the front wheels receiving disc brakes in 1956, earning the TR3 the distinction of being the first British series production car so-equipped. The 15-inch wheels were 4.5 inches wide, making them 4 inches wider than the first few TR2s. 48-spoke wire wheels were optional, and some were painted either body color, argent (silver), bright chrome, or matte chrome.

The open two-seater roadster body could be optioned with an occasional rear seat along with a bolt-on steel hardtop. The standard Roadster configuration had removable rain protection.

Triumph TR3 Production
A total of 13,377 examples of the TR3 were produced with 1,286 examples sold in the United Kingdom. Production began in October 1955 and continued to the summer of 1957.

Triumph TR3A
The Triumph TR3 was updated in 1957 with a full-width radiator grille, lockable boot handle, exterior door handles, and a full tool kit as standard (previously optional on the TR3), birthing the so-called 'TR3A,' albeit they did not wear 'TR3A' badges and the name was never used officially. Production of the TR3A continued through 1962, with 58,236 examples built.

Additional minor updates arrived in 1959 in the form of raised stampings under the boot and bonnet hinges and under the door handles. The rear floor section was also redesigned, and the windscreen was now attached by bolts instead of the Dzus connectors used on the early 'A' models.

Triumph TR3B
The 'TR3B' was also an unofficial designation and was built in 1962 alongside the TR4 (introduced in 1961). It was built in response to dealer concerns that the public might not embrace the TR4 as they had done with the TR3. The TR4 was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the previous TR sports car, but wore a modern body designed by Giovanni Michelotti. While a total of 74,800 examples of the TR3 were built during its eight-year production lifespan (from 1955 to 1962), a total of 40,253 examples of the TR4 were built during its 5-year production run.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023