Triumph TR3

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For a period in the early '50s, Sir John Black, Standard/Triumph’s Chairman, had been trying to negotiate a deal with Peter Morgan to purchase his company in Malvern.

Morgan were using Standard's excellent Vanguard power unit with great success in their Plus 4 and it irked Black that they didn't have a sports car of their own to sell into the lucrative US market. In the end they did it themselves, building a prototype using mainly Standard components – a modified 8 chassis and Vanguard engine.

The first production car, the TR2, used a simple and rugged ladder frame instead and was branded Triumph, it being felt that a 'Triumph' offered more buyer appeal than a 'Standard'. It was highly successful, the TR2 running from 1953 until the updated TR3 came along in 1955. Great fun to drive, its tough box-section chassis featured independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a leaf sprung 'live' rear axle and latterly disc/drum brakes.

Power came from an improved version of the 1,991cc wet-liner engine carried over from the TR2. A fabulous unit, it had gained an extra 5bhp thanks to larger SU H6 carburettors along with an enviable reputation for reliability. Now with some 104bhp and 117lbft of torque on tap, it could sprint to 60mph in 10 seconds on its way to a top speed of 109mph.

Dating from May 1956, this TR3 (always affectionately known as ‘Boadicea’) has effectively had just two owners from new, the current owner’s wife buying it from the original owner in 1985 and putting it into her husband’s name in 1987. A member of the North London TR Club and TR Register since 1987, the vendor has identified the car through the register as the 999th TR3 produced and used it regularly in and around London for work and to attend classic car events.

After moving to Lincolnshire, he decided to have the car restored and it was subject to a total body-off ground-up restoration between 1999 and 2001, the work being carried out by Brian Robbins at Catcott Garage in Somerset, a well-respected restorer of classic cars, and being documented by photos on file. As you can see the work has held up well in most places and the car is still very good underneath but it now needs localised attention to the bodywork to restore it to its former glory.

Finished in Glacier blue with a two-tone grey interior and original chrome and brightwork, it comes with a full set of weather gear comprising hood, side screens and tonneau cover. It is showing only 42,300 miles on the clock which we are assured is genuine although there is insufficient documentary evidence to warrant this. The ££ stickers on the rev counter were applied in the ‘70s as a reminder that to go above 5,500rpm was liable to cost you in repair bills!

Starting promptly and running nicely as we moved it around for the photos, it is offered here as a straightforward project with great potential, the icing on the cake being the original Doncaster-issued registration number, UDT 794, which is transferable.