Triumph TR3

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Long famed for their rugged reliability and idiosyncratic good looks, the 'sidescreen' TRs have attracted a fanatical following over the years.

Powered by a virtually indestructible 1,991cc 4-cylinder, wet-liner OHV pushrod engine, the gutsy TR2 was capable of a genuine 100mph. Not only that, in its 1954 road test, 'The Motorcar' praised Britain's lowest-priced ton-up car for returning 'astonishing fuel economy' of 34.5mpg over 1,904 miles.

The TR2 was replaced by the TR3 in 1955, now with 100bhp on tap (5bhp up on the TR2) and front disc brakes. Great fun to drive, its tough boxed-section chassis featured independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a leaf sprung 'live' rear axle and disc / drum brakes. Capable of sprinting to 60mph in just 10.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 109mph, it was finally replaced by the more Italianate TR4 in 1961.

This well tested TR3 was purchased by the owner of the Midland Motor Museum in the early ‘90s to use competitively. A regular exhibit at the museum, it had just undergone a comprehensive restoration when acquired having covered just 845 miles since being put back on the road. Originally exported to America when new, it was converted to RHD when repatriated for restoration.

The vendor, a founder member of the Historic Rally Car Register has kept an incredibly detailed log of every journey and event, as well as a complete list of everything that has ever been done to the car during its 31,000 mile rally history. He intends to keep a hold of this book for sentimental reasons, but has agreed to make a photocopy which he will pass on to the car’s new owner in due course – it makes fascinating reading.

During the course of his ownership, the 2,186cc engine was prepared by Daryl Pritchard and fitted with a lightened and balanced flywheel, high torque starter, an alternator conversion and filled with Evans coolant. It is mated to a Toyota five-speed gearbox and has been rolling-road tested to 132bhp at the flywheel – rather more than the original!

The paperwork includes FIA documents and an old RAC permit, although we have been advised by the vendor that a number of the modifications that have taken place of late would need to be reversed in order to get these approvals re-stamped. This should cause no problem however, as the vendor has kept all of the original parts that were removed, including the original seats which had been recovered just prior to removal so are basically as new. These are available to the new owner within the price of the car, but will need to be collected from the vendor’s home near Bridgenorth.

Further improvements include wire wheels, upgraded AP Racing brake calipers with drilled-discs, front spot lights and complete rally preparation including fully labelled under-bonnet electrics and twin-facet petrol pumps.

NSU 961 has been used competitively for over 40 events, a photocopied list of which is on file. Some were more hard-core than others, the more challenging being the Historic Monte Carlo in 1991 and ’92, the Circuit of Ireland in 1995 and ’99, the Manx Classic, the Classic Malts as well as regular forays into France and Spain.

Ready for more, it is reluctantly being offered for sale due to advancing years and is available for a mere fraction of the cost it would take to develop a car to this level of preparation.