Triumph TR3A

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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. 

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 cars, the TR2, used a simple and rugged ladder frame instead and were 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 and now with some 104bhp and 117lbft of torque at hand, could sprint to 60mph in 10 seconds on its way to a top speed of 109mph. In 1957 Triumph unveiled the TR3A, a face lifted model with a new full width grille, recessed door handles, a lockable boot handle and a full tool kit as standard. It was replaced by the more Italianate TR4 in 1961.

As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this TR3A was built in April 1958 and despatched to the Stanbourne Motor Company of Bournemouth. Pearl Grey with red trim, it was originally registered RBL 510 and was first owned by JH Fisher Contractors of Burghfield Common, Berkshire, as confirmed by the original green log book. JH Fisher was a company owned by Sir William Benyon, a grandson of Lord Salisbury, who also owned the 14,000 acre Englefield Estate in Berkshire and Hampshire and was to be the Tory MP for Buckingham from 1970 to 1992.

Anecdotal evidence related via a previous owner states that Benyon had the car modified for competition use and campaigned it extensively before selling it in 1963, although there is no documentary evidence to substantiate this. The second owner kept the car until 1972 and the third until 2007 although it was barn stored for much of this time. The fourth owner sold it on again in 2010 by which time it was in fairly dilapidated condition.

It was then treated to a total nut-and-bolt rebuild between 2010 and 2013 which has resulted in the fine specimen you see today (and also revealed various competition mods that presumably dated back to Benyon’s ownership). The original engine was fully rebuilt and upgraded to 2,190cc specification which, allied to the 4-speed overdrive gearbox and front disc brakes, gives sparkling performance. The colour-coded wire wheels are shod with quality Vredestein tyres (including the boot-mounted spare), while a battery cut-off switch has also been fitted to the dash and inertia-reel seat belts installed.

Since the restoration was completed, the car has covered barely 1,000 miles and is only just run-in. It comes with a good history file, including the aforementioned Heritage Certificate and original green log book, plus many invoices detailing the parts used in the restoration. A rare hard top with roof-mounted driving lamp and a full set of weather gear including a new hood, sidescreens and tonneau are also included.

In excellent condition throughout and with a most appealing and original colour scheme, an impending move and consequent reduction in garage space means that it must be sold, this fine example being offered at no reserve so the highest bid gets the car!