Monterey

19 - 20 August 2011

Lot 104

1958 Triumph TR3A Roadster

Sold for $33,000

  • Chassis no. TS32852L

100 bhp, 1,991 cc OHV inline four-cylinder engine, dual SU carburetors, four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs, rigid rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, front disc and hydraulic rear drum brakes. Wheelbase: 88"

- The ultimate iteration of the early TR concept
- Fully restored about five years ago
- Complete with full weather gear, California historic plate and documents

The postwar Standard-Triumph company, like most British automotive manufacturers, found strong American demand for its products. Exports were critical to the survival of the English auto industry, and Triumph knew that returning American GIs had developed a taste for British sports cars, so plans were made for a new line.

Heavily influenced by the prototype TR, the TR2 debuted in late 1953, followed by the TR3, which was introduced at the 1955 London Motor Show. Shrewdly filling the wide gap between MG and Jaguar, the cars enjoyed strong popularity, thanks to their performance, reliability, fuel economy and surprising durability.

The TR2 and later TR3 variants quickly built an impressive string of prestigious European rally victories, including the 1954 RAC Rally. Meanwhile, in America, the cars utterly dominated SCCA E-Production competition during the 1960s. Noted writer Richard M. Langworth described these remarkable cars as “unsophisticated, wildly over-steering, occasionally airborne, but devastatingly effective.” The TR3A, which enthusiasts consider the most collectible early TR model, was introduced in 1958 and featured external changes including a much wider stamped aluminum “egg crate” grille and an improved cockpit design, among other detail refinements. The 100-horsepower engine of the TR3 was continued, providing a top speed approaching 110 mph.

This 1958 Triumph TR3A offered here was the subject of a full restoration completed approximately five years ago. In addition to a new top and side curtains, the TR3A was also fitted with a battery cut-off switch for ease of storage. Now equipped with new tires and remaining in excellent mechanical condition, the Triumph is also complete with a California historic license plate and documentation. Without doubt, it will reward its new owner with the thrilling driving experience typical of such delightful British roadsters.

Please contact our exclusive automotive transportation partner, Reliable Carriers, for a shipping quote or any other information on the transport of this vehicle.

Alain Squindo

asquindo@rmauctions.com


Detroit, Michigan

Alain Squindo joined RM Auctions in 2007, after graduating from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in History. R... read more

Alex Classick

aclassick@rmauctions.com

+44 (0) 20 7851 7070
United Kingdom

Alex Classick joined RM Europe in 2011 as a car specialist, after graduating from Nottingham University with a degree in Business Mana... read more

Alexander Weaver

aweaver@rmauctions.com

+1 310 559 4575
California,United States

Alexander Weaver joined RM Auctions in 2011 as a car specialist, after graduating from Furman University in South Carolina. Born into ... read more

Annette Abaci

aabaci@rmauctions.com

+49 (0) 40 441 95 737
Germany

With post-secondary degrees in Economic Science and Mechanical Engineering, Annette Abaci initially worked part-time at Mercedes-Benz ... read more

Augustin Sabatié-Garat

asabatie-garat@rmauctions.com

+44 (0) 20 7851 7070
United Kingdom

Augustin Sabatié-Garat joined RM Europe in 2012 as a senior car specialist, after more than a decade in the collector car hobby... read more

Dan Warrener

dwarrener@rmauctions.com

+1 519 352 4575
Ontario,Canada

Possessing a degree in Economics from Brandon University, Dan Warrener spent the initial stages of his career working around the globe... read more

Don Rose

drose@rmauctions.com

+1 617 513 0388
United States

Don Rose joined RM Auctions in 2006, after many years of professionally trading sports and classic cars, and after earning a reputatio... read more

Donnie Gould

dgould@rmauctions.com

+1 954 566 2209
Florida,United States

Donnie Gould joined the RM team in 2002 as a partner and Car Specialist after more than two decades in the vintage automobile auction ... read more

Gord Duff

gduff@rmauctions.com

+1 519 352 4575
Ontario,Canada

Gord joined RM Auctions in 1998, initially responsible for the transportation and logistics of the company’s auction and restora... read more

Ian Kelleher

ikelleher@rmauctions.com

+1 212 894 1301
New York,United States

Ian Kelleher began his automotive career immediately following his graduation from Oberlin College, with a B.A. in Political Science. ... read more

Jack Boxstrom

jboxstrom@rmauctions.com

+1 818 703 2816
Ontario,Canada

Jack Boxstrom joined RM Auctions in late-1996 to assist with the recently acquired, and subsequently record-breaking, auction in Monte... read more

Max Girardo

mgirardo@rmauctions.com

+44 (0) 20 7851 7070
United Kingdom

Max Girardo started his career in the vintage automobile industry in 1998, joining Brooks Auctioneers (now Bonhams) as a car specialis... read more

Mike Fairbairn

mfairbairn@rmauctions.com

+1 519 352 4575
Ontario,Canada

As one of the three founding partners of RM Auctions, Mike Fairbairn has a longstanding interest in the classic car industry. Graduati... read more

Peter Wallman

pwallman@rmauctions.com

+44 (0) 20 7851 7070
United Kingdom

Peter Wallman joined RM Europe in 2007, following nearly two decades in the international advertising industry, based out of New York,... read more

Peter Giddings

pgiddings@rmauctions.com

+1 925 831 2048
California,United States

A life-long car enthusiast, Peter joined RM’s California office with over half a century of experience in the automotive and rac... read more

Rob Myers

rmyers@rmauctions.com

+1 519 352 4575
Ontario,Canada

As chairman and founder of the RM Group of Companies, Rob Myers’s entire career has been devoted to the classic car industry. Ro... read more

Shelby Myers

smyers@rmauctions.com

+1 310 559 4575
California,United States

Shelby Myers literally grew up with the classic car industry infused into every aspect of his life. He had the unique opportunity to w... read more

Vinnie Mandzak

vmandzak@rmauctions.com

+1 310 559 4575
California,United States

Vinnie Mandzak joined RM Auctions’ California office in 2012 as a car specialist, following more than 30 years’ experience... read more