This Triumph TR3 got away, but there are more like it here.

This 1957 Triumph TR3 is a black-over-red roadster that was purchased in 1974 by the seller, who states that a three-year refurbishment was completed in 2013. Work included repairing and repainting the body, refreshing the interior, refurbishing the instrumentation, and overhauling the suspension, brakes, and drivetrain. Power is provided by an inline-four that is said to have been overbored to displace 2.2 liters and is paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Additional equipment includes a black soft top with a matching top boot and side curtains along with twin SU carburetors, 15″ steel wheels, hubcaps, whitewall tires, front disc brakes, Koni shocks, aftermarket springs, Delrin suspension and steering bushings, a chrome luggage rack, and a heater. This TR3 is now offered with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, a 2014 Gold Award from the Vintage Triumph Register, a TR2/TR3 instruction book, a tool kit, and transferable New York registration in the seller’s name.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

The car left the factory finished in black, and the seller reports that refurbishment work that concluded in 2013 consisted of repairs to the body and a repaint in black. A badge bar above the chrome front bumper holds Lucas driving lamps, and additional equipment includes a black Sunfast soft top, a luggage rack, rear fender guards, and chrome-finished rear bumperettes. A black top boot and side curtains with sliding windows will accompany the vehicle.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

Body-color 15” steel wheels feature Triumph-crested hubcaps and are mounted with 165-series Coker Classic whitewall tires. Stopping power is provided by front disc and rear drum brakes with stainless-steel lines and speed bleeders. The suspension was overhauled and powder coated during the refurbishment and is equipped with Koni front shocks, rebuilt rear shocks, aftermarket springs, and Delrin bushings.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

The cabin features low-back front bucket seats and a rear bench reupholstered in red leather with white piping, while a matching dash and door panels accompany color-coordinated wool carpeting. Black rubber mats line the footwells, and equipment includes a heater, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, a passenger grab handle, and front lap belts.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

A banjo-style steering wheel frames refurbished Jaeger instrumentation consisting of a 120-mph speedometer and a 6k-rpm tachometer, while gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, amperage, and fuel level are mounted in the center of the dash. The five-digit odometer shows 92k miles, and approximately 32k miles have been added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown, and the seller states that about 1,500 miles have been accumulated since the completion of the refurbishment.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

According to the seller, the inline-four was overbored to displace 2,186cc and fitted with cylinder sleeves and 87mm pistons. Additional equipment includes a Viton rear main seal, dual SU carburetors, a bright valve cover, a high-torque starter, and stainless-steel fuel lines. The car received a replacement 12-volt electrical harness from British Wiring that retains a positive-ground setup. A tune-up in August 2023 reportedly consisted of replacing the distributor cap, condenser, rotor, and points.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission; the gearbox was reportedly sourced from a TR4 and overhauled during the refurbishment. A 1954-style front skid plate has been installed.

49-Years-Owned 1957 Triumph TR3

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate lists a build date of July 26, 1957, and subsequent dispatch to the United States. A tool kit is included in the sale.

The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is being sold on its New York registration document.

Auction Result

High Bid USD $29,900 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended September 25, 2023 at 11:34AM PT
Bids 31
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BaT Essentials

Seller: GeneT
Location: Scotia, New York 12302
Listing Details
  • Chassis: TS20684L
  • 92k Miles Shown, TMU
  • Overbored 2.2L Inline-Four
  • 4-Speed Manual Trasnmission
  • Black Paint
  • Black Soft Top
  • Red Leather Upholstery
  • 15″ Steel Wheels
  • Front Disc Brakes
  • Dual SU Carburetors
  • Luggage Rack
  • Quarter-Panel Stone Guards
  • Banjo-Style Steering Wheel
  • Top Boot & Side Curtains
  • Tool Kit
  • British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party
Lot #121658