FRESHLY RESTORED AND VERY CLEAN TR3! A BLAST TO DRIVE! W/ SOFT TOP/SIDE CURTAINS

1959 Triumph TR3 Additional Info:

British sports cars were the backbone of early SCCA competition and cars like this 1959 Triumph TR3 were the ideal combination of practical fun. With a nice restoration, great colors, and a classic roadster look, this Triumph gets everything right.The color is called Silverstone Gray, and it's a wonderful alternative to the familiar British Racing Green and red roadsters you'll see all over the place. Actually, TR3s are rather rare and have seen substantial gains in value over the past few years as people discover the fun of the low-slung two-seaters. The restoration is fresh, with a beautiful paint job that seems to glow from within when it's under the lights and it looks even better in the sun. It's unlikely that any Triumph coming out of England in the 1950s was this nice, suggesting that there's a great deal of time and money invested in the final result. The low-cut doors and long hood give it the appearance of a much more substantial car (you can certainly see some Jaguar influences there), and with accessories like wind wings and fender-mounted mirrors, it looks properly dressed. The chrome bumpers are in nice condition and the Lucas taillights are just beautiful little things that are quite neatly integrated into the body for an unmistakable look.The handsomely appointed black leather interior is stylish while maintaining its sense of minimalism. The buckets hold you in place and are trimmed in jaunty silver piping that adds an upscale look without cost, and there are sisal floor mats that do the same for the carpets. The banjo-style steering wheel is big enough to really lever the steering around sweeping corners and the steering position is actually quite good. Big, round Smiths gauges are distinctly British and eminently functional and it looks as though there's nothing in this car that doesn't help it work better. No radio, no windows, and just a heater to keep you warm on cool summer evenings. The 4-speed manual's stubby shifter falls easily to hand and slips through the gears with a practiced ease that will become second nature before you're finished with your first drive. There is, of course, a simple top for those moments when you can't outrun the weather along with side curtains that have never been used and the trunk is actually well-shaped and nicely finished, a pleasant surprise. Given the car's featherweight bodywork, the 2331 cc inline-4 is plenty gutsy to make an entertaining drive. No, it's not terrifyingly fast, but the old adage of "it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow" certainly applies here. It's just a joy to run through the gears and to feel the suspension working under you. It never puts a tire wrong and the front disc brakes are reassuringly powerful. The engine itself is neatly detailed with a pair of side-draft SU carbs and a finned aluminum valve cover, plus beautifully finished inner panels that really make it look polished. Hoses, clamps, and other little bits are quite correct, so it looks right from any angle. The aforementioned 4-speed has great ratios for spirited driving and the exhaust system has the right baritone bellow that signifies British performance. The suspension is basic, but it offers a nice balance between ride and competence and those chrome wire wheels with 165R15 blackwalls are the perfect bit of sparkle to finish it off.Complete with its tool roll, Heritage Certificate, and manuals, this is an affordable British sports car with a great pedigree that you can actually drive. Call today!