1960 Triumph TR3A - 1 Owner for 46 Years - Overdrive

1960 Triumph TR3 TR3A Description

1960 Triumph TR3A - 1 Owner for 46 Years - Overdrive

I purchased this TR3A in 1971 and have owned it continuously since. I was told I am the third owner.

The car received a frame off, nut and bolt restoration in 1989, including a bare metal repaint. Everything was rebuilt or replaced. Over the next 10 years I showed the car in regional and national shows winning numerous 1st, 2nd, and 3rdplace awards. Then I decided to make a few changes from concours and drive the car more, taking it on several 1000+ mile trips. This TR3A has been obsessively cared for and thoroughly enjoyed. It is a genuine, uncompromised TR as Ken Richardson intended them to be.

Engine: The engine was rebuilt to stock spec, blueprinted and balanced by a Southern California builder of racing engines. It runs extremely well. The carbs were re-bushed and fit with new throttle shafts. The exhaust system is stainless steel. Air filters are K&N, but stock filters are included.

Transmission: TR3A unit with Laycock de Normanville overdrive. The transmission and overdrive were professionally rebuilt 1900 miles ago. The rebuild included a new countershaft gear. Clutch has 1900 miles on it and works great.

Cooling System:The neck of the radiator was replaced with a longer unit to make it a closed system. I installed a 8 blade TR6 fan properly on a shortened fan hub extension made from billet aluminum. It has an original sleeved thermostat. The water pump was rebuilt 2 months ago to “better than new” condition with a 6 blade impeller and a 2 year warranty. An electric fan, which is rarely used, is wired for manual and auto operation. This car does not overheat. The original fan and extension are included if you care to return it to stock.

Electrical: I converted the car to negative ground. The original starter was replaced with a modern high torque unit. The original generator was replaced with a Delco 63A alternator and the ammeter was replaced with a voltmeter. The changes were made without cutting any of the stock harness. It is wired so that the “Gen” light in the dash works as it should. The distributor was rebuilt and has a new main shaft bushing and a Pertronix. A 12V cigarette lighter was added to recharge your electronic devices. The original starter, generator, control box, ammeter and distributor parts are included, so returning to stock would be very easy. I made a new wiring diagram in Corel Draw to clearly show all wiring changes, so there is no guess work.

Body: The restoration included stripping all sheet metal and the frame. All the sheet metal is original including the battery box and floor panels. The only exception is 1 outer sill was replaced. The frame was sprayed with DuPont Imron. The period powder blue exterior, with dark blue interior with white piping, white tonneau/top/side curtains and wire wheels look stunning together. It was originally a Texas car, has never been rusted, and is very sound and solid. The paint displays normal evidence of enjoyment.

Robbins top and tonneau cover, both in very good condition though the tonneau does show wear. The new side curtains are in very good condition.

Interior:As the pictures show, all the upholstery is in very good condition. The carpet shows slight wear in the footwells but overall is very good. All gauges are original except for the voltmeter as already mentioned. The overdrive switch is a NOS overdrive switch from a TR2, simply because I don’t like the late overdrive switch. All switches and gauges work properly. Glove box door has a black mark from a key fob rubbing against it.

I have the original Smiths heater but never installed it. I know the motor works but I don’t know the condition of the heater core. The heater and associated components including the original switch are included.

Suspension/Steering: Suspension is stock. Steering was completely rebuilt 1900 miles ago using urethane bushes. The rebuild included a new steering cam.

Wheels: The new 60 spoke Dayton painted wire wheels are in excellent condition. The hub adaptors and knock-offs are also new and in excellent condition. The spare is a proper 48 spoke wire wheel. Tires are modern Yokohama radials.

If you have read this far you realize this car is thoroughly known by its owner, and not a quick restoration being flipped for a profit. Though an older restoration, it still presents very well. This car can be driven with confidence or easily restored to concours winning condition. For more information you can email me through ebay or call me at 828-553-6050.

A 46 year collection of spare parts and literature, as well as a few TR3 special tools accompany the sale, as does a starting crank. I also have a notebook with about 4 pounds of receipts documenting virtually every part and service purchased for this car since the early 1980s.