1959 Triumph TR3A Wire Wheel Roadster - Running Driving 2 Owner Survivor

1959 Triumph TR3 Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY:

Am 76 and it's time to let go of my British car collection. Started collecting cars about 50 years ago and the main objective was to buy one owner, original paint, rust free cars for pleasure and investment. Hard task, as many were pummeled junk or so called "restored" cars. Good true original survivors have disappeared and the majority of the leftovers are either weekend restored cars, rusty beaters, money pits or overpriced trailer queens with a dubious history. An unrestored original, even though it may have some faults, gives you an accurate assessment of it's overall REAL condition along with plenty of character (or the nauseating word "patina"). This TR3A had been refreshed in 1991 and has been stored at my home since then for the past 26 years. Recently brought out of storage and recommissioned for road use. It is an authentic one owner (am technically the 2nd owner) 1959 Triumph TR3A, matching numbers roadster as shown. Delivered by the factory to Nordisk Diesel A/S in Copenhagen Denmark. Purchased new by an American engineer in September of 1958 who was working for this company. Upon his retirement he had it shipped to his home in Deleware, USA and I purchased the car from him in 1991, shortly after he had it repainted and refreshed. Upon receiving the car I drove it for a few miles and put it in storage at my home. One photo shows it on the day I received it. It runs and drives. It has not been driven down the road because of insurance/licensing - it has been driven quite a bit up and down my 1/10 mile steep driveway and it may need (may not) minor sorting out or just exercise/driving for proper road use. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate indicates that it is a matching numbers car and that the color is the correct Powder Blue with a blue interior and black convertible top. Original equipment was: Disc wheels, heater, miles per hour speedometer, Duplo headlamps, red rear flashers (both to comply with European standards) and 5.90-15 tyres. Built September 19, 1958 and shipped September 26, 1958. If you have an uncle in the paint business this is the perfect car for you. Please read the complete description so you will understand all conditions and any issues. I will answer all email questions.

As of this writing Hagertys classic car values list the value for the 1959 TR3A roadster at: Fair: $10,900. Good: $22,300. Excellent: $34,600. Concours: $49,500. This is also a good investment as the value will probably increase over time.

There are more cars and motorcycles that will be on my ebay at a later date including A beautiful one owner green 1965 TR4A, beautiful one owner Primrose yellow 1972 Jaguar XKE coupe, Green 1968 MGC 4 speed overdrive roadster, Green 1957 MGA roadster, 1974 Laverda 750SFC competition motorcycle and a tandem axle car trailer - don't miss them.

ENGINE:

The engine is the original matching number unit, serial # TS36339E as shown. Starts and runs well with the key and dash starter button on it's original fuel tank. Good high oil pressure when warm. No smoke or noises. Oil level is full and is crystal clear - and has not been changed with fresh oil. Idles well and has excellent throttle response. Very good healthy engine. Rear main seal leaks like they all do.

TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH/DIFFERENTIAL:

Transmission is the original. Goes through all gears very well. New clutch master was installed new 26 years ago and still works well. New clutch slave cylinder was installed. Clutch works well but chatters when starting off in first or reverse gear, indicating oil on the clutch plate - the oil can be burned off the plate by slipping the clutch in a stationary position or just replace it. Burning it off has worked well for me temporarily but the chattering usually returns. Rear axle/differential is the original. Smooth, no noise, grinding, clunking or other issues on anything.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

Nice, straight and solid. No accident damage anywhere. Inner fenders straight and undamaged. Front sheet metal, fenders, grille surround, front valance are all solid and original.

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

Trunk bottom is very solid as shown. Tire well is also very solid.

BODY PANELS, SHEET METAL:

Triumphs were not exempt from rust issues but this one has escaped most of the severe rust problems that plagued many of them (and other British, Italian and German cars). All fenders, doors, trunk lid, hood, front grille sheet metal section look very good. The inner rockers are decent and useable but have rust through on the very bottoms. The outer rockers were replaced with sheet metal 26 years ago. The fitment is not good and filler was used to blend them into the body at the front end. Door bottoms are solid. The floor panels are original and still pretty solid and useable. They both have had a partial fiberglass repair done to the forward section where your feet go.

EXTERIOR BODY PARTS:

Chrome is old original and fair - front bumper bent. Popular period aftermarket hardtop goes with the car.

PAINT:

Very poor - Looks useable from a distance but it is not good. Looked good when pulled from storage but in washing it down the paint was just peeling off in spots, which were touched up to prevent any rust formation. Have your uncle Mario repaint it or drive it as it is. I believe the original paint was taken down to bare metal when it had the respray 26 years ago.

INTERIOR/UPHOLSTERY:

The interior is in fair, old useable condition. The seats are original with the original upholstery - the seat bottoms are the original spring setup with the Triumph factory tags still in them. Seats are not bolted down to the floor. The rest of the upholstery is after market 26 year old stuff which has shrunk in places - useable but needs work or replacement - they upholstered over the original and from what I can see there may be nothing wrong with the original upholstery - would have to remove the redo for a further look. Seat tracks are there. No carpeting.

DASH AREA:

Dashboard is pretty decent - vinyl covering lifting here and there but useable. Original cardboard glove box is there. Odometer shows 32988 miles. The steering head, turn signal, horn assembly are all there. Steering wheel is cracked. All original gauges are there and are working. Here is what works: Horns (new Lucas horns), turn signals (miracle), Tachometer and Speedometer, temperature gauge, ammeter, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, ignition switch, start button, glove box lock, dash lights, heater fan, generator and turn signal dash lights, choke. Does NOT work: Windshield wipers did work - at least the motor could be heard but now no response at all.

ELECTRICAL:

Generator freshly rebuilt, new voltage regulator, original wiring appears to be completely intact. No butchering to be seen. New 12 volt battery - system still on positive ground. All lights, turn signals electrical systems work well.

GLASS:

Windshield is in good order and unbroken/uncracked. Minor minor delamination on the very edges. There are no side curtains. Nobody uses them anyway.

CHASSIS:

The frame is simply excellent, straight and complete from front to back with only the minor surface rust.

TOP:

The top bows are excellent and undamaged. The top is very old but useable. The hardtop is a popular period fiberglass aftermarket item that still has the factory primer - can be painted to suit your taste. Has side latches but no front latches.

WHEELS/TIRES:

Excellent wheels (5). Tires are junk but hold air.

AIR CONDITIONING:

None. Aftermarket air conditioners are available if desired - the new units are excellent, compact and very efficient.

SUSPENSION/BRAKES/STEERING:

Brakes have some new hydraulics, wheel cylinders, rubber hoses, pads. Front disc brake calipers were rebuilt. Suspension needs attention. Bushings should all be replaced. Steering effort is high so something in the steering will need fixing, adjusting or greasing.

EXHAUST:

New old stock Triumph exhaust was installed 26 years ago - has surface rust and most of the paint has peeled off but it is all solid and sounds like an original TR3 should sound. Nice and healthy.

FACTORY ID PLATES:

The original ID plates are all good and unmodified. The vehicle serial number is TS/36138-L. Engine number is TS36339-E. These ARE matching numbers - TR3 engine numbers were always a couple hundred units higher than the VIN number due to selling their engines to other manufacturers like Morgan.

PAPERWORK:

The car comes with a clear proper Delaware title from the original owner and a bill of sale. Includes the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate showing that it is a matching numbers car and the correct color is Powder blue with a blue interior and black convertible top. Original equipment was: Disc wheels, heater, miles per hour speedometer, Duplo headlamps, red rear flashers (both to comply with European standards) and 5.90-15 tyres. Built September 19, 1958 and shipped September 26, 1958. Also with the bills from Moss Motors for the new parts.

REVIEW:

An attractive roadster that had a repaint and refreshing 26 years ago in 1991. Pulled out of storage and recommissioned for use. Can be used as a fun driver as it stands or rebooted in many ways while driving if desired. If you have a contact in the car painting business this would be a very easy and cheap solution to getting a stunning TR3A with little investment.

INSPECTION OF CAR:

As always, it is difficult at best to describe something as complex as a vehicle and it is highly recommended that you personally inspect the car or have a 3rd party inspect it for you. If you elect not to do this you will have one of three outcomes after purchasing the car. #1. The car will be exactly as you thought it would be from the auction description and photos and you and I will be happy. #2. The car will be less than you thought it would be and you and I will be unhappy. #3. The car will be more than you thought it would be and you and I will be more than happy. I can accomodate anyone to show them the car. It is described to the best of my ability along with many good photos but it is the bidders ultimate responsibility to ensure that what he thinks he is getting is indeed one in the same and something he will be happy with. I have purchased and sold roughly 27 autos/motorcycles through ebay over the past 19 years and also many more over the telephone and have always had excellent results and complete satisfaction from the buyers but I do my due diligence and suggest you do the same.

SHIPPING:

I have shipped many cars to all parts of the world over the years and can assist the buyer with transport or completely arrange transport. The car is in a secure place at my home and it can be collected there. I can assist with loading.

PAYMENT & BIDDING:

Contact me if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid WILL be cancelled. A $1000 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 3 days via a bank cashiers check or wire transfer. Full payment is to be made IN ADVANCE of collecting the car. IN ADVANCE, BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE CAR - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like it. When the auction is over payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. The car is at my home and can be left here for up to 30 days at no charge before collection. After that I have the option of charging a storage fee.

SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE VINTAGE CAR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES