Decidedly British/Wonderful Design/Nice Paint/1991cc Inline-4/Great Handling

1958 Triumph TR3 Convertible

A classic British roadster is the ultimate way of getting your thrills, and Triumph TR3 is one of the prime examples of this sort of car. Despite a cute appearance, the car is one of the more sophisticated sports cars of its era. With multiple racing victories in the 50s and 60s, these cars retain a steady fan base and are still raced in competitions around the world.

Dyer classics best describes this consignment as a “Baby faced corner killer”. And indeed, it was with more horsepower than the Porsche 356, and the first car to have optional 4-wheel disc brakes which were worked out in earlier racing experiences. Our example presents in red and has snazzy looking chrome, low side doors and a 1991cc engine. A great car to take out for a tool on a sunny day and carve out some curves!

Exterior
With its bugeye sprite-esque looks having bullet style headlights tucked into the space between the front rounded English wheel shaped fenders and the hood, and a chromed tooth smiling grille below it certainly looks friendly upon first inspection. Those fenders frame chromed wire front wheels, and dive downward and inward to the low door entries. On its way it sees a shiny window frame for the front windshield and dual rear-view mirrors on the tops of the fenders near to the headlights. Just aft of the low doors is a stainless-steel plate that forms to the front of the rear fender, which its round form rises upward then gracefully lowers for the rear quarters and frames the trunk deck. On each corner are small red dog nose shaped taillights along with some chrome bezels round running lights. The gas filler is just behind the passenger cowl in the center, and on the back are dual vertical bar bumpers. A side view is like looking at waves of the ocean breaking not one, not twice, but 3 times along the sides of this beautiful Triumph. Also, it's worth mentioning, a black convertible top in good condition that needs to be attached to the top frame assembly and side curtains are included…Blimey!

Interior
A swing of the low-slung doors and we see black vinyl door panels with their crescent curved sills and chromed actuator and inclement weather side panel holders. Black vinyl covers low back bomber buckets which have horizontal tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters. A rear bench is shoehorned not the back of the same style and material. On the hump is a cup looking shape which is housing the shift lever looking much like a Cuba Libre with a drink stirrer! As we move to the dash front a weathered wood panel is in the center and shows some cracking. Several round gauges tie spattering of knobs and pulls and the ignition is within this panel. Black padded vinyl covers the remainder of the dash front which includes 2 large circular gauges in front of a larger banjo style steering wheel. The tonneau covering is black and snaps nicely to the rear cowl. Black carpeting covers the floors and is showing in good condition. A nifty feature is a center dash mounted rear view mirror.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in the fully restored engine bay sits a 1991cc inline 4-cylinder engine. This is being fed by 2 SU carbs and a 4-speed manual transmission is on back with a 3.71 final drive to put power to the ground.

Undercarriage
Some patina, slight surface rust from road rash areas, but red X framing holds solid floor pans and rockers. Independent coil spring suspension in front and leaf springs for the back along with disc front brakes and rear drums.

Drive-Ability
She fires right up and a totally fun drive for this TR aficionado. Nothing better than the throaty roar of a 4 banger exhaust accelerating through the gears smoothly, top down, and carving corners while doing it. Good solid braking and just a great looking and driving classic British sports car. We do note that the rear brakes feel as if they're sticking just a bit.

With a few faults at the seams on the body, and the paint is nice and shiny with some inclusions and slight rust bubbling. Overall looks great and performs with a smile on the grille. We give you the low door TR3 from 1958.