1960 Triumph TR3A

“This is a truly superb TR3A fitted with overdrive; they just do not get much better,” says vendor David Fryer. “It’s a genuine, matching-numbers, UK supplied car (originally supplied to Northern Ireland).”

The car was originally restored circa 25 years ago (there are photographs in our picture gallery, below), with the owner immediately prior to David having further work carried out in 2016. This included having it stripped of all opening panels and subjected to a full, high-quality bare metal respray. “All chromework, lights etc., were replaced with new items at the same time.”

David says he’s spent far too much money on the car over the years, but alas that’s always the way with the best classics. It has a number of upgrades including a rack and pinion steering conversion, alloy radiator, electric fan, uprated starter motor, electronic ignition, electronic fuel pump, sports coil, Gaz rear shock absorbers, unleaded head, TR4A inlet manifold and stainless-steel exhaust system, HS6 carburettors, a spin-on oil filter, and ethanol proof hoses and filter. All of which combine to make it significantly more drivable than an OE example.

It currently has a £35k valuation (included) from the Triumph Sports Six Club, which makes the estimate range (£22k-£26k) seem like a veritable bargain.

“This is a truly beautiful car throughout and has to be one of the lowest mileage, lowest owner RHD UK-supplied TR3As on the market. It won the ‘Best in Class’ category at the 2020 Malvern Classic Car show and I’m only selling as I’ve just bought myself a TR4!”

The Sebring White paint, applied during that 2016 bare metal respray remains in show-winning class condition and the colour really suits the TR3A’s sporty little profile, contrasting nicely with both the black tyres and other black trim items. Panel fit looks to be excellent with no evidence of any sag in those doors and the beading betwixt wings and body has been nicely finished.

Brightwork, most of it fitted new also in 2016, positively gleams. There’s a lot of it, so that’s a good thing and it lends the car a real visual bang. The wire wheels are a particular highlight looking superb when the car’s static and even better when it’s arrowing towards 100mph+ (ahem, that’d be 70mph, your Maj’s representative of the highway). They’re shod in relatively fresh Vredestein rubber, as is the unused spare wheel that you’ll find in that storage area hidden behind the number plate panel.

Up top, the convertible frame is in rude health as is the hood itself, side-screens and tonneau cover. All rubber seals remain in lovely supple condition.

Yup, she’s certainly a looker.

The cabin has been treated to a cheeky upgrade with a full black interior replacing the original Red Vynide interior. It is still settling in so remains in pretty much pristine condition; there are two nicks worth noting though, a one inch one towards the front of the driver’s seat and an ‘r’ shaped one on the outer bolster of the same seat. These a minor however and overall, it looks stunning.

Elsewhere, the chrome-ringed dials gleam in an excellent dashboard and carpets are relatively unworn (there is a dark mark on the upper right-hand-corner of the plastic insert on the driver’s mat, but a touch of back-to-black product should return this area to as new). A hardy protective rubber over mat is fitted in the passenger footwell. Lifting all carpets reveals superb rust-free Sebring White metal.

The original three-spoke Bakelite steering wheel is present, and even the wiring under dashboard is exceedingly tidy. Up top, the soft-top roof headlining condition confirms it’s perfect and relatively unused condition. The only thing requiring a bit of fettling is the gear lever shroud, which has come a little loose and needs resecuring.

Smashing.

“It has an absolutely beautiful underside from front to back,” says vendor, David Fryer. And he’s not wrong; check out the photographs of this car’s immaculate undercarriage in our photo gallery, below – it is superb. There’s not a single jot of corrosion anywhere near the chassis, instead it’s beautifully black and fully Dinitrol protected.

Okay, that’s piece of mind out of the way… now let’s get down to the driving. “It is stunning to drive,” adds David. “Lovely, peppy, direct and fun.”

For proof of the second of that above triumvirate, go to 4mins 12secs on our video below for a bit of exhaust fruitiness – now, imagine that at full chat. It is a lovely sounding little tyke.

We can confirm that it goes, stops and handles just as well as David intimates. Gearshifts are smooth; power progressive, and the overdrive works perfectly. Brakes too (remember discs at the front!), are sharp. The upgrades combine to ensure that this example performs head and shoulders above a standard example. The rack-and-pinion steering is a particular highlight.

Further to that, just pop the engine and you’ll find a concours level engine bay – it is tooth-brush-clean cracking. That famously rugged Standard Vanguard engine sits front and centre, with a gleaming chrome rocker cover and twin SU carburettors breathing through matching chrome pancake-style K&N air filters.

It is lovely with a capital ‘L’.

In the history file you’ll find a current MOT test certificate that runs until 18/05/2022, as well as a number of expired certificates from recent years. The original buff logbook is present, as is the car’s V5C registration document.

There are a huge number of invoices from the last few years proving David’s assertion that, “I’ve spent far too much money on it”. We won’t do him the disservice of tallying it all up but suffice to say that the Triumph has had considerable outlay, to get it into its current superlative aesthetic and driving conditions.

It's certainly well worth your time carrying out due diligence by flicking through our electronic gallery to see the breadth of works carried out. You’ll also find a certificate from the Standard Register, as well as rolling road dyno print out and a selection of photographs from the restoration process.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and then maintained to the highest of standards.

You have three main choices when buying a classic car: 1. Buy the best you can. 2. Buy a fair to middling example. 3. Buy a fixer upper. If you can afford it, then no 1 would be our choice every single time. Trust us, it’ll most likely work out cheaper in the long run, while providing all the immediate aesthetic and driving satisfaction you require.

In terms of the Triumph TR3A, this car is a No. 1. As the owner says, “it’s as good underneath, as it is up above”. Further to that, it has some upgrades for enhanced driveability and presents exceedingly well indeed.

As such, we think this lovely example of the breed will go for somewhere between £22,000 and £26,000. For us, at either end of the spectrum, that’s not a lot of pounds and pennies given its condition and driving and ownership pleasures on offer.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.