1956 Truimph TR3

This project car has the very real and desirable benefit of being pretty much entirely original, authentic and unrestored – to the best of our knowledge and that of the vendor.

The vendor, who has a successful business devoted to the restoration of vintage and veteran vehicles, bought the car in 2022 because he knew the car and its owner (who wanted him to have it), and was confident that it would be a good solid base for a restoration project.

As is often the way with such plans, he never got round to starting the project and now wants someone else to give it the attention it so richly deserves.

The man from whom the vendor bought the car had owned it since 1960, when he purchased it from the decidedly upmarket-sounding Berkeley Square Garages for the princely sum of £625.00.

The sales invoice for that 1960 purchase tells us that the car was then ‘grey/black with a hard-top, heater, badge, spot lamp and fog lamp.’

Beyond that, we know that this TR3 came with the rare configuration of drum brakes all round (only specified on the first 4,400 cars out of a total of over 13,000), an overdrive gearbox and 2+2 seating, all of which make it rarer still today – and particularly in this wholly unrestored form.

The only obvious deviation from factory spec is the presence of a newer grille and front end, which we believe were fitted many decades ago.

The car has spent at least 30 years in dry storage and now has light project status.

But we do know that it works.

The vendor flushed the engine through, replaced the fluids and got car started and running around 18 months ago.

Today, it needs recommissioning and will need the exhaust system, brakes, clutch and other mechanical components restored, refurbished or replaced as appropriate.

At first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking that it is in a pretty delipidated state.

But once you’ve got your eye in, you’ll see that most of the aberrations are cosmetic – patches of missing paint here, little scuffs and scrapes there, minor dinks and dimples elsewhere.

What you won’t find are any holes, big dents or evidence of endemic rust – it’s basically pretty solid throughout, if admittedly rather scruffy.

The wire wheels have seen better days but they may well be amenable to refurbishment at the hands of some suitably skilled professionals.

The chrome work is not too bad and has withstood the passage of time withcommendable resilience.

The rear bumper has managed to retain just its overriders – the rest of it is missing.

Also missing is the fabric for the hood, although the frame is present, as are the tonneau cover and the side window panels.

All lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings look to be in reasonable order.

In short, it’s all pretty good, but with a few largely cosmetic issues to address.

It’s a similar story on the inside, at least inasmuch as your second and third impressions of its condition will probably be better than your first.

Yes, the interior is tired, dusty and fairly shabby, but most of it is intact and by no means beyond redemption.

The red leather upholstery and trim had faded to a softer, paler hue and is delightfully patinated throughout.

Yes, there are one or two holes in the seat bases and back rests, but they look as if they might be amenable to repair and renovation rather than outright replacement.

Either way, the structure of the seats, front and back, appears to have retained plenty of integrity.

The door cards are OK, the carpets and mats are not, and the dashboard trim has seen better days.

We can’t vouch for the efficacy of any dials, switches, knobs, buttons or levers because we’ve neither started nor driven the car.

The unlined boot has some surface rust in evidence but appears to be intact and solid.

Everything in the rather dusty engine bay appears to be in its right and proper place.

The car’s undersides look to have a decent amount of structural integrity and, although there are a few spots of rust here and there, there’s certainly no galloping rot to contend with anywhere that we can see.

Aside from some invoices marking the occasion of the long-term owner’s purchase of the car in 1960, there’s really not much else to look at in the documents section.

It comes with its original buff logbook, a recent, clear HPI report, a V5C and a few tools and spares.

What is doesn’t come with is an ignition key – both the vendor and the long-term owner have looked in vain for it.

We like this car a lot.

Largely because it is original, authentic and unrestored – all of which sought-after qualities make it a rare and desirable thing, in our opinion.

The odometer currently reads 76,000 miles and the vendor has no reason to doubt the veracity of that figure.

Yes, it needs mechanical recommissioning and, yes, there’s some work to be done inside and outside.

That said, most of the car’s deviations from aesthetic perfection are relatively minor and largely cosmetic.

We think it will take less work, time and money than you might think to restore some, most or even all of this fine British sportscar’s former glory.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £8,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.