My Triumph TR3a

The story of my award winning 1959 TRIUMPH TR3a

This car was manufactured on the 29th October 1959, at the Triumph factory in Coventry, UK.  On the 9th November 1959, the car was dispatched from the factory and shipped to their distributor (Jones Bischoff) in Saint Louis, USA.

Sadly, the early history (owner details) is unavailable, due to privacy laws, which means that the records held by the US authorities cannot be shared with 3rd parties. However, they were able to confirm that the car was first registered in the state of Missouri.

The next information, comes in the late 80's when it was found in a sorry state by Raymond Van Donk, in a barn in Holland. The mileage at that time, was showing a total of 75239 miles.  Whilst that mileage was believed to have been genuine, the figure was irrelevant, as the car clearly required a total restoration.

On the 25th August 1991, Raymond commenced work and would spend the next 7 years diligently stripping, cleaning and rebuilding/replacing every single nut and bolt on the car. His attention to detail during this period and in subsequent years, has resulted in what can only be described as one of the best remaining TR3's in the world! 

In fact, Raymonds story with this car is well known around the world and Raymond has become one of the leading authorities on the Triumph TR range of vehicles.  He has written 3 books about Triumphs, including one specifically dealing with this car.

Although the restoration was completed in 1998, the process continued with Raymond through to December 2016, when I purchased the vehicle directly from him. In my ownership, the car has been maintained in the same condition and treated with the same passion and care. The vehicle has covered a total of 26,000 miles since restoration and been featured in many classic car magazines.

Since restoration, this outstanding vehicle has won a staggering 40 International Concours d'Elegance titles, continuing right up to its last show in 2018!

Safely stored in its 'carcoon' in my heated and dehumidified garage.

Winning Best in Show at the prestigous Chopard 'Paleis het Loo' Concours d'Elegance

Specifications

Type: Roadster TR 3A – 1991 cc – 100 bhp

Colour: Powder blue (DuPont 83738) or standard PPG 15903

Date of manufacture: 29 October 1959 

Date despatched: 9 November 1959 

Destination. Jones Bischoff Triumph Distributors - St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A

Chosen by Meguiars for their stand at the NEC Classsic Car Show

Commission number: TS 61003 L(O)

Body shell number: 106 64 456

EB number: EB 59229

Chassis “number”: Z 31

Engine number: TS 61235 E

Gearbox number: TS 61136 

Overdrive number: 22/61753 – 15252A

Rear axle number: TS 59406

Mileage “first life”: 75239 

Restoration: August 1991 up to June 1998 – 2350 hours

Detailing: many, many more hours thereafter!

Meguiars were so impressed with the finish of the car, that they used it to advertise their cleaning products

Factory fitted options:

Interior heater

Leather upholstery 

Windscreen washer

60 spoke wire wheels

Original added options: 

Alfin Rear Brake Drums 

Aluminium oil sump kit 

Aluminium 'Cal' sales valve cover 

Ashtray (very rare)

Badge bar 

Chromed exhaust finisher 

Fitted suitcase (very rare)

Floor mats 

Luggage grid 

Laycock de normanville A-type overdrive

Steel wheels & white wall tyres 

Sun visors 

Tool disk with original tools and separate tools*

Wing mirrors 

Wind wings

Non original options: 

Engraved threshold shields

Forced air cooling 

123 ignition in authentic distributor housing

Ignition immobiliser with key

Invisible fuel cap lock 

Koni -classic- adjustable front shock absorbers 

Power switch immobiliser with key 

Spare spark plug holder 

Spare lamp set 

Spin-on oil filter adapter with anti-drain valve 

Walnut Instrument Panel

Weather equipment: 

Full mohair tonneau cover 

Mohair side screens including storage sheets 

Mohair soft-top

Mohair soft-top frame cover

Steel hardtop

Being flagged away at the start of the 2016 Charente Rally

Separate tools: Hubcap combination tool, jack, ratchet handle, starting handle in bespoke case, T-handle, wheel brace.

Glove box items: Bespoke document map, logbook including every journey since restoration, photo history of restoration.

Documentation: Very detailed, digital described “auto biography” on 4 CD’s in box

Registration number: ED-823-MT 

Type of engine: Vanguard wet liner OHV 

Engine power: 100 bhp 

Capacity: 1.991 cc 

Bore and stroke: 83 x 92 

Compression ratio: 8.5 : 1 

Maximum power: 127 ft/lb (3350 rpm) 

Length: 384 cm 

Width: 141 cm 

Height: 128 cm 

Weight: 920 kg 

Lubricants

Engine: Castrol Classic Oil 20W50 

Gearbox: Penrite gearbox oil 40 

Rear axle: Penrite MILD EP 

Rear shock absorbers: Penrite shock absorber oil 

SU carburettors: Penrite carburettor oil 

Fuel: 98 Octane Unleaded with Wynn’s Lead Replacement 

Brake system: Até DOT 3 brake fluid 

Cooling system: MPM coolant -26 C (IAT based) 

Tyre type & size: 165 x 15 - B.F. Goodrich with steel rims 

Tyre type & size: 155 x 15 - Vredestein Classic with wire wheels 

Tyre pressure front: 1.9 atm/28 lbs 

Tyre pressure rear: 2.2 atm/32 lbs 

Concours d'elegance Results

1999 – JIM HAWKINS, Best interior (presented by the late Peter Morgan) 

1999 – SOPHOMORE TROHPY, Highest placed non class (presented by the late Peter Morgan) 

1999 – RUNNER UP TROPHY, Non standard TR2 3 3A (presented by the late Peter Morgan) 

1999 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, 1st Prize 

2000 – ENGLISH CAR RALLY XVI, 1st Prize Open 

2000 – JIM HAWKINS TROPHY, Best interior 

2000 – PRESIDENTS CUP, Non standard TR2 3 3A 

2000 – NORTHERN TR CENTER AWARD, Best paintwork 

2000 – BRITISH LEYLAND PREMIER TROPHY, Highest placed overall  

2000 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, 2nd Prize 

2001 – COX & BUCKLES MASTER CLASS Trophy – First time 

2001 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, 1st Prize 

2001 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, Highest number of points overall

2002 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, Highest number of points overall 

2003 – PRESIDENTS CUP, Non standard TR2 3 3A 

2004 – SILVER MEDAL MASTER CLASS 

2005 – SEBRING TROPHY, Standard TR2 3 3A 

2005 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, 3rd Prize 

2006 – SILVER MEDAL MASTERS CLASS 

2007 – PRESIDENTS CUP, Non standard TR2 3 3A 

2008 – COX & BUCKLES MASTER CLASS Trophy – Second time 

2008 – NEC MEGUIAR’S CLUB SHOWCASE CONCOURS, 2nd Best placed 

2010 – JIM HAWKINS TROPHY, Best interior 

2010 – PRESIDENTS CUP, Non standard TR2 3 3A 

2010 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, 1st Prize Pre 1960 

2010 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, Highest number of points all over 

2010 – NATIONAL OLDTIMER FESTIVAL , Best of show 1st Prize 

2011 – COX & BUCKLES MASTER CLASS Trophy – Third time 

2011 – 7th ANTWERP CONCOURS, 1st Prize Best maintained voiture 

2012 – GREAT BRITISH, Best of Show, 2nd Prize 

2012 – NATIONALE OLDTIMERDAG LELYSTAD, 2nd Prize categorie E 

2012 – NATIONAAL AUTOVISIE CONCOURS Paleis Het Loo, Best of Show 1st Prize 

2012 – INTERNATIONAL CONCOURS d’ ÉLÉGANCE Paleis Het Loo, Class winner Gentlemen Sport cars  

2012 – DUTCH NATIONAL TRIUMPH DAY, 2nd Prize Pre 1960 

2013 – COX & BUCKLES MASTER CLASS Trophy – Fourth time 

2014 – NATIONALE OLDTIMERDAG LELYSTAD, Best of Show Turtle wax Twinkle Show 

2014 – NATIONALE OLDTIMERDAG LELYSTAD, 1st Prize Master class - overall 

2016 – ANGOULEME, CIRCUIT DES REMPARTS, Concours d'elegance - 1st Prize, Sports convertible 

2016 – CHARENTE CLASSIC RALLY, Best in Show 

2018 – ANGOULEME, CIRCUIT DES REMPARTS, - Runner up, Open Car  

Winning the Concours d'Elegance at the 2016 Circuit des Remparts Weekend