1956 Triumph TR3

The TR3 was produced by the Standard-Triumph Motor Company from 1955 until 1957 and was the first British series production car to have front disc brakes as standard. It was powered by the ubiquitous Standard 1991cc four-cylinder engine that now produced around 100 bhp and was mated to a four-speed gearbox which was available with an electrically operated overdrive. Performance was more than adequate, considering the basic cost of below a thousand pounds, with a top speed just a shade over 100mph and 60 miles an hour arriving in a spirited 10.8 seconds, not too shabby for 1955. Only one tenth of the production of over thirteen thousand remained in the UK, as the TR3 sold very well in the USA and was a motorsport 'stalwart' in the Sports Car Club of America.

The TR3 is a proper 'Roadster' in the correct sense of the word and like all early TRs, even though its weather equipment is perfectly adequate and reasonably effective, it is undoubtedly happiest when the day dawns fair and the hood is stowed neatly in the boot. Our little bright red, 1956, TR3 was obviously in its element then, as it was delivered new to South Africa and prior to being shipped to the UK two years ago, enjoyed over fifty years of burbling along the elevated coastal roads of the Cape under a warm South African sun.

Having imported it in 2013 our vendor, who lives near Stratford, decided to fully restore the TR and set about the task with enthusiasm. The objective was to return it to the specification in which it left the factory and after the car was stripped completely the body-shell was repainted Signal Red to the excellent standard you see here. The wheels were finished in black and the grille in its original silver. The whole restoration was recorded with dozens of photographs (in the file) so there is no point in listing everything that was done, however to summarise; the engine, gearbox and overdrive were stripped and rebuilt with narrow belt pulleys being fitted, new brakes throughout, new aluminium fuel tank and lines, new exhaust, all the instruments and gauges were rebuilt and an independent cooling fan fitted. The car was re-assembled and fully re-trimmed in black with a new matching soft-top, and the wheels were restored and four new tyres fitted. Wherever possible, all the parts used in this fastidious restoration were original Standard-Triumph or from one of the many dedicated parts suppliers specialising in early TRs. As well as the photographs the comprehensive History File contains a pile of relevant invoices, the V5C, an MoT certificate expiring on 07/10/16, its HMRC Import Clearance, the Heritage Certificate and the Number Plate Authorisation.

Clearly no stone has been left unturned returning '968 UYM back to this happy state and it has only covered a handful of miles since. This is a fabulous example of a wonderful British classic and is sure to provide endless enjoyment for its new owner.