Triumph TR3A 1958

1958 Triumph TR3A. Mileage 99. 72 (not verified)

This is a very useable car which has been extensively modified to enhance the driving experience. Prior to my purchase it had been dry stored for 19 years and has been in my heated and insulated garage until recently. I bought the car in 1997 and since this date it has been the subject of a rolling restoration to its current condition.

The work I have done is as follows:

Engine

Complete strip down and clean inside and out including oil galleries and water jacket. Repaint in black. New wet cylinders figure of eight gaskets and pistons to upgrade to 2. 2 litres. Fast road cam. Screw on oil filter conversion. Leaded head serviced and retained. SU carbs stripped serviced and rebuilt. TR4A inlet manifold. 4/2/1 exhaust manifold and Moss sports exhaust system. New hoses. "Newtronic systems" electronic ignition

Gearbox and overdrive

Stripped and rebuilt by Sheffield transmissions. Overdrive operates on 2nd. 3rd and 4th gear instantly. Revington toggle switch activator fitted.

Bodywork

This I have renovated generally. replacing odd small areas of earlier fibreglass repairs with welded metal. There are one or two small non-structural areas of repair I have left in fibreglass and the 4 wings are retained in f/g as they are lightweight and a good fit. The floors have been replaced in a previous renovation with home made steel repair panels.  

I have prepared primed and sprayed the whole of the bodywork in 6 coats of the correct colour cellulose paint.

Steel roll-over bar fitted.

Bright work.

All bright work has either been replaced or re chromed. New door and boot handles and ignition switch have been fitted with matching lock cylinders. so only one key needed.

Windscreen.

This has been replaced and the complete surround has been re chromed.

Chassis

This was sound and under-sealed when purchased and I have not found it necessary to carry out any work to it.

Suspension

The whole of the suspension has been upgraded with a Revington "Fast road / rally" kit  with front and rear anti roll bars. revised steering geometry and sports upgraded springs and shock absorbers.

Brakes.

These have been completely overhauled including new rear shoes. stainless steel braided brake hoses and stainless steel pistons to the front disk brakes. New wheel bearings fitted throughout.

Steering.

Geometry altered to give revised Ackerman angle with the Revington fast road/rally conversion. Revington rack and pinion steering and Mota Lita Classic steering wheel. New track rod ends.

Cockpit

Corbeau Classic retro vinyl seats. new carpets. new vinyl trim throughout. 3 point racing harness.

Instruments.

All original and working. speedometer professionally serviced and re calibrated.

Boot.

Carpeted. Stainless steel luggage rack fitted.

Electrics.

Alternator fitted and electrics converted to negative earth.

All original wiring checked and repaired where necessary by an auto electrician and all working correctly. 12 volt socket fitted inside the glove box for sat nav or other accessory.

Loud indicator sounder fitted. Due to new steering wheel new period horn button and flashing indicator switch fitted. New battery 6 months ago.

Wheels

Painted 72 spoke wire wheels. New radial tyres fitted 3000 miles ago.

Weather Gear

The car comes complete with side screens. a hood. a tonneau. fitted for the roll over bar and rear draught screen. all in excellent condition.

Cooling

New radiator fitted about 800 miles ago. slightly damaged when old wide belt water pump pulley decided to come off. Professional repair carried out. New water pump fitted with narrow belt conversion. Kenlowe electric fan fitted and original fan removed.

Heating.

I have fitted the car with a high performance heater. essential for comfortable winter driving

MOT

The car has no current MOT certificate as one is no longer required for a car of this age. I am confident that it would pass. and if you require one I will arrange for the car to be tested at additional cost. and in the very unlikely event of it failing will undertake to carry out any work F. O. C. to obtain a pass prior to purchase.

Tuning.

The car has recently been tuned on a rolling road by "Ratt Racing's" Mike Tarr. with new jets fitted to the carburettors and the timing set to optimum performance. ( see BHP and Torque figures in the photographs

Driving experience.

The car has now reached a condition where I can see no further need for any additional work.   It starts instantly. runs smoothly and smoke free. the fast road/rally cam gives a tractable drive in the slowest of traffic. great acceleration and a very good top end speed. Regrettably I dare not test its ultimate speed:  a.   Because I need to keep my driving licence and. b. Because I am a wimp! 95mph has been easily achieved on a "private road" I am sure the car is capable of over 110. without too much effort.

The suspension mods have in no way affected the comfort of the ride and the handling and cornering matches that of a modern car. (Have you ever tried to steer or corner in an original spec TR3A?).

Overall condition.

This is not a concourse condition car. the spec. as you can see is not "as original". the paintwork is good but is not perfect and there are a number of small faults and blemishes which given the time I would have rectified.

Reason for sale.

Due to many other projects. I don't now have the necessary time to do the vehicle justice either in the garage or out. The other projects have also now made it necessary to buy an expensive cover (also for sale when the car goes) and keep the car outside for the last few weeks.

Collection and Paument.

The car is based in Torquay and the sale is based on the buyer collecting on completion of the purchase.

The car has been advertised in other places and the sale is based on "first come first served"

Payment to be by cash/ cash transfer or cheque. (cleared before collection).

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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