Triumph’s TR3 Remains the Prototypical British Roadster. Here’s Why.

Everyone remembers their first time behind the wheel of an automobile. Mine was at age 6, sitting on my father’s lap and struggling to steer as he worked the three pedals of his near-new 1959 Triumph TR3A. Technically, I wasn’t driving—piloting, maybe—but the thrill was the same, and that Triumph soon became the standard by which all the cars I encountered were measured.

Imprinting happens with hatchlings—feathered or human—and the Triumph imprint never quite wore off. To appreciate the impact that Triumph, and a slew of relatives like MG, Austin Healey, Jaguar, and others, had on the nascent American sports-car scene, one has to realize that after World War II, British cars were all the rage. Porsche and the odd Alfa Romeo came ashore, but it was the British automotive invasion—preceding its musical counterpart by a half-decade—that got drivers on twisty roads and racetracks across the United States.

The Triumph was, and still is, honest, authentic, and darned-near bulletproof. A tractor engine will do that for reliability. That utilitarian descriptor may seem a bit uncharitable, but the fact is, the 2.0-liter, OHV inline-four is rugged, indefatigable and, making about 100 hp, sufficiently powerful to scoot the 2,100-pound roadster along at a nice pace. A four-speed manual transmission came standard, and buyers could order electric overdrive, reducing engine revs at cruising speed and putting even less strain on the willing power plant.

The body shell, fenders, and low-slung doors were hung on a ladder-type frame, primitive compared to the unibody MGB roadster that debuted in 1962. The TR3’s exterior styling was a bit archaic too, with pontoon headlamps and swoopy front fenders that stand proud of the body proper, clinging tenaciously to an old-fashioned aesthetic that gives the design its charm.

The interior is charming, too, with low bucket seats, tidy vinyl trim called Vynide, and a flat windshield in the spirit of prewar sports cars. The big banjo-style steering wheel, flat dash, and beautiful Jaeger gauges welcome the driver and passenger, who rub elbows with every gear shift. A small, bench-style rear shelf doubles as a seat for little people in the day when seatbelts were an afterthought and not common sense.

Another aspect that isn’t terribly sensible is the convertible top, which entails a bit of a ritual to erect, along with side curtains that more or less enclose occupants when inclement weather prevails. The pleasures of a tonneau cover become readily apparent to solo drivers, especially on chilly days.

Born from the TR2 (built from 1953 through 1955), the TR3 was made from 1955 through 1957. That model morphed to become the TR3A from 1957 through 1962, which can be distinguished by a wider front grill and then-new front disc brakes. In 1962, the TR3A was replaced by the TR3B, which had a 2.1-liter engine and was made through 1963.

Apart from the front end and minor appearance details, all of the TR3s are essentially the same, and were never officially recognized by model suffixes. It’s estimated that about 74,800 examples of all three variants were built in total, about 58,000 of which accounted for TR3A production. But it’s anyone’s guess as to how many have gone to the junkyard as a result of rust, wrecks, and the fact that, by 1970, their appeal had dwindled as power and amenities became top of mind with all but the most dyed-in-the-wool fans of British sports cars.

Today, things are a bit different, and while the heyday of British sports cars may be behind us, the TR3 remains one of the most delightful, fun-to-drive machines around. They are also reasonably priced and relatively plentiful, as are mechanical parts, bodywork, interiors, and trim.

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As with so many collector cars, it’s condition, color, and provenance that should be the main considerations of a would-be TR3 owner. A car in good condition can be had for $20,000 or a little more, and concours examples can fetch $40,000 to over $60,000 for the best cars with cool history, or for those prepared for vintage motorsport.

Click here for more photos of this 1960 Triumph TR3A sports car.