1959 Triumph Other

2L

4 Speed Manual, Non-Overdrive

TS51996L

Clear

I came to know of my TR3A several years before I purchased it. The Triumph resided in rural Texas where it had been off the road for some time. The previous owner’s son relayed that his mother had taken the car as part-trade in a real estate deal when one of her clients moved from California to Austin in the 80s and used it on the back roads near Kingsland Texas until it started to “give her some trouble” whereupon it was retired to the family’s carport in 1992; the Texas state inspection sticker from that year still on the windshield. The lady owner died in the intervening years and by 2008 her son wanted the Triumph out of his way so he contacted the local Triumph club of which I am a member. Due to the owner being a bit optimistic regarding the car’s value, that contact failed to find a buyer. In 2010 I finally purchased the car. I thought then and still think the Triumph is in remarkably good condition considering. My goal was to preserve the Triumph in as-found condition, and cosmetically at least, that is pretty much what I have done. I love the fact that every panel and fixture tell the story of the car’s life. That said the re-commissioning was more costly and involved than I had hoped owing mainly to the fact that the engine was frozen (and after weeks of coaxing simply would not break free) and the extended period the Triumph was off the road. I decided the only proper recourse was a full rebuild of the engine and a gearbox. I’m leaving out many, many small items but here is a list of jobs done to return the car to reliable driver status. --Full professional machining and engine rebuild and assembly including new valves, valve guides, pistons and liners, journal grind and magnaflux crankshaft, crankshaft machined to accept modern rear main seal, block line bored, final assembly balanced and blueprinted, new oil pump and of course replacement of all other internal wear parts --Professional gearbox rebuild including counter-shaft, bearings, syncros and seals --Radiator Disassembled and Cleaned --Gas Tank Cleaned and Sealed --Clean, Rebuild and Tune Carbs using Genuine SU Kit (no “play” in shafts whatsoever) --Brake and Clutch Master and Clutch Slave Replaced including Lines --Front Brake Caliper Rebuilt with New Pistons --Rear Brake Wheel Cylinders Replaced --Interior Heat/Sound Resistant Installation Installed and (non-original) Floor Mats Cut and Installed --Tunnel Carpeting Replaced, Seats Repaired --New Tires and Battery --Starter and Generator Rebuilt --Various Switches Replaced and Gauges Rebuilt I have receipts for all the parts and labor totaling nearly $5300 that come with the car. After approximately 1000 miles of use over 4 years I can report that every mechanical and electrical system on the car functions well with the possible exception of the windshield wiper motor which I have never connected. The car drives beautifully with precise (for a TR3!!) steering, great power from the engine, and a faultless gear box. The brakes pull straight and true and work extremely well. The wiring is generally good. The cloth sheath has largely fallen to bits, but the plastic wiring and connections are in good shape considering their age. The body condition is a mixed bag. The paint is old and variable, appears to be mostly, but not all original, with numerous chips and wear spots down to, and in many cases through the primer where surface rust has formed. The areas of more serious rust is confined to the lower sills just in front of the rear wheel wells and just starting around the windshield posts. These would not be difficult to repair as the damage is just not that extensive. There is a softball-sized metal patch in the passenger side foot well. The rest of the underside is outstanding with no signs of rot whatsoever including the frame, inner sills, trunk, and spare tire compartment. The driver’s side floorboard is perfect. The critical area under the rear seat is perfect. I have included photos of the problem spots on the body as I want to be as honest as possible about the car’s condition. Rarely, are you lucky enough to find an old car that has been pampered its whole life. This is not one of those cars. Its condition is well worn and honest and that makes it rather unique. I can report that it gets a lot more attention at British car shows than the shiny restored examples! I’ve driven several TR3s over the years and I really can’t say enough about how well this one drives. It is a very unique survivor in that it can be used and enjoyed as-is or would make a fantastic candidate for restoration either now or someday. NO Reserve Auction. If you bid you're bidding to win. If you have less than 5 feedbacks, call me first or I may cancel your bid. Please call BEFORE you bid with any questions (404)259 5764. I'm more than happy to discuss the car with serious potential owners. One thing I forgot to add: I replaced the original metal cooling fan with a plastic one from a later Triumph when the engine was rebuilt on the advice of other TR3 owners. Although this may be better than the original, it is not adequate for driving in traffic. I had forgotten because I use the car for rural drives and it is not a concern. The TR3 will cruise the highway or back roads all day in the hot weather and never get above 190 degrees, but if you sit in traffic the needle will rise. It has NEVER overheated on me. Never even gotten close. Don't misunderstand, a few consecutive stop light cycles is not a problem! But if you're going to drive in modern city traffic snarls, you'll want to make provisions for an electric fan. Also, here are some questions asked that others may be interested in. I don't use the Ebay feature to post Q&A because I do not like to divulge even Ebay user names in the interest of privacy..... Q: Very interesting car; brings back a lot of memories! Two questions: 1) What is on the side curtains? They look brown , not black. And 2) The rust worries me; I would have to get anything structural fixed right away if serious A: What you're seeing on the side curtains is the remnants of foam that was once padding between the metal frame and the vinyl covering. The vinyl is completely gone. The frames and rubber are good and the plexi-glass is just OK. I've never used the side curtains in the mild Texas climate. I suppose they would keep out the cold as well as they ever did, but you'd really want to have them redone if you intend to use them. I sure know what you mean about rust. For what it is worth, none of the rust on this car is structural and it has not progressed at all in the time I've owned it. If you use the car in nice weather only I have every reason to expect you could use it as-is for years to come without a problem. Road salt or non-humidity controlled storage in a wet climate might see the rust progress and so you'd be wise to address it sooner rather than later. Q: how`s the clutch,transmision,rear end? any work?...noise?...fluid changes? Any first gear noise?...thanks A: Engine oil was changed at 100, then 500 miles after the motor was rebuilt. Gearbox oil was renewed when the box was rebuilt. I checked the level last year during a regular service and it was full. Clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing were replaced when the engine and gearbox were rebuilt so have about 1000 miles on them. I've kept the differential and steering box oil topped off but otherwise have not had any problems. Steering box leaks a little, rear end, almost not at all. First gear whines when moving off but nothing beyond what you would expect from a straight cut, non-synco gear. All other gears are quiet on the move and there are no untoward noises from the gearbox or rear end. It all functions well.