1963 Triumph

TR3B Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

TCF 1859 L

Gasoline

This car is cosmetically as it was found several years ago, brought out of decades of storage in a dry barn in Southern California. A true original California custom boulevard cruiser most likely customized in the early 70’s. A one-of-a-kind find Triumph, it is undoubtedly one of the few, and possible the only TR3B, in existence that has the CA state verification tag affixed to the bulkhead next to the VIN tag, pictured as stamped in 1963, with “TRIUMPH STC 63”, denoting it as a true CA black plate car. (I have only seen one Triumph, an early TR4 also from CA, with a similar aluminum numbered plate under hood.) I had the car shipped to Tennessee, where I installed some factory wheels to replace the wider chrome reverse wire basket type period accessory wheels that someone added for the “cruiser” look. It was also painted with the uniquely custom two stage flames you see on the bonnet, hardtop and rear. What a history this car had! If only it could talk! I will include the old wheels if you want them. The body is straight, paint decades old but formerly show quality, now with some light dings and scrapes as you’d expect. Drive as it is while you restore it! I have looked over this car well for the last several years I have owned it. It is remarkably rust-free as it sat in the barn for the majority of its life, with only some minor small blisters lower left front as shown in pics, and a small insignificant area at the bottom right fender. No surprises with this car as I want full disclosure and a happy buyer. Amazingly, it even retains its original metal floorboards. I have removed the seats so their condition can be seen). No big rust worries as the body shell and frame are exceptionally solid as one would expect of a Southern CA car. The trunk and spare tire compartment are perfectly solid original metal. I really do not think you’ll ever find one this solid. Also included is a valuable metal factory hardtop, in good shape, seldom seen for less than $2500 by itself! Running condition--. I took the car to a British car mechanic and invested well over $2000 in the carburetor rebuilding, all new hydraulics including clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, brake master cylinder, wheel cylinders, front brake calipers, brake pads and shoes all around, and additional tuning work. THE CAR RUNS PERFECTLY, STARTS IMMEDIATELY, AND HAS EXCEPTIONAL POWER. I have driven it and it shifts well through all the gears, and is mechanically sound with the exception of a leaky water pump, which I did not get around to! It also has what appears to be a rare cooling fan option which is an improvement over the earlier design. INTERIOR--I am including a very unusual set of interior door panels and rear inside panels which were manufactured and sold by the now defunct sports car product company AMCO. They are in their original box, and are exceedingly rare and valuable, and of very nice quality. The seats are average with some wear as shown. The dash pad is shown but not attached, and the cockpit trim-- door and rear top pads--are included but will need upholstering. The back seat pad is included. Also included are the side curtains, the original style hub caps, Lucas rear glass lenses that affix to the rear, and what is possibly the original Dunlop spare tire! Own one of the rarest Triumphs in existence, with the added rarity of the CA black plate and the unique CA ID plate in the engine bay! And the very rare and valuable factory metal hardtop! No one else at any show will have one! Reluctantly selling due to an involved (and expensive) Jaguar E-Type restoration in progress. This car is being sold with a signed notarized bill of sale from me, with the old certificate of registration from California, signed by the seller. If that is not satisfactory for transfer to you, then please refrain from bidding. I am making no representations or warranties with regards to this vehicle, as it is a 50 year old car. Although I have attempted to describe it accurately and thoroughly, I accept no responsibility if the car is not what you envisioned, as old car condition is subjective. I encourage inspections, professional or by you in person, and will facilitate same. Shipping is the buyer’s responsibility at buyer’s cost, but I will assist otherwise. Bid only if serious about owning, and there are no refunds, partial or full, for any reason. Reserve is confidential. Please ask questions by email, and I will respond as soon as I can. Good luck—it’s a fine example of this rare car. On Jan-01-12 at 22:13:53 PST, seller added the following information: FYI...in case you can't see it in the photo, the black plate has the year 78 on the registration sticker, so I'm guessing it was in that barn about 30 years before the car guy that sold it to me discovered it! The wheels and tires I installed to replace the old chrome ones someone had put on in the 70's are straight off of a TR3A, so they are proper for the car, but still have the old paint and older 165 x 15 radial tires. I would recommend a new set of tires if you plan to drive it much.On Jan-04-12 at 16:59:12 PST, seller added the following information: Some folks are confused by the "B" designation in my ad, so I refer to Wikipedia, which says: "The "Triumph TR3B" is an unofficial name given to the final version of the TR3, which was produced by the Triumph Motor Company (Standard Motor Company) in 1962. It was offered concurrent with the TR4, which started production in 1961. In fact, the "TR3B" was a special short production run produced in response to dealer concerns that the buying public might not welcome the TR4. It had the body of the "TR3A" (Except that the body panels had raised stampings under the hood & trunk hinges and under the door handles. In addition, the wind screen was attached with bolts rather than the Dzus connectors used on "A" models.), but the 2,138 cc. engine and all synchromesh transmission of the TR4." What is unique about this car is that, underneath the non-original paint scheme and missing badging, is an unmolested car that seems to have retained all of its original drive train components. Not many have gone the last half century and are still so intact!