TRIUMPH TR3A, 1959

An original RHD car supplied new to the UK market, this TR3A was built on Tuesday, 7th July 1959 and despatched to Triumph agent Motor Macs in Exeter, Devon where nine days later it was sold to the Reverend C.D. Foley and registered to him on 16 July 1959 under the registration 690 CTT, the number it still wears today.

Remaining with the first owner until 1970, the TR then passed via a dealer to an enthusiastic couple who notably completed the 1973 Land’s End to John O’Groats marathon. By 1995, having latterly enjoyed two concurrent lady owners, the TR was acquired by the man who would, between 1995 and 1999, oversee what was, judging from the sheathes of invoices totalling well in excess of £30,000 (some 25 years ago!) a most comprehensive, body-off, concours restoration of the chassis, bodywork, chrome and brightwork, electrics, interior trim and running gear. It would appear from correspondence in the substantial history file that, having spent significantly more than originally intended, he sold the car soon after completion. Happily, 690 CTT was acquired by an appreciative and committed gentleman who would cherish it for the following eighteen years and shortly after his acquisition, in 2000, the TR once again completed the Land’s End to John O’Groats run. Thereafter, the car enjoyed regular, but sparing, usage with MoTs on file showing modest mileage increases. Pleasingly, during his ownership, he remained in contact with the gentleman who had had the car restored and their informative correspondence remains in the file.

Between 1999 and 2017, this still concours condition TR3A enjoyed regular ongoing maintenance and more recently was treated to a £7,000 plus rebuild of the engine by one of the most highly respected specialists in the TR world. Fewer than 3,000 miles have been covered since the completion of this work. This was then followed closely by the fitting of new chrome wire wheels and Vredestein tyres. A fresh Specialised Car Covers indoor cover was also commissioned.

That the car remains to this day in very close to concours condition is testament to both the impressive quality of the restoration and the fastidious way the car has been looked after during the years since.

This example has the desirable options of overdrive gearbox, chrome wire wheels, leather upholstery, additional rear seat, Lucas spot lights, heater, boot mounted luggage rack and wind deflectors. Additionally, full weather equipment is supplied, including hood, envelope for the retracted hood sticks, full tonneau cover and removable sidescreens. The aforementioned tailored indoor car cover is also included.

There is a ‘classic’ CD/MP3/Radio with hidden aerial concealed in the glovebox, and other sensible (and entirely reversible, if desired) modifications are the fitment of a brake servo, a complete stainless steel exhaust system, 123 electronic ignition, high torque starter motor, rack and pinion steering and a Moto Lita steering wheel, however the original (and valuable) Bluemels steering wheel is also present and included and will be refitted on request.

An exceptional example of a beautifully and correctly restored, original UK, TR3A.

*****

£ GBP

The car is presently UK registered and enjoys tax free passage within the EU.