1960 TRIUMPH TR3A ROADSTER

Introduced as a luxury automobile in 1950, the first TR Triumph, the TR-X, gave way to Morgan-style cheap sports cars. In 1952 Triumph began to manufacture small roadsters with

their first successful model, the TR2, designed by Walter Belgrove. Standard-Triumph Group remedied a few small, but important problems with its successor, the TR3, which was introduced with a similar design. Triumph used the chassis and parts stock in the factory for TR2 production, used the same body and the same 4-cylinder engine developed from Ferguson farm tractor engines. These changes kept the TR in production from 1955 to 1957, with only slight changes to the front grille.

Built with a view to keeping costs down, the TR2’s mesh-type front grille was moved forward on the TR3. Other small make-ups lasted for the first three years. With a design resembling a small Jaguar XK 120, better performance than the MG TD and TF and a price much lower than the XK 120, the TR3, like the earlier TR2, sold mostly in the United States. With 6 bhp more than the TR2, making 100 bhp, the engine received no other improvements. The TR3 was the first TR to offer disc brakes as standard equipment. Using a windowless door design featuring side plastic curtains with hard plastic windows, the TR3, just like the TR2 and other British sports cars, employs these curtains once the top is up.

In 1957 the TR3A roadster was launched. It was equipped with a large front grill, a hardtop, door handles and a trunk lock. It was offered in six colors, with more trim options: four colors of vinyl and leather upholstery. Remaining in production until 1962, the TR3A was replaced by TR3B.