I love the Brit sports cars of the 50's-60's. I owned a '69 TR6 back in the early to mid 70's and it spent as much time in the shop as it did on the road. However it was total bliss to drive as I'm sure this TR3A is. Now fully in retirement, about 4 years ago I opted to get a 2020 Mazda Miata. It's hardly boring and TOTALLY reliable, something the old British cars are not, never were, and never will be. If you desire that top-down magic, buy a 4th Gen Miata. They're pretty quick with over 180 HP and IMHO a wiser buy... oh, and they're a total blast to drive!!
I had one in 1976 that I sold in 1989 and I wish that I still had it, in talking to a friend whose brother is buying a $200k Aston I said that for that money it would be a TR3a and and an Alfa GTV 1750 for me.
I am so lucky to choose between a 1958 tr3a and a 200mph R8... both great cars, but the tr3 wins every time. Raw and basic car, and 60mph feels fabulous.... great video and totally agree.
....Been driving mine for over 50 years....first 2 years through the winters of Northern Ontario, Canada with no sidecurtains (wore a snowmobile suit) .....This $150 car just keeps 'growing' on me, like I said....50+ years .....and yes, it has sidecurtains now, hahaha............
This man knows what he's talking about. Thank you for putting this segment on RU-vid. It brought back a lot of wonderful memories & truisms about these great English Triumph automobiles.
A great video! It really speaks to those of us who value the driving experience and understand what a reals sports car is. Thank you for this work of art. The TR-3 was my first 4-wheeled love back in the 1950s. I've never gotten over that love affair.
I am restore two Tr3a's. Both cars I have owned for over 30 years. I play your video to remind myself why I am spending the time and money to restore these cars. Thanks.
Well done and on point. It takes someone who has lived with a machine to come to appreciate this perspective. I have to say of the countless vintage car experiences I have had, the TR3 is experience is my favorite. I recently sold my last one. One year later I am back looking for my next fix.
Awesome car! I'm restoring a '58 Tr3 down here in southern Utah (I noticed the Y in the background). Maybe we'll cross paths one of these days at a British car show. Great work.
Well said. I drove a 1956 Volkswagen Beetle with the small oval window in High School. The car would not exceed 55 mph, pedal to the floor! Probably why my Dad got it! While not a sports car in any sense of the word, I still loved that car. It was so basic, it had a speedometer, choke, starter, and shift lever and that's pretty much it. But it was such a fun car to drive. You DROVE that car, unlike the modern era cars of today. You felt every bump, turning of every corner, and every shift of the 3 speed transmission. My dream is to own an Austin Healey 100-4 someday in addition to a TR-3. The TR-3 MAY happen, but doubtful the 100-4 Healey ever will since they are going into the Stratosphere in pricing now, especially on a salary like mine. But a TR3 would be a dream come true and I would treat that car like the dream machine it is.
I am 100% with you on everything you said but there's one fundamental flaw: tyres. If you want to feel what Fangio felt, get rid of that modern low profile radial rubber and fit some good quality original spec tyres. Unfortunately the Dunlop RS5 is no longer available but Avon has stepped up to fill the void and are making a 5.90H15 to fit your Triumph. I think it's called the Turbospeed or something.. they are not the cheapest out there but should absolutely transform the handling. By the look of what you're in to, I think you'll never look back :)
