- Popular for their usability, ease of maintenance, good looks and the fact that they are immense fun to drive
- Mille Miglia Eligible
- Restored by renowned Triumph specialist Hans Kooij
- The TR3 was the first production car to be fitted with disc brakes
- A fun and affordable true 1950s sports car!
- Fitted with an overdrive for longer-legged cruising and an upgraded fan to help with modern traffic
- Pleasant to use, beautiful to look at and easy to maintain
- Complete with Heritage certificate, FIVA and Mille Miglia Registro Certificate

Triumph displayed proudly at the Geneva Motor Show, in March 1953, a new sports car, the TR2. An enormous success.

Introduced in 1955, the TR3 was an evolution of Triumph’s 1953 TR2.

The new model shared the overall body shape and 1991cc engine with its predecessor.

The American magazine Car and Driver described the lightweight TR3’s acceleration as “neck-snapping”, which might have been something of an exaggeration but a sub-11 second time for the benchmark sprint was pretty good back then.

In fact, that power output meant the TR3 was actually more powerful than competitors such as the Porsche 356, Sunbeam Alpine, and the MGA and had a top speed of a little north of 100mph.

But the engine was not the only aspect where the compact sportscar excelled because the TR3 was the first production car to be fitted with disc brakes.

After testing this innovation at the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hour race – it achieved numerous racing victories between 1955 and 1959, including winning the Liège-Rome-Liège rallies in 1956 and the Sebring 12 Hours in 1957.

Today these charismatic Triumph sports cars remain popular for their usability, ease of maintenance, good looks and the fact that they are immense fun to drive.

The other advantage is that a Triumph TR3 before 1957 is eligible for almost all the major classic events including the prestigious Mille Miglia.

The models eligible to take part in the Mille Miglia are those of which at least one specimen took part – or completed the registration formalities – in one edition of the Mille Miglia that was held from 1927 to 1957.

The model was updated twice during its lifespan, with the TR3A produced from 1957, and TR3B, which was only made in 1962, the last year of production.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This left-hand drive Triumph TR 3 is one of a kind. It will be very hard to find a nicer restored example.

According to the Heritage Certificate which comes with the Triumph, this Triumph TR3 was completed on the 28th. of May 1956.

The car was since new equipped with heater, 550 tyres and miles-per-hour speedometer.

The car arrived in Europe through the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1995.

Fully in love with this Triumph TR 3, the new owner commanded a total nut and bolt restoration whereby every single part was restored on the highest quality possible.

The Triumph was restored by Hans Kooij – who’s known for setting the benchmark in Triumph restorations.

Other owners/collectors would have opt for a different approach whereby the value of the car should have been kept in mind but this gentlemen not. Quality was the thing counting.

The body was painted in a beautiful Primrose Yellow, and the panels have been all perfectly aligned.

This Triumph TR3 is equipped with beautiful chrome spoked wheels, a soft top, a top frame cover, its tonneau cover and two side-screens.

The Triumph was acquired by one of our best rally friends in 2015.

A gentlemen with a nice collection who is very careful in preparing his cars.

Serious amounts have been spend on this Triumph to make her as reliable as possible but also to let her drive as good as possible.

Its well-maintained condition state and accompanying invoices of maintenance work carried out at Heritage Parts in Delft, the Netherlands, speak to the care and attention invested in preserving this Triumph.

The Triumph was enjoyed by the former Dutch owner participating in a number of events including participating successfully in some editions of the famous Gran Premio Nuvolari.

Already registered and accepted in the ‘Mille Miglia Registro’, this beautiful and high-performance TR3 roadster is ready to be subscribed in the 2026 Mille Miglia.

CONDITION EXTERIOR

Having been restored without looking at any expenses and having seen careful use since its restoration, the Triumph is in a superb condition.

Due to the fact that an absolute Triumph restoration guru carried out the restoration, the car is extremely well restored and a lot of attention has been given to specific Triumph details.

Paintwise the Triumph is extremely nice. The fittings of the door and bonnet are probably even better then they were when the car was new.

The hood closes tightly and fits very well to the body.

The quality of the chrome and brightwork is excellent.

It will be hard to find a much nicer Triumph TR3 as these cars have had unfortunately not the value to restore the cars very well.

CONDITION INTERIOR

The interior is restored with period correct materials resulting in a beautiful atmosphere if the car is driven.

The interior is very fresh and presents very well.

The dashboard is classic in design, and the steering wheel is distinctly vintage in feel and appearance.

The boot is solid, the spare wheel lives in a separate compartment below the boot, which is a brilliant idea and ensures your luggage stays clean and dry should you have to swap wheels following a puncture.

The boot is also where the copper-faced hammer lives, and the tonneau cover.

The interior is in extremely beautiful condition, with reupholstered leather and front seats that are in good shape.

The carpet is also in a very nice condition.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

We had the pleasure of driving this beautiful Triumph for a while and we were mightily impressed by its performance.

This specific example is a car which gives immediately an invitation to be driven.

Offered in ready to enjoy condition, this beautiful TR3 should prove great fun over the coming summer months.

The TR3 is fitted with an overdrive for longer-legged cruising and an electric cooling fan to help it cope with modern traffic.

The Triumph runs and drives extremely nice. The engine starts easily and it sounds great and is tractable, producing great noise.

Beautifully presented throughout, it is ready to serve its next owner well, whether that be for personal use or as an entrant at the 2026 Mille Miglia.

Disclaimer
The information provided on this website has been compiled by The Houtkamp Collection with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. The Houtkamp Collection is not liable for any errors or mistakes.