1955-62 Triumph TR3

by Gary Anderson

Wide grille signifies TR3A model.

The Triumph TR3 may be the last real bargain among English sports cars. For reasons Triumph lovers can’t understand but don’t complain much about, these cars never caught the tide that swelled prices of Austin-Healeys and Jaguars. Nevertheless, the TR3 offers all the quirky touches so dear to an Anglophile’s heart, is capable of hearty performance on secondary roads and interstate speed when necessary, and attracts a large and loyal following of enthusiastic owners.

The prototype Triumph was introduced in 1952 at the same show that introduced the Austin-Healey. It was produced by the stodgy Standard-Triumph Company, known primarily for its dependable family sedans. Sir John Black’s Standard Company had rescued the Triumph name from bankruptcy in 1944. Many believe that Black produced the Triumph sports car just to spite William Lyons and Jaguar, which had partnered with Standard to produce the SS sports cars of the 1930s, but went its own way after the...