1959 Triumph TR3a / Commission No. TS 55173 L

NO RESERVE AUCTION!

A beautiful TR3 with a fresh motor, ripe to restore, or enjoy as-is for years!

A rare survivor. This car has passed through several hands in the last twenty-five years, and had lots of attention and money lavished upon it while accumulating almost no miles during that time. I will post scans of several receipts along with the additional photos on the Photobucket link.

The previous owner kept this car stored on blocks in a dry garage for the last few years, as his life took different twists and turns. In the all the years that he drove it, he managed only a few hundred miles road time. Likewise with the previous two owners to him: The motor was rebuilt in 1996, with hardened valve seats, to the tune of $4000. With UNDER 1000 MILES TOTAL driven since that time, the motor is strong, lively and smooth – Just broken in! This engine is SUPER CLEAN outside, and even under the valve cover: The rocker arm assembly looks like it was cleaned yesterday (please see pictures on the extra photo link below!). The entire under bonnet picture is very, very satisfying: Clean and orderly, with a lots of new parts and a nice looking fuel pressure gauge. There is also an auxiliary electric fuel pump, in addition to the mechanical one. A spin-on oil filter kit is another nice add-on.

Compression is strong: Cylinder #1 = 155 lbs ; #2 = 162 ; #3 = 160 ; #4 = 160.

The gearbox and driveline feel bullet-proof, and the steering and brakes are great. The frame is solid and straight, including the box-section rails at each end. The entire body and chassis feel much tighter than most Triumphs we come across. The lack of excessive rattles and shakes (which are so common on TRs) give this car real composure on the road and make it a true joy to drive. It’s not perfect: the rear shocks are probably ready for a rebuild, and the diff leaked a bit on our garage floor. The exhaust clonks around a bit over the rear axle on big bumps (some judicious tweaking may fix this, or maybe it’s weak hangers), but it’s really tough to fault the way this car goes down the road: My wife is in love with it, and she found it very easy, fun and smooth to drive.

The body is a mixed bag: It’s straight, with good panel fit, and the photos speak for themselves, but you really must see the close-ups and chassis pics on the photo link to see the best detail. The car is NOT rust free. It was been repainted decades ago (car was originally red), and the primrose color was a standard shade offered by Triumph in 1959 (if it is not an exact match, it’s pretty damn close). Under the respray, it’s pretty easy to see small areas of filler and patches in the usual places along the sills and rear valance. There is some corrosion bubbling through the doors and small perfs along the sills, especially underneath. Both doors have some broken studs securing the hinges to the body (clear pictures on the photo link) – they feel secure and fit well, but that should be repaired at some point. The floors were patched nicely at one point and still look good. The battery box had corrosion that was very thoroughly dealt with (battery is now secured in a plastic tray). In all, any corrosion is in the usual spots; it is not excessive, and it looks easy to deal with. It is certainly under control and looks like it will last for decades to come if the car is driven on dry days and kept in a dehumidified garage. That said, any true restoration of this car will entail some rust repair, but personally I would enjoy it for years to come just the way it is: This car’s patina is sensational, and it has a really charming, comfortable looks to it that says “cherished” rather than “used”.

The chrome bright work is really nice, and the new (or restored/replated) front bumper from Keystone sets the tone for the new, undamaged grille. The chromed headlight bezels and bonnet & boot hinges look newish as well. The windscreen frame and rear over-riders look like fine originals, and the fuel cap has some finish wear.

The knock-off wheels are new and exquisite! Purchased at the same time that the engine was being overhauled, they have fewer than 1000 miles on them. They are all perfectly straight and true, have a gorgeous, tough, easy-to-clean powder coat finish, and they were shod with excellent Dunlap SP-4 radials, which show little-to-no wear. The “undo” locks were new at the same time and show almost no marks and excellent chrome. There is also an excellent spare wheel in the rear compartment – not new, but straight, strong, and good splines: Perfect for a spare.

The interior is good, not show quality. It has a comfortable ‘broken in” feel, and is a perfect match for the exterior condition. The seats have slight wear, but are comfortable and not saggy or baggy. Lap and shoulder belt are installed. This car has the desirable factory option rear seat, which is very handy and adds to refinement by reducing driveline noise. We have three keys on a ring: One ignition, one glove box, and one that I could not get to fit anything (i.e., door and boot locks!) There is a fourth key for the Dzus fasters on the bonnet and boot. The instrument panel is reasonably clean and nice, but not concours, by any means. All the instruments work and illuminate properly. With the exception of the winscreen washers (which are missing-in-action), all controls and lights work fine; namely, the choke, trafficators (turn signals), multi-speed blower fan for heat, windscreen wipers and hooter (that’s a horn, Yank!). All exterior lighting works.

The top is a bit raggedy. It will suffice to keep drizzle out of the parked car, but it should be replaced by anyone who will plan on doing any all-weather touring. Likewise with the side curtains, which are tired (and we are missing three of the four fasters for the curtains). There are two or three snap studs missing from the body. The tonneau cover is in good shape, and looks especially cool!

What we have here is a perfect “driver quality” classic. It is mechanically excellent, and has that comfortable patina that looks so great, and allows you to enjoy driving instead of obsessing over stone chips and bird poop. You just can’t get that recipe except through time and careful use. To us, that makes this TR3 a stunning example: You would not be ashamed to park it at ANY enthusiast gathering, yet you won’t worry too much about casually walking away from it to stroll around Cars & Coffee or the next Brit Car meet. It is just so utterly usable and ready, willing and able to go!

Oh, one more thing: For reasons we do not know, this car was titled in Minnesota as a 1960, but the serial number puts it smack in the very middle of the 1959 production run. We consider it a ’59 model (which in any case was identical to the ’60)

We are confident this car will find its fair market value here on eBay, and we are starting the bidding at a super-low price point with NO RESERVE!

175 MORE PHOTOS FOR YOU TO EXAMINE, SHOWING THE CAR IN DETAIL, OVER/UNDER/SIDEWAYS/DOWN: http://s1317.photobucket.com/user/Kowalski111/slideshow/1960%20Triumph

TAKE A SHORT QUICK RIDE WITH US to SEE AND HEAR IT RUN! https://youtu.be/dtMR0D7urIY

Please note! This car will be trailered to Road America Raceway in Elkart Lake, WI next week for The HAWK historic race weekend. It will be available for inspection there, and can be picked up there by the auction winner on Monday morning!!! Likewise, we can deliver the car FREE OF CHARGE on Monday to the auction winner anyplace along the route between on Elkhart and Minneapolis!!! If this arrangement is appealing, please inquire to arrange seeing the car in Elkhart.

And Now, If You’re Serious about Bidding, Please Read….

The Fine Print:

GOOD LUCK!Please bid to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or add comments. Please ask questionsBEFORE you bid.We willrespond quickly and honestly. This vehicle is garaged inPlymouth, Minnesota 55441,aboutten minutesout ofdowntown Minneapolis, or a half-hour from the airport.Inspections are invited and encouraged!

CONDITIONS: Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer and the Sellers. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent; It's nothing personal, just business: We, and many others, have been stung on eBay Motors by too manydead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". If the Buyer comes to pick up this vehicle and is in any way dissatisfied, he or she will have the Option ofwalking away from the Deal with Full Refund of the Deposit and any Payments made to the Seller.Otherwise, no warranty is expressed, implied or offered.Neither the Owner nor the Selling Agentscan or willtake any responsibilityfor this car after itleaves the premises.

PAYMENT:Buyer must make a$300 DEPOSITby PayPal within24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit willsecure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within24 hours willrisk Cancellation of the Sale at Discretion ofthe Sellers.BALANCE MUST BE PAID within7 BUSINESS DAYS of saleby SECURE PAYMENT. Accepting US FUNDS via WIRE TRANSFER, CERTIFIED BANK CHECK, or CASH at PICK-UP (if you pick up within 7 days).

TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. This vehicle is garaged inPlymouth, Minnesota 55441,aboutten minutesout ofdowntown Minneapolis, or a half-hour from the airport. Wedo not offer quotes on shipping. There are many vendorsto choose from offeringvehicle transport. If you like, we will be happy to recommend some "preferred" carriers with whom we have direct experience. ALL EXPORT SALE DETAILS MUST BE MADE BY THE BUYER, though we can recommend a freight forwarder if you like.

STORAGE: While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements,Seller can offer, free of charge, dry indoor storage for up to 30 days after auction termination. Longer periods can be arranged at cost if necessary. Sellercannotaccept any liability during this storageperiod.

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