The Triumph TR3 is a British sports car produced between 1955 and 1962 by the Standard-Triumph Motor Company of Coventry, England. A traditional roadster, the TR3 is an evolution of the company's previous TR2 model, with greater power and improved braking. The updated variants, popularly, but not officially known as "TR3A" and "TR3B", went into production in 1957 and 1962, respectively. The TR3 was succeeded by the mechanically similar Triumph TR4, Michelotti style.

The robust "side panel" TR, so called for employing removable plexiglass side curtains, was a sales and motor sports success. With approximately 74,800 TR3 sold in all variants, the model was the company's third best seller in the TR range, behind the TR7 (111,500 units) and TR6 (94,500 units) models.

Triumph was promoted in races, climbs and rallies across Europe and North America, with several direct victories, by team and by class.
Although the car was normally supplied as an open two-seater, an occasional rear seat and a steel hardtop were available as extras.

The car is equipped with the standard wet inline four liner, a 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) four-cylinder OHV engine initially producing 95 hp (71 kW; 96 hp), an increase of 5 hp over the TR2 thanks to the larger SU -H6 carburetors installed. This was later increased to 100 hp at 5000 rpm [5] by the addition of a "high door" cylinder head and an expanded manifold. The four-speed manual gearbox can be complemented by an overdrive unit in the three main interfaces, electrically operated and controlled by a switch on the panel. In 1956, the front brakes were switched from drums to discs, making the TR3 the first British series production car to be installed.

The suspension is made with double A-arms, bronze manganese sleeve, helical springs and tube dampers in the front, optional stabilizer bar and worm and pin steering. Unlike MGs of the same period, the steering mechanism and articulation have considerable slack and friction, which increase with wear.

The rear is of conventional springs, with solid axle dampers and lever arm, except that the frame rails (boxed) are suspended under the axle. The wheels are 15 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches wide (increased by 4 inches after the first TR2s), with optional 48-spoke wire wheels. The wire wheels were usually painted in body color or argent (silver), but matte chrome and shiny chrome were also available. The front disc or drum brakes and rear drums do not have servo assistance.

The weight of the TR3 is significantly greater than the Morgan +4 and Porsche 356, but not much more than the MGA and MGB. All but Morgan, which shares the same engine, are substantially less powerful than the Sunbeam Alpine.

In most conditions, the car is very responsive and forgiving, but has some handling problems. The chassis, shared by the TR2, TR3, TR3A and TR4, has limited wheel travel. As a result, in very difficult corners, the inner rear wheel can lift, causing a sudden excessive steering due to the increased load on the outer rear tire. This is particularly true with radial tires; the original TR2 / 3 / 3A suspension was built with the oldest cross-tire designs in mind.

The lifting of the wheel is more sudden than that of other cars, because it is caused by the end of the suspension travel while the tire is still loaded; therefore, the load on the other rear wheel (external) is a discontinuous load function in the curves, instead of just changing the slope.

The TR3 is a true roadster, designed for sunny weather, but with removable rain protection. It has a convertible hood (upper part of the USA) that fits and closes and removable side curtains, allowing very low doors with padding for the driver's arm to rest. There are holes in the floor, with rubber plugs, so that the jack originally provided can be used from inside the car, just like the Jaguar XK120. The optional heater is bad and the shut-off valve is under the bonnet (US hood). A third person can be transported behind the seats.

13,377 examples of the original "pre-restoration" TR3 were produced, of which 1,286 were sold in the United Kingdom; the rest were mainly exported to the USA. In the first quarter of 2011, there were approximately 826 licensees and 115 SORN TR3 / 3 as registered with the DVLA.

Pin It

Desporto

SOTERMAQUINAS