Triumph TR3

Infobox Automobile
name =Triumph TR3


production =1955–1957
manufacturer =Triumph Motor Company
class =Sports car
predecessor =Triumph TR2
layout = FR layout
successor =Triumph TR3A
engine =1991 cc straight-4
transmission = 4-speed overdrive manualCite web|url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=17523|title=1955 Triumph TR3|accessdate=2008-01-01|work=carfolio.com]
wheelbase = convert|88|in|0|abbr=oncite book |last=Manwaring |first=L.A. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Observer Book of Automobiles |year=1960 |publisher=Frederick Warne |location=London ]
length = convert|151|in|0|abbr=on
width = convert|56|in|0|abbr=on
height = convert|50|in|0|abbr=on
weight = convert|904|kg|lb|0|abbr=onCite web|url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=17523|title=1955 Triumph TR3|accessdate=2008-01-01|work=carfolio.com]
assembly = Coventry, England

The Triumph TR3 was a car built between 1955 and 1957 by the Standard Motor Company in the United Kingdom, during which time 13,377 [Original Triumph TR, Bill Piggott, ISBN 978-1-870979-24-5] cars were produced, of which 1286 were sold within the UK while the rest were exported mainly to the USA. As of 2002 there were only 893 registered TR3/3a's on UK roads. [www.tr-register.co.uk]

Although the car was usually supplied as an open two seater, an occasional rear seat and bolt on steel hard top were available as extras.

The car was powered by a 1991 cc straight-4 OHV engine which initially produced convert|95|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on increasing to 100 bhp at 5000 rpm. The four speed manual transmission could be supplemented by an overdrive unit on the top three ratios electrically operated and controlled by a switch on the dash. In 1956 the front brakes changed from drum to disc becoming the first British series production car to be so fitted.cite book |last=Robson |first=Graham |title=A to Z British cars 1945-1980 |year=2006 |publisher=Herridge |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 0-9541063-9-3] .

TR3 fact file

*Production Period - October 1955 to Summer 1957
*Original price (basic model) - £950
*Suspension - Front: Independent by unequal length double wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers, Rear: Live axle, half elliptic springs lever arm dampers
*Brakes - First 4408 models (1955-56): convert|10|in|0|abbr=on Drums all around. Remaining 9000 (1956-57): Front Discs; Rear Drums [Thoroughbred and Classic Cars Magazine, Sept 1980]
*Original Optional extras - Seatbelts, overdrive, wire wheels, glass-fibre hardtop, occasional rear seat, radio, heater, leather upholstery.

Performance

A hard top car with overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956 had a top speed of convert|105.3|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 10.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|27.1|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £1103 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Triumph TR3 Hard-top Coupé| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = April 4 1956]

Other figures recorded included:

From standing to ¼ mile 18.1 secs

References

External links

* [http://www.triumphexperience.com The Triumph Experience]
* [http://www.tr-register.co.uk The TR Register Website]