1959 Triumph TR3A: a classic with a modern twist

There’s a lot to like about this 1959 Triumph TR3A, not least because it appears to have been treated as a car to use rather than simply preserve.

First registered on 15 May 1959, this UK right-hand-drive example is finished in Triumph White with red leather upholstery, a matching red hood, full tonneau and side screens. It has passed through just seven owners, including one long-term custodian who kept the car for 19 years. Another was an active TR Register member, using it for local shows and club events after its restoration.

The most interesting part of the specification is arguably beneath the skin. The original gearbox has been replaced with a Mazda MX-5 five-speed manual, complete with a short-throw shift. It’s not a modification that will appeal to every purist, but it does make a certain amount of sense on a car intended for modern roads, giving the TR3A an extra ratio for more relaxed cruising and making longer-distance touring considerably more practical. There are other sympathetic mechanical changes, too. The car has been converted to splined wire-wheel hubs, with new hubs and bearings, while the rear axle has been rebuilt and new brake drums fitted. The front suspension was inspected in 2021 and received new wishbone bushes as preventative maintenance.

The TR3A itself represented an important step forward for Triumph’s popular sports car. Compared with the earlier TR3, it brought a number of useful changes, including a wider front grille, exterior door handles and a lockable boot handle. Around 58,000 were produced, although considerably fewer remain on the road today.

On presentation, this example appears to have fared well. The body is very solid, with clean paintwork and impressive chrome, while the red leather interior, carpets and trim remain in notably good condition. The engine bay has also received plenty of attention.

Mechanically, the car starts readily, hold strong oil pressure and pulls well through the rev range, with the characteristic exhaust note that remains one of the more appealing aspects of the TR3 experience.

Ultimately, the appeal here is the balance between originality and usability. This isn't a TR3A presented as an untouched time capsule; instead, it has been developed over the years with a clear emphasis on making the car more usable without losing its essential character.

For someone looking for a 1950s British sports car that can still be driven properly — whether that's to a club meeting, on a summer tour or simply for an afternoon blast — that approach has considerable merit.