Triumph TR3
This 1957 TR3 is one of the early “small‑mouth” examples, still wearing the narrow grille that gives these first‑series Triumphs their unmistakable post‑war character. There is nothing superfluous about it. You sit low, look out over that long bonnet, open the cut‑away doors from the inside, and slot the side screens into place only when the weather insists. It is motoring reduced to its essentials: mechanical, honest, and wonderfully direct.
Delivered new in the United States, the car remains in its original left‑hand‑drive configuration. It was restored in Signal Red — a colour that suits a TR3 particularly well, especially one that doesn’t mind being noticed. The black interior with red piping adds just enough contrast to underline its sporting nature without tipping into excess.
Technical details
For the past three decades, this TR3 has belonged to a single family. It was bought in 1991 as a non‑runner, a brave purchase by any measure. The buyer, a jeweller by trade, saw beyond the state it was in and commissioned a full restoration with one intention: to pass the passion on to his 18‑year‑old son, Jan. Jan is 54 today, also a jeweller, and the Triumph has remained exactly what it was meant to be — a shared enthusiasm, maintained with care and respect for its originality. The handwritten 1991 purchase receipt still accompanies the car.
The restoration was carried out by Hans Kooij, a respected name among Triumph specialists. It is now an older restoration, but a sound one, and the car has been kept in excellent cosmetic and mechanical order ever since. The 1991cc four-cylinder engine was upgraded during its rebuild with new cylinder liners, increasing the displacement to 2138cc. As a result, the engine now delivers stronger torque and an increased output of 105 bhp instead of the original 95 bhp.
Paired with a manual gearbox featuring overdrive, it offers an engaging drive on secondary roads while remaining comfortable and relaxed over longer distances. A new radiator with an electric cooling fan was also recently installed, further enhancing usability in modern traffic conditions, particularly in stop-and-go situations.
Registered in the Netherlands, this TR3 is also eligible for the 2027 Mille Miglia — the centenary edition of the most evocative historic rally in the world. A 1957 TR3 fits the event’s period perfectly. Marreyt Classic Cars assists clients with every aspect of Mille Miglia participation, should you wish to explore that path.
An honest, well‑documented TR3 with a genuine family history and the right presence. You are welcome to discover it in our brand‑new showroom in Ternat, Belgium.
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