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Few cars capture the spirit of the 1950s British sports car boom quite like the Triumph TR3, and this 1957 Triumph TR3 on Hagerty Marketplace is an especially appealing example. A "small-mouth" pre-facelift car with optional electric overdrive, a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, and five Vintage Triumph Register Gold Awards to its name, this red roadster pairs show-winning credentials with a history of actually being driven and enjoyed.
The TR3 That Changed The Game
Triumph introduced the TR3 in 1955 as an evolution of the TR2, bringing more power, better brakes, and a revised front end. Early cars like this one are known as "small-mouth" TR3s thanks to their narrower grille, a detail that sets them apart from the later TR3A. Power comes from a 1,991cc inline-four that initially made 95 horsepower before being bumped to 100 horsepower with a high-port cylinder head and larger manifold, sent through a four-speed manual gearbox.
The TR3 also earned a notable place in automotive history. In 1956 it gained front disc brakes, making it the first British production car so equipped. Roughly 13,377 pre-facelift examples were built, and the vast majority were exported, mostly to the United States, which is exactly where this car was headed when it left the factory.
Factory Records And Desirable Options
According to its BMIHT certificate, this TR3 was built on May 21, 1957, as a left-hand-drive car for the North American market. It was originally finished in Black over Beige leather with a white top, and it came equipped with disc wheels, a heater, and an adjustable steering column. Better still, it carries the optional electric overdrive, confirmed by the "O" in its serial number. Overdrive is one of the most sought-after options on these cars, giving the TR3 a far more relaxed cruising gait on modern highways.
If you're a fan of Triumph's TR lineage, you may also enjoy this one-owner 1959 Triumph TR3A that toured Glacier and Yellowstone, a great example of how these roadsters were built to be driven.
A Show Winner That Was Driven
This TR3 benefited from a three-year refurbishment completed in 2000 by Triumph Rescue of Bally, Pennsylvania. That work included a repaint in red, a reupholstered interior, a tan top, and a set of wire wheels that suit the car beautifully. The engine was later overhauled around 2005, when the starter, generator, and control box were also replaced.
What makes this car especially charming is that it wasn't simply parked after its restoration. The previous owner added more than 30,000 miles, including road trips to Vintage Triumph Register meets, and still managed to earn five Gold Awards between 2000 and 2007, with scores as high as 399 out of 400. That's a rare combination of use and quality.
Freshened And Ready For The Road
Following a period of storage, the TR3 received a thorough round of preparation for sale. Work included replacement of hydraulic components, carburetor cleaning and balancing, a valve adjustment, a transmission reseal, new carpets, and a detail. The odometer shows 36,550 miles, though total mileage is unknown. The seller notes some wear to the leather and paint, which only adds to the character of a roadster that has clearly been enjoyed as intended.
The car comes with an impressive package of extras, including its BMIHT certificate, VTR Gold certificates and judging sheets, refurbishment notes and invoices, service records, weather gear, wind wings, light grilles, a jack and tools, and a spare wheel and tire. It is offered on dealer consignment by LBI-Limited out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a clean Pennsylvania title (note that the title omits the "O" at the end of the serial number).
British roadster enthusiasts looking for a later, six-cylinder alternative might also check out this tri-carb 1975 Triumph TR6 with overdrive.
An Accessible Classic With Real Pedigree
At the time of writing, bidding sits at $6,800 after 11 bids, with the auction scheduled to end on Tuesday, October 6, at 2:15 PM EDT. For a documented, overdrive-equipped small-mouth TR3 with national-level show awards, that's an exciting place to start. Whether you want a weekend cruiser, a Vintage Triumph Register show car, or simply a slice of British sports car history, this 1957 Triumph TR3 is well worth a closer look. You can see the full listing and photo gallery on Hagerty Marketplace.
