Today’s car is a 1960 Triumph TR3A is owned by Annmarie Hetx. Annmarie’s father bought 2 cars and completed this stunning car for her. This TR3A named Marilyn is her pride and joy. I photographed this car at the Silver Spur Breakfast Gathering held at the Peninsula Center, located in Rolling Hills, CA. The car is finished in Mango with a Light Tan interior with a matching Tonneau cover.
It is powered by a 100 hp 130.5 cu in, straight 4 OHV engine, with twin H6 SU carburetors that is mate to a 4-speed manual transmission with a 3.70 rear axle. Slowing this beauty down are disc brakes upfront and drums in the rear. Triumph was the first British car have front disc brakes in 1956. The independent front suspension consist of unequal-length A-arms with coil springs. The rear suspension is a rigid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
The “TR3A” was built between 1957 and 1962 with a total production of 58,236 units, of those 17,720 were produced in 1960. It is estimated that only 9,500 of the original 58,236 built survived today. In 1957 the TR3 update that was commonly referred to as the Triumph “TR3A”. However the cars were not badged as such and the “TR3A” name was not used officially, but as you can see the after market badges have changed that.
The TR3A was updated in 1957 with a full-width radiator grille, lockable boot handle, exterior door handles, and a full tool kit as standard. The TR3A was proven in 1960 during the Le Mans 24-Hour race, where three cars were entered and finished in ninth, eleventh, and fifteenth places. The MSRP was $2,670.00 The published top speed of 109 MPH with a 0-60 mph time of 12 Seconds.
This beautifully restored car that Annmarie’s father built for her is a very special car to take to British car shows, local car shows, Cars and Coffee events or taking it out for a cruise when she is feeling a little low and needs a pick me up and to come home with a big smile on her face. Thanks Dad! Thank you for riding along. Frank
