Triumph TR3A
Before there could be a Triumph TR3A, there had to be a TR3. Well, for everyone except Triumph, which never officially applied any suffix letters to these cars -- or to the later TR3B. But distinctions are necessary for discussion, and they've long been part of TR lore.
The TR3A features a wide-mouth grille, modified headlamps,
a locking trunk, sturdier bumpers, and another 5 hp.
"Phase 2" began with the '57 models, which became the first series-built British cars with standard front disc brakes. Triumph also improved the rear drums and substituted a sturdier back axle, still leaf-sprung. Coil springs and double wishbones continued for the independent front suspension. Also new was a so-called GT Kit. Aimed at rallying's Sports and GT classes, this option merely delivered the factory liftoff hardtop and outside door handles.
Those handles became standard with the TR3A, which bowed for 1958 wearing a rather Detroit-inspired "wide mouth" grille plus a locking trunk handle and modified headlamps; sturdier bumpers were less obvious. Although sales were better than ever, Triumph was working on a more stylish sports car that would materialize in 1961 as the TR4. Perhaps as a preview, the new model's upsized 2.1-liter engine became available for TR3As starting in 1959, though apparently few were installed.
TR3A sales topped 58,000, so the U.S. distributor stalled importation
of its TR4 successor. It instead conjured up a U.S.-market only TR3B;
3,331 of these were made and most had the TR4’s
100-hp 2.1-liter engine and all-synchro gearbox.
As it happened, the United States took to the TR4 in a big way, so after seven years, the TR3 generation was honorably retired in October 1962. It had done a remarkable job. The TR4 would do an even better one.
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