Triumph TR3 1957 - OTS - Open two-seater

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 on Saturday the 8th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. , Offered here at the NEC Classic Car Show 2025 is a fine example of a British sports car, one that our team is particularly proud to represent. At Iconic Auctioneers we are fortunate to handle many exceptional classics, but every so often a car stands out for its authenticity, provenance and overall condition and this Triumph TR3 is one such example.Supplied new by Hollingdrake Automobile Co. Ltd on 7th August 1957, chassis TS2054, engine TS20873E was first registered just two days later on 9th August under the registration number LJA 999, as confirmed by the original purchase order and the buff logbook on file. According to the Triumph Register Certificate, it was finished in British Racing Green with red leather upholstery, complemented by a black hood and side screens.A written account in the history file records that the first owner kept the TR3 until the mid 1980s. Its longest documented journey was from Manchester to Anglesey in 1958, with the note that it was 'not driven faster than 95mph' on that run. The car was stored off the road between 1963 and 1972 with a recorded mileage of just 14,000, and again between 1976 and 1984. By July 1984, the mileage was documented as genuine at 33,040 miles. At that time, the car retained its original interior, rubber floor mats, and even the owner’s key fob.In October 1990, LJA 999 was used as a reference car for Bill Piggott’s respected publication Original Triumph TR and even featured on the cover. Some of the original photographs from that session remain within the accompanying photo album included in the history file.Following its moment in print, the car was carefully stripped for a body and mechanical restoration, carried out with attention to originality. Photographs in the file show that the chassis required no repairs, while the bodywork needed only minimal attention before being refinished in its original British Racing Green. The beautifully preserved original interior and trim were expertly refitted, and although not part of the original factory specification, a new set of wire wheels was added to complete the restoration.From the mid 1980s through to 2005, this cherished TR3 competed in numerous Concours d'Elegance events, consistently achieving class wins or high placings. A detailed record within the history file lists each event, the number of entrants and results, documenting no fewer than 65 concours appearances. This remarkable record is a true testament to both the dedication of its long term owner and the exceptional standard of the car’s presentation, both before and after its sympathetic restoration.Today, the TR remains matching numbers, relatively low-mileage, low owners and in excellent condition. It is further enhanced by its current FIVA papers and Registro Miglia 1000 (June 2026) papers, qualifying it for a wealth of prestigious rallies and touring events across Europe. The annual fee for Registro Miglia 1000 was paid on 14th October, enabling entry next year.Accompanying the car is an exceptional and comprehensive history file. This includes the aforementioned photo album featuring images of the original owner, the initial purchase order, post-sale correspondence with the supplying dealer and the Standard Motor Co., along with old MOT Certificates, restoration images, and period newspaper clippings celebrating its many concours successes. Two additional files contain maintenance records, further MOTs, the original TR key fob, and various documents. The final folder holds the original instruction book, maintenance book, Triumph Sports Car Association literature, and assorted period ephemera relating to the model.This wonderful TR3 will undoubtedly resonate with collectors and sports car enthusiasts. It offers historical significance and remarkable provenance with the promise of many years of rewarding ownership.