This Triumph TR2 got away, but there are more like it here.

This 1957 Triumph TR3 has been refurbished and modified in the style of the 1955 Triumph TR2 race cars that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It features exposed aluminum bodywork and inner chassis structure over blackberry Connolly leather upholstery and is powered by a modified 2.2-liter inline-four mated to a Ford T9 five-speed manual transmission and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Additional equipment includes 15″ Dayton knock-off wire wheels, front disc brakes, Koni dampers, rack-and-pinion steering, an alloy big-valve cylinder head, a performance camshaft, dual Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, a Triumph Tune intake manifold, Lucas driving lights and headlights, curved individual windscreens, and a racing-style fuel filler cap. The seller acquired the car in October 2017 and the fuel pump was replaced and oil changed in June 2022. The car was featured on BaT in September 2017. This modified TR3 is offered by the seller with a black tonneau and boot cover, refurbishment photos and records, copies of a magazines featuring the car, and a clean Maryland title in the seller’s name.

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

The car features exposed aluminum bodywork with a red-painted radiator opening and white-painted meatballs on the front, sides, and rear of the car. The car is said to have been assembled by 502 Motorworks Louisville, Kentucky, during previous ownership, and the aluminum bodywork was constructed by North Devon Metalcraft in the United Kingdom. The frame was painted gray, and additional exterior elements include Lucas driving lights and Le Mans headlights, leather hood hold-down straps, curved individual windscreens, a black canvas tonneau and boot cover, a racing-style fuel filler cap, and an individual exhaust outlet.

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

White-finished 15″ Dayton tubeless knock-off wire wheels are mounted with Firestone-branded tires, and a matching spare wheel and tire will accompany the car. Braking is handled by front discs with Girling calipers and Alfin-style rear drums. A rack-and-pinion steering conversion has been carried out and the suspension is said to have been modified and features Koni Classic dampers on all four corners.

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

The interior has been refurbished and features TR2-style low-back bucket seats trimmed in blackberry Connolly leather with a color-coordinated dash, door panels, and wool carpets. Appointments include a dash-mounted rear-view mirror, a glove compartment, and black Triumph-branded rubber floor mats. The turn indicator has been relocated and functions using a dash-mounted switch

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

The banjo-style steering wheel fronts refurbished Jaeger instrumentation consisting of a 120-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and centrally-mounted auxiliary gauges. The fuel gauge does not work and the five-digit odometer shows 94k miles, less than 1k of which is said to have been added since the completion of the refurbishment. True mileage is unknown.

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

The 2.2-liter inline-four is said to have been rebuilt and modified with the following:

  • 89mm pistons
  • Alloy big-valve cylinder head
  • Roller rockers
  • Performance camshaft
  • Bastuck cast alloy oil pan and finned valve cover
  • External oil cooler
  • Dual Weber 45 DCOE carburetors
  • Triumph Tune intake manifold
  • Phoenix stainless-steel tubular header
  • Stainless-steel exhaust system
  • Lucas performance distributor with re-curved mechanical advance
  • Dynalite C-series dynamo
  • Alloy fuel tank
  • Smith’s double-ended electric fuel pump
  • Malpassi Filter King fuel pressure regulator
  • Spin-on oil filter adapter
  • Gear reduction starter

A June 2022 service is said to have included replacing the fuel pump and changing the oil.

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Ford T9 five-speed manual transmission and a Quaife limited-slip differential. The transmission is said to have been rebuilt by Quantum Mechanics of Oxford, Connecticut. Additional modifications include a performance clutch, a lightweight flywheel, and a finned alloy differential cover.

Le Mans–Style 1957 Triumph TR3

Photos documenting various stages of the refurbishment work can be viewed in the gallery.

Auction Result

High Bid USD $65,500 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended December 6, 2022 at 12:17PM PT
Bids 27
You are not connected to real-time updates. Attempting to connect.
Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.
Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.
Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.
Reconnected! Checking for missed updates…

111 Comments

Please enable JavaScript to engage in the discussion on this site.

BaT Essentials

Seller: fireboltgirl
Location: Pylesville, Maryland 21132
Listing Details
  • Chassis: TS20966L
  • 34k Miles Shown, TMU
  • Modified 2.2-Liter Inline-Four
  • Ford T9 Five-Speed Manual Transmission
  • Quaife Limited-Slip Differential
  • Exposed Aluminum Bodywork
  • Blackberry Leather Upholstery
  • 15" Knock-Off Wire Wheels
  • Front Disc Brakes
  • Modified Suspension
  • Rack-&-Pinion Steering
  • Alloy Big-Valve Cylinder Head
  • Performance Camshaft
  • Dual Weber 45 DCOE Carburetors
  • Triumph Tune Intake Manifold
  • Lucas Driving Lights & Le Mans Headlights
  • Curved Individual Windscreens
  • Racing-Style Fuel Filler Cap
  • Black Tonneau & Boot Cover
  • Refurbishment Photos & Records
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party
Lot #92557