Maxi Mouth: 1961 Triumph TR3A – SOLD!

May 27, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Among mid-century British sports car enthusiasts, Triumph TR3A’s are affectionately known as “Large Mouths” as their front grille extended nearly the full width of the car while housing turn signal indicators.  This red-over-black 1961 Triumph TR3A originally listed in May 2022 on Craigslist in Doylestown, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) provides a great front-end photograph to highlight it. The seller reports that after receiving a restoration in 1980, the car has traveled only 6,100 miles and remained in the same family for the past 42 years.

Currently offered for $15,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the recent results in this guide’s one-year results summary.  By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you understand this car’s current marketplace value:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #4 “Fair” estimate of $10,600 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $16,600.

Triumph produced the TR3 sports car in three variants between 1955 and 1962.  TR3A’s were a minor update produced between 1957 and 1961 although they were never officially labeled as such. Noticeable TR3A styling differences include a full-width radiator grille, exterior door handles, and a lockable boot handle, while a  full tool kit became standard. The total production run of the “TR3A” was 58,236. This makes it the third best-selling TR after the TR6 and TR7. The TR3A was so successful that the original panel molds eventually wore out and had to be replaced. In 1959 a slightly modified version came out that had raised stampings under the bonnet and boot hinges and under the door handles, as well as a redesigned rear floor section. In addition, the windscreen was attached with bolts rather than the Dzus connectors used on the early “A” models.  The Triumph TR3 is the first production car to include standard disc brakes, which were continued on the “TR3A” facelift. The car was known for its superior braking ability, making it an autocross favorite.

The Miles S YouTube Channel Features this Triumph TR3A ride-along video:

The funny thing about cars is that once you restore them you have to take just as much care to keep them in show quality condition.  It appears the current caretaker has done this based on the pictures provided. With a fresh set of brakes and several other improvements, this 1961 Triumph TR3A appears ready to enjoy the back roads of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Based upon the seller’s description and the pictures provided, this 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce appears to be a nicely and well-documented example that’s ready to be enjoyed for the summer top-down season.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Do you have a Triumph TR3A story to share?  If so, comment below and let us know!