TR2/3/3A How do you know if it's a tr3 or tr3a

[CUPWALKER]

I'm not sure if it's a TR3 or TR3A is there a difference? I was also told by someone on this forum there are no stupid questions so there you go.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

yup there is a difference,give us more info.

 

[TR3driver]

The factory never called them "TR3A" (although apparently some dealers did). The main visible difference is the grille; the "3A" is the one with the wide grille that reaches almost to the trim beads, and the turn signals mounted on the grille. The TR3 grille is more nearly round, and the turn signals mount to the sheet metal outboard of the grille. The front bumper can also be seen to mount to the apron on a 3A, while a 3 has arms that reach under the apron.

There are some other details, but those are the main differences.

Of course, as usual the parts can be interchanged, so for example I have a TR3 with a TR3A front apron and eventually grille, bumper, etc. Only the commission number tells you for sure, TS22014 was the first TR3A.

Then of course there are the rarer TR3Bs; which look identical to a late TR3A but have some differences under the skin and commission numbers starting with either TSF or TCF.

Which is not to be confused with the TR3-Beta; which was a TR3 body on a TR4 chassis, and wider fenders to make up the difference. But since they only made 3 or 4 of them, you're not likely to encounter any of those.

Here's a pic of a nice TR3. Unfortunately I neglected to record whose car it was, so if anyone recognizes it, please let me know.

 

[TR3driver]

And just in case anyone is curious, here's a shot of a TR3-Beta.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

3A's also added exterior door and boot lid handles (2's and 3's didn't have them), a chrome license plate light in place of the red stop light, and different side curtain mounts. The 2 and 3 headlights protruded a bit more than the 3A's.

 

[Andrew Mace]

The factory never called them "TR3A" (although apparently some dealers did)....

True, particularly as applied to sales literature or advertising. But they did relent at some point and used 3A on the cover of late editions of the factory Spare Parts Catalogue!

Many years ago, having found myself with a late 3A body and a complete, rolling TR4 chassis, I came close to building a replica TR3 Beta. Alas, life got in the way and bits got sold off....

 

[Tinkerman]

Kind of like the grill on the Beta.

 

[TR3driver]

3A's also added exterior door and boot lid handles (2's and 3's didn't have them)

Except for the rare (and possibly mythical) "Grand Touring" package which supposedly included exterior door handles.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]a chrome license plate light in place of the red stop light[/QUOTE]I believe that actually came a bit before the 3/A transition, TS18912 according to the Moss catalog.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]different side curtain mounts.[/QUOTE]Here again, didn't change at quite the same time. Early 3A's still had wedge-mount sidecurtains.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The 2 and 3 headlights protruded a bit more than the 3A's.[/QUOTE]Yup, and the headlight trim rings had to be changed because there was no longer room to get to the screw at the bottom that held the earlier ones. Early 3As used a split ring with a clamp screw; while later ones used snap-on rings.

 

[CUPWALKER]

well mines got exterior door handles chrome license plate light and not a split head light ring and has no handle for boot lid

 

[CUPWALKER]

and the tag under the hood near the battery box says TS33070L 59

 

[CUPWALKER]

mine looks a lot like russ austins except my mirrors are ont the doors and its not that nice...yet

 

[TR3driver]

and the tag under the hood near the battery box says TS33070L 59

So, that makes it a TR3A, made in mid-1958. The "59" was likely added later, possibly because it was sold as a "1959" model. (As was my TS39781LO.)

 

[Guest]

Dang, ya'll are good!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Dang, ya'll are good!

No, we're all just a tad obsessed!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

3A's also added exterior door and boot lid handles (2's and 3's didn't have them)

Except for the rare (and possibly mythical) "Grand Touring" package which supposedly included exterior door handles.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]a chrome license plate light in place of the red stop light

I believe that actually came a bit before the 3/A transition, TS18912 according to the Moss catalog.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]different side curtain mounts.[/QUOTE]Here again, didn't change at quite the same time. Early 3A's still had wedge-mount sidecurtains.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The 2 and 3 headlights protruded a bit more than the 3A's.[/QUOTE]Yup, and the headlight trim rings had to be changed because there was no longer room to get to the screw at the bottom that held the earlier ones. Early 3As used a split ring with a clamp screw; while later ones used snap-on rings. [/QUOTE]

You're spot on, Randall.

I was speaking generally. ~ "There I go again!" <span style="font-style: italic"> he said in his best Ronald Reagan voice. </span>

 

[Andrew Mace]

Kind of like the grill on the Beta.

And if you're wondering about the inspiration for that:

-- Standard Pennant!

 

[vivdownunder]

Cup, my 3A, TS33753-O is pretty close to yours and is of mid-1958, although the kit was assembled in South Africa. Your car should have a boot (trunk) lid handle/lock combo, but during the seventies when no parts were available, cars were generally repaired from wrecks, so an earlier boot lid could have been fitted.

If you have a small mouth TR2 or 3 boot lid, it will have a centre lock only, and two outer holes (originally with leaf shaped covers) where the T key was used for closure.

You can probably trade boot lids on ebay, and your original one had formed metal diagonal bracing welded to the underside. Later 3A boot lids had removable tubular diagonal bracing.

Regards,

Viv.

 

[CUPWALKER]

Thanks a lot guys. I'm really glad I found this forum, everyone has been very helpful already and I've barely gotten started.

 

[vivdownunder]

Randall,

You refer to the "Grand Touring" cars which I understood where later front disc braked small mouth TR3's with factory hardtop; centre mounted spotlight, and external locking door handles for better security. They could be ordered by rally privateers, and thus their Halda's and all the other rally clobber taken in the cabin became slightly less prone to theft, notwithstanding the sidescreens.

Apparently just a handful were sold in that configuration before being superseded by the TR3A.

Is that as you understand them ?

Regards,

Viv.

 

[TR3driver]

I don't really know the history, just what's shown in Bill Piggott's book and the factory SPC. The SPC shows availability from the introduction of the TR3 (TS8637). Bill notes that the kit includes door handles and locks "for use in conjunction with the hard top, principally to make the car eligible for certain competition events." but neither source mentions the spotlight as part of the kit.

Reading through the extensive parts list in the SPC, I don't see the special side screen Bill mentions; only the chrome bead which apparently permanently fixed the sidescreen to the door. Kinda looks like the kit also includes interior door handles, but Bill doesn't mention them.