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TR2/3/3A TR3 Losing Its Cachet

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If you want to drive the most up to date performance car then own one. That will change year to year. If you want to drive a piece of history then you should own one like the 3. As I get older the nostalgia is infinitely more important than the speed.
 
A while back I took the TR3A to the Rolls Royce/Bentley Owners Club concours, and to my amazement, the glitterati spent the whole day milling around the little red car with cutaway doors.

One posh old dear sidled up and confided she'd had her first "ahem" in one of those. OK she'd probably polished off a bottle of Verve with lunch, but that little gem kept me falling about laughing for days.

They might be a vintage drive by modern standards, but you can't help getting a grin from ear to ear every time you make a mile in a sweet running TR.

May its cache live on forever.

Viv.
 
Although I haven't always owned an LBC since my first in 1971, they've never been far from my mind. I don't think younger generations, certainly those born after about 1970, have much connection with LBCs unless there was an LBC in their family, owned by a Dad, an Uncle, etc.

The greatest attraction to one is having owned and driven one. The memories are strong, of youth and carefree living. These memories linger on, and as for me, they do not fade with the years. While driving my LBC, I feel the same as I did 35 years ago. Never fails.

This is a key reason why I'll always own and LBC. That, and the peripheral joys associated with meeting other enthusiasts who share my ideas about the cars.

Sure, a Honda S-2000 or BMW Z-3 is a "better" car, but your LBC is a totally different experience, a piece of motoring history to be enjoyed in its totality.

Get out and drive your Triumph, top down, in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Best elixir I can think of. :yesnod:
 
Saturday was in the mid 70's here in NoCalifornia...and could
not resist getting the Red Car (60 TR3A) out for a run. As the day went on we hooked up with some friends and ended up at their house for a light dinner and movie. Drove home at 11 pm...with the temp in the 40's. B I N G O ! brought back tons of great memories from the college days with the TR and top down all Winter! Could care less that the young bucks in their HondaCar kept trying to get us to race!
Just tell me in 40 years someone will buy that HondaCar and restore it...and have all this fun!
Keep that TR3 in storage??? Never! Drive baby drive! Gil
 
Perrymip said:
And now it's reduced to Public Storage prison and weekend visitation.
Click to expand...

I am willing post bail for your friend :smile: How much?

There isn't any super highway traffic in Wisconsin and the summer / fall days are designed for top down 40 MPH drives in Door County. Winters would be spent sharing space with the TR8 and protected from the cold, snow and road salt until the April rains cleanse the streets.

Who do I make the check out to? :wink:
 
We were at a gas station in the 4 yesterday. An older guy literally ran over to us, said he used to own a TR3B and that he was a fool for getting rid of it. He then waited until I started 'er up just so he could reminisce about the engine sound. That'll do for me.
 
Cachet?????? Being a burgers and beer kinda guy I like to keep my French to the French Canadian type,eh?Just saying the word TRIUMPH is fun. Try saying "I drive a KIA". Bites dont it? All these cars are different times in development.I have always kept my TRs to the even numbers[TR2.TR4 and TR6],as Im odd enough without throwing an odd number into the mix.The original or re- design of any progression,has always been the purest.My TR4 was the first car I ever owned at age 16.38 years later, I still have it as my driver and had it out yesterday for a drive around Lake Winnepesaukee NH on a beautiful 70 degree spring day. It's the time machine,I can never part with.The real fun is bringing a long door TR2 to an all makes show.Im not sure what "cachet" is,but it sure quiets the boys at any car show in a hurry,as well as the look on the faces when they have no idea what won Best of Show.All these cars are timeless pieces of history.Enjoy and preserve them and paying for a storage unit isnt prison.It's Love.
 
I took advantage of the great weather to roll the 3 into the drive and put it up on stands to clean up the natural english oiling system and spot paint some parts. Two people pulled in to the drve and told me how they had owned a TR3 in years past and how much fun they had. Even though I was covered in paint and grease and couldn't properly introduce myself you could tell how envious they were of me. It turns out I don't even have to be sitting at a traffic light to get oogled! Spring is here, life with a TR3 is GREAT!
Gordon
 
My TR3 is a long term project. In the meantime I drive my Spitfire as much as I can. Even the Spitfire can put a smile on my face and I get nice car yelled at me from passersby.

Go for a drive, and enjoy.
 
Hi Perry

Thanks for starting this post as it has been most enjoyable to read all the stories. I hope it put your mind back in the right direction. No stories from me this time, just enjoy.
 
We live in a small town of 50000. There are two TR3s in town EVERY TIME we go out for a drive we get the thumbs up or just a hour ago "I LOVE I LOVE IT" it happens all the time. The young kids dont know what it is but love the TR also. You gotta smile when you drive a TR3!
 
mallard said:
Hi Perry

Thanks for starting this post as it has been most enjoyable to read all the stories. I hope it put your mind back in the right direction. No stories from me this time, just enjoy.
Click to expand...

There's the bottom line: whatever floats your boat. If the TR3 has lost its appeal, or you don't want to relegate it to the storage unit, there are plenty more choices out there to make. :driving:
 
Mickey Richaud said:
...There's the bottom line: whatever floats your boat.... If the TR3 has lost its appeal.... :driving:
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That is so true. If you look at my signature block you'll see I've owned a wide variety of toys over the years. I ached pretty bad for a Cobra a few years ago, but after having one for a few years, it just didn't do it for me anymore... So I moved on - the P-car scratches the itch for a high speed tourer (read: modern classic) but I needed the TR3 to satisfy the tinker itch....so for me the combo route is the best answer.
 
GBRandy said:
Ahem...good adoptive home waiting for said car. :smile: Bail money required is.....?

No buy, fix & sell with me. Heck I have owned my TR8 for over 23 years......and they are "new" :smile:
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Vultures are circling! :jester:
 
Of course you are! :smirk:
 
My 1958 TR3A is a long term project. 52 years to be exact. That's when I bought it brand new. It was May, 1958. It's still like brand new. I can remember driving home to Montreal in 1958 from the Maine coast south of Kennebunk on a hot summer's day in about 8 hours. I used to drive in my bathing suit with a large straw hat and I would stop to cool off in Lake Winnepesaukee.

I drove "TRusty" 80,350 miles between 1958 and 1972 by which time, it had become a basket case. Since I finished the restoration in 1990, I've driven it a little more than a further 102,000 miles and I plan to drive it many many more miles.

BTW, life is also a long term project for me.
 

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Hi Don,
Great photo of you on Rt. 1 in Wells or Kennebunk. Up until the early 70's, Rt, 1 was a three lane highway with a shared middle passing lane. If you remember how it looked before the straightening projects, I'm sure you remember how exciting that middle lane could be, passing all those Massachusetts tourists driving their two tone American behemoths way under the speed limit!
I'd be curious to know which LBC did you encounter most frequently in 1958? My guess would be MG TD's.

Bob Brennan
S. Freeport, ME
TR3A TS24528
 
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