Stock take: 1957 Triumph TR3

Imagine your surprise: it’s the mid-1980s and the Triumph TR3 you’ve recently bought turns out not to simply be a tidy and well cared for road car but scored the factory’s best-ever result on the Liège–Rome–Liège Rally. And it beat the sister car of a young Paddy Hopkirk to class honours on the Internationale Tulpenrallye 1957 – the Tulip Rally to you and me.

(Imagine your regret if you were one of the handful of owners who unknowingly had a piece of Triumph history in their garage or driveway.)

It was John Sykes of TR Bitz who began sourcing original works parts for the enlightened owner of TRW 736, and the next owner took it to TR Enterprises to see the job through.

While the original body and chassis was lightly tended to, having survived well in its retirement but for at some point receiving replacement wings, sills and valance, the engine was overhauled. A fast road head, 87mm pistons and uprated cam, plus competition exhaust and tuned inlet manifolds, have returned it to the stage.

Second on the 2012 Liège-Rome-Liège revived its famous third place in 1957, 55 years since it was driven by Bernard Consten behind Jo and Annie Schlesser’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the winning Porsche 356 Speedster of Claude Storez and Robert Buchet. Consten later won his class on the Tour de France Automobile in a Jag and with Jean Todt as his co-driver claimed second place on the Rallye du Maroc in 1970.

Those pre-2012 updates also included a four-synchro gearbox with overdrive and new propshaft, as well as a long-range fuel tank and dual-circuit brakes. All of which is accounted for in a history file that even includes correspondence from period drivers.

Having completed the 2021 1000 Miglia this one-of-three works entrant is primed to be registered for its next event. It's a rare chance to add your name to a fascinating and successful history.

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