The “Triumph TR3B” is an unofficial name given to the final version of the TR3, which was produced in 1962. It was offered concurrent with the TR4, which started production in 1961. The “TR3B” was a special short-production run in response to dealer concerns that the buying public might not welcome the TR4.

It had the body of the later “TR3A”. Two series were produced: one with a commission number preceded by TSF of which 530 were produced. Of these 530 the last 29 were built as Triumph Italia’s; one with commission numbers preceded by TCF of which 2804 were produced. Both series were partly produced in parallel. The TSF series were identical to the last run of TR3As, so with a two-litre engine and non-synchronized 1st gear transmission. The TCF series has the 2.138-litre TR4 engine. The engine is a straight-four, push rod, three-bearing, with wet liners. It has 9:1 compression and is very rigid. It was fitted with two H6 SU carburetors. It has 105 hp (78 kW) at 4,650 rpm and 172 N⋅m (127 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 3,350 rpm. It gets around 20 to 30 miles per US gallon. The top speed is limited to about 110 mph (177 km/h) by the gear ratio, unless it has overdrive. Electrically triggered overdrive (Laycock-de-Normanville Type A) was available as an option and operates on second, third, and fourth gears. Appearance is identical to the late US-version of the “TR3A”, with the same wider head light rims, for the rest very similar to the TR3, except for a wider grille and door handles. It weighs 2,137 lb.

Commission number “TCF794L” was assembled in June/July of 1962. In total, 74,944 TR3s were built between 1955 and 1962. 3,334 TR3Bs were made in 1962, the last year of production. This car is one of 2,804 that were made with the more powerful (2,138 cc.) engine and synchromesh transmission from the TR4 (see “Triumph TR3B History” for more detail).

The car was purchased “used” in the late 1960s, then parked for a year while my uncle was in Vietnam. In 1972 it was moved from South Carolina to Washington State. It was registered in Washington in 1973, parked in a garage, and not driven again. It had 59,103 miles on it when parked.

It is now May 2013. The car is 50 years old (almost to the day), and has been parked for 40 years.

1962 Triumph TR3B* TCF794L

BODY
Body: 2 seat Convertible/Roadster
Body No.: TSF829
Wheelbase: 2238 mm / 88.1 inches
Length:Wheelbase ratio: 1.71
Track/Thread (Front): 1245 mm / 49 inches
Track/Thread (Rear): 1245 mm / 49 inches
Length: 3835 mm / 151 inches (12.58 ft)
Width: 1410 mm / 55.5 inches (4.62 ft)
Height: 1270 mm / 50 inches (4.17 ft)
Ground Clearance: Aprox 6 inches
Kerb Weight: 903 kg / 1993 lbs
Fuel Type: Petrol/Gasoline
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Boot Capacity:

ENGINE
Engine Manufacturer: Triumph
Engine No:
Transmission No.:
Cylinders: Straight 4
Capacity: 2.1 litre 2138 cc (130.469 cu in)
Bore x Stroke: 0.93
Valve Gear: OHV, 2 valves per cylinder, 8 total
Max Power Output: 101.4 PS (100 bhp) (74.6 kW) at 4600 rpm
Specific Output: 46.8 bhp/litre; 0.77 bhp/cu in
Max Torque: 172 Nm (127 ft lb) (17.5 kgm) at 3350 rpm
Specific Torque: 80.45 Nm/litre; 0.97 ft lb/cu3
Compression Ratio: 9:1
Fuel System: 2 SU Carbs
bmep (Brake Mean Effective Pressure): 1011 kPa (146.6 psi)
Crankshaft Bearings: 5
Engine Coolant: Water
Unit Capacity: 534.5 cc
Aspiration: Normal
Compressor: N/A
Intercooler: None
Catalytic Converter: None

PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0-60mph: 12.10s
Max Speed: 174 km/h (108 mph)
Power to Weight Ratio: 110.62 bhp/ton

FUEL CONSUMPTION

CHASSIS
Engin Position: Front
Engine Layout: Longitudinal
Drive Wheels: Rear
Torque Split:
Steering:
Turns Lock to Lock:
Turning Circle:
Front Suspension:
Rear Suspension:
Wheels Size:
Tires:
Front Brake Diameter:
Rear Brake Diameter:
Gearbox: 4 speed manual
Top Gear Ratio:
Final Drive Ratio:

*Triumph never officially used the ‘A’ and ‘B’ in reference to the TR3s. These are generally accepted terms in order to more easily identify the TR3 production style when significant changes were made.