TR3

lthough the car was usually supplied as an open two-seater, an occasional rear seat and bolt-on steel hard top were available as extras. The car was powered by a 1991 cc straight-4 OHV engine initially producing 95 bhp (71 kW; 96 PS) ,an increase of 5 hp over the TR2 thanks to the larger SU-H6 carburators fitted. This was later increased to 100 bhp at 5000 rpm[5]by the addition of a "high port" cylinder head and enlarged manifold. The four-speed manual gearbox could be supplemented by an overdrive unit on the top three ratios, electrically operated and controlled by a switch on the dash. In 1956 the front brakes were changed from drums to discs, the TR3 thus becoming the first series production car to be so fitted.[7] The suspension was by double A-arms, manganese bronze trunnion, coil springs and tube shocks at the front, optional anti-roll bar, and with worm and peg steering. Unlike MGs of the same period, the steering mechanism and linkage had considerable play and friction, which increased with wear. The rear was conventional leaf springs, with solid axle and lever arm dampers, except that the (box) frame rails were slung under the axle. The wheels were 15-inches in diameter and 4.5 inches wide (increased from 4 inches after the first few TR2s), with 48-spoke wire wheels optional. Wire wheels were usually painted, either body colour or Argent (silver), but matt chrome and bright chrome were also available. The front disc or drum brakes and rear drums had no servo assistance. The TR3's weight was significantly more than the Morgan Plus Four and the 356 Porsches, but not much more than the MGA and MGB. All except the Morgan, which shared the same engine, were substantially less powerful. Under most conditions the car was very responsive and forgiving, but it had a some handling vices. The chassis, which was shared by the TR2, TR3, TR3A and TR4 had limited wheel travel, and the car was somewhat tall and narrow for a true sports car. As a result, on very hard cornering, the inside rear wheel would lift, causing sudden over-steer due to the increased load on the outside rear tyre. This was particularly true with increasingly common radial tyres; the original TR2/3/3A suspension was built with older, crossply tyre designs in mind. The wheel lifting was more sudden than that of other cars, because it was caused by coming to the end of the suspension travel while there was still load on the tyre, so the load on the other (outside) rear wheel was a discontinuous function of cornering load, rather than just changing slope. The TR3 is a true roadster, designed for sunny weather but with removable rain protection. It has a convertible hood (US top) that snaps on and off and removable side curtains, allowing very low doors with padding for the driver's arm to rest on. There are holes in the floor, with rubber plugs, so that the originally supplied jack might be used from inside the car, as did the Jaguar XK120. The optional heater was poor and the shut-off valve was under the bonnet (US hood). A third person could get behind the seats, if absolutely necessary. 13,377[8] examples of the original "pre-facelift" TR3 were produced, of which 1286 were sold within the UK; the rest were exported mainly to the USA. As of Q1 2011 there were approximately 826 licensed and 115 SORN TR3/3a's registered with the DVLA. (Wikipedia)

Very nice subject and it's also nice that you provide some info above. =).. but there's a problem on the sky on the top left(which should be blue)..

Some info is nice, very nice picture however :)

nice composition, but the color tones seem off somewhat.

i like it, agree about the sky

sky is off but nice shot and info

Excellent detail....I agree on the colour balance

I agree with Randall

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I had a 1958 TR3 and loved the car, I wish I still had it

To be honest it looks fabulous to me. A little "cartoonish" The sky is the only detractor.

9+

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