The "Triumph TR3B" is an
unofficial name given to the final version of the TR3, which was
produced by the Triumph Motor Company (Standard Motor Company) in 1962.
It was offered concurrent with the TR4, which started production in
1961. In fact, the "TR3B" was a special short production run produced in
response to dealer concerns that the buying public might not welcome the
TR4.
It had the body of the "TR3A"
(Except that the body panels had raised stampings under the hood & trunk
hinges and under the door handles. In addition, the wind screen was
attached with bolts rather than the Dzus connectors used on "A"
models.), but the 2,138 cc. engine and all synchromesh
transmission of the TR4. The engine is a straight 4, push rod, 3
bearing, with wet liners. It had 9:1 compression and was very rigid. It
was fitted with two H6 SU carburettors. It had 105 hp (78 kW) at 4,650
rpm and 172 N·m (127 ft·lbf) of torque at 3,350 rpm. It got around
20 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) to 30 miles per
US gallon (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg-imp. The top speed was limited to about
110 mph (177 km/h). by the gear ratio, unless it had overdrive.
Electrically triggered overdrive (Laycock-de-Normanville Type A) was
available as an option and operated on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears.
Appearance was identical to the "TR3A", and as such very similar to the
TR3, except for a wider grill and door handles.
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 shocks, except that the (box) frame
rails were slung under the axle (underslung*). The wheels were 15 inch
diameter x 4.5" width (increased from 4" after the first few TR2s), with
48 spoke wire wheels optional. Wire wheels were usually painted, either
body color or argent (silver), but matte chrome and bright chrome were
also available. It had front disk brakes (the TR was the first
production car to feature these as standard equipment) and rear drums
with no power assist.
It weighed 2,137 lb (969 kg) which was significantly
more than the Morgan +4 and the "Bath Tub" (pre-911) Porsches, but not
much more than the MGA and MGB. All except the Morgan, which shared the
same engine, were substantially less powerful.
Though, under most conditions
it was very responsive and forgiving, it had a some
handling vices.
The chassis, which it shared with the TR2, TR3, TR3A and TR4 had limited
wheel travel, and the car was somewhat tall and narrow for a high
performance 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 tire. This was particularly true with
increasingly common radial tires. The original TR2/3/3A suspension was
built with older, bias ply tire designs in mind.
The "TR3B" is a true roadster, designed for sunny
weather with removable rain protection. It has a convertible top (hood)
that snaps on and off and removable side curtains, allowing very low
doors with padding to rest one's arm 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 XK 120. The optional heater was
poor and the shut-off valve was under the hood (bonnet). A third person
could get behind the seats, if absolutely necessary.
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