Triumph TR3 Tyres
Triumph TR3 1955-1962
1959 Triumph TR3A
- The Triumph TR3 originally fitted a 550x15 crossply tyre, the only crossply road tyre we currently have is 5.50 x 15 Excelsior, which is not a classic sports car tyre.
- These days, with no good crossply, we would suggest the 155 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 which will give your TR3 the nicest handling.
- Although the handling is more nimble with 155-15 tyres many people like a larger tyre on their TR3, as this is what was applicable to the later TR3A.
- For a TR3 with larger tyres we recommend the 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CA67 which will give slightly longer legs.
- The 165 SR 15 Michelin XZX is a more late ‘70s tyre and an absolute bargain at the moment.
- The Michelin XZX is a quality tyre though not a sports car tyre. It is more suited to a VW Beetle.
- For the Triumph TR3 we strongly recommend a sports car tyre such Cinturato CA67 or XAS because they have a more structured carcass.
- TR3 White Wall Tyres are now also made as a 165R15 Michelin XZX Whitewall, however the TR3 is not suited to white walls.
- The TR3 fitted standard tube-type or wire wheels, both require innertubes. The best tube for a TR3 on these tyres is the Michelin 15E innertube.
- Some owners want an even wider tyre and fit modern tyres like 195/65X15. Longstone strongly advise against this. Modern low profile tyre like this are designed to work on a completely different kind of car.
- Worth noting low profile tyres below 70% should not be fitted to wire wheels, because they should not use an innertube.
- If you must fit a wider tyre the 185/70VR15 either Michelin XWX or Pirelli Cinturato CN36, will still handle nicely while also offer a wider footprint.
- Importantly 185/70VR15 CN36 and 185/70VR15 XWX are tyres designed to compliment a chassis like the Triumph TR3 and can fit Michelin 15E innertubes.
- Tyre pressures for a TR3 we suggest 30 psi in the front and 34psi in the rear.
TR3A Tyres
- The Facelift TR3A of 1957 to 1962 had a wider radiator grill than the earlier TR3. It also had larger 5.90-15 crossply tyres as standard.
- The standard radial equivalent being 165HR15, the increased footprint taking advantage of its disc brakes.
- We would suggest the 165HR15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 giving the best sporting handling.
- The 165SR15 Michelin XZX is great value and also offers a white wall, but isn’t really a sporting carcass.
- The 165VR15 Michelin XAS is a bit late from 1965, but is a great sporting tyre, which is particularly stable on motorways at high cruising speeds.
- Like the earlier TR3 if you need a wider tyre, 185/70VR15 either XWX or CN36 will handle well; but do stay away from modern tyre carcasses.
- These tyres can be fitted with Michelin 15E13 innertubes, which is critical on wire wheels where you should not fit modern low profile tyres.
Triumph TR3 Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Triumph TR3 Tyres
History of the Triumph TR3
The Triumph TR3 is a British sports automobile manufactured by the Standard-Triumph Motor Company from 1955 to 1962. The TR3 is a conventional roadster that is a development of the company's older TR2 model, with more power and better brakes. Updated models, known colloquially but unofficially as the "TR3A" and "TR3B" went into production in 1957 and 1962, respectively. The TR3 was superseded by the mechanically related, Michelotti-styled Triumph TR4.
With around 74,800 TR3s sold across all variations, the model was the third best-seller in the TR line, trailing only the TR7 (111,500 units) and TR6 (94,500 units). The Triumph competed in races, rally events, and hill-climb competitions in Europe and North America, capturing multiple victories.
The TR3 is propelled by the Standard wet liner inline-four engine, a 1,991 cc straight-four OHV engine producing 95 horsepower at the start, a 5 hp gain over the TR2 owing to bigger SU-H6 carburettors. With the installation of a "high port" cylinder head and an expanded manifold, this was eventually boosted to 100 horsepower at 5000 rpm. The four-speed manual transmission may be upgraded with an overdrive unit on the top three gears, which would be electrically driven and operated by a switch on the dashboard. The front brakes were converted from drums to discs in 1956, a first for a British series production car.
The suspension is composed of two A-arms, a manganese bronze trunnion, coil springs and tube shocks upfront, an optional anti-roll bar, and worm and peg steering. In comparison to MGs of the same era, the steering mechanism and linkage have significant play and friction, which increases with wear.
The original "pre-facelift" TR3 was built in 13,377 units, with 1,286 sold in the UK and the remainder exported mostly to the United States. As of the first quarter of 2011, there were roughly 826 licenced vehicles and 115 SORNED cars registered with the DVLA. The Motor publication evaluated a hardtop automobile with overdrive. In 1956, the Motor had a maximum speed of 105.3 mph and a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 10.8 seconds. Fuel usage was calculated to be 27.1 miles per imperial gallon. The test vehicle cost £1,103 incl. taxes.
A: The original tyres on a TR3 were 5.50-15 crossply tyres. The radial alternative to a 5.50-15 crossply is a 155R15. Michelin still makes a 155R15 X and Pirelli still make a 155HR15 Cinturato CA67 that was an option at the time.
A: Yes a TR3 can fit either 155R15 or 165R15 tyres and Michelin make a 165R15 XZX which is not really a sports car tyre but will work. However, putting whitewall tyres on a TR3 in the first place is a mistake not suited to Classic European sports cars.
A: Yes. a TR3 fitted wire wheels. All wire wheels should fit innertubes.
Borrani Wire Wheels
Borrani wheels are available for your Triumph TR3. As agents for the iconic Ruote Borrani Milano company we are able to supply all wheels from their extensive range.
Wire wheels made by Ruote Borrani Milano are, without doubt, the best wire wheels available. Borrani wheels utilise aluminium rims, steel spokes and steel wheel centres.
If your Borrani wheels require rebuilding then please contact us at [email protected]
Click the link for Triumph TR3 Borrani wheels.
Click the link for Triumph TR3 A Borrani wheels.
Wheels made by Borrani are available in the following styles:
- Painted silver finish, as per the racing wheels of the period
- Polished and chrome finish, highly polished rim, chrome spokes & wheel centre
- Painted finish with polished outer edge
