Vehicle Details
- Year: 1957
- Make: Triumph
- Model: TR3
- VIN: CT55006E
- Mileage: 8
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Red
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Jupiter, FL 33478
- Lot #: V-0042869
This 1957 Triumph was purchased by the owner's friend in 1958 after it had been re-bodied with a Microplas Mistral kit. The car was used for SCCA events and local club racing in Georgia and South Carolina before it was sold and eventually rediscovered by the seller’s mechanic in a scrap yard many years later. Having since undergone a complete restoration with several performance upgrades, this Mistral-bodied Triumph is now being offered for auction out of Florida.
Created by Microplas of England in 1955, the fiberglass Mistral body kit was designed by former RAF fighter pilot, MG employee, and amateur racing driver Bill Ashton. It was used on many race cars throughout the 1950s including Frazer Nash, TVR, and Buckler. The bodywork of this Triumph has been restored and refinished in red. Equipment includes a rear center-fill gas lid, a custom windscreen, a headrest fairing, chrome wire headlamp grilles, a hood scoop, leather hood straps, a side-exit exhaust pipe, and silver 15” steel wheels dressed in Vredestein Sprint Classic tires (2012). Detailed images of the exterior and restoration process are provided in the gallery.
The cockpit features grey-painted aluminum floorboards and kick panels with black leather upholstery on the custom dashboard, transmission tunnel, and bucket seats. Accessories include a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, a polished handbrake, lap belts, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, analog Smiths gauges, toggle switches, and a Wilwood pedal assembly. The seller notes the odometer was reset upon completion of the restoration.
Power is derived from a Triumph TR4 inline-four engine that has been rebuilt with a decked block, a resurfaced lightweight flywheel, and an upgraded camshaft. A claimed output of 130 HP is sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. Other equipment includes slotted and cross-drilled Wilwood front disc brakes, stainless-steel brake lines, a front sway bar, an ATL fuel cell, a Rimmer Bros telescopic rear shock conversion, and an upgraded aftermarket steering rack.
This sale will include instructions for aftermarket parts and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “This Mistral-bodied Triumph is nimble, quick, and a blast to drive!”
Auction Results
- Sold for: $45,000
- Auction End: May 01, 2024 07:36:34PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 31
Comments (68)
Very cool car, non unlike the MGA Larry had that just sold on BAT. Congrats, go find another, not likely to happen.
Sold for $45,000
Bid in the amount of $45,000
Well, I was curious what the car was worth. Seems like the market has spoken.
Surely 36k is in the money
Hopeful!
Meet reserve?
Where the Jeopardy music? 😁
Bid in the amount of $36,000
Bid in the amount of $35,250
I was fortunate to drive about fifteen of Larry’s cars but not this one. All the ones I experienced were exhilarating and tip top in fit and finish. The buyer will not be disappointed I’m sure. RIP Mr. Wilson.
Bid in the amount of $35,000
Bid in the amount of $33,200
Bid in the amount of $32,000
Bid in the amount of $30,250
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Bid in the amount of $25,250
@Burny that's an awesome find. Thank you! Maybe we should throw on the raydots before it finds a new home.
Had a feeling it would escalate. Great car... See it in action here (starts at 1:29)
:https://www.wral.com/video/lifestyles/travel/video/12543048/
Wonder why the builder didn't go with the Raydots?
wow
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Bid in the amount of $12,750
Bid in the amount of $12,500
@Chupee As a 1957 Triumph in SC.
How is it registered and titled now?
@Rungegator There is. As well as a custom aluminum plate bracket
Is there a mounting point anywhere for a license plate?
Bid in the amount of $12,250
Bid in the amount of $12,000
Bid in the amount of $11,000
@TJ what you are seeing in picture 35 is a reflection.
We can get a digitized version of the photos, however the originals will stay with the original owner.
No spare tires or parts
@SILOmike no heater
This would be a great way to get into vintage racing like the Lime Rock Historics....prob need a rollbar and good to go .... Good Luck ~ !
Bid in the amount of $10,500
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $9,500
Heater?
Bid in the amount of $9,250
hello, wondering in pix # 35, the right tail light area, is that a reflection, or a scratch under the tail light lens?
also, do the historical pix come with the car?
also, is there a spare tire, or any spare parts?
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Bid in the amount of $8,750
Bid in the amount of $8,500
@Burny Unfortunately not
I would love to see more in-period shots. Any log books?
@Rungegator Thank you. No leaks. the fuel cell was installed a few years ago but fuel didn't touch the cell until almost a year ago. Driver's seat is fixed. I would say it is ideal for an average height individual 5'6" - 5'10". Rails could probably be put in fairly easily.
Regards
Bid in the amount of $7,750
Bid in the amount of $7,500
Great car!
Are there any leaks present in the powertrain? When was the fuel cell installed? Is the drivers seat fixed? Would someone with shall we say less than long legs have trouble reaching the pedal box?
Bid in the amount of $7,000
Bid in the amount of $6,750
@Chupee I'm not sure I am equipped to answer that. Every state has their ways of handling things, and you would need to talk to someone at your dmv. Turn signals would be easy to install, and as to the wipers, the car has no roof, so possibly your state would take into consideration this will not be driven in the rain? I hope this helps.
IS THE SELLER STILL WATCHING THIS AUCTION? THX
Bid in the amount of $6,500
Bid in the amount of $6,000
How am I going to get this reg without wipers, turn signals? appreciate
The owner's friend shared a few awesome photos of the car being raced back in the day. I've added them to the gallery.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
nice mistral........... I had a 54 with a porsche rear engine.
watching closely
good luck
@Johns3174148 That's fantastic. Do you have any images of the car being raced in period? Did this car race at Sebring as well?
Bid in the amount of $5,000
I purchased this car in 1958 from the person that built it originally. It was Street Worthy and I drove it and raced it in SCCA events and the chimney Rock Hill climb. With all of the improvements and modifications that the Wilson Collection added, it is a much, much better car now, and I hope the buyer enjoys it as much as I did.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Peterdeutsch Thank you. 1700 lbs
Best looking TR ever! How much does it weigh?a
Bid in the amount of $1,957
@richjs43 Yes it can be registered. It comes with a title. It's titled as a 1957 Triumph TR3 and its powered by a TR4 motor. You may need to add turn signals if your state is strict on inspections.
Seller: can this car be registered for road use??