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88-535: The Triumph TR3 is a British sports car produced from 1955 to 1962 by the Standard Motor Company of Coventry , England. A traditional open two-seater , the TR3 is an evolution of the company's earlier TR2 model, with greater power and improved braking. Updated variants, popularly but unofficially known as the "TR3A" and "TR3B", entered production in 1957 and 1962 respectively. The TR3 was succeeded by

176-470: A beam axle , and lever arm dampers. The (box) frame rails are slung under the axle. Wheels are 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 matte chrome and bright chrome were also available. Under most conditions the car is responsive and forgiving, but it has some handling issues. The chassis, which

264-546: A concept car for the British company. Michelotti responded with the Triumph TR3 Speciale, also called the "TR Dream Car". Built by Vignale on an unmodified TR3 chassis, Michelotti's TR Dream Car incorporated many styling cues from contemporary American practice, including tailfins, a full width grille, lidded headlamps in the tops of the front wings, and a two-tone paint treatment. The TR3 Speciale debuted at

352-472: A shadow factory , began construction in mid 1939 and production began in 1940. It was managed by Standard for the Air Ministry . After the war Standard leased Banner Lane and, in partnership with Harry Ferguson , used it for the manufacture of Ferguson tractors. By the beginning of the war, Standard's annual production was approximately 50,000 units. The company continued to produce its cars during

440-436: A Standard engine and chassis. A prototype SS 1 was displayed at London's October 1931 Motor Show and in 1932 Swallow were able to supply three models, two of them used the same body. Swallow's business was moved to SS Cars and began to use a model name of Jaguar for part of their range, then extended it to include their saloons . In 1945 SS Cars became Jaguar Cars and Standard still manufactured Jaguar's engines, though only

528-407: A car. It was fitted to a chain-drive chassis. The three-cylinder engine, designed by Alexander Craig was an advanced unit with a single overhead camshaft and pressure lubrication. Realising the enormous potential of the horseless carriage and using a gift of £3,000 from Sir John Wolfe-Barry, R. W. Maudslay left his cousin and became a motor manufacturer on his own account. His Standard Motor Company

616-589: A generous boot. The car was badged as a 'Triumph' rather than a 'Standard' and the Triumph TR2 was a winner. Ken Richardson achieved 124 mph (200 km/h) on the Jabbeke Highway in Belgium in a slightly modified car. As a result of the publicity, small manufacturers, including Morgan , Peerless , Swallow , and Doretti, bought engines and other components from Standard Motor Company. In 1958

704-422: A new 6-cylinder model. Founder and Chairman Reginald Maudslay retired in 1934 and died soon afterwards on 14 December 1934 at the age of 64. Charles James Band 1883–1961, a Coventry solicitor and a Standard director since 1920, replaced him as chairman and served in that capacity until the beginning of 1954 though Sir John Black briefly held the appointment before he retired. 1935 saw all production transferred to

792-538: A new factory was opened at Fletchampstead. That year, Standard launched the Flying Eight. The Flying Eight had a new four-cylinder engine smaller than that in the Flying Nine, and was the first British mass-produced light saloon with independent front suspension. The Flying Ten and Flying Twelve were also given new chassis with independent front suspension in 1938. The aero engine plant at Banner Lane ,

880-573: A new grille and grille surround, wrap around rear bumpers, and tall stone guards. Use of the Triumph Sabrina engine had been considered for the car. After becoming part of Leyland Motors , the TR4 body shell tooling was funded by the new parent company. Work on the Beta was stopped. As of this writing, one of the Beta prototypes is owned by Neil Revington, and is undergoing a restoration. The TR3

968-464: A non-stop run. In 1905 the first export order was also received, from a Canadian who arrived at the factory in person. The order was reported in the local newspaper with some emphasis, "Coventry firm makes bold bid for foreign markets". The company exhibited at the 1905 London Motor Show in Crystal Palace , at which a London dealer, Charles (later Sir Charles) Friswell 1872-1926 agreed to buy

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1056-474: A prototype lightweight "Jeep" type vehicle. With peace, the pre-war Eight and Twelve fitted with 1776cc engine sold as 14 hp cars were quickly back in production using tools carefully stored since 1939. Of greater significance was the 1945 purchase, arranged by Sir John Black for £75,000, of the Triumph Motor Company . Triumph had gone into receivership in 1939, and was now reformed as

1144-399: A serious motorcar accident. He was advised (after consultations with his wife and close friends) to relinquish his offices of chairman and managing director and his membership of the board of directors. His deputy and long-time personal assistant, Alick Dick 1916–1986, took his position as managing director. Air Marshal Lord Tedder was appointed chairman, Tedder would hold that position until

1232-495: A switch on the dashboard. In 1956, the front brakes were changed from drums to discs , a first for a British series production car. Front suspension is by double wishbones , manganese bronze trunnions , coil springs and telescopic dampers, with an optional anti-roll bar. Steering is a worm and peg system. Unlike MGs of the same period, the steering mechanism and linkage have considerable play and friction, which increase with wear. The rear suspension comprises leaf springs ,

1320-550: A tractor and three sports cars The Standard-Triumph company was eventually bought in 1960 by Leyland Motors which paid £20 million and the last Standard, an Ensign Deluxe, was produced in the UK in May 1963, when the final Vanguard models were replaced by the Triumph 2000 model. Triumph continued when Leyland became British Leyland Motor Corporation (later BL) in 1968. The Standard brand

1408-519: A wholly owned subsidiary of Standard, named Triumph Motor Company (1945) Limited. The Triumph factory was near the city centre and had been completely destroyed in the blitz. A lucrative deal was also arranged to build the small Ferguson Company tractor. This arrangement was considered primarily by Black as a means to securing increased profits to fund new car development. In December 1945 Standard Motor Company Limited announced that an arrangement had been made to manufacture Harry Ferguson 's tractors and

1496-470: Is estimated that only 9,500 of the original 58,000 built survive today. The "TR3A" is often seen in vintage and production racing today. Despite being over 50 years old, it is still competitive in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) E-production class. In June 1977, Road & Track magazine published an article titled "Driving Impressions: TR3A & TR250 " in its 30th anniversary issue. For

1584-476: Is limited to about 110 mph (177 km/h) by the gear ratio, unless fitted with an overdrive unit. An electrically operated Laycock de Normanville Type A overdrive , operating on second, third, and fourth gears, was offered as an option. The car weighs 2,137 lb (969 kg). After being introduced to Giovanni Michelotti , Triumph managing director Alick Dick invited the Italian designer to produce

1672-526: Is powered by a 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) Standard wet liner engine . This OHV straight-four initially produced 95 bhp (71 kW; 96 PS), an increase of 5 hp over the TR2 thanks to larger SU H6 carburettors. This was later increased to 100  bhp at 5000 rpm by the addition of a "high port" cylinder head and enlarged manifold. The four-speed manual gearbox could be supplemented by an electrically engaged overdrive, controlled by

1760-421: Is shared by the TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR3B, and TR4, has limited wheel travel. As a result, on very hard cornering, the inside rear wheel can lift, causing sudden oversteer due to the increased load on the outside rear tyre. This is particularly true with radial tyres; the original TR2/3/3A suspension was built for crossply tyres. The wheel lifting is more sudden than that of other cars, because it is caused by coming to

1848-592: The Air Ministry 's shadow factory at Banner Lane Coventry run by Standard during the war would be used for the project. These tractors would be for the Eastern hemisphere, Ferguson tractors built by Ford in America for the Western hemisphere. Production was expected to start in 1946. Implements would be sourced separately by Ferguson who would also merchandise the tractors and the implements. A one-model policy for

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1936-489: The DVLA . British auto magazine The Motor tested a hardtop TR3 with overdrive in 1956. The car returned a top speed of 105.3 mph (169.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 27.1 miles per imperial gallon (10.4 L/100 km; 22.6 mpg ‑US ) was recorded. The test car cost £1,103 including taxes. Other figures recorded included: In 1957

2024-554: The Geneva International Motor Show in March 1957. Triumph deemed the car too expensive to put into production, but did give the job of designing the new Triumph Herald to Michelotti. The TR3 Beta is a prototype of a modified version of the TR3 with wider than standard front and rear tracks, revised mechanicals, and modified bodywork with wider front and rear wings. The project is mentioned several times in

2112-586: The Leyland Motors takeover at the end of 1960. Alick Dick resigned in August 1961 when the board was reorganised by Leyland in view of the substantial losses Standard was accumulating. The company started considering partners to enable continued expansion and negotiations were begun with Chrysler , Massey-Harris-Ferguson, Rootes Group , Rover and Renault but these were inconclusive. The Vanguard's engine , later slightly enlarged, powered two saloons,

2200-623: The Standard Atlas panel van and pick-up was first marketed, a cab-over-engine design. It initially used the 948 cc engine from the Standard 10, making the resulting vehicle woefully underpowered, even with its 6.66:1 final drive ratio. In 1961, the Atlas Major was introduced, and sold alongside the original 948 cc Atlas. This variant was powered by the Standard 1670 cc wet-liner engine, as used with different capacities in

2288-485: The "TR3A" it reported a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 12.0 seconds, power output of 100 bhp (75 kW) at 4800 rpm , observed kerb weight of 2,090 lb (950 kg) and fuel consumption of 28 miles per imperial gallon (10 L/100 km; 23 mpg ‑US ). "TR3B" is the unofficial name given to the final version of the Triumph TR3, which was produced in 1962. It was sold concurrently with

2376-492: The 1911 Delhi Durbar . In 1912 Friswell sold his interest in Standard to C. J. Band and Siegfried Bettmann , the founder of the Triumph Motor Cycle Company (which became the Triumph Motor Company ). During the same year the first commercial vehicle was produced, and the 4-cylinder model "S" was introduced at £195, the first to be put into large-scale production. 1,600 were produced before the outbreak of

2464-404: The 1920s all the models were named after towns, not only near the factory such as Canley and Kenilworth but also further afield – Teignmouth , Falmouth and Exmouth . By the late 1920s profits had decreased dramatically due to great reinvestment, a failed export contract and bad sales of the larger cars. In 1927 the inadvisability of matching the larger more elaborate trend became apparent and

2552-524: The 9 hp Fulham with fabric body was introduced at £185. Production was concentrated mainly on one basic chassis with a 9 hp engine. The importance of standardisation was now appreciated and only one alternative was offered. In 1929 John Black , a joint managing director of Hillman , took up an appointment at Standard as joint managing director. Black encouraged the supply of chassis to external coachbuilders such as Avon and Swallow Coachbuilding and Jensen . The coachbuilding company of Avon during

2640-518: The Beta project was being discussed. Yet another suggests that the Beta project was begun because Triumph lacked the financial resources needed to tool up to produce the new TR4 body. The team that produced the Beta was headed by Ray Bates. Work started on the car at Triumph's Capmartin Road (aka Radford) plant, and was later transferred back to their Fletchamstead North site. Team member Ray Henderson took chassis X693, cut it in half lengthwise, and widened

2728-537: The Canley site. Extensive re-organisation occurred including a continuous track being laid down in the paint shop on which the cars were completely painted. Through the 1930s, fortunes improved with new models, the Standard Nine and Standard Ten addressed the low to mid range market. At the 1935 Motor Show the new range of Flying Standards was announced with (semi) streamlined bodies. The Flying Standards came to

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2816-455: The Dzus fastener consists of a button (12) with a head (14) that includes a slot (21) for turning. A groove (19) on the button ensures it remains attached to the cowling (10) when unfastened. The stationary part includes the spring (22), which is riveted (24) to the fuselage. The spring has arched coils (23) between the rivets, providing the necessary tension for secure fastening. The shank (13) of

2904-581: The First World War, 50 of them in the final week of car production. These cars were sold with a three-year guarantee. In 1914 Standard became a public company. During the First World War the company produced more than 1,000 aircraft, including the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 , Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 , Sopwith Pup and Bristol F.2-B in a new works at Canley that opened on 1 July 1916. Canley would subsequently become

2992-557: The Flying Sixteen and Flying Twenty had six-cylinder engines. At the top of the range was the Standard Flying V-Eight, with a 20 RAC hp side-valve 90 degree V8 engine and a top speed of more than 80 mph (130 km/h). 250 Flying V-Eights were made from 1936 to 1937; they were offered for sale from 1936 to 1938 with the initial price of £349 lowered to £325 in the last year to clear inventory. In 1938

3080-569: The Gazel was built in small numbers – it has been suggested that it did so to keep its manufacturer's licence – until 1977. With the company concentrating solely on producing commercial vehicles based on the Leyland 20 model, badged as "Standard 20", production of Standard cars ceased until the Standard 2000, a rebadged Rover SD1 , was introduced in 1985. The car was higher and had a slightly modified old 1991 cc Standard Vanguard engine, as

3168-630: The Pennant, was the Gold Star engine, tuned for greater power and torque than the standard 948 cc unit. Another tuning set, featuring a different camshaft and twin carburettors, was available from dealers. As well as an overdrive for the gearbox, an option for the Eight, Ten and Pennant was the Standrive, a semi-manual transmission that automatically operated the clutch during gearchanges. During

3256-655: The Phase II engine was one Solex carburettor, with 85 mm by 93 mm pistons. Standard Motors at the time supplied many of these engines to Ferguson Tractor distributed in the United States. The Ten was followed in its turn in 1957 by the Standard Pennant featuring very prominent tail fins, but otherwise little altered structurally from the 1953 Standard Eight. An option for the Ten, and standard fitment to

3344-548: The Second World War, but now mainly fitted with utility bodies ("Tillys") . However, the most famous war-time product was the de Havilland Mosquito aircraft, mainly the FB VI version, of which more than 1100 were made. 750 Airspeed Oxfords were also made as well as 20,000 Bristol Mercury VIII engines, and 3,000 Bristol Beaufighter fuselages. Other wartime products included 4000 Beaverette light armoured cars and

3432-441: The Standard 20. Later that year, the Standard name was dropped by Leyland , and these models were rebranded hastily as the Leyland 15 and 20. By 1968 when production ended in the UK, all variants were powered by the 2138 cc engine and badged as Leyland 20s. These vehicles were badged as Triumphs for export to Canada, and possibly other overseas markets. The van's tooling was also exported to India after UK production ceased, where

3520-481: The Standard Motor Company , Veloce, ISBN   978-1-845843-43-4 ) Dzus fastener The fastener was invented and patented by William Dzus , an American engineer of Ukrainian descent, in the early 1930s. To fasten the cowling (designated as part 10 in the patent) to the fuselage (11), the button's shank (13) is inserted into a hole (25) on the fuselage. A screwdriver is then used to turn

3608-426: The Standard marque (alongside a range of new Triumphs) was adopted in 1948 with the introduction of the 2-litre Standard Vanguard , which was styled on American lines by Walter Belgrove, and replaced all the carry-over pre-war models. This aptly named model was the first true post-war design from any major British manufacturer. The beetle-back Vanguard Phase 1 was replaced in 1953 by the notch-back Phase 2 and in 1955 by

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3696-634: The TR was a popular competitor in continental hill climbs, such as the Ollon Villars and Eberbach Bergrennen, and endurance races like the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Mille Miglia . At the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans , three extensively modified TR3s, referred to as 'TR3S' models, were run. Resembling the production TR3, the Le Mans cars employed glass fibre body shells, were six inches longer than

3784-464: The TR3 was updated, and this revised model was commonly referred to as the Triumph "TR3A". The cars were still badged as TR3s, and the "TR3A" name was not used officially, as is evident from contemporary sales brochures. Changes included a new full-width front grille, exterior door handles, and a lockable boot handle. The previously optional full tool kit became standard equipment. The "TR3A" carried over

3872-596: 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. The appearance of most "TR3B"s is identical to that of the late US-model "TR3A", with the same wider headlamp rims, wider grille, and door handles. Two series of this version were made. 530 cars with a commission number preceded by TSF were produced, 29 of which were built as Triumph Italias. 2,804 cars were produced with commission numbers preceded by TCF. Both series were partly produced in parallel. The TSF cars, like

3960-786: The Triumph brand name on all its products. A new subsidiary took the name The Standard Motor Company Limited and took over the manufacture of the group's products. The Standard name was last used in Britain in 1963, and in India in 1988. Maudslay, great-grandson of the eminent engineer Henry Maudslay , had trained under Sir John Wolfe-Barry as a civil engineer. In 1902 he joined his cousin Cyril Charles Maudslay at his Maudslay Motor Company to make marine internal combustion engines. The marine engines did not sell very well, and still in 1902 they made their first engine intended for

4048-621: The Vanguard cars, and the Ferguson tractor. The same engine was also used in Triumph TR2, TR3 and TR4 sports cars. To use this larger engine, a substantial redesign of the cab interior and forward chassis was necessary. The vehicles were of a high standard but not priced competitively, which resulted in relatively few sales. In 1963 the Atlas Major became the Standard 15, with a new long-wheelbase variant, with 2138 cc engine, which became

4136-472: The all-new Phase 3, which resulted in variants such as the Sportsman, Ensign, Vanguard Vignale and Vanguard Six. The one-model policy lasted until 1953, when a new Standard Eight small car was added. This was introduced at £481. 7. 6. the cheapest four-door saloon on the market, yet it boasted independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes and an economical O.H.V. engine. At the same time in another part of

4224-532: The brand by BMW, the car was finally launched as the Rover CityRover . The Standard name had disappeared from Britain during the 1960s but continued for two more decades in India, where Standard Motor Products of India Ltd manufactured the Triumph Herald badged as the 'Standard Herald' and with the basic 948 cc engine during the 1960s, with increasingly local content and design changes over

4312-581: The building were three 1300 ft assembly lines equipped to be one of the most modern car assembly plants in the world. This turned out to be the company's last investment on such a scale at Canley: investment decisions after the merger with Rover would favour the newer plant at Solihull . Overseas manufacturing plants were opened in Australia, France, India and South Africa. Overseas assembly plants were opened in Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. During

4400-418: The button (12) via a slot (21) in its head (14). As the button rotates, the spiral slots (16) on the shank act as cams, pulling a spring (22) into position. The projections (17) on the slots resist reverse rotation, preventing the fastener from loosening due to vibration. Optionally, felt or rubber strips (26) can be placed between the cowling and the fuselage to minimize noise. To unfasten the cowling (10) from

4488-412: The button contains spiral bayonet slots (16) that engage the spring. These slots include holes (18) that hold the spring in place once fastened, with projections (17) preventing accidental unfastening. The button’s head (14) is pressed against the cowling, keeping it firmly in place. Over time, several improvements have been made to the Dzus fastener design. Some versions include a housing or bucket around

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4576-596: The chassis. Bates then engineered changes to allow the wider chassis to be built with existing tooling. The car was designated as a TR3B, and just two examples were built; the Black Beta and the Red Beta. In addition to its wider chassis and modified bodywork, the TR3 Beta shared its fully synchronised gearbox, rack-and-pinion steering, and larger engine with the TR4. By late in the project the Beta had also received

4664-478: The company could not procure the licence to use the original Rover engine on this car. Being expensive and outdated it was not successful, apart from the reasons that it had competition from cars with Japanese and other newer, fuel-efficient technology in India. It ceased production in 1988, with the factory in Perungalathur near Chennai also closing its operations at the same time, around the same time that

4752-430: The early 1930s commenced producing cars with a distinctly sporty appearance, using as a foundation, a complete chassis from the Standard Motor Company. These chassis were ordinary production units, used because of their sound engineering design and good performance. Known as Avon Standard Specials they catered for a select market too small for Standard themselves. Swallow decided to produce a car under their own name using

4840-442: The end of the suspension travel while there is still load on the tyre, so the load on the other (outside) rear wheel is a discontinuous function of cornering load, rather than just changing slope. The TR3 is designed for sunny weather, but with removable rain protection. It has a convertible hood 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

4928-423: The engines were not merely "square" but had 6" diameter pistons with a 3" stroke. As well as supplying complete chassis, the company found a good market selling engines for fitting to other cars, especially where the owner wanted more power. Although Alex Craig, a Scottish engineer, was engaged to do much of the detail work, Maudslay himself was sufficiently confident to undertake much of the preliminary layout. One of

5016-456: The entire factory output. He joined Standard and later was managing director for many years. In late 1906 production was transferred to larger premises and output was concentrated on 6-cylinder models. The 16/20 h.p. tourer with side-entrance body was priced at £450. An indication of how much this was can be gained from the fact that a draughtsman earned £3 a week. In 1907 Friswell became company chairman. He worked hard to raise its profile, and

5104-669: The female part to reduce water ingress. Others have been optimized for ease of use, such as incorporating self-centering screwdrivers . Cost-saving measures, like securing the spring directly to the female hole without rivets, have also been introduced. Additionally, the button is often die-cast in modern versions to reduce manufacturing costs compared to earlier machined versions. Dzus fasteners are also used to secure plates, doors, and panels that require frequent removal for inspection and servicing. These fasteners are notable in that they are of an "over-centre" design, requiring positive sustained torque to unfasten. Thus, any minor disturbance to

5192-678: The finishing touches and test are given to the All British 'Standard' Light cars which issue there to almost every quarter in the world". It was about this time during the early 1920s that the slogan "Count them on the road" appeared on every advertisement. By 1924 the company had a share of the market comparable to Austin Motor Company , making more than 10,000 cars in 1924. As the immediate post-war boom faded, many rival marques were discontinued. Cars became steadily larger and more elaborate as manufacturers sought to maintain sales. During

5280-555: The floor, with rubber plugs, so that the originally supplied jack might be used from inside the car, as in the Jaguar XK120 . The optional heater is poor, and the shut-off valve is under the bonnet . Some 13,377 examples of the original "pre-facelift" TR3 were produced, of which 1,286 were sold within the UK; the rest were exported mainly to the US. As of Q1 2011 there were approximately 826 licensed and 115 SORN TR3/3As registered with

5368-406: The fuselage (11) turn the button (12) one-quarter of a turn. This will disengage the button (12) from the spring (22). The holes (18) are large-enough to allow the spring (22) to clear the projection (17) either while engaging the button (12) or disengaging it. The end of the shank (13) that has the slots (16) must be well-rounded so spring (22) can easily enter its slots (16). The removable part of

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5456-471: The last examples of the SD1 left British showrooms (production had finished in 1986 but stocks lasted for around two more years). After feeble efforts over successive years to revive the company, the premises were auctioned off in 2006 and Britain's Rimmer Bros. bought up the entire unused stock of SD1 parts. This also signalled the end of the Standard marque. (Sources—Standard Motor Club and Graham Robson Book of

5544-514: The last run of TR3As, have a 1991 cc engine and a transmission with no synchroniser on first gear. The TCF series has a fully synchronised transmission and a 2138 cc version of the Standard wet-liner engine with a 9:1 compression ratio. Fitted with two SU H6 carburettors, it makes 105 hp (78 kW) at 4,650 rpm and 172 N⋅m (127 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 3,350 rpm. It gets between 20 and 30 miles per US gallon (11.8 and 7.8 L/100 km; 24 and 36 mpg ‑imp ). Top speed

5632-527: The main centre of operations. Other war materials produced included shells, mobile workshops for the Royal Engineers, and trench mortars. Civilian car production was restarted in 1919 with models based on pre-war designs, for example the 9.5 model "S" was re-introduced as the model SLS although this was soon superseded by an 8 h.p. model. In the early 1920s saloon bodies were first offered; previously all cars had been tourers. The bodies had, since

5720-524: The market in 1936 with their distinctive streamlined sloping rears virtually replacing the existing range of Nine, Twelve, Sixteen, and Twenty. The Flying Standards were so-called because of the major radiator shell change to a waterfall grille topped by the Union Jack badge apparently streaming backwards in contrast to its previous forward-facing position. The Flying Nine, Flying Ten, Flying Twelve, and Flying Fourteen had four-cylinder engines, while

5808-554: The mechanically similar, Michelotti -styled Triumph TR4 . The rugged ‘sidescreen’ TR, so named for its use of removable plexiglass side curtains, was a sales and motorsport success. With approximately 74,800 TR3s sold across all variants, the model was the company's third best seller in the TR range, behind the TR7 (111,500 units) and TR6 (94,500 units) models. Although the base car is an open two-seater, an occasional rear seat and bolt-on steel hard top were available as extras. The TR3

5896-486: The minutes of the meeting of the Standard-Triumph board on 19 September 1960. Different reasons have been mooted to explain why Triumph created the TR3 Beta. One holds that the Beta predated production of the TR4 chassis, and was solely an attempt to improve the handling of the TR3, with the TR4 a beneficiary of the work done on the Beta. Another points out that work on the TR4 was already underway by 1960, when

5984-475: The move to Bishopsgate Green, been made in Coventry by the company itself, but it was not until 1922 that they were mass-produced, using a wooden track along which they were pushed by hand. The company was justifiably proud of the modern factory at Canley, boasting in its advertisements "It is a beautifully lighted and well-aired factory standing on the edge of a breezy common away from the city din and smoke, that

6072-727: The new sports car as a "grand touring" coupé, the GT class still permitted to race on French public roadways. A 'grand touring kit' was made available to customers as an optional extra (part No. 554313). TR3s were campaigned in the RAC , Monte Carlo , Circuit of Ireland , Alpine , Liege-Rome-Liege , International Tulip , Scheveningen-Luxembourg, Tour de France , Douze Heures de Huy, Lyon-Charbonnieres, Acropolis , Chimay National , and Corsica rallies, among others, achieving numerous outright, team, and class victories including six "Coupes des Alpes" awards. With its robust engine and rugged reliability,

6160-804: The production vehicle, and were powered by the prototype 1,985 cc (121.1 cu in) Triumph Sabrina engine . The Jopp/Stoop TR3S ran as high as seventh place overall before being forced to retire due to mechanical difficulties with just over an hour remaining in the race. Standard Motor Company The Standard Motor Company Limited was a motor vehicle manufacturer, founded in Coventry , England, in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay . For many years, it manufactured Ferguson TE20 tractors powered by its Vanguard engine. All Standard's tractor assets were sold to Massey Ferguson in 1959. Standard purchased Triumph in 1945 and in 1959 officially changed its name to Standard-Triumph International and began to put

6248-469: The radiator emblem until after the Second World War. By 1911 the range of vehicles was comprehensive, with the 8-horsepower model being produced in quantity whilst a special order for two 70 hp cars was at the same time executed for a Scottish millionaire. Friswell's influence culminated in supplying seventy 4-cylinder 16 hp cars for King George V and his entourage, including the Viceroy of India, at

6336-407: The rear wheels. By the end of 1903 three cars had been built and the labour force had been increased to twenty five. The increased labour force produced a car every three weeks during 1904. The single-cylinder model was soon replaced by a two-cylinder model quickly followed by three- and four-cylinder versions and in 1905 the first six. Even the first cars boasted shaft drive as opposed to chains, and

6424-408: The resultant vehicle continued in production until the 1980s. By the later 1950s the small Standards were losing out in the UK market to more modern competitor designs, and the Triumph name was believed to be more marketable; hence the 1959 replacement for the Eight, Ten and Pennant was badged as the Triumph Herald ; with substantial mechanical components carried over from the small Standards. Despite

6512-505: The resulting increase in demand necessitated the acquisition of a large single-storey building in Cash's Lane, Coventry. Even this was inadequate after the publicity gained when a fleet of 20 cars, 16/20 tourers, were supplied for the use of Commonwealth editors attending the 1909 Imperial Press Conference in London. In 1909 the company first made use of the famous Union Flag Badge, a feature of

6600-712: The same building Standards were producing a very different engine, the Rolls-Royce Avon jet aero engine of which 415 were made between 1951 and 1955. In 1954 the Eight was supplemented by the slightly more powerful Standard Ten which featured a wider chrome grille. The Phase II Vanguard was powered, like the Phase I, by a 2088 cc 4-cylinder "wet sleeve" engine , now with a modestly increased compression ratio, and producing 68 hp. This engine could be modified by using an additional intake system and two single-barrel Solex carburettors, producing 90 hp. Typically,

6688-493: The same year that the '8' was introduced, another car was displayed at the London Motor Show. This was the Triumph 20TS , a sports two-seater with a modified Standard '8' chassis and a Vanguard engine. The 20TS's lack of luggage space and unsatisfactory performance and handling resulted in production being delayed until the next year when the chassis and drivetrain were developed and the body was restyled to incorporate

6776-467: The separate chassis and independent rear suspension, the differential, hubs, brakes, engine and gearbox were all common to the last Standard Pennants. In order to build the Herald the company invested £ 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 million in a new assembly hall extension at the Canley plant which Standard had acquired in 1916. The builders of the three-storey building excavated 250,000 tons of soil and rock. Inside

6864-535: The several derivations of the name "Standard" is said to have emanated from a discussion between Maudslay and Craig during which the latter proposed several changes to a design on the grounds of cost, which Maudslay rejected, saying that he was determined to maintain the best possible "standard". In 1905 Maudslay himself drove the first Standard car to compete in a race. This was the RAC Tourist Trophy in which he finished 11th out of 42 starters, having had

6952-530: The smallest remained a standard Standard design. It was not until 1930, after the replacement of artillery wheels by spoke wheels that the distinctive radiator shape first used on the 6-cylinder models in 1906 was finally abandoned. In 1930, before the worst of the Depression, the Big Nine was introduced which together with the 6-cylinder Ensign and Envoy constituted the complete range. Here standardisation

7040-403: The standard front disc brakes introduced on later TR3s. The car was known for its superior braking ability with its larger tyres (5.90-15 crossply or 165HR15 Pirelli Cinturato), making it an autocross favourite. In 1959 other changes were made to the car, including raised stampings under the bonnet and boot hinges and under the door handles, as well as a redesigned rear floor section. In addition,

7128-466: The windscreen was attached with bolts rather than the Dzus fasteners used on the early "A" models. This year new options included a 2138 cc engine, and 60-spoke wire wheels. The "TR3A" was built between 1957 and 1962. Total production was 58,236 cars, making it the third best-selling TR in its own right. The TR3A was so successful that the original panel press tooling wore out and had to be replaced. It

7216-492: The year ended 31 August 1954 Standard made and sold 73,000 cars and 61,500 tractors and much more than half of those were exported. Since the war Standard had made and sold some 418,000 cars and 410,000 tractors and again much more than half were exported. Appointed to Standard's then ailing business in 1929, director and general manager since 1930 and appointed managing director in 1934 energetic Sir John Black resigned as chairman and managing director of Standard that year following

7304-608: The years, eventually producing additional four-door and five-door estate models exclusively for the Indian market by the late 1960s. After 1970, Standard Motor Products split with British Leyland, and introduced a bodily restyled four-door saloon based on the Herald known as the Standard Gazel in 1972, using the same 948 cc engine but with a live rear axle, as the Herald's swing-axle was not liked much by Indian buyers and mechanics alike. Allegedly India's first indigenous car,

7392-468: Was campaigned in races, hill climbs, and rallies across Europe and North America, with several outright, team, and class victories to its credit. After the 1955 Le Mans disaster , the French government moved to restrict motorsports to road rallying , then little more than long distance road racing. In response, Triumph competition manager Ken Richardson had steel hard tops bolted to 100 TR3s, homologating

7480-614: Was ended on 17 August 1970 when a sudden announcement said that henceforth the company was to be known as the Triumph Motor Company. The Standard name has been unused in Europe since then and the Triumph or Rover Triumph BL subsidiary used the former Standard engineering and production facilities at Canley in Coventry until the plant was closed in 1980. BMW acquired the Standard and Triumph brands following its purchase of BL's successor Rover Group in 1994. When most of Rover

7568-467: Was incorporated on 2 March 1903 and he established his business in a small factory in a two-storey building in Much Park Street, Coventry . Having undertaken the examination of several proprietary engines to familiarise himself with internal combustion engine design he employed seven people to assemble the first car, powered by a single-cylinder engine with three-speed gearbox and shaft drive to

7656-522: Was sold in 2000, BMW kept the Standard brand along with Triumph, Mini and Riley . The management of British Motor Heritage , gained the rights to the Standard Brand upon their management purchase of this company from BMW in 2001. There was talk of a possible revival of the Standard name by MG Rover for its importation of the Tata Indica . However, for reasons relating to the ownership of

7744-619: Was taken a step further with the bodies on 9 hp four-cylinder and 15 hp six-cylinder being almost indistinguishable except for bonnet length. The Big Nine was soon followed by the Big Twelve and sales for the second six months of 1931 exceeded those of the whole of the previous year. In 1932 there was a Royal visit to the Canley works by the Duke of Gloucester who came to open the Canley Pavilion outside which he took delivery of

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