The TR3B is often described as a North American–only development of the successful TR3A and was never officially sold in the UK, although a small number have since been re‑imported. North American dealers were initially hesitant about the introduction of the new and more sophisticated TR4, with its wind‑up windows and full‑width bodywork, fearing it was too modern for their customers. To reassure these dealers, Standard‑Triumph elected to build one final batch of TR3s, partly to use up the remaining TR3A bodies still stored at the Canley factory. Production of the TR3B is believed to have run from March 1962 to October 1962, ending shortly after the 3,331st example was completed, making it one of the rarest members of the TR family. A sense of mystique surrounds the TR3B, due in part to the fact that its specification varied depending on the leftover TR3A components available at the time of assembly.

Believed to be the 849th TR built by Motor Assemblies Ltd, Durban (see the firewall plate), ‘AHH 110A’, an unusually rare right-hand-drive iteration of the TR3B, was first registered in the UK on 1st February 2016 following its repatriation from South Africa around that time, and it has been in its current UK ownership since 2018. It is finished in Blue Metallic paint with a Black vinyl interior, and the vendor describes its overall condition as average to fair. It sits on Minilite‑style alloy wheels fitted with matching Michelin tyres. It appears to have a TR3 engine number, reading as TS18111E. 2198cc is stated on the HPI report.

This TR3B began its life as one of the many British built-to-be-shipped (to foreign markets) CKD (Completely Knocked-Down) ‘kits’ exported from Triumph in the UK and subsequently assembled, in this case, at the Durban’s Motor Assemblies Ltd. plant in South Africa. It is one of the very, very few right‑hand‑drive examples, as many models were exported to the USA, where Triumph expected buyers to favour the TR3’s classic sweeping lines over the more modern TR4. We are advised that it is equipped with a 4‑speed all‑synchromesh manual gearbox with overdrive and features uprated brakes.

The bodywork will require some remedial work to make a great car, with cracks from older restorations, dents, scratches and areas of missing paint visible, as shown in the online photographs, however, it’s a good running restoration, especially being a ‘B’.

Invoices on record include a 2017 invoice for an uprated 2.3 brake servo for a Triumph, costing £92.50, and a 2017 invoice for a Solid State 12V low‑pressure fuel pump (5–7 PSI, 100–120 LPH) supplied by Cubiscan at a cost of £12.30. The accompanying paperwork includes an imported vehicle ‘post‑clearance checks satisfied’ letter, a ‘number plate authorisation’ certificate, old import documentation, and previous MOT certificates. A very interesting prospect for a Standard-Triumph enthusiast.