1958 Triumph TR3A
- Colour
- Apple green over brown leather
VRW 221 is a 1958 works-entered Triumph TR3A, one of four fielded by Standard-Triumph in that year's Monte Carlo Rally and believed to be the sole survivor of that quartet. The car competed extensively in the 1958 works season — Circuit of Ireland, Tulip Rally, Rallye des Alpes, and Tour de France — driven by Desmond Titterington, Ron Golbourn, and the Australian pairing of McKay and Lewin. Retaining its original engine and period rally spotlights, it is presented in its factory Apple Green livery with brown leather interior.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €184,000 (≈ $202K)
- —Auction saleEstimate £140,000 – £160,000
- → 1959Factory deliveryStandard-Triumph Worksfull documentation
Factory works entry car used in multiple rallies during 1958 season before being disposed of.
- 1959 →Private saleRon Goldbournpartial documentation
Former works driver who purchased the car directly from the factory; also drove the car during its works career.
- → 1996Acquisition unknownMartyn Kingpartial documentation
Undertook a careful restoration prioritising retention of original components; sold the car prior to it entering Austrian hands.
- 1996 → 2009Acquisition unknownAustrian ownerpartial documentation
Car was kept in Austria during this period before being returned to the United Kingdom.
- 2009 →Acquisition unknownUK-based owner post-repatriationpartial documentation
Following return to the UK, the car has been used in various historic rallies including the Three Castles Rally and Rally of the Tests.
Competition
- 19581958 Monte Carlo RallyDriver: John WaddingtonExcluded before Lyon; 3rd in post-rally Driving Tests
Co-driven by Mike Wood; bad weather caused exclusion from the main event, but the crew continued to Monaco and placed third in the standalone driving tests on the seafront.
- 19581958 Rallye des AlpesDriver: Desmond Titterington8th overall, 3rd in class
Again co-driven by Brian McCaldin, reverting to the earlier crew pairing.
- 19581958 Tour de France AutomobileDriver: David McKayDNF — crash caused by brake failure
Co-driven by David Lewin; the car was running 15th overall on the final night before brake issues led to a retirement-causing accident on the last day.
- 1958-04-011958 Circuit of Ireland RallyDriver: Desmond Titterington2nd overall
Co-driven by Brian McCaldin; finished just behind Paddy Hopkirk, giving Standard-Triumph a one-two result.
- 1958-04-011958 Tulip RallyDriver: Ron Goldbourn1st in class, 10th overall
Co-driven by Stuart Turner; strong result securing a class victory.
- —Three Castles Rally
One of several historic rallies entered after the car's return to the UK post-2009.
- —Rally of the Tests
Another historic rally event contested following repatriation to the UK.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration carried out with careful attention to preserving original components throughout.
Work undertaken during Martyn King's ownership, prior to 1996.
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