1960 | Triumph TR 3A

In 1958 Triumph made the decision to return to Le Mans, the aim being to compete only one season later. The Competition department set out to create an entirely new car that externally resembled  the production TR3. They were, however, fundamentally different cars; a 6inch longer wheel base, fibreglass panels, all-round disc brakes with the most significant change being under the bonnet. 1959 saw the introduction of the new twin cam engine, nicknamed the ‘Sabrina’.

* The Sabrina engine was of an entirely new design, taking advantage of lightweight alloy castings throughout and twin choke SU Carburettors. Although it developed an impressive 150bhp it was designed so that it could perhaps become a mass produced engine. Strength and reliability were engineered in from the word go.*

Despite the preparation, during the 1959 race all three cars didn’t finish. Two failed due to faulty fan blades damaging the radiators whilst an oil pump failure caused the final car to retire early. However, given the potential shown by the Le Mans cars,  they were returned to Coventry and disassembled for future development. The running gear was used twelve months later as the basis of Triumph’s 1960 Le Mans onslaught with the TRS.

Four new cars were built, heavily based on modified TR3S underpinnings. The track was wider, whilst the rack and pinion steering was much like the yet to be launched TR4. The body, once again made from lightweight fibre glass, also resembled that of the design study for the forthcoming TR4.

The four new cars made their journey to Le Mans, with three set to compete. They were registered 926 HP, 927 HP and 928 HP with a fourth car being used as a spare or parts car in the event of any issues. This proved unnecessary, with the three running faultlessly and finishing 15th, 18th and 19th, only to be beaten in their class by the new twin-cam MG A. Sadly, it wasn’t to be Triumph’s year as none of the cars achieved the minimum distance required, ultimately meaning they were unclassified.

After the initial disappointment, the potential shown in the 1960 event ensured the three Le Mans TRS cars were modified for the 1961 event. That year, not only did all three cars finish the race and complete the minimum distance, but they ran almost trouble free. Finishing an impressive 9th, 11th and 15th, this result was good enough for Triumph to win the prestigious manufactures team prize.

Following the race the cars were retired from factory competition and sold via the dealer network in North America to privateers.

Pendine are proud to be offering the two time Le Mans entrant 927 HP, driven in 1960 by Peter Bolton & Ninian Sanderson and Les Leston with Rob Slotemaker to 11thplace in 1961. It’s worth noting that the only cars in front of the leading Triumph that year were Ferrari, Maserati and Porsche. Triumph were the highest finishing British car, clocking the same total laps as the Porsche Carrera Abarth in 10th place. They averaged a hairs breadth under 100mph, and regularly hit 130mph on the Mulsanne straight. As noted, they won the Team Prize as well.

At the end of the race, the factory apprentices stripped the cars, then rebuilt them, before they were shipped to America. Following its sale in America, 927 HP was seldom used, eventually being purchased by a Mr K N Gwing from Virginia in 1972. Although exceptionally original, Gwing started to restore it during the 1980s and 1990s. However, ill health meant that other than sanding the paintwork he never actually managed to completely disassemble the car. After he died his daughter inherited it, selling it in 2008 to Mike Otto, one of the great authorities on the TRS model.

Gwing’s slow progress proved to be the perfect starting point for a detailed disassembly and restoration back to its 1961 Le Mans guise by the Otto family.

This detailed restoration took two years, including rebuilding an original ‘Sabrina’ twin cam engine that was present with the car. Only a handful of these engines still exist, and one of only two original engines that remain in use today. The culmination of its restoration was in 2010 when it was invited to be displayed at the 2010 Le Mans Classic retrospective.

In 2020 we sold the car, on behalf of the Otto’s, to the current owner, who has used it extensively. Having been abroad for so long, he worked with the TR Club to reunite it with its original registration. He has used it at numerous events including Car Fest and the Shere Hill climb. Not a racing driver, it has been a road car, in which he’s done thousands of miles.

927 HP is an access all areas invite to the top motorsport events, no doubt welcome at the Goodwood Revival and of course Le Mans Classic. We believe that in the right hands 927 HP could be a highly competitive entry in current historic motor racing, and it represents a key moment in British motorsport history, for a fraction of the cost of its Coventry brethren.