Triumph TR3

Please note that there were production inconsistencies during this period, so colours should be chosen on individual basis.

Information from: Piggott, B. (1991) Original Trimph TR – The Restorer’s Guide to TR2, TR3, TR3a, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR250, TR6, Bideford: Bay View Books Ltd.

Triumph TR3 models originally featured White Piping on the majority of cars that left the factory production line, with a few recorded instances of Piping matching the main trim colour. 

We can also offer the largest range of non-standard “bespoke” colours schemes for those looking for a more customised finish.

Interior Trim Panels

During the four-year period between 1953 to 1957, a total of around 22,000 cars were produced – shared between the TR2 (1953/1954/1955) and the TR3 (1955/1956/1957). The majority of the interior casing panels were relatively identical between the two models with the most noticeable change being between the TR2 and TR3 Rear Bulkhead Panel where the basic shape and dimensions remained similar, but the TR3 featured a faintly embossed oval-like shape with eight vertical lines inside of it, whereas the TR2 was plain. 

Panels

The interior trim panels consisted of the main Door Panel Casings, Door “Map” Pockets, Quarter B Post Panels, Rear Bulkhead Panel, and the small hockey stick shaped A Post Footwell Panels. These were all originally manufactured in a Millboard/Fibreboard material. In addition to these panels, the TR2 & TR3 models also had metal (aluminium/steel) cappings for the Dashboard Facia Panel, Dash Top Scuttle Crashroll, Door Tops, Quarter Elbow Cappings (“Dog Legs”) and the Tonneau Capping around the rear cockpit area of the car. The majority of these panels were fitted to the car using chrome self tapping screws and washers.

Loose upholstery trim

There were various pieces of upholstery to cover the bodywork of the car. These consisted of the Wheel Arch / Wheel-Well areas directly in between the Quarter Panels and Bulkhead Panel in addition to sewn Door Pull Cords situated on the Door Panels. The earlier TR models (TR2/TR3) also had draught excluders situated at the front and rear edges of the main door opening, made to match the main trim material and colour.

Original materials

The TR2 and TR3 models left the factory with the panels upholstered in Vynide (Leathercloth). Commonly these days, this material is superseded with Vinyl (Ambla), although Leathercloth (Vynide) is still available if requested (colour dependent). Very few cars, if any, would have left with Leather panels – and if they did, this would have been a special order item. At this point it is worth noting that when “Leather” is mentioned on the heritage certificates, this is often only referring to the Seats and some of the Cappings around the cockpit of the car (more on this below and under the Seat Kits tab).

The Cappings were either all Vynide or a mix of this Vynide and Leather, depending on the era of the car. It appears that most of the early cars left with a singular Vynide material, whereas the later cars introduced Leather for five of the high wear cappings. The Dashboard Facia Panel was always Vynide, including the Centre Instrument Panel – which was later changed to a black crinkle paint for the TR3A/B models. The three rear Tonneau Capping were also always Vynide. It was the Dash Top Scuttle Capping, the two Door Tops and the two Quarter Elbow Cappings that subbed out Vynide for Leather on some cars. This is often referred to as the 5pc Leather Capping Kit, or the 7pc Leather Capping Kit if you also include the Door Pull Cords which were also Leather for the majority of the TR2 models. If heritage certificates mention ‘Leather,’ then this would almost certainly be referring to these 7 pieces, in addition to some elements of the Seats.

The Vynide used featured a fine grain running through the face of the material, which was continued on all TR models up until the 1973 era TR6. 

The Door Pockets were a flocked material, loosely matching the main interior trim, and these were fully enclosed pockets, unlike the later TR3A/B models which had an open top to them.

Piping

The Door, Quarter and Bulkhead Casing Panels did not feature any piping/beading – this was only introduced during the TR3A production era. However, the Wheel Arch Covers did feature a row of piping/beading matching the main interior trim colour. (It is of interest to note that this piping/beading was made white on all TR3 to TR5/TR250 cars, before the TR6 models re-introduced self-coloured piping to match the main trim colour).

Seat Kits

From October 1955 through to 1957, around 13,000 TR3 models left the factory production line in Coventry. With only a small number of changes made to the interior trim and upholstery – the Seats of a TR3 look almost identical to the TR2. In fact, barring a subtle change to the frame itself, allowing one seat to “tilt” forward – the wide-backed bucket seat design is identical, and both the TR2 and TR3 style seats were fitted to the same metal framework and coil spring units. 

Original materials

The covers themselves were mostly supplied in a Leathercloth (Vynide) which is often confused with and substituted for Vinyl (Ambla). Some cars would have left the factory with Leather seat covers; albeit these would have most likely only been supplied with Leather to the facings of the seat (the elements of the seat covers which touch your body as you sit in the seat), with Leathercloth still used to the seat backs and surrounds. This configuration is commonly referred to as “LeatherFaced” and should not be confused with Full Leather.

Front seat design

The construction of the front seat skins included a 4 pleat vertical squab and cushion design – with piping running around the inner and outer edges of the horseshoe. This piping was originally white for both the inside and outside horseshoe piping sections – unlike its TR2 predecessor that featured self-coloured piping in both areas to match the main trim colour. The outer edge piping of the TR3 seat cushion was updated from the TR2 design and was changed to ‘taper’ away into the cushion base sides – seemingly to avoid the discomfort of a ridge of piping under the driver’s / passenger’s legs when sat.

(At this point it should be noted that many suppliers of after-market trim fail to recognise and distinguish this difference between the TR2 and TR3 Seat Cover design; JSM has the correct patterns for both styles).

Seat hardware / fitment

The backrest covers are fitted to the seat frames using Tacking Strips which are riveted to the seat frames in specific areas. Tacks are then used to help attach the material to the framework. This allows for flexibility when trimming by avoiding a more ‘permanent’ fixing and enabling tacks to be removed and re-sited according to the tension required during fitment.

Cushion covers are fitted to the coil spring units using hog rings.

Seat paddings were originally basic fibre/horse hair material for the inside of the Backrest Frame and the top of the Cushion Base (which sits on top of the spring unit). The backrest backs used a thin felt material as a basic padding.

Rear seat design

A very rarely seen optional extra – some of the Triumph TR2 and TR3 models came fitted with an occasional rear seat cushion and backrest. When fully upholstered and fitted to the car, the complete rear seat assembly included a rear seat cover with a foam padding trimmed onto a plywood base-board. Pre-formed metal brackets were used to affix the seat to the rear bulkhead of the chassis and sloped rear shelf area of the cockpit cabin.

The construction of the rear seat skins included a 10 pleat vertical squab and cushion design – with white piping running around the inner and outer edges of the horseshoe. 

Carpets & Flooring

Although there were a few interior trim and upholstery changes between the TR2 and TR3 models, the carpet and flooring areas remained consistent. The carpets in the main cockpit area of the car included pieces for the Main Footwell and Rear Floor Pans, the Engine Firewall Bulkheads, the Footwell “A” Post Pillar Bulkhead, and the Gearbox Clutch Housing and Transmission/Propshaft/Driveshaft covers, in addition to the Rear Heelboard/Bulkhead Sloping Shelf behind the seats.

Original materials

The TR2 and TR3 models appear to have only left the factory with Wool carpets fitted, but there is some debate over this with Nylon carpets possibly being fitted to some cars. The carpet pieces featured a Vynide (Leathercloth) binding on the edges, although not all edges of every piece were bound. A rubber ribbed Heel Pad was situated on the Driver’s Side Front Floor Footwell carpets, as well a small “D” shaped Heel Pad on the Driver’s Side A Post Footwell Area.. The Gearbox Cover included a pre-cut hole which was fashioned with a circular rubber finisher to house the Gear Lever “Boot” Gaitor. The sloping Rear Shelf Bulkhead area was trimmed onto a Millboard panel.

(At this point it should be noted that many suppliers of TR2 and TR3 after-market trim incorrectly offer the one-piece Gearbox Tunnel carpet piece as used on the later TR3A/B models. However, the earlier TR2 and TR3 models instead featured a multi-piece Gearbox Clutch Housing and Transmission section. Here at JSM we have the correct patterns for the earlier original design).

Short note on Underfelt

Carpet Kits were fitted on top of a layer of Underfelt, providing basic heat and sound insulation with an additional layer of comfort underfoot. Typically this was a natural jute felt of around 6mm to 8mm in thickness. Not all the carpet sections were fitted with corresponding felts underneath them.

Fixings

Four different types of Fixings were used to keep the carpets in place and all these fixings are still available today. 

Mounting Studs (A) are secured to the bodywork floor pans using Pop Rivets (B). Then the Pronged Rings (C) are pierced through the carpet pieces in various areas and secured using the corresponding chrome Carpet Clip (D) to the back of the carpet. This allows the Mounting Stud (A) and the Carpet Clip (D) to clip into one another thus securing the carpet parts in place. The positions of these fixings is a subject of much debate – although you should often be guided by the pilot holes found in the bodywork of the chassis itself. 

Boot / Trunk

The Boot Area (referred to as the “Trunk” by our American cousins) remained unchanged throughout the production period ranging from 1953 to 1962, which saw over 80,000 Triumph TR2, TR3, and TR3A/B models leaving the production line in Coventry. The floor of the Boot Trunk Area was originally fitted with a mat, most commonly supplied in black with the exception of the very first TR2s where a ‘coloured’ alternative was an option. This mat cover was supplied in carpet for most models, with records suggesting that some late TR3A and TR3B models switched to Hardura (a felt-backed PVC material). The mat was edged in Leathercloth (Vynide) along three of the four edges, with a ‘T’ slit opening in the centre of the longest edge for the boot latch mechanism cable.

The vertical back of the Boot Trunk Area was originally fitted with a Millboard Panel to cover the front bulkhead of the Boot / Trunk area directly behind the main fuel tank. The large majority of TR2 to TR3A/B models left this part supplied in a black surface grain finish – imitating the look of leather – but a few early TR2 models would have left with this panel in the same colour as the bodywork paint.

The left and right side panels of the Boot Trunk Area were left exposed to show the painted bodywork. (It is worth noting here that John Skinner can supply Boot Trunk Side Covers for this area of the car which is often overlooked but can benefit from some extra attention in trimming. These were templated to cover the curved Wheel Arch sections and the flat bodywork section just behind them).

Weather Equipment

Convertible Soft Top Hood

To the untrained eye, you may be mistaken in thinking that the TR2 all the way to the TR3B models shared the same Soft Top Convertible Hood. The reason being that the overall size and general appearance remained the same throughout this nine-year production run. However, there were actually three different variants spanning these models.

According to our records, approximately half of the TR2 models (around 4400) were fitted with a singular window in the rear – which was relatively small when compared to the later variants. This was then switched in favour of a larger centre window accompanied by the addition of two side “quarter panel” windows – presumably to aid with clearer vision when looking rearward! This same Three-Window design was used throughout the TR3 production run, and carried on into the TR3″A” era briefly before another subtle update was made to the Hood at around chassis number TS28k. Whilst all earlier cars had been fitted with a Hood that had seams running the length of the Hood down the left and right outer edges, early on in the building of the TR3As these seams were removed, instead creating a convertible top made from one large piece of material, with no joining seams. This version continued until the end of the TR3A/TR3B production run. It is worth noting that the fixings used to attach this cover to the car also changed during the 9 years they were leaving the factory line, so it is always best to double-check which style you have on your individual car at the point of ordering.

The majority of Triumph TRs left the factory with PVC Hooding – this is effectively a PVC vinyl plastic material with a waterproof membrane which features a grain on the surface of the material to imitate vinyl/leather. The actual material used was Everflex (known as “British Everflex”) – which was an ICI trade name for PVC Hooding (think “sticky tape” and “sellotape”!). Some special-order models may have left with Deluxe Mohair Canvas (also referred to, albeit not exactly the same as Stayfast/Twilfast etc – see Glossary for more details). The clear plastic window(s) at the back was made of Vybak plastic.

Hood Frame “Envelope” Cover

Triumph was one of the first sports car manufacturers to commonly use the Hood Frame Cover on their cars as a stowage cover for the framework of the convertible top. Sometimes referred to as “Hoodstick Covers” or “Top Frame Covers” or “Boot Envelope Covers” – this is the pre-sewn material cover that is used to hide away and cover up the folded down metal framework of the Soft Top Hood. On the early TR models, the Convertible Hood cover had to be removed from the frame prior to folding the frame away behind the seats and covering over using this Hood Frame Cover.

During the period from 1953 to 1962, Triumph manufactured two designs for the Hood Frame Cover, changing production during the TR3A era around chassis number TS41k. The switch was very subtle and is related to the corner tails around the B Post area of the car. Note John Skinners is one of the only companies to acknowledge this small update and have both patterns.

As with the other weather equipment items, the fixings changed at some point during the production of these parts too – with “baby” tenax fixings initially being used, before being updated to the standard size tenax fasteners, and again updated to Lift-The-Dot fasteners further into the production run.

Hood Frame Covers would have been made from PVC Hooding, and the colour would have always matched the colour of the Convertible Soft Top Hood and Tonneau covers when leaving the original factory production line. 

It is worth noting that the Hood Frame Cover is only ever on show alongside the interior trim (and not any other Weather Equipment) and has no requirement to be waterproof. As a result, a popular option is to deviate from originality and have the Hood Frame Cover made from Vinyl / Leather to match the interior trim.

Tonneau Cover

The Tonneau was a standard option for these cars leaving the factory. Designed as a convenient option for quickly covering the interior of the car – either completely, or leaving half open so that the car can still be driven – these covers became a staple item for many sports cars of this era. A pocket is located on the Driver’s Side to allow the steering wheel to be covered when the cover is fully in use and the slightly off-centre zipper offers a larger opening on the Driver’s Side for when using the cover half-open.

As with the cover for the Convertible Soft Top Hood – the Tonneau Cover remained largely unchanged in terms of basic appearance and size through the nine-year production of the TR2, TR3, and TR3A/B models. The only major change was in the length of the Tonneau at the front, with the early TR2 models – the first 5000 or so that left the production line (see our Product Page/Handbook section for exact chassis number changes) – being slightly longer than the standard size adopted for all other remaining TR2-3B models. (John Skinners is one of the only companies to recognise this difference with the ability to cater for both lengths). The reason behind this longer length is based on the original mounting positions of the male fixings on the bodywork of the car; for the early TR2 models these fixings were further forward in line with the rearview mirror mounting bracket. Not long into the initial production, this was switched to the far more commonly seen “standard” version where these male fixing points were located in the actual Dash Top Scuttle Capping metalwork. Barring this detail, all other aspects of the Tonneau covers between the TR2 to TR3B models remained the same.

Tonneau Covers were most commonly made from PVC Hooding. Some special-order models may have left with Deluxe Mohair Canvas.

Useful advice – please be under no illusions, the Weather Equipment elements (Soft Top Hood and Tonneau Covers) are tricky to fit, even for an experienced trimmer. We strongly urge you and your professional trimmer to contact us for directions on the best methods for fitting these items, as sometimes some steps are irreversible. These parts are not meant to be easy to fit – that’s why when they are done correctly, the material is so tightly pulled and taut as a drum. Don’t leave this to chance, ensure you fully understand the process of fitting before you start.

Glossary of Materials

Armacord – a coloured grained PVC material with a natural jute felt backing and ribbed surface finish. Very similar to Hardura in quality but the ribbed effect was a finish used specifically to Austin Healey models across a combination of Rear Floor, Boot Trunk and Rear Deck areas depending on the model specification. Also seen on Jaguar C Type Gearbox Tunnels.

Beading – see ‘Piping.’

Binding / Edging – a strip of Leathercloth that is fed through a binding machine and secured around the edge of a carpet. Generally only applied to edges of carpets that are exposed when fitted. Leathercloth is a sturdy yet nimble material that gives a neat and durable edge to carpets, enabling them to lay flat when fitted. (Please note, Vinyl binding – although available in a wider colour choice – is thicker than Leathercloth which results in a bulky appearance. It can also catch and snag easily, and wrinkles around corners when sewing. For these reasons, we never use Vinyl to bind our carpet edges at John Skinners).

Carpet: Karvel – Karvel carpet is a utilitarian floor covering with a tough ribbed surface structure and a woven hessian backing. Seen most commonly throughout Austin Healey and MGA interiors.

Carpet: Nylon – Nylon carpet is a man-made material constructed from polypropylene fibres glued to a flexible rubber backing. Ideal for budget restorations, or for areas of the car that are rarely on show e.g. Boot / Trunk areas. Avoid this choice for the main cockpit cabins if possible – Wool is always preferable and far superior.

Carpet: Wool – Wool carpet is spun from wool yarn and glued to a flexible rubber backing. The wool fibres provide a thick, springy and dense pile that doesn’t spread when fitted over bodywork curvature. Luxurious to the touch. Something about superior in quality, finish/touch etc etc – this should be the choice for most restorations  

Carpet: Wilton Wool – used for immensely luxurious, spacious and often chauffeur-driven saloon cars e.g. Rolls Royce and Bentley. Very densely packed, fluffy pile – akin to living room carpets. Not suitable for sports cars where its quality and feel looks out of place.

Carpet: Loop Pile – a carpet where fibres are ‘looped’ and left uncut to create a flat and durable carpet surface. Most commonly used on Triumph TR4s. Please note that Loop Pile carpet is not supplied by John Skinners.

Edging – see ‘Binding.’

Fibreboard – see ‘Millboard.’

Furflex (Tac-On & Snap-On) – with a similar velvet-like touch to Moquette, Furflex is the name given to a very short pile, high quality wool mix material wrapped around a rubber tube with a flanged edge. Used most commonly for trimming around door edges for the purposes of a draught excluder.

Hardboard – a versatile wood based material with one side having a very smooth finish and the other a heavily grained finish. It was used very extensively for Trim Panels and gradually replaced Millboard. ‘Motor Grade’ Hardboard is around 2.5mm thick – thinner than the more readily available 3.00mm – that 0.5mm makes all the difference – which allows for doors to close fully against draught excluders and be fitted to the bodywork of the car with the use of Trim Clips which are designed specifically for use with the original 2.5mm thick board.

Hardura – a coloured grained PVC material with a natural jute felt backing. Most commonly used to trim Boot Trunk areas – particularly across the Jaguar range – and was also used for flooring and other interior parts.

Headlining: Union Cloth – a woven material made from wool/other fibre mix (around 80% wool content, 20% cotton). Ideal for lining the interior roof of the car – most commonly Jaguar XK and MK2 (Saloon) models. Available in 2 colours; beige and grey to complement all interior colours. 200cm wide.

Headlining: “West of England” Wool Cloth – a woven material made from 100% wool fibres ideal for lining the interior roof of the car – most commonly Jaguar Saloon, Sedan and XK-E models. Available in 3 colours; beige, green and grey to complement all interior colours. If trimming a roof from its bare bodywork, opt for pre-bonded foam backed wool cloth to avoid having to twice glue and trim the headlining area; first to apply a foam base, then to glue and trim the headlining onto the foam. 150cm wide.

Hidem – made from Leathercloth or Hooding, Hidem is a type of banding – around 16mm wide – with a central seam running through it that can be used to hide unsightly tacks and staples across trimming work. Seen, for example, around the base of the backrest on Austin Healey BN1-BN4 Front Seats; and commonly seen on the header rails of soft top convertible Hoods.

Hooding: Deluxe Mohair Canvas – a woven twill waterproof canvas material with a dense rubber membrane encased between its twill surface and a textured dobby backing. A premium material seen most commonly on Soft Top Convertible Hoods for the Jaguar XK and some E-Type models. With minimal shrinkage qualities, Deluxe Mohair Canvas is exceptionally durable. Can also be referred to / known as – DMC, Canvas, Haartz®, Sonnenland®,, German Canvas or Dobby Cloth. 

DMC is the superior canvas hooding product; more so than the commonly seen SMC (Standard Mohair Canvas) products on the market, which can also be referred to / known as – Stayfast®, Twillfast®.

Hooding: PVC – a waterproof plastic coated material with a knitted cotton backing. Heavily grained surface finish. ‘Everflex’ is the ICI trade name for PVC hooding. Can also be referred to as – British Everflex, Vinyl Hooding or Crush Grain Vinyl.

Leather – a natural product derived from animal skins with marks, blemishes and scratches an inherent part of the materials’ surface and character. Modern day processes – such as mechanical graining and dyeing techniques – help hide imperfections to maximise use of the hide, reduce production waste and make leather products accessible to the wider market. Whilst Vaumol™ natural grain leather would have been original for these cars, our Grained, Smooth and Antiqued Leathers offer a more than suitable alternative in keeping with originality – you can read more about these here.

Leathercloth / Vynide – both names refer to the same material; a coloured and lightly grained PVC material with a thin woven cotton backing and no stretch. Leathercloth / Vynide replaced Rexine in the marketplace. ‘Vynide’ was the ICI trade name for this material. Used for Trim Panels, Piping & Binding. The choice for restorers looking to return their interior to truly original specification. Available in a select range of colours.

Millboard – a flexible and tough cardboard like material with a grained finish to its surface. Used for Trim Panels & Boot Trunk Areas. Can be creased to allow for bending around bodywork fixtures such as Petrol Filler Pipes. Can also be referred to as ‘Fibreboard.’

Moquette – a short pile, high quality wool mix material with a velvet-like touch. Used for various trim items across the Jaguar range such as Seat Backs, Wheel Arch Covers and Trim Panels. Available in a variety of colours.

Piping – a flexible core encased in either Leathercloth or Vinyl and finished with a flanged edge. Sewn around seat edges and pleated panels, and either sewn or stapled to some interior panels such as Wheel Arch Covers or Door Panels. (Please note, although Vinyl piping available in a wider colour choice than its Leathercloth counterpart, it is thicker than Leathercloth which results in a bulkier appearance. It can also catch and snag easily, and wrinkles around corners when sewing. We would always recommend to use Leathercloth piping where possible, unless you feel particularly limited by colour choice within the Leathercloth range).

Piping: Chrome (as seen on Austin Healey BJ8 Front & Rear Seats) – a silver and black twisted yarn core encased in bendy plastic with a flanged edge to create a ‘chrome’ / metallic effect piping. Original for Austin Healey BJ8 Vinyl Front & Rear Seats. Often referred to incorrectly as ‘gold’ piping (the result of the original chrome piping yellowing through age and sunlight exposure).

Piping: Plastic (as seen on Triumph TR4-TR6 Panels & Seats) – a 3mm moulded plastic piping only available in Black or White. Originally used for Triumph TR4-TR6 Interior Panels & Seat Kits. No longer used by John Skinner for Seat Kits as it does not provide the flexibility required for good seat structure. John Skinner would only use this plastic piping on trimmed panels if customers are not ordering seats to match. Where customers are ordering both Interior Panels & a Seat Kit, Leathercloth piping is used in place of the original plastic piping.

Rexine – a coloured and lightly grained plastic material with a thin woven cotton backing and no stretch. Rexine was an early type of Leathercloth, but thinner and of a similar quality to book-binding material. Used across Trim Panels, Piping & Binding. It is no longer available on the market and was gradually superseded by Leathercloth / Vynide.

Underfelt – a natural material made from compressed jute felt fibres to offer heat and sound resistance properties. Anti-scuff finish to face. Flexible, durable and essential for flooring restorations to ensure carpet kits fit correctly. Place directly onto the bodywork floor of the car prior to fitting carpets on top. Can be used in conjunction with modern-day heat and soundproofing materials such as Dynamat®.

Vaumol™ – a leather finishing process developed in-house by Connolly Leather to celebrate the natural and individual characteristics, patina and aroma of each hide. The leather is vegetable tanned and surfaced dyed and left with its natural grain to the surface which is enhanced through the Vaumol™ finish. ‘Luxan’ hides are further enhanced with a secondary colour application. 

Vinyl / Ambla – both names refer to the same material; a coloured grained PVC with a thick knitted cotton backing allowing for good stretch qualities. Its knitted backing makes it thicker than Leathercloth / Vynide. ‘Ambla’ was the ICI trade name for this material. It was introduced to the market in the early 1960’s and was used widely across Trim Panels & Seats from this period onwards, quickly replacing its Leathercloth alternative. Favoured by today’s restorers due to its more flexible nature and wider colour range availability, it is quite common to see Vinyl used as a substitute for Leathercloth.

(Note that for carpet edging and seat piping, we would always recommend using Leathercloth. It is thinner than Vinyl, making it more suitable for sewing round corners and curves without wrinkling or adding bulk).