Vitesse Triumph TR3S Le Mans 1959 #26 Bolton/Rothschild Limited Edition CL005

1:43 diecast model of one of the 3 unique TR3S cars that raced at Le Mans in 1959. This car, number 26, driven by Bolton & Rothschild retired after 35 laps with a holed radiator.

Diecast metal body in British Racing Green with white roundels and race number 26, with a white nose, chrome radiator grille, headlight rings, windscreen surround, fuel cap, rear bumper overriders and exhaust, clear glazed headlights, cross-taped, silver bonnet and boot hinges, door handles, boot latch, licence plate light and rear Triumph lettering, red glazed rear lights and painted indicators, glazed windscreen, white tonneau cover, XHP 940 licence plates. Detailed black interior with chrome gear lever and 3-spoke steering wheel. The model rolls on chrome wire wheels with treaded rubber tyres and a detailed black plastic base.

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 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.[8]

The TR3 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 the new sports car as a "grand touring" coupé, the GT class still permitted to race on French public roadways.[8] A 'grand touring kit' was made available to customers as an optional extra (part No. 554313).[13]

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, 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.[29][30]

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 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.

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