Triumph 3TA

The 3TA was reasonably peppy and practical when it was introduced in 1957 (the Twenty-one name celebrates the Triumph Engineering Company's 21st birthday). Motor Cycling magazine reported that it was one of the fastest standard British 350 roadsters with an 'untiring zest' for high speed cruising, safe handling and remarkably economical fuel consumption. Not everyone liked it that much, however; 'the Twenty-one was a bland-looking motorcycle that came over as a diminished version of the traditional Triumph,' said Cyril Ayton, 'while falling short of presenting the integrated look of even the humblest scooter.'

The 18bhp 350 was capable of reaching 80mph - just - but in truth the fast rider was more likely to buy a 500. Dave Minton recalls that 'given a ruthless pilot, a hard-pressed Twenty-one would manage 75mph but any attempt to change direction hard and fast, or even hold the line along an undulating road, would cause the kind of nasty loss of stability that can only ever be a consequence of a weak frame.' So the 3TA tended to sell steadily thanks to its fuel economy (75mpg was perfectly possible), good weather protection and ease of maintenance. Triumph even sold it on those grounds as an 'easy to clean and clean-to-ride machine'. Perfect for the daily grind, then.

And that's just what happened to Geoff's 3TA. It got ground down over years of use and then neglect. Geoff and his brother took turns in owning it, and Geoff used it for commuting 50 miles each day in the mid-1970s. 'By 1977 it was worn out' says Geoff, 'and my brother had it back with the intention of restoring. Other things got in the way, so I had it back again in late 1982 but it continued rusting away for nearly six more years until restoration began in late 1988.

The Triumph gets used every year so has developed a few minor scuffs and dents. The only way to address these would be another cosmetic restoration, but I like it the way it is.

Since its restoration the 3TA has covered nearly 5000 miles. There were some teething troubles at the start; 'all the lights blew and the battery blew up when the lights were switched on. It was traced to faulty, original light switch.' Since then the 3TA has been '100% reliable. It really impresses me every year when it starts first kick after the winter lay-up - which can be eight months long!

Geoff's happiest moment with the 3TA came when it first took to the road after its initial restoration back in 1989. 'I could not get the smile off my face! It had been off the road since 1977 and it was wonderful to have it running again and looking like new.

The 3TA still attracts attention and won its class in the Shugborough Hall Transport Show last summer. Geoff reckons that this model is an ideal classic for anyone looking to try an old Triumph for the first time; 'don't hesitate, but don't expect it to go like a Bonneville!