THE RED TRIUMPH: A Family Legacy

by Gary Murray

When George Melton first caught sight of the little red Triumph TR3A sitting in that Peoria used car lot in 1960, he knew instantly it had to be his. The sports car with just 1,500 miles on the odometer had been spotted by George’s father, who understood his son’s appreciation for fine engineering. George, a test engineer for Caterpillar Corporation, wasted no time getting to the lot and handing over $2,400 for what would become a cherished part of his family’s history for generations.

What makes this particular 1958 Triumph special isn’t just its immaculate condition or its racing pedigree—the TR3A model had distinguished itself with 1-2-3 finishes in its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans— but rather the six decades of careful stewardship and family memories it carries within its compact frame.

“The Red Car,” as it was affectionately known in the Melton household, was treated with reverence from day one. George drove it only on clear, sunny days, taking the long straight Illinois roads to Caterpillar’s proving grounds where he worked.

At the first hint of winter, before salt touched the Illinois roads, the Triumph would be carefully placed on blocks in the garage, preserving its chassis from the corrosive Midwestern winters. This ritual, repeated year after year, explains why today—over 60 years later—the car remains rust-free, a remarkable feat for a British sports car of this era.

The Triumph wasn’t just a weekend hobby; it was woven into the fabric of the Melton family life. George courted his future wife in this very car, a fact confirmed by a faded receipt from a drive-in theater I discovered tucked away in one of the car’s pockets. Two hot chocolates and the promise of a future together—the beginning of what would become a 61-year marriage.

For George’s daughter Rachel, who eventually became my wife, the sound of the Triumph’s distinctive engine coming down their street was the soundtrack of her childhood. She would dash to the end of the driveway at the first distant rumble, waiting excitedly for her father to arrive. George would pause, let his young daughter climb in, and then grant her the special privilege of “driving” the car into the garage—her small hands on the large steering wheel, guided by her father’s steady grip. This cherished ritual created an unbreakable bond between father, daughter, and automobile that would prove significant decades later.

Time, as it invariably does, marched on. George retired and decided to relocate to the Arizona desert, far from the winding roads of Illinois. The question of the Triumph’s fate loomed large. By tradition, his son Tom was first in line to inherit the car, but Arizona’s punishing heat meant the Triumph would likely languish unused in a garage for most of the year.

Rachel’s connection to the car ran deep, but convincing her detail-oriented engineer father to change his plans required more than nostalgic appeals. At my suggestion, she wrote George a heartfelt letter, meticulously documenting her memories of “The Red Car” and outlining our plan to properly house and maintain this family treasure in New England, promising to either keep it in the family or share any proceeds if it were ever sold. The letter worked where conversation had failed.

Today, the Triumph enjoys a vibrant second life navigating the rolling hills of the Blackstone Valley—drives this car was born to make. With just 40,000 original miles, it remains astonishingly original. Open the bonnet at any car show, and British car enthusiasts marvel at the untouched wiring, original fuses, and factory components. Among the sea of American muscle at local gatherings, this diminutive sports car from Coventry, England draws admirers with its timeless lines and authentic character.

The original owner added just two modest upgrades—a lighter and an AM radio with antenna—but otherwise, this TR3A remains exactly as it left the factory. No overdrive, no modern concessions, just pure, unadulterated British motoring heritage.

What looks like a simple sports car to casual observers is actually three things at once: a meticulously preserved piece of automotive history, a testament to George’s careful stewardship, and most importantly, a vessel containing sixty years of family memories. Every drive honors not just the engineering brilliance of Triumph’s golden era but also the man who recognized something special in that used car lot all those years ago.

“The Red Car” continues its journey, now with new caretakers but the same spirit, ensuring that the memories and legacy of George Melton’s beloved Triumph will cruise along New England roads for generations to come.