The history of tra
The History of TRA
TRA History
The History of TRA
The Triumph Register of America (TRA) was founded in 1974 by a small but passionate group of Triumph enthusiasts in the Columbus, Ohio area who shared a deep commitment to preserving the TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR3B, TR4, and TR4A—the classic side screen Triumph sports cars and the Triumphs with the same drive train!
The origin starts with Joe Richards (of Lancaster, OH) who had an idea of a club specifically for sidescreen TRs. It was Joe and other TR friends at the time who invested in the dream of a Triumph that all could enjoy. Today we celebrate those individuals as “Honorary Lifetime Members”, including Tom Householder (deceased), Tom Mahoney, Joe Richards (deceased), Nino Richards, Jeff Zimmerman, and Jerry Zimmerman (deceased).
At the time, many car clubs focused broadly on all British marques or were Triumph focused, with the Triumph clubs including all models. TRA sought to create an organization exclusively dedicated to the early TR series, with a special emphasis on originality, technical accuracy, and camaraderie among owners. The early members were largely based in the northeastern United States, where a strong core of Triumph collectors, restorers, and racers had emerged.
The driving vision behind the TRA was to:
• Establish a national registry for sidescreen TR cars,
• Create a platform to share technical information, restoration guidance, and authenticity standards,
• Promote social connections through newsletters, regional activities, and an annual national meet,
• Encourage accurate restorations, using a judging manual to document factory-correct specifications and executing a Concours to judge the results.
The first TRA newsletter was published in 1974, followed by the club’s first National Meet, which became an annual tradition. Early supporters and leaders of the club included Triumph enthusiasts, restoration experts, and technical contributors who helped shape its unique focus. As the organization grew, it became a cornerstone of the Triumph community in North America—a voice for the preservation and enjoyment of the sidescreen cars, offering technical documentation, concours judging, and a thriving membership network.
Today, TRA remains one of the most respected Triumph clubs in the world, known for its strict originality standards and for helping thousands of enthusiasts keep their vintage Triumphs on the road and true to their heritage.
TRA Development and Milestones
1970s–1980s
• Launched a bi-monthly newsletter, which evolved into The TRA National Newsletter.
• Organized the first Annual TRA National Meets, blending car shows, technical seminars, concours judging, and social events.
• Established reputation for concours judging standards that emphasize original restoration practices.
• Established local centers across the country
1990s–2000s
• Membership grew nationally, supported by vendors and suppliers like Moss Motors and The Roadster Factory.
• Expanded the Judging Standards Manual, becoming one of the most detailed resources on original Triumph specifications.
• Began digitizing and preserving factory documents, brochures, and technical bulletins for member access.
• Added TR4 and TR4A Concours classes
2010s–Present
• Adopted online tools for member communication and event organization.
• Expanded presence through social media and online forums, strengthening the community.
• Continued the Annual National Meet with rotating locations and strong turnout.
• Welcomed a new generation of enthusiasts, often mentored by long-time members, restoring TR2–TR4A cars.
• TRA’s Legacy and Influence
TRA “North Stars”
• Concours Authority: Set the gold standard for original concours restorations of early Triumph TRs.
• Historical Preservation: Documented obscure details, factory changes, and production records.
• Community: Built lifelong friendships and supported countless owners through complex restorations.
• Exclusive Focus: Remains the only car club in the world dedicated solely to the TR2–TR4A series.