Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the TR3 chassis and mechanical components were supplied by the Triumph Motor Company in the United Kingdom, and built in Turin, Italy.

Designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built at a facility owned by Carrozzeria Vignale in Turin, under contract to Ruffino S.p.A. Industria Costruzione Automobile of Naples, the car was expected to appeal to people wanting the dependability and readily available stock of mechanical parts of a Triumph, but who were willing to spend more for a better looking car than the current TR3.

Advertising copy proclaimed it "Italian bodywork at its best, British tradition in sports car engineering at its finest."

At the time, Salvatore Ruffino was the owner of CESAC, the Italian company that distributed Standard-Triumph in Italy.

The 1959 Turin show featured another early car (probably Italia #3) on the Triumph stand and, by all accounts, the motoring press was impressed.

Perhaps the easiest method to identify a "production" Italia is the use of side marker lights on the front wings.

If this badge is missing, the number can be found stamped on other parts of the car or written on the backs of the interior panels.

In the case of a missing badge, it is important for owners to check in multiple places for numbers as occasionally parts from cars being assembled at the same time were interchanged with others.

Perhaps fearing increased competition, the new management did not honour the verbal contract that Ruffino had made with Triumph, and instead concentrated their efforts on the new TR4.

The first brochure from Ruffino listed these options: adjustable steering, overdrive (this was indicated by an extra "O" at the end of the chassis number), leather interior (rare), white wall tires, Dunlop High Speed tires (early cars were supplied with Michelin radials as standard), Competition Rear Shocks, Competition Front Springs, Aluminum Sump, and Radio.

Later brochures show fewer option choices: overdrive, steel disc wheels, leather interior, white wall tires and adjustable steering.

Body parts were not stocked outside Italy and buyers were required to sign a release form of acknowledgment.

Starting in late 1961, cars were also distributed by Inter National Motors of Los Angeles with a considerably lower $3995 price tag.