Information
- Eligible to Mille Miglia, Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique and to the main events.Restored, excellent conditions.
- Simple and reliable, ideal for competition.
- British roadster par excellence: spartan, elegant, fun.
Certificates and Statements: FIVA
Documents: UK plates and registration from 1955, Italian registration in progress.
Eligibility:
Documents: UK plates and registration from 1955, Italian registration in progress.
Eligibility:
- Mille Miglia. Eligible.
- Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
- Targa Florio. Eligible.
- Goodwood Revival. Eligible
- Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. Eligible.
- Tour Auto. Eligible.
- Le Mans Classic. Eligible.
- Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
- Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia. Eligible.
- Winther Marathon. Eligible.- California Mille: Eligible.
- Nürburgring Classic. Eligible.
Provenance
The model
The T.R.2 was designed to compete with MG sports cars in North America and to replace the Triumph Roadster, which had become obsolete. For these reasons John Black, president of the Standard Motor Company, the owners of Triumph, decided to design a new model. A prototype was set up with the name of 20TS and presented at the 1952 London motor show. The new sports car was to relaunch the brand, but the need to contain production costs imposed obsolete choices. Black asked test driver Ken Richardson to test the prototype. Following his negative impression, Black decided to redesign the 20TS with the collaboration of Richardson. A year later the evolution was ready, called T.R.2 larger and with new mechanics. Richardson's lengthy refinement work and the successful line (truly innovative compared to the previous Roadster) meant that the car was greeted with enthusiasm at its debut in 1953, especially in America. The line vaguely resembled that of the Jaguar XK120, but there was no lack of originality in the front with the recessed grille nor on the sides, with the handle less doors. The first T.R.2s were characterized by the so-called "small mouth" and "long door", that is, by the small recessed grille and the doors that extended to the lower part of the wheel arch. After the first 1000 units were produced, the so-called "small mouth, short door" model was introduced, which maintained the same small recessed grille, but with shorter doors. In 1955, the T.R.2 was replaced by the T.R.3. Admittedly a sporty car, the T.R.2 had a 1,991 cc in-line engine for 90 hp, an updated version of the engine mounted on the Standard Vanguard. Power was supplied by two SU carburettors. The chassis was separate, the independent front suspensions used coil springs, the rear used leaf spring and a rigid axle. The wheels were available in either wire and steel-disc rim versions. The standard transmission was a four-speed manual, with (optional) overdrive on the highest gear. The brakes were Lockheed drum-type on all four wheels. Thanks to its low weight and correct gear ratio, the engine, although not thrilling, gave good performances. Traction was rear wheel drive. An example with overdrive was tested by The Motor magazine in 1954 achieving a maximum speed of 172.7 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 97 km/h in 12 seconds. The magazine stated that the T.R.2 was the least expensive British car able to exceed 100 mph (160 km/h). The model then cost 900 GBP. It is believed that 8,636 were produced between 1953 and 1955. The T.R.2 has been, and is, very much loved, a fact which is immediately understood from the number of nicknames both funny and affectionate that have been given to it. Small mouth, short door but also "sidescreen", due to its use of removable perspex side panels. The Spartan roadster was a success in terms of both sales and races. The Mille Miglia saw examples of T.R.2 in 1954 (the best result: 27th overall) in 1955 and 1956.
The car
The Triumph T.R.2, chassis no. TS7071 is a 1955 "short door" example. The car is fitted with wire wheels. It’s an RHD model, built on July 1, 1955. It was originally coloured white, which was changed to black at an unknown date. It was registered in Middlesex (UK) on September 7, 1955. It has retained the original registration number 991FML. The car was kept by the same owner for about 25 years. The car has taken part in several events in the years in Europe. A restoration was carried out during the 1990s. The original engine and gearbox have been replaced with later T.R.3 assemblies. The car is in excellent body condition, the interiors are like new and the mechanics are kept in perfect working order. The TR2 is the epitome of the British roadster, an example of rough elegance, like Donegal tweed. Simple and reliable, it gives the impression of speed at any speed.
State of the Art: Complete, not recent restoration, T.R.3. engine and transmission, soft top in order.
The T.R.2 was designed to compete with MG sports cars in North America and to replace the Triumph Roadster, which had become obsolete. For these reasons John Black, president of the Standard Motor Company, the owners of Triumph, decided to design a new model. A prototype was set up with the name of 20TS and presented at the 1952 London motor show. The new sports car was to relaunch the brand, but the need to contain production costs imposed obsolete choices. Black asked test driver Ken Richardson to test the prototype. Following his negative impression, Black decided to redesign the 20TS with the collaboration of Richardson. A year later the evolution was ready, called T.R.2 larger and with new mechanics. Richardson's lengthy refinement work and the successful line (truly innovative compared to the previous Roadster) meant that the car was greeted with enthusiasm at its debut in 1953, especially in America. The line vaguely resembled that of the Jaguar XK120, but there was no lack of originality in the front with the recessed grille nor on the sides, with the handle less doors. The first T.R.2s were characterized by the so-called "small mouth" and "long door", that is, by the small recessed grille and the doors that extended to the lower part of the wheel arch. After the first 1000 units were produced, the so-called "small mouth, short door" model was introduced, which maintained the same small recessed grille, but with shorter doors. In 1955, the T.R.2 was replaced by the T.R.3. Admittedly a sporty car, the T.R.2 had a 1,991 cc in-line engine for 90 hp, an updated version of the engine mounted on the Standard Vanguard. Power was supplied by two SU carburettors. The chassis was separate, the independent front suspensions used coil springs, the rear used leaf spring and a rigid axle. The wheels were available in either wire and steel-disc rim versions. The standard transmission was a four-speed manual, with (optional) overdrive on the highest gear. The brakes were Lockheed drum-type on all four wheels. Thanks to its low weight and correct gear ratio, the engine, although not thrilling, gave good performances. Traction was rear wheel drive. An example with overdrive was tested by The Motor magazine in 1954 achieving a maximum speed of 172.7 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 97 km/h in 12 seconds. The magazine stated that the T.R.2 was the least expensive British car able to exceed 100 mph (160 km/h). The model then cost 900 GBP. It is believed that 8,636 were produced between 1953 and 1955. The T.R.2 has been, and is, very much loved, a fact which is immediately understood from the number of nicknames both funny and affectionate that have been given to it. Small mouth, short door but also "sidescreen", due to its use of removable perspex side panels. The Spartan roadster was a success in terms of both sales and races. The Mille Miglia saw examples of T.R.2 in 1954 (the best result: 27th overall) in 1955 and 1956.
The car
The Triumph T.R.2, chassis no. TS7071 is a 1955 "short door" example. The car is fitted with wire wheels. It’s an RHD model, built on July 1, 1955. It was originally coloured white, which was changed to black at an unknown date. It was registered in Middlesex (UK) on September 7, 1955. It has retained the original registration number 991FML. The car was kept by the same owner for about 25 years. The car has taken part in several events in the years in Europe. A restoration was carried out during the 1990s. The original engine and gearbox have been replaced with later T.R.3 assemblies. The car is in excellent body condition, the interiors are like new and the mechanics are kept in perfect working order. The TR2 is the epitome of the British roadster, an example of rough elegance, like Donegal tweed. Simple and reliable, it gives the impression of speed at any speed.
State of the Art: Complete, not recent restoration, T.R.3. engine and transmission, soft top in order.
Literature
- Bill Piggott, Triumph TR, TR 2 to 6, Haynes Publishing, UK 2016.
- Bill Piggott, Triumph TR 2, 3 & 3A In Detail, Herridge & Sons, UK 2008.-David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin, The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895-1975, Veloce Publishing UK 1997.
Condition report
To request a Condition Report, please contact automotive@finarte.it
The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers.
We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.