Triumph TR2

Triumph TR2
Overview
Manufacturer	Standard Motor Company
Production	1953–1955
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Powertrain
Engine	1991 cc Straight-4
Transmission	4-speed manual[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	88 in (2,235 mm)[2]
Length	151 in (3,835 mm)[2]
Width	55 in (1,397 mm)[2]
Height	50 in (1,270 mm)[2]
Curb weight	2,100 lb (953 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Triumph TR1 / 20TS
Successor	Triumph TR3

The Triumph TR2 is a sports car produced by the Standard Motor Company in the United Kingdom between 1953 and 1955, during which time 8,636 ^[3] cars were produced.

The car used a twin SU carburettor version of the 121 cid (1991 cc) four-cylinder Standard Vanguard engine tuned to increase its output to 90 bhp (67 kW).^[2][4] The body was mounted on a substantial separate chassis with coil-sprung independent suspension at the front and a leaf spring live axle at the rear. Either wire or disc wheels could be supplied. The standard transmission was a four-speed manual unit, with overdrive available on top gear as an option. Lockheed drum brakes were fitted all round.

As of Q1 2011 there were approximately 377 licensed and 52 SORN TR2s registered with the DVLA.^[5][6]

History

The TR2 was built because Sir John Black, the boss of the Standard Motor Company, made a bid for the Morgan Motor Company and failed. Standard already made the Triumph Roadster, but it was out-dated and under-powered. Sir John Black wanted an affordable sports car, so he initiated a prototype to be built. The chassis was a shortened version of the Standard Eight's and the engine was the Standard Vanguard 2-litre, around which a two-seater body was created. Named the 20TS, it was revealed at the 1952 London Motor Show.

Black asked BRM development engineer and test driver Ken Richardson to assess the 20TS, and after he declared it to be a "death trap" a project was undertaken to improve on the design.^[7] A year later the TR2 was revealed. It had better looks; a simple ladder-type chassis; a longer body; and a bigger boot. It was loved by American buyers, and became the best earner for Triumph. In 1955 the TR3 came out with more power; a re-designed grille; and a GT package that included a factory hard-top.^[4]

Performance data

A car with overdrive tested by The Motor magazine in 1954 had a top speed of 107.3 mph (172.7 km/h), and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 12.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 34.5 miles per imperial gallon (8.2 L/100 km; 28.7 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £900 including taxes. The overdrive option had added £56 to the total.

The magazine also commented that the TR2 was the lowest price British car able to exceed 100 mph (160 km/h).^[2]

Speed	Time	Time (overdrive version)[2]
0–30 mph (48 km/h)	3.6 s	4.0 s
0–50 mph (80 km/h)	8.2 s	8.2 s
0–60 mph (97 km/h)	11.9 s	12.0 s
0–90 mph (140 km/h)	31.5 s	30.4 s

TR2 in Motorsport Competition

Concentrating on rapid entry into the lucrative US sports car market, Standard-Triumph had given little thought to the competitive potential of their new TR2 roadster. Two events would highlight this omission: the Jabbeke Tests, and early privateer rally victories.^[8]

Employing a production TR2 with optional streamlining equipment (Under-shield (Part #502122), Rear-wing spats, Metal cockpit cover),^[9] Triumph attained a speed of 124.889 mph on the closed Jabbeke motorway in Belgium in May 1953.^[10] The following March, customer TR2’s took 1st, 2nd, and 5th places in the prestigious RAC Rally. The publicity derived from these accomplishments led the factory to establish a Competition Department under the leadership of Ken Richardson, supporting both works and customer cars.^[8]

Between 1954 and 1955, the TR2 was campaigned in the Mille Miglia, the Ulster TT at Dundrod, the Grand Prix of Macao, Lockbourne Races (USA), the Alpine, Monte Carlo, RAC, Thousand Island (Canada), Liege-Rome-Liege, Nigeria 24-Hour, 3rd ADAG Gruenewaldfahrt, Circuit of Ireland, Soleil-Cannes, RSAC, and Tulip rallies, among others, earning numerous Outright, Team, and Class awards including the coveted Coupe des Alpes.^[10]

In 1955, a Triumph works team of three modified TR2’s (disc brakes, larger carburetors, Jabbeke windscreens) were entered in the 24 Heures du Mans. Reaching speeds of up to 120 mph on the Mulsanne Straight, the team would complete the legendary endurance race in 14th, 15th, and 19th positions. Some of the modifications on these cars (Girling disc brakes, carburetors) would subsequently appear on the Triumph TR3.^[8]

Doug Whiteford won the 1955 Moomba TT at the Albert Park Circuit in Victoria, Australia driving a Triumph TR2.^[11]

Notes

1. "Second Hand car guide supplement". Practical Motorist. 6 Nbr 68: between pages 768 & 769. April 1960.
2. "The Triumph Sports 2-seater". The Motor. 7 April 1954.
3. Original Triumph TR, Bill Piggott, ISBN 1-870979-24-9
4. Buckley,Martin. The Illustrated Book of Classic Cars. Anness Publishing, 1997, 2003, pp. 242–3. ISBN 1-84215-972-0
5. "How Many Left web site". www.howmanyleft.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
6. "Vehicle licensing statistics". Department of Transport. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
7. Langworth, Richard M. (Second Quarter 1973). "Trundling Along With Triumph – The story thus far...". Automobile Quarterly (Automobile Quarterly Inc.) 11 (2): 116–45. LCCN 62004005. Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. TR for Triumph, Chris Harvey, 1985, ISBN 0 902280 94 5
9. Original Triumph TR2/3/3A, Bill Piggott, 1998, ISBN 1 901432 03 3
10. Triumph Guide, Dave Allen and Dick Strome, 1959, Library of Congress 59-9853
11. Argus Moomba Motor Races, Australian Motor Sports, April 1955, pages 137 - 142