Triumph TR2
Encyclopedia
The Triumph TR2 is a sports car
which was produced by the Standard Motor Company
in the United Kingdom
between 1953 and 1955, during which time 8,636 cars were produced.
The car used a twin SU carburetor version of the 121 cid
(1991 cc
) four-cylinder Standard Vanguard
engine tuned to increase its output to 90 bhp. 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 but overdrive
was 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
TR2's registered with the DVLA.
export market to North America
. It was also built because Sir John Black, the boss of the Standard Motor Company
, made a bid for the Morgan Motor Company
and failed. So he would have to build his own sports car that could compete with MG. Triumph 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 8s; the engine was the Standard Vanguard 2-litre; and a two-seater body was created around this. It was named the TS20. When it was revealed at the 1952 London Motor Show, the look of the car wasn't liked. But the project was given the go-ahead by Black anyway. 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 which gave one a factory hard-top.
magazine in 1954 had a top speed of 107.3 mph (172.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 12.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 34.5 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £900 including taxes. The overdrive option had added £56 to the total.
They also commented that it was the lowest price British car able to exceed 100 mi/h.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
which was produced by the Standard Motor Company
Standard Motor Company
The Standard Motor Company was founded in Coventry, England in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay . The Standard name was last used in Britain in 1963, and in India in 1987.-1903–1914:...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
between 1953 and 1955, during which time 8,636 cars were produced.
The car used a twin SU carburetor version of the 121 cid
Cid
Cid may refer to:* Cid , a series of fictional characters in the Final Fantasy series of computer role-playing games* Cid Corman, a poet* Cid, a slang term for Lysergic acid diethylamide...
(1991 cc
CC
CC or cc may refer to:* Cubic centimetre, a unit of volume often associated with engine displacement-Organizations and companies:* Creative Commons, a non-profit organization in the field of copyright licensing...
) four-cylinder Standard Vanguard
Standard Vanguard
The car used a conventional chassis on which was mounted the American inspired semi-streamlined four-door body, which resembles a Plymouth. Suspension was independent at the front with coil springs and a live axle and leaf springs at the rear. Front and rear anti-roll bars were fitted. The brakes...
engine tuned to increase its output to 90 bhp. The body was mounted on a substantial separate chassis with coil-sprung independent suspension
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
at the front and a leaf spring live axle
Live axle
A live axle, sometimes called a solid axle, is a type of beam axle suspension system that uses the driveshafts that transmit power to the wheels to connect the wheels laterally so that they move together as a unit....
at the rear. Either wire or disc wheels could be supplied. The standard transmission was a four-speed manual unit but overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
was 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
Sorn
Sorn is a small village in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated on the River Ayr. It has a population of roughly 350. Local services include: a pub, a church, a general store, a motorbike shop and a television shop. There is also a village hall and a bowling green and primary school...
TR2's registered with the DVLA.
History
The TR2 was designed to challenge MG in the sports carSports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
export market to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It was also built because Sir John Black, the boss of the Standard Motor Company
Standard Motor Company
The Standard Motor Company was founded in Coventry, England in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay . The Standard name was last used in Britain in 1963, and in India in 1987.-1903–1914:...
, made a bid for the Morgan Motor Company
Morgan Motor Company
The Morgan Motor Company is a British motor car manufacturer. The company was founded in 1910 by Harry Frederick Stanley Morgan, generally known as "HFS" and was run by him until he died, aged 77, in 1959. Peter Morgan, son of H.F.S., ran the company until a few years before his death in 2003...
and failed. So he would have to build his own sports car that could compete with MG. Triumph 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
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
was a shortened version of the Standard 8s; the engine was the Standard Vanguard 2-litre; and a two-seater body was created around this. It was named the TS20. When it was revealed at the 1952 London Motor Show, the look of the car wasn't liked. But the project was given the go-ahead by Black anyway. A year later the TR2 was revealed. It had better looks; a simple ladder-type chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
; 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 which gave one a factory hard-top.
Performance data
A car with overdrive tested by The MotorThe Motor (magazine)
The Motor was a British weekly car magazine founded on 28 January 1903....
magazine in 1954 had a top speed of 107.3 mph (172.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 12.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 34.5 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £900 including taxes. The overdrive option had added £56 to the total.
They also commented that it was the lowest price British car able to exceed 100 mi/h.
| Speed | Time | Time (overdrive version) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 miles per hour (13.4 m/s) | 3.6 s | 4.0 s |
| 0–50 miles per hour (22.4 m/s) | 8.2 s | 8.2 s |
| 0–60 miles per hour (26.8 m/s) | 11.9 s | 12.0 s |
| 0–90 miles per hour (40.2 m/s) | 31.5 s | 30.4 s |
Owners
- Chris BarrieChris BarrieChris Barrie is a British actor. He first achieved success as a vocal impressionist, notably in the ITV sketch show Spitting Image...
, most famous for his role as Rimmer in the cult TV series Red DwarfRed DwarfRed Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
owns a TR2. - BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
virtuosoVirtuosoA virtuoso is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument. The plural form is either virtuosi or the Anglicisation, virtuosos, and the feminine form sometimes used is virtuosa...
hornHorn (instrument)The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
player Dennis BrainDennis BrainDennis Brain was a British virtuoso horn player and was largely credited for popularizing the horn as a solo classical instrument with the post-war British public...
was killed at the age of 36 in an accident near BarnetBarnetHigh Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
in a TR2. - Tintin (character)Tintin (character)Tintin is a fictional character in The Adventures of Tintin, the series of classic Belgian comic books written and illustrated by Hergé. Tintin is the protagonist of the series, a reporter and adventurer who travels around the world with his dog Snowy....
drives a TR2 in The Adventures of Tintin (film).