1955 Triumph TR2 news, pictures, and information

The Triumph TR2 was a two-door sports car produced from 1953 through 1955. The TR2 was the first in the TR series and when introduced, was warmly received by the public and the motoring press. Its open roadster configuration with cutaway doors was visual appealing, complimented by a twin-carburetor Standard Vanguard engine that was capable of producing 90 horsepower and achieving a 105 mph top speed. A removable hardtop was optional equipment, as was an overdrive transmission and attractive wire wheels.

The TR2 was the creation of Sir John Black, the owner and managing director of the Standard Motor Company. Black had though that the Triumph 1800 would be the popular vehicle at the close of World War II. He had designed and created a vehicle that had drawn its styling cues from the stylish 1930's and gave it a reasonably powerful engine. Unfortunately for Black, Jaguar introduced their XK120 series which could outrun the 1800 and could reach 60 mph in a third of the time it took the 1800. The 120 boasted the Jaguars top speed. With its modern styling and aggressive engine, the XK series proved to be far more popular than the Triumph. The TR2 was an evolution of Blacks desire to produce a popular car.

In 1952 Black introduced the TR1 at the London Motor Show. The name was eventually changed to TR2. Much of the demise of the 1800 was due to its expensive sticker price. With the help of Triumph chief engineer Ted Grinham and designer Walter Belgrove, steps were taken to minimize production costs wherever possible. The body was designed to minimize costly compound curves. The front suspension was comprised of an A-arm and coil springs. A Vanguard four-speed gearbox with overdrive helped power the rear wheels. With a length of just over 150 inches and only 88 inches wide, the TR2 was tiny, lightweight, and attractive. By 1953 the production version of the TR2 was on display at the Geneva Motor Show.

Under the hood was a Vanguard 2 liter engine that produced nearly 70 horsepower. With the addition of dual SU carburetors and higher compression the rating jumped to 90. It may not seem like much but it carried the little car to a top speed of nearly 125 mph.

The Triumph 1800 and 2000 were excellent learning exercises for Black. He had been embarrassed by the Jaguars modern styling, excellent horsepower, versatility and cost. Black's response was the TR series, a series that capitalized on everything the 1800 had lacked. The result was the foundation for a successful line of TR models. During the TR2's two year production run, nearly 8640 examples were created.

The TR2 was highly successful in the US where it was raced by many privateers. In 1954 a team of nearly stock TR2's were entered in the Mille Miglia. A year later the TR2's were entered in the grueling 24 Hours of LeMans race.

Vehicle Spotlight

Triumph: 1951-1960

Similar Automakers

Other models by Triumph