1955 Triumph TR2

The Triumph TR2 was produced from 1953 through 1955, with a total of 8,636 examples built. Offered solely in roadster form, it was powered by a four-cylinder Standard wet liner inline-four-cylinder engine from Vanguard with a 121 cubic-inch displacement and 90 horsepower.

Triumph was absorbed by the Standard Motor Company in 1944 with the purpose of re-establishing the marque as a sports car manufacturer. Following a failed takeover bid for Morgan, a prototype Triumph sports car called the 20TS (subsequently known as the TR1) was displayed at the 1952 Motor Show. This design was ultimately rejected due to its traditional (prewar-inspired) styling and the rear-end treatment, which had a 'bobtail' with an exposed spare wheel. Only one example was built.

The Triumph 20TS unofficially referred to as the Triumph TR1, rested on a 91-inch wheelbase platform with suspension components sourced from the Triumph Mayflower and the engine from the Standard Vanguard. The bodywork work design was built with economy in mind, with no panels requiring double-action presswork. Its basic design would evolve into the TR2, albeit with several significant changes.

The TR1 prototype was a terrible road-going vehicle but a brilliant starting point. Its engine was underpowered for a proper sportscar, it had poor handling, there was limited storage space in the trunk (boot), and the interior offered minimal room for its occupants. After resolving many of these shortcomings, the Triumph TR2 was introduced in March of 1953 at the Geneva Motor Show, with the first production example leaving the Triumph works at Canley in August 1953. Production was initially slow over the following months, and just (approximately) 248 were built prior to 1954, with most being sent overseas (just 50 remained in the U.K.). Production and popularity began to escalate during 1954, inspired by Triumph's determination that a reasonable proportion would stay in the UK, whereas MG, Morgan, and Jaguar were mainly exporting. They had low running costs, affordable, and impressive performance. Triumph won the team prize in the Alpine Rally on their first outing, and a TR2 finished the 1954 Mille Miglia in 28th place out of 450 starters. At that year's Le Mans 24 Hours, a TR2 placed 5th in class. These results emphasized the strength and performance of the cars.

Compared to the 20TS, the TR2 had a new chassis frame, a more powerful engine, and a lengthened tail style. The open roadster had cutaway doors and a front wing line that flowed gracefully up and over the rear wheels. The 1991cc four-cylinder, overhead valve engine used twin H4 type SU carburetors and a four-speed manual transmission, with optional top gear overdrive. Lockheed drum brakes provided the stopping power, and the wheels were either wire or disc. The chassis was suspended by a coil spring-independent suspension at the front and a leaf spring live axle at the rear. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 11.9 seconds, with top speed achieved at 107.3 mph.

The first batch of production cars were all hand-assembled, and until October 1954, the first 4,000 cars were produced with 'long door' body shells subsequently, the TR2 changed to 'short doors' with body sills under them. 'Long door' TR2s are considerably lighter than their later siblings.

The TR2 was replaced by the TR3, which remained in production from 1955 through 1962. An evolution of the TR2, the TR3 had improved braking, more power, and removable plexiglass side curtains. Approximately 74,800 examples were built which made it the company's third best-seller in the TR range, with only the TR6 and TR7 being more popular.

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