1954 Triumph TR2

Lovely, small-cowl Triumph TR2 that was purchased in March 2015with the Mille Miglia in mind

Very smart in Old English White, new Red soft-top, chrome wire wheels, and 'pencil' whitewall tyres

Significant mechanical work which included a full engine rebuild and cylinder work in February 2017.

Complete braking system replaced including wheel cylinders, brake shoes, brake lines, and flexible hoses

Launched in 1953, the TR2 was developed from the one and only TR1 with the experimental chassis number X505. The design of the TR1 was rejected because the rear end treatment, known as the 'bobtail', included an exposed spare wheel and was felt not to be quite right. So the TR2 was effectively the first model in the TR range. The car was well received by the motoring press and it quickly established a strong place in the British sports car market, remaining in production until 1955 when it was replaced by the TR3, by which time 8,628 examples had been sold. Built with a traditional chassis and pressed steel bodies, the chassis from numbers TS1 to TS1400 were produced by Triumph at the factory and thereafter these chassis were produced by Sankeys with the body shells made by Mulliners Ltd, in Birmingham.

Handsome and purposeful, the TR2 came as an attractive open roadster with cutaway doors and a front wing line that flowed gracefully up and over the rear wheels. Equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a live rear axle, and all-round drum brakes, it was powered by a notably torquey twin-carb version of the 2-litre Vanguard ohv engine which produced 90bhp and could propel the little car to 60mph in 11.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 107mph fitted with the four-speed gearbox.

Triumph's hopes that the car would be successful in competition were soon realised, winning the team prize in the Alpine Rally at their first outing, 27th overall in the Mille Miglia beating many Ferraris, and a win in the 1954 RAC Rally.

Offered here is a lovely, small-cowl Triumph TR2 that was purchased by a valued customer of Silverstone Auctions with the intention of preparing it for the Mille Miglia. He purchased the TR2 in March 2015 and set about significant mechanical work which included a full engine rebuild and cylinder work in February 2017. The complete braking system was replaced including wheels cylinders, brake shoes, brake lines and flexible hoses. A new starter motor was fitted together with a heater matrix and an effective screen wash system with a new glass bottle.

Always a perennial favourite this charming TR2 is a super example, suitable to be developed as a classic competition car or just plain good fun with the roof down.