1955 Triumph

Another lovely Triumph arrives at Chuggaboom and this short-door 1955 TR2 presented in Primrose Yellow with Black Hide comes with a rare Black Hard top and a file packed with colour photographs of a 4-year-long body-off rebuild around 20 years ago. An older restoration, this pretty car still looks sharp and drives very nicely and offers scope for some cosmetic winter detailing. 

Promoted by Triumph as the very first mass-produced 100mph sports car, the TR2 soon became a motorsport legend. Using the twin-carburettor version of the Standard Vanguard engine developing 90BHP mated to a manual 4-speed gearbox with optional overdrive, the little car encouraged spirited driving. Unfortunately the drum brakes fitted on these early cars weren`t quite up to the job with the dreaded fade evident under hard braking and many a car disappearing either into or over the nearest hedge! Indeed the DVLA record that of almost 9000 cars built between 1953-55, less than 500 remain on UK roads. 

Built in September 1955, our car is one of the very last TR2`s and was supplied new to a gentleman in Jamaica. We know very little of it`s early history but do know that it came back into the UK in the late 1980`s as a restoration project. Four years later, it was sold fully restored to a gentleman in Bristol and has remained in the same area ever since with just 1 additional keeper. We have a comprehensive photograph album of all the work undertaken 1989-1993 from a chassis restoration to a completed car. 

Almost twenty years on, the car still presents well with just a few paint blemishes to the body-work and a gentle patina to the interior. Our mechanic (a TR Register Concours Judge) loves the car and was astonished at the originality. From the proper TR2 rear axle to the servo-assisted drum brakes (which do work remarkably well!), from external trim to cockpit detail, it is the real deal. On the road, it drives just as it should with a good notchy gear-change (with overdrive), nice balanced handling and spirited acceleration. We shall be servicing the car prior to sale and it reflects an example capable of being enjoyed immediately. It comes with MOT Certificates back to 1993 and a current Certificate to February 2012. 

In addition to a factory Hardtop in Black, the car comes with a full soft-top and tonneau cover. 

A very pretty British roadster with interesting history. Not expensive either.