1954 Triumph TR2 Long Door (Mille Miglia eligible)

For sale by auction on Saturday 08 March 2014 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The first production road Triumph TR2 left the Triumph works at
Canley in August 1953; thereafter production was very slow for
several months. Just 250 cars were built prior to 1954 of which
only 50 stayed within the UK. At the start of 1954. production
increased and TR2s began to dominate the home market. This was due
to Triumph's determination that a reasonable proportion would stay
in the UK. whereas MG. Morgan and Jaguar were mainly exporting. The
early TR2s were sought after mainly because of their performance. br/>low running costs. availability and low price. Such was the success
of the TR2 that in 1954. one entered the famous Mille Miglia event
where it came 28th out of 450 starters and in the Le Mans 24 Hours
of that year another TR2 came 5th in class. Both results emphasised
the strength and performance of the cars.

Today we are proud to offer an excellent. long door. example of
the marque. The TR2 is presented with British Racing Green
coachwork and complemented by tan trim and painted wire wheels
including the spare. all fitted with recent new tyres. Long Door
TR2s are lighter than their later siblings resulting in the cars
being very spritely and this is no exception. On a recent test. the
TR performed as it should with high speeds easily attained and
comfortable with the use of the overdrive available on fourth gear.
The steering has been improved by the fitment of a steering rack in
place of the heavy steering box. This conversion was carried out by
the UK's leading Triumph specialist 'Manvers Triumph'. In addition. br/>recently. a set of 'Quick Fit' seat belts. with period chrome
buckles. have been added. A full set of weather equipment includes
the hood. tonneau cover and a new set of side screens. It was
originally fitted with steel disc wheels and these are included in
the sale along with their chrome wheel trims. An inspection of the
coachwork confirms that the undersides are as good as the topsides.
An air scoop for the carburettors adorns the bonnet and is
certainly not a homemade item and the bonnet is believed to be a
period product from the tuning specialist of the time. Derrington.
In fact. a picture of PLB 963 with this scoop may be seen within
Bill Piggott's book. 'Triumph By Name. Triumph By Nature' on page
88. where it is racing another TR2 with a similar scoop at
Snetterton. believed to be in the late 1950s.

Such is the quality of the car that. although exempt. a 12 month
MoT was carried out with no advisories. prior to the sale; it also
carries Historic road fund licence valid until the end of October
2014. An extensive history file. including the British Motor
Industry Heritage Trust Certificate. verifies this TR2 as a genuine
UK righthand drive example. The condition of this long door TR2 is
exemplary and we believe it to be one of the finest in existence;
an opportunity indeed for the TR aficionado or prospective Mille
Miglia entrant.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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