From The Classifieds: 1954 Triumph TR2

Triumph’s long-running TR range of two-seat sports cars began in 1953 with the initial TR2, and bowed out in 1981 with the bravely styled but unsuccessful TR7 that had been introduced in 1974. Previous TRs up to the

TR6 owed their origins to the 1953 model, although a new body was introduced with the TR4 in 1961.

But it was the TR2 that started it all. It was conceived with the intention of going head to head with MG which had not yet moved away from its old-school TF model (that was replaced by the new-generation MGA in 1955) and stemmed from a combination of elements from the Standard Vanguard (2.0-litre engine) and, reputedly, the smaller Standard Eight (basically the chassis).

With its almost nonexistent cutaway doors, frogeye headlights and gaping hole for a grille, the two-seat Triumph was minimalist but quick. Top speed was better than 170km/h and, for the time, it offered relatively rapid acceleration from its 67kW twin-SU four-cylinder pushrod engine, largely because of the 953kg kerb weight. The TR2 could accelerate to 100km/h in around 12 seconds which, though leisurely by today’s standards, was pretty quick in 1953.

The TR2 chassis was pretty simple – independent with coil springs at the front and a live axle with leaf springs at the rear – the brakes were all-round drums and the gearbox was a manual four-speed, with optional top-gear overdrive.

It was quite brisk on the road – a decent competitor for the Austin-Healey 100 and certainly more advanced than the MG TF which still persisted with separate mudguards, centre-hinged bonnet and a 47kW 1.5-litre engine. Testers at the time reckoned the TR2’s handling was pretty sharp, although the live-axle rear end was reputedly prone to snapping into oversteer quickly enough to require intense driver attention.

The TR2 continued through to 1955 when it was replaced by the more powerful, slightly re-styled TR3 complete with a “proper” front grille and, in 1956, front disc brakes. The TR3 “A”, with a wider grille and the availability of a larger 2.2-litre engine followed in 1957.

The 1954 white/red “long door” TR2 from the bayside Melbourne suburb of Mordialloc featured here is special. According to its owner, who has had the TR2 since 1995, it was brought to Australia from the UK in December 1953 for display at the 1954 Melbourne motor show, then shipped to Tasmania where it was used “sparingly” until becoming a display car at Bowe-Sheahan Motors for “some years.”

When the current owner bought it in 1995, it was the first time it had been registered in more than 30 years.
The photos give some idea of the car’s condition. It comes with a “comprehensive manifesto” as well as a roadworthy certificate. The price is quoted at $39,500.

Later Triumph TRs might have offered more style, technology and performance, but there’s nothing quite like an original. And, with the TS211 build number (it was actually built in December 1953 and has the aluminium bonnet and spare tyre cover used on the first 500 TR2s produced) it is one of the oldest TR2s in the country.