It’s TR-2uesday!

"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany)
02/02/2016 at 21:44 • Filed to: British Cars

Had to drop by the shop over the weekend to make sure this relatively rare 1954 TR-2, in right hand drive (most of them were for export and were left had drive), got delivered into the shop safely. This is an early TR-2 (first 4000 units) that came with the “long doors”, late 1954 and 1955 models had exposed sills and shorter door.

You know your car is old when it has the cut out in the front to hand crank the engine.

Triumph’s “Vanguard” 2.0 liter. This engine/chassis combination was a KILLER when it came out and really set a new standard for affordable sports cars in terms of performance. For comparison the 1953 MG TD, the original inexpensive English roadster, was using a 1250cc engine putting 55 BHP with a 0-60 of 20(!) seconds. The TR-2 came out with a 2.0 liter with 90 BHP and producing a 0-60 of 12 seconds. The word “revelation” applies.

Drums brakes all around, no vacuum assist and the old school cast iron “dual brake/clutch master cylinder assembly”. These cars barely stopped when new, the brakes really need to be in top shape for driving in the 21st century.

One of the things I love about Triumphs in general and this car in particular are the cool little details. I mentioned the hole for cranking the engine by hand, but I love the chrome alignment piece in the grille mouth.

Triumph’s Monza gas cap has always been one of my favorite details of the cars.

These cool little pieces are part of the safety catch assembly to hold down the boot (trunk for the non-Brit car peeps)

You lift them up.

And you use this tool.

To open the trunk.

And the wonderful spare tire hatch.

I love classic British car interiors. Jaeger gauges are what’s up.

A good look at the “Long Doors.” Note how the door goes all the way down to even with the fender bottoms.

On the later cars the lower rocker panel/sill would be visible.

The car is up from North Carolina for a good freshening up before the season starts. We got it running better but there is SOMETHING going on down in the engine. Will do some more investigating on this one before calling the owner with options.

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DISCUSSION (5)

RallyWrench > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
02/03/2016 at 00:00

Lovely little thing, hope it's sorted and back on the road soon.

That's gonna leave a mark! > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
02/03/2016 at 06:42

The dash looks like an odd color for the white with red trim. Was this original or has the car seen a color change?

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > That's gonna leave a mark!
02/03/2016 at 06:53

TR-2s were peculiar in that they had dashboards covered in vinyl that matched the interior color. So the dash is actually sun bleached red vinyl.

That's gonna leave a mark! > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
02/03/2016 at 06:57

Had a 59 TR3 for many years but the interior was black so never noticed any fade. Thanks for the info.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > RallyWrench
02/03/2016 at 13:44

We are hoping. The mechanic seemed worried about the noise in the bottom end.