The Triumph TR2

Although the original TR2 of 1953 shared very few components with the last of the TR5/TR250 types built in 1968, a continuous, strong, and easily identified, pedigree linked all individual cars built in those fifteen years. The original design philosophy, which was to produce a simple, rugged, and reliable 100+ MPH sports car which could be maintained by any Standard-Triumph franchise, anywhere in the world, was retained throughout.

The original TR2, built from 1953 to 1955, set all the standards for later versions of these cars, which were retained. Harry Webster's engineers produced a remarkable chassis, Walter Belgrove's body designers offered a smart semi-traditional sports car style (complete with removable side curtains and cutaway doors), while Ken Richardson's diligence helped sort out every development problem. The heart of the car was the extremely robust 90bhp/1,991cc engine, which had easily removable 'wet' cylinder liners, and was closely related to engines used in the Standard Vanguard and, indeed, in the current Ferguson tractor. Body shells were produced by Mulliners in Birmingham, and final assembly was at Standard-Triumph's Canley plant.

As expected, most TRs were always sold in the North American market, where the optional Laycock overdrive, and centre-lock wire wheels, were always popular. Changes to the body structure, which resulted in the original full-depth passenger doors being changed to a 'short door' layout, came late in 1954, while a removable hardtop option became more and more popular.

See our Triumph TR2 parts!

The Triumph TR2

Although the original TR2 of 1953 shared very few components with the last of the TR5/TR250 types built in 1968, a continuous, strong, and easily identified, pedigree linked all individual cars built in those fifteen years. The original design philosophy, which was to produce a simple, rugged, and reliable 100+ MPH sports car which could be maintained by any Standard-Triumph franchise, anywhere in the world, was retained throughout.

The original TR2, built from 1953 to 1955, set all the standards for later versions of these cars, which were retained. Harry Webster's engineers produced a remarkable chassis, Walter Belgrove's body designers offered a smart semi-traditional sports car style (complete with removable side curtains and cutaway doors), while Ken Richardson's diligence helped sort out every development problem. The heart of the car was the extremely robust 90bhp/1,991cc engine, which had easily removable 'wet' cylinder liners, and was closely related to engines used in the Standard Vanguard and, indeed, in the current Ferguson tractor. Body shells were produced by Mulliners in Birmingham, and final assembly was at Standard-Triumph's Canley plant.

As expected, most TRs were always sold in the North American market, where the optional Laycock overdrive, and centre-lock wire wheels, were always popular. Changes to the body structure, which resulted in the original full-depth passenger doors being changed to a 'short door' layout, came late in 1954, while a removable hardtop option became more and more popular.

See our Triumph TR2 parts!