Description
UTAC | Millbrook, Bedford
Viewing: Tues 24th June from 12pm
Auction: Wed 25th June from 9am
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JQ
1955 Triumph TR2
Estimate
£12, 000 - £15, 000
Registration No: TAS 306
Chassis No: TS5417
MOT: April 2026
Rare, 'home market' example
Believed genuine 78, 000 miles from new (invoices date back to 1960)
Originally finished in Signal Red with Dark Red Vynide upholstery
Current ownership for twenty-three years and used for frequent tours and runs to Le Mans Classic etc
In the context of industrial Britain's post-WW2 'export-or-die' drive, the personal rivalry between Jaguar's William Lyons and Standard-Triumph's Sir John Black only served to heighten expectations around the latter's new sportscar project. Unveiled at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show, favourable public reaction saw Triumph charge Ken Richardson with making its Type 20TS show car (often referred to as TR1) into a production reality. Embarking on an intensive research and development programme, he designed a bespoke chassis built around an eighty-eight inch wheelbase. Equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a live rear axle and all round drum brakes, it was powered by a revised version of the company's 1991cc, OHV Vanguard engine. Developing an unstressed 90bhp this torquey unit was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Differing from the Type 20TS in offering a boot and internal spare wheel location, the prototype TR2s proved unexpectedly fast as witnessed by the 125mph (race trim) and 105mph (road trim) maximums posted by Richardson on a closed section of Belgian Jabbeke highway in Spring 1953. Deemed ready, the first production TR2 emerged in July that year. In keeping with Sir John Black’s aims, only 2, 823 of the 8, 628 TR2s made were destined for the home market.
According to the accompanying extract from The Standard Motor Company Ltd’s production records, chassis TS5417 was completed on February 3rd 1955 between 9:30am and 10:30am. Finished in Signal Red with Dark Red Vynide upholstery and Fawn weather gear (the same combination it pleasingly sports today), the TR2 was supplied new via Wests Triumph of Lincoln. Records on file date back to 1959 and show that J. F. Reiger Esq of London bought the two-seater the following year for £377. Entering the current ownership in 2001 with a warranted mileage of 54, 000, the TR2 has been well maintained since then. Used for numerous trips to Le Mans Classic, ’TAS 306’ was treated to a thorough engine overhaul by Anglian Triumph Services in 2016 and has further benefited from the addition of a hi-torque starter motor, alternator, negative earth electrics, electric fan and uprated four-row radiator. Starting readily and driving well during our recent photography session with the low-down torque and chuckable handling that typify a good TR2, ‘TAS 306’ is a very reluctant sale. Patinated cosmetically but in rude health mechanically, it will be driven to UTAC Millbrook. Well worth a read, its history file includes correspondence with the factory about preparations for Continental motoring and a current MOT certificate valid until April 2026 (issued at 77, 768 miles).
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
