Description
With us now here at RFH Classics we are delighted to offer this exceptional 1949 Triumph Roadster 2000, registration NPD 777, beautifully presented in Dark Grey with a rich Blood Red leather interior. While the car’s condition alone makes this a particularly impressive example, it is the remarkable and unusually well-documented story behind it that really sets this car apart.
The story begins in 2010 when the Triumph was discovered after reportedly standing untouched for some 36 years. Photographs retained within its history file show the car as it was found and leave little doubt as to the scale of the project ahead. In November 2010 the car was acquired, together with associated spares, by experienced Triumph Roadster owner and restorer David Riley. What followed was an extensive ground-up rebuild, with much of the work undertaken by David himself at his workshop in Herefordshire. A fascinating archive documents its transformation, including photographs taken throughout the work together with David’s handwritten records detailing expenditure, parts purchased and work undertaken.
The standard achieved was recognised in 2018 when NPD 777 received the Triumph Roadster Club’s Dave Elmer Award. Writing about the car at the time, the Club praised the extremely high standard of workmanship and supporting evidence of the restoration, describing the finished result as exemplary. Further recognition followed in 2019 when the Triumph was entered into the Club’s Annual Rally at Coughton Court. With seventeen cars entered into the concours that year, NPD 777 was awarded Best Car.
This wasn’t David’s first award-winning Roadster, with another of his cars, HVC 888, taking Best Car honours in 2002, 2003 and 2006. The September 2019 edition of Triumph Roadster Review celebrated his achievement of taking the title four times with two separate cars, with NPD 777 itself appearing on the front cover. When subsequently offered through a well-known specialist auction house in 2020, the car attracted no fewer than 63 bids, further demonstrating the considerable interest generated by this remarkable example. The Triumph has subsequently come to us from a large private collection of interesting motor cars and we are delighted to bring the car back to the market.
Several years after receiving its awards, the standard of the restoration remains immediately apparent. The Dark Grey coachwork gives the Triumph tremendous presence while allowing its sweeping wings and distinctive body lines to remain beautifully defined, with extensive brightwork providing a superb contrast. The interior is equally impressive. Deep Red leather contrasts wonderfully against the Grey exterior, while the beautifully finished timber dashboard and extensive wood cappings create precisely the atmosphere expected of a hand-finished British motor car of this period.
One of the Triumph’s most memorable features is found behind the main cabin. Two glass windows hint at something rather special, revealed when the rear deck is opened to expose two additional dickey seats complete with their own folding windscreen. With the hood lowered and rear compartment open, there are few post-war British cars quite like it. The later Roadster 2000, designated 20TR, was powered by the 2, 088cc four-cylinder engine coupled to a three-speed manual gearbox. Only 2, 000 examples were produced, making it considerably rarer than many British classics that followed. While absolute factory originality was not the sole objective of the restoration, the Triumph Roadster Club specifically recognised the exceptional standard achieved when presenting the car with its Dave Elmer Award.
For us, cars finished to this standard and accompanied by this level of provenance are particularly special. From its discovery and owner-led transformation through to marque club recognition, a Best Car award and a place on the cover of the Club’s own magazine, this Triumph Roadster 2000 is something very special. The car qualifies for Historic Vehicle taxation and is both MOT and ULEZ exempt. As with our classic vehicles, we will nevertheless arrange a fresh independent MOT prior to delivery. The car will also be supplied with our three-month major mechanical warranty together with a vehicle history certificate.
RFH Classics are Bedfordshire’s largest independent classic car dealer, with over 35 years’ experience supplying quality vehicles throughout the UK. Unable to visit us? UK delivery is available and we can also assist with export where required. A detailed walk-around video can be viewed on our website. To find out more or arrange a viewing, contact RFH Classics today. Visitors are always welcome to our Bedfordshire showroom, although we kindly ask that you call us first as we can occasionally be off-site collecting or delivering vehicles.
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