Description
TRIUMPH 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN" RAZOR EDGE" BUILT BY MULLINER-BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL CONDITION-RELIABLE CAR. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE LATER & INFERIOR "RENOWN".
THIS VERY CAR FEATURED IN THE TV SERIES "THE CROWN".
“THIS UNIQUE AND FANTASTIC" TV STAR" EXAMPLE OF THE TRIUMPH 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN "RAZOR EDGE" COACH BUILT BY "MULLINER" IS NOW A VERY RARE AND MUCH ADMIRED VEHICLE, AND NO WONDER !”
THIS IS A TRULY LOVELY EARLY TRIUMPH 1800 "RAZOR EDGE" FROM THE IMMEDIATE POST WAR PERIOD. IN SUPER CONDITION WITH GREAT HISTORY INCLUDING REFERENCE WITHIN IT’S CV TO IT’S SPORTING CAMEO ROLE IN THE NETFLIX SERIES “THE CROWN”, THIS VERY RARE & FINE "MULLINER" COACHBUILT CLASSIC IS A TRUE SURVIVOR IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION ALL ROUND AND UNDERNEATH.
THE TRIUMPH 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN "RAZOR EDGE" SALOON/ LIMOUSINE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST, ALL NEW, BRITISH MODELS TO BE LAUNCHED AFTER THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR. FOLLOWING THE TAKEOVER OF STANDARD, TRIUMPH WAS KEEN TO RELEASE A MODEL AIMED AT THE GENTLEMEN RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE WITH BUSINESS INTERESTS IN THE TOWNS & CITIES, ONTO A MARKET STARVED OF CARS.
THE BODY WAS AN IN-HOUSE DESIGN BY TRIUMPH, THOUGH HAND COACH BUILT BY "MULLINER”, USING A STRONG STEEL CHASSIS, A WOOD FRAMED BODY AND ALUMINIUM PANELING INCLUDING DOORS, BOOT LID AND B POSTS. AS SUCH, IT BORE COMPARISONS WITH LARGER AND MORE EXPENSIVE CARS PRODUCED BY THE LIKES OF BENTLEY AND ROLLS-ROYCE AND OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR THE SAID MARQUES. THE USE OF ALUMINIUM WAS A FACTOR DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF STEEL AFTER THE WAR RATHER THAN IT BEING CHOSEN DELIBERATELY TO PRODUCE A LIGHTER BODY. NONETHELESS, IT NO DOUBT CONTRIBUTED TO A BETTER POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO. INSIDE, THE INTERIOR CONTINUED THE LUXURY THEME WITH A WOOD VENEER DASHBOARD, COLUMN MOUNTED GEAR CHANGE, LEATHER SEATS AND DOOR CARDS.
ALTHOUGH THE INSIDE IS INDEED A VERY NICE PERIOD PLACE TO BE, WHAT INITIALLY STANDS OUT TODAY IS THE SHARP-EDGED BODYWORK, KNOWN ACROSS THE TRIUMPH RANGE OF THIS ERA AS "RAZOR EDGE", IN THE ORIGINAL BROCHURES FOR THESE CARS, THEY WERE REFERRED TO AS “KNIFE-EDGE”. ONE ASPECT OF THE CAR WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO THIS IS THE LOCATION OF THE SPARE WHEEL WITHIN THE BOOT LID ALLOWING IT TO HAVE A SMOOTH EXTERIOR PANEL, NOT TO MENTION A VERY REASONABLE SIZED BOOT. THIS STYLISTIC THEME CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE ERA TO THE 1949 RENOWN AND THE SMALLER ENGINE AND SIZED MAYFLOWER. HOWEVER, UNFORTUNATELY, THE REPLACEMENT "THE RENOWN", BUILT ON A VANGUARD CHASSIS BECAME NOTORIOUS FOR ROT, WHEREAS, THE 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN WAS BUILT ON THE SAME PROVEN, TESTED AND ROBUST CHASSIS 0F THE TRIUMPH ROADSTER OF THE ERA. THE 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN ALSO SHARED A LOT OF OTHER MORE SUPERIOR PARTS AND FEATURES WITH THE ROADSTER WHICH WERE ABSCENT FROM THE "RENOWN" SUCH AS THE DASHBOARD, BUMPERS AND HEADLAMPS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, WHILE THE 1800 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND THE RENOWN ARE OF SIMILAR APPEARANCE, THE DIFFERENCE IN QUALITY IS SIGNIFICANT WITH THE 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN A FAR SUPERIOR VEHICLE.
THIS PARTICULAR EXAMPLE HAS AN INTERESTING EARLY HISTORY. STILL SPORTING ITS ORIGINAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AS RECORDED ON THE ORIGINAL BUFF LOGBOOK WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS REMAINS WITHIN THE CARS EXTENSIVE HISTORY FILE, IT WAS FIRST SOLD IN THE CITY OF ABERDEEN IN APRIL 1948 TO A WELL-REGARDED LOCAL STONEMASON WHOSE WIFE RAN AN ESTABLISHED HAIRDRESSING SALON ALSO IN HIS NAME. HE USED THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS UNTIL IT WAS SOLD AT THE END OF MAY 1951 (AFTER COVERING 11, 000 MILES) TO A GENTLEMAN FARMER IN ABERDEENSHIRE. IT THEN REMAINED IN HIS AND HIS SON’S OWNERSHIP UNTIL 1978: ALL OF 27 YEARS. THE TRIUMPH THEN PASSED INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF TWO ENTHUSIAST ONE BASED IN TAYSIDE AND THE OTHER IN NORTH EAST SCOTLAND.
IN MORE RECENT TIMES, THE CAR EXPERIENCED ITS DESERVED CLAIM TO FAME WHEN IT APPEARED DURING 2016 IN EPISODE 10 OF SERIES 1 OF “THE CROWN”, WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN CHAUFFER DRIVEN TAKING THEN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY EDEN (PLAYED BY JEREMY NORTHAM) AND HIS WIFE (ANNA MADELEY) THROUGH THE GATES OF BALMORAL FOR AN AUDIANCE WITH THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH AT THE START OF THE SUEZ CRISIS. STILL PHOTOS FROM THIS EPISODE ARE CONTAINED WITHIN THE FILE.
OTHER PAPERWORK IS QUITE EXTENSIVE AND INCLUDES:
· ORIGINAL BUFF LOGBOOK AS MENTIONED ABOVE, PLUS LATER V5 REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND SOME TAX DISCS,
· A VARIETY OF MAGAZINE ARTICLES AND MEMORABILIA,
· ORIGINAL AND PHOTOCOPY VERSION OF THE OWNER’S INSTRUCTION BOOK,
· AN ORIGINAL SALES BROCHURE FOR THE MODEL
· SERVICE MANUAL AND SPARES CATALOGUE,
· TWO EXTRACT ARTICLES FROM A JOURNAL DESIGNED FOR GARAGES AND SERVICE STATIONS, “MOTOR TRADER” – THE FIRST FROM OCTOBER 1947 PROVIDING A FULL SPECIFICATION, WIRING DIAGRAM AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE SECOND BEING SERVICE DATA FROM A FEBRUARY 1952 ARTICLE ABOUT THE INFERIOR REPLACEMENT "THE RENOWN",. THE BOOK OF TRIUMPH CARS" FROM THE CONTEMPORARY PITMAN MOTORISTS LIBRARY SERIES, THE FRONTISPIECE OF WHICH IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CARS,
. A SHEAF OF MOT CERTIFICATES COVERING THE PERIOD 1997 TO 2013 (THE CAR NOW BEING EXEMPT OF COURSE),
. NUMEROUS INVOICES FOR SEVICE AND SPARES ORDERS, ESPECIALLY IN LATER YEARS, MANY OF WHICH COME FROM THE "RAZOR EDGE" OWNERS' CLUB.
CHASSIS NO. TD2271DL, ENGINE NO. 2254 IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF A NOW VERY RARE CAR WHICH IS TRULY BOTH ACTUALLY AND FICTIONALLY HISTORIC, AND WHICH IS SEEKING A DESERVING AND CARING NEW OWNER.
THE EXQUISITELY STYLED AND "MULLINER" COACH BUILT "RAZOR EDGE" OFFERED HERE REMAINS VERY IMPRESSIVE IN ALL RESPECTS TODAY. THE GLEAMING BLACK OVER CREAM PAINTWORK IS AKIN TO POLISHED GLASS. THERE ARE NO DENTS, SCRATCHES, SCUFFS OR BLEMISHES TO BE FOUND AND NO EVIDENCE OF RUST/ ROT ANYWHERE. THE CHROME WORK IS VERY GOOD AS ARE THE ORIGINAL WHEELS SITTING ON MATCHING PERIOD TYRES WITH AMPLE TREAD. THE "RAZOR EDGE" IS AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME NOW, PART OF A COLLECTION OF CLASSICS KEPT AND MAINTAINED IN A HEATED & FULLY ENCLOSED WATER TIGHT ENVIRONMENT. IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BEEN USED SPARINGLY AND ONLY IN DRY WARM WEATHER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE RECENT OCCASION WHEN THE CAR WAS USED ON THE OCCASION OF MY NIECE'S WEDDING. UNFORTUNATELY, IT POURED DOWN WITH RAIN ON HER BIG DAY. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS ENTIRELY UNFAZED AND PERFORMED ITS TASK WITH APLOMB.
AS STATED, THIS STUNNING TRIUMPH 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN IS IN SUPER ALL ROUND ORIGINAL CONDITION. THE CAR DRIVES AND STOPS GREAT, AND SO MUCH FUN, TURNING HEADS WHEREVER IT TRAVELS AND NO WONDER GIVEN THE VERY FEW EXAMPLES OUT THERE AND WITH THE "RAZOR EDGE" HAVING RETAINED ITS ORIGINAL BEAUTIFUL APPEARANCE & CONDITION.
THE INTERIOR IS ALSO OF EXTREMELY GOOD ORDER, ORIGINAL, CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED. THERE ARE NO TEARS, UNSIGHTLY SCUFFS OR MARKS, SIGNS OF WEAR OR DISCOLORATION. ALL IS IN TACT, FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED, COMFORTABLE AND VERY PLEASANT TO THE EYE.
THE CHASSIS AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS CLEAN AND SOLID IN ALL AREAS, AS ARE THE FLOOR PANS ETC. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ROT/ RUST ANYWHERE.
THE BOOT - AGAIN VERY CLEAN, SOLID AND UN-CLUTTERED.
ENGINE BAY - AS PER THE BOOT.
ENGINE - THE ENGINE IS RELIABLE AND RESPONSIVE, STARTS FIRST TIME OF ASKING EVERY TIME. IT SOUNDS GREAT-SUPER QUIET ON IDLE AND THROUGH THE GEARBOX AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.
TRANSMISSION - THE COLUMN CHANGE MANUAL GEAR BOX IS LIKE THE ENGINE, AGILE, RESPONSIVE AND SMOOTH TO THE CHANGE.
BRAKES - NEW BRAKES FITTED FEBRUARY 2023 -SPOT ON !
FULL SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE UNDERTAKEN LATE MAY 2024.
ALL IN ALL, THIS IS A UNIQUE, FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF THE TRIUMPH 1800 TOWN & COUNTRYMAN "RAZOR EDGE" WHICH IS MUCH ADMIRED AND SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE. ALWAYS BRINGS AN INSTANT AND ENDURING SMILE OF PRIDE AND SATISFACTION. IT ALSO REPRESENTS A PIECE OF GENUINE BRITISH MOTORING HISTORY AND EXCELLENT CRAFTMANSHIP.
THE TOWN & COUNTRYMAN BEING A 77 YEAR OLD HISTORIC CLASSIC VEHICLE IS THEREFORE MOT, ULEZ, CONGESTION AND TAX EXEMPT.
THIS HISTORIC GEM WAS FIRST REGISTERED IN THE UK ON 24 APRIL 1948 AND HAS HAD MERELY 4 KEEPERS IN ITS 77 YEAR HISTORY. THE CAR IS AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME, PART OF A PRIVATE COLLECTION AND ONLY USED SPARINGLY IN DRY/ WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE 1800 AS IT PRESENTS TODAY, IS A CREDIT TO IT'S KEEPERS AND THE TRIUMPH MARQUE. IT IS INDEED A TRIUMPH IN IT'S OWN RIGHT ! AND ALSO A CLEAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY ALIGNED TO IN-EXPENSIVE CLASSIC CAR OWNERSHIP, ENJOYMENT WITH NATURAL PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP AND A PIECE OF SCULPTURED BRITISH MOTORING ART AND HISTORY.
THE CURRENT TOTAL MILEAGE OF 18, 901 MILES EQUATES TO A QUITE RIDICULOUS 245 MILES FOR EACH OF THE CAR'S YEARS.
PX POSSIBILITY
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SIMPLY CALL ME ON – the details below. TELEPHONY IS MY PREFERRED MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. IT'S NICE TO TALK ! I AM A WELCOMING, COURTEOUS AND POLITE INDIVIDUAL. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO SEND EMAILS AND TEXTS ARE MERELY FILLING THEIR TIME AT THE COST OF MINE.
I HAVE VIDEOS WHICH I AM HAPPY TO SEND UPON REQUEST FROM GENUINELY INTERESTED PARTIES WITH "WHATTSAPP."
DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND AREAS CAN BE ARRANGED SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON COST AND FULL ADVANCE PAYMENT.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CHECK ON THE OTHER LOVELY CARS FROM MY PRIVATE/ PERSONAL COLLECTION.
THANK YOU.
