Description
1948 Triumph 1800 Town and Country Saloon
Commission Number: TD3717 DL
Manufactured: December 1948
First Registered: January 1949
MOT and Tax Exempt
Affectionately known as "Bessy"
"A fantastic car, with a fascinating conception and history. A well known car within the Owners Club and winner of many awards."
Sadly now for sale due to lack of use.
Following the bankruptcy of Triumph and then the almost complete destruction of the Holbrook Lane factory during the Coventry Blitz, Triumph was acquired by The Standard Motor Company under Sir John Black, also of Coventry. Standard had been supplying Jaguar with engines and chassis' pre-war, but after William Lyons of Jaguar reportedly failed to offer Sir John Black favourable terms on acquiring a car for himself, Black bought up Triumph with the view of producing more sporting cars to rival Jaguar. The 1800 Town and Country Saloon and the 1800 Roadster, which shared the same engine and a shortened version of the same chassis first went on sale in 1946.
Utilising a 1776 cc OHV engine (similar to that supplied to Jaguar for the 1 1/ 2 litre), the car produced 65hp and was capable of 80mph. Quite impressive for the time!
With a bench seat in the front and the back, the car was designed to seat 6. A right hand column gear change of 4 forward gears plus reverse made for easy gearchanges without ruffling front seat passengers.
TD3717 DL left the factory in December 1948, within the last 300 cars off the line, and was registered and delivered to its first owner, a Dr George Lipp in January of 1949. Dr Lipp and his son Donald, also a Doctor, used the car to visit their patients in the Killamarsh area of Sheffield. Mrs Lipp used to take the car into town regularly, often volunteering to take other villagers.... apparently something you would only do once, she had quote a reputation as I have discovered! There is a photo of Dr Donald Lipp with the car when it is just a few months old included in this advert.
I have numerous other photos of the car throughout its life, and history of the car from new, including the original buff logbook, and the receipt and photos of the car when it was bought in 1965 by Colin Batty as a second family car and birthday present for his wife Liz, for £60! This is where she received her name!... Bessy (Batty). Happy to detail the full history to any prospective buyer.
The car is well known within the Triumph Razoredge Owners Club, who offer mechanical know how and parts to keep her going. The car has featured in the club magazine, "The Globe" numerous times over the years and presents very well, in largely original condition. It was also featured in a full page spread of Practical Classics in May/ June 2023.
Paintwork was last refreshed in the 1980's and buffs up to a lovely shine. Bodywork does have some blemishes and small areas of bubbling, but does not detract from the overall appearance of the car.
The mileage shows 112, 000, believed genuine. A full engine rebuild was completed less than 2000 miles ago, and was fitted with a full stainless steel exhaust system from PD Gough of Nottinghamshire.
Carburettor fully refurbished by Carburettor Exchange of Leighton Buzzard less 200 miles ago
4 new Blockley Tyres in 2023.
Last serviced and greased in April of 2024.
An electric fuel pump has been fitted for the purpose of priming the carburettor prior to starting without having to lift the bonnet. The mechanical fuel pump was refurbished around 5 years ago, and is in service. Full tank removed and refurbished at huge cost around 9 years ago.
Front and rear seats professionally re-upholstered less than 12 months ago.
The car has been used for a couple of weddings for friends and family, and includes a bespoke champagne table in the rear.
Full original toolkit stored inside the boot lid along with the spare wheel. This is very rare to find and desirable.
Tailored Indoor car cover.
The car was displayed at the NEC Restoration show in April 2023 and attended the Triumph Razoredge Owners Club 50th Anniversary rally in July of this year, but has seen very little use over the past 3 or 4 years. Whilst running, driving, stopping and having attended a very local show over the August Bank Holiday weekend under its own steam, it should be treated as requiring a light recommissioning before being used on the road. As such would strongly recommend it is collected on a trailer. I'm happy to help arrange delivery with a local firm at buyers cost.
Its this lack of use that has prompted my decision to sell. The car deserves to be used and appreciated rather than sat under a cover in my garage. Priced very fairly in todays market.
Any calls/ messages and viewings welcome. Car is located in Northamptonshire, close to the Warwickshire border. 10 minutes from the M1 Junction 16 and 18. The car comes with a huge history file, detailed all previous owners, old MOT certificates and other documentation, a scrapbook including photos and documents accumulated over most of the cars life. Receipts for recent work, a large bundle of club magazines, Buff Logbook, heritage certificate, service and maintenance handbooks plus much more. If there is anything you want to see please ask!
