Triumph TR2 ‘Long Door’ – Project Profile

Feargal Sharkey sang about a good heart being hard to find. Clearly old Feargers has never tried to find a good Triumph TR2 project, because that’s something really hard to find. Nice, restored, immaculate cars are of course somewhat easier to find, but where’s the stamp of creativity? Where is the joy of building a car yourself? Plus, the restored cars are, well, they’re an expensive thing. You’re looking at a solid £25-30,000 for a minter. A project, if only we could find one, would be a much more wallet-friendly proposition. At least to begin with. You could then drip feed the restoration, meaning you don’t need to dump a load of cash in one painful sitting.

Of course, finding a project is a double-edged sword. What if said project is a complete rot-box? What if it’s been left in a barn for fifty years and as such, is now just some glass and rubber with not a lot between? What about the risk of substandard repairs? What we need is not a barn find, we need something that has been started, but started well. Something, then, like this 1952 ‘long door’ Triumph TR2. The chassis, engine and other running gear have been sorted. Now it just needs the body and trim. It needs you to buy it, and to make it your own.

What is it? 

The car we have here is a 1952 Triumph TR2, or at least, that’s what the advert says. In reality, it’s probably a 1953 model, as this was the first official production year. However, speak to the vendor and find out for sure. Either way, this is a very early TR2, built by the Standard Motor Company. It was the result of much trial and error around building a small, fun, affordable sports car. The TR2 was longer than its prototype forebears, and was a bit more powerful, too. It was fitted with a 1,991cc inline-four Standard Vanguard engine and featured a traditional ‘body on chassis’ design. Early cars, like the one featured here, were known as ‘long door’ models. After 1954, the doors were shorter. These early cars are, without a doubt, the most highly sought after.

Why is it a project?

It seems it needs finishing off. The chassis has been done, and is resplendent in gloss black with a whole host of new fixings, new lines and new suspension components and by the looks of it, refurbished brakes. The engine has been refurbished, as has the rare overdrive transmission and now it’s just a case of sorting the body out. Though, some work has been done. The body itself looks to be largely solid, and while there is clearly some work needed in the smoothing and painting departments, there doesn’t seem to be anything in the way of serious corrosion to contend with. The floor looks solid, as do the wings, the doors and the tail section. Furthermore, the car comes with a whole host of parts to finish it off, such as all the trim, lights, and even a retrimmed interior. This TR2 is more Airfix than car at this point. You just need paint and patience by the looks of things!

Five things to look for:

1) Chassis

The chassis has been restored, but how well has it been done? While the body is easily removable, it would make sense to give it a good inspection and make sure the work has been done to a good standard.

2) Engine and Transmission

Again, these have been refurbished, but to what level? Are they ready to use, or is there more work needed? Was it a complete strip down and build up, or was it just a light overhaul? You need to know before going in.

3) Trim and parts

Having a load of parts come with it is of course a good thing, but are the parts any use? Have a sift through what’s there, and see how much of it can be used, and how much of it needs work.

4) Body

It looks good in the pictures, and seems to be at the point where it needs just a bit of fettling, a skim of filler and then a coat of paint. However, before you get excited with the colour charts, have a good look at the body and make sure it’s not hiding any significant damage, any poor repairs or any serious rust.

5) Paperwork

The vendor says this car is a 1952, but that seems unlikely. The chances are it’s a 1953. However, don’t take our word for it. Have a look at the paperwork and establish for yourself what this TR2 truly is. If, by some strange twist of fate, it is a late 1952 car, it is a very rare thing indeed.

What should you do with it? 

The only way to go with a car so rare and so special would be that of a full period correct restoration. Get that body sorted, paint it in a period correct colour like red, white or green, and then build it back up. This is a machine that should be enjoyed in standard guise. It was the TR2 that put Triumph cars on the map, and it was genesis for every other TR after it. It was a very, very important car, and that should be celebrated. If, however, you really can’t help yourself and you want to build something a bit different, how about a replica of the Jabbeke car we featured in our magazine last year? That would be a magnificent thing to see driving on by.

Rare but not impossible to come by, here’s the best place to look to find a Triumph TR2 for sale.