The Triumph Sports Car

                                                 1973 Triumph TR6

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                                           from Classic to Modern


Triumph On The Track

                                               1961 Triumph TR3A                                                                                     Here is a stirring sight. This classic racer was                                                                    driven by Jeff Snook during a Group 5  Sprint                                                                     Race at the 2015 Jefferson 500. White sets                                                                                       the shot off beautifully

                                                1972 Triumph GT6                                                                                 A striking view of this racer, driven by James Dolan,                                                         during a Group 3 Sprint Race at the 2015 Jefferson                                                                                      500. Really smart

                                                 1971 Triumph TR6                                                                                  This gripping shot shows this stripped-down racer,                                                           driven by Sam Halkias, during a Group 3 Race in                                                                               the 2015 Jefferson 500. Nice

                                               1963 Triumph TR4                                                                                   This great shot shows driver Tony Drews during a                                                           Group 3 Sprint Race in the 2015 Jefferson 500. Nice

                                               1964 Triumph TR4                                                                                       A great shot as it was lining up at the Brighton                                                                     & Hove Motor Club's Eagle Sprint at the                                                                                             Goodwood Circuit

                                                1972 Triumph GT6                                                                                    Looking impressive, this classic racer was driven                                                                 by James Dolan in one of the Group 3 races                                                                                 during the 2015 Jefferson 500

                                              1968 Triumph TR250                                                                          Seen here leading an all-Triumph pack during                                                a Sprint Race as part of the 2015 Jefferson 500. Smart

                                                1955 Triumph TR2                                                                             Here it is making the running, with a Mark 1                                                              Sprite on its tail, in the HSCC Historic                                                             Roadsports Championship at Cadwell Park in 2013

                                                 1952 Triumph TR2                                                                          This well presented racer was ready for the start                                                  of the 2015 Shere Hill Climb in Surrey. A real beauty

                                                1962 Triumph TR4                                                                            This gritty TR racer was driven by Mike Moore                                                           during one of the Sprint Races in the 2015                                                                                    Jefferson 500

                                                1962 Triumph TR3B                                                                        This rare TR variant was driven by John Styduhar                                                    in a Group 5 Sprint Race at the 2015 Jefferson 500           

                                                 1974 Triumph TR6                                                                         Seen on a track day at Crystal Palace in May 2015

                                                1962 Triumph TR4                                                                          Seen at a race meeting at Crystal Palace in 2015                                                                                      Great!

                             This stunning Triumph TR4 was seen at the                                                                          Bailey Sprint at Goodwood

                               An eye-catching Triumph TR4 as part of                                                            the pre 1966 GT Cars in the Silverstone Classic      

Introduction

      The Triumph sports car. Prior to its introduction, the Standard Motor Company acquired the Triumph Motor Company in 1944 to produce what was now called the Standard Triumph Company. Production at this subsidiary was moved to Standard's own factory near Coventry. Typical of the sporty cars of this period was the Triumph Roadster of the late 1940's.

     Furthermore, in the early 1950's, the decision was made to market saloon cars under the name of Standard, and to position the Triumph name into the sports car market.

The Triumph TR1

     The Triumph 20TS sports car, also known as the Triumph TR1, was a prototype, and only one example was ever built.

     It was built using components available at that time, such as:                            It was powered by a 1991 cc, 4-cylinder engine from the Standard Vanguard saloon                                                                                                                      The suspension came from the Triumph Mayflower saloon                                  The chassis was that used in the Standard 8 saloon

     The two seater Triumph 20TS was premiered at the 1952 London Motor Show in Earls Court. It was the forerunner of the Triumph TR2 which which was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953.

The Triumph TR2

     As a result, in 1952, the Triumph TR2 sports car was born and became the forerunner of a range of TR's produced continuously until 1981.

     The TR2 was designed specifically to counter the presence of MG in the US market.

TR2 Technical Data
Production: 1953-1955
Output: 8,636
Engine: 1991 cc
Four Cylinder, 90 bhp
Speed: 107 mph
Time to 60: 11.9 secs
          

                                                1954 long door TR2                                                                                 An up-close shot of this excellent long door model                                                         which, being lighter than the standard variant, gave                                                          it the edge in performance. It stood out at the show

                                                  1954 Triumph TR2                                                                        Highlighting the less common long door version

                                                    Triumph TR2

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Full Screen

The Triumph TR3

     In 1955, the Triumph TR3 sports car was introduced, and offered, as additional extras, both an occasional rear seat and a steel hard top. It was noticeable by its distinctive front grill.

TR3 Technical Data
Production: 1955-1957
Output: 13,377
Engine: 1991 cc
Four Cylinder, 95 bhp
Speed: 105 mph
Time to 60: 10.8 secs      

                                                 1956 Triumph TR3                                                                            This very tasty classic, with its distinctive grille,                                                    was seen at the 2015 Soft Top Sunday as part of                                                                  the Goodwood Breakfast Club

                                                1957 Triumph TR3

                                                   Triumph TR3

                                                                                                                            Full Screen                                                                                                                      Full Screen

The Triumph TR3A

     In 1957, the most obvious change to the TR3 was the addition of a full width radiator grill. It also displayed exterior door and lockable boot handles. 

     The result was that it was unofficially renamed the Triumph TR3A. 

TR3A Technical Data
Production: 1957-1962
Output: 58,236
Engine/Performance:   Same as TR3 

                                               1959 Triumph TR3A                                                                                  This exquisite roadster was discovered, next to a                                                               later model, at the Polhill Garden Centre Classic                                                                                          Car Show in Kent

                                                       Triumph TR3A

                                                                                                                        Full Screen                                                                                                                           Full Screen

The Triumph TR3B

     In 1961, the Triumph TR3B sports car was introduced and was in production for only one year.

     Owing to a surplus of TR3A's prior to the launch of the TR4, a number were fitted with the 2138 cc TR4 engine and corresponding all synchromesh gearbox.

     The TR3B was produced alongside the TR4 until it was obvious that the latter model would be accepted by the market, especially in the US, at which point it would be phased out.

                                                     1962 TR3B

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Full Screen

The Triumph TR4

     In 1961, the Triumph TR4 sports car was launched. This utilised both the drive train and chassis that had been used on previous TR's, but incorporated a re styled body by Michelotti. 

     Further differences between it and the TR3 included rack and pinion steering, a larger engine, a gearbox with synchromesh on all forward gears, together with a wider front and rear track.

TR4 Technical Data
Production: 1961-1965
Output: 40,253
Engine: 2138 cc
Four Cylinder, 105 bhp
Speed: 110 mph
Time to 60: 10.7 secs     

                                                1962 Triumph TR4                                                                                     This beautiful example was seen at the Lingfield                                                                                          Show in 2014

                                          1964 Triumph TR4 Sports                                                                      This very nice example of the less common TR4                                                              was spotted at the Goodwood circuit

                                                     Triumph TR4

                                                                                                                                                                                 Full Screen

The Triumph TR4A

     In 1965, the TR4 was updated with a new chassis and independent rear suspension, to provide a smoother ride.

     It was renamed the Triumph TR4A, and sported a distinctive "IRS" badge at the rear, and chrome indicators on the wings.

TR4A Technical Data
Production: 1965-1968
Output: unavailable
Engine/Performance: Same as TR4

                                              1967 Triumph TR4A                                                                                      This very snappy TR was observed at the 2015                                                                  Purley Classic Car Show in Surrey. The dark                                                                                       blue is very becoming

                                               1966 Triumph TR4A                                                                            A splendid example with bodywork and chrome                                                               in beautiful condition. It stood out

                                               1965 Triumph TR4A                                                                            Great to see such a beautiful example during                                                         the 2015 London to Brighton Classic Car Run

                                               1967 Triumph TR4A                                                                            This real beauty was seen whilst it was on the                                                            2015 London to Brighton Classic Car Run 

                                                     Triumph TR4A

                                                                                                   Full Screen

The Triumph TR5

     In 1967, a new era was ushered in with the launch of the Triumph TR5 

     It had the same body styling as the TR4 but was powered by a 2.5 litre PI engine, and it was marketed as the first British production car to be fitted with fuel injection.

     Wire wheels, overdrive, and a removable hard top with a cover (called a Surrey top) were offered as optional extras. It sported a distinctive "TR5" badge on the bonnet and at the rear.

TR5 Technical Data
Production: 1967-1968
Output: 2,947
Engine: 2498 cc
Cylinders 6, 150 bhp
Speed:118 mph
Time to 60: 8.8secs

                                                1968 Triumph TR5                                                                                    A great shot of a very smart early 150 bhp model...                                                           the onlookers agree. Seen here before its entry in                                                                         the 2015 Shere Hill Climb in Surrey

                                              1968 Triumph TR5                                                                                    This beautiful example was probably one of the first                                                       production models to be fitted with the 150 bhp engine,                                                          and for this reason it stood out. Very desirable

                                                    Triumph TR5

                                                                                                    Full Screen

The Triumph TR250

     Over the same period of Aug 1967-Sept 1968, and alongside production of the TR5, was that of the Triumph TR250 sports car.

     Aimed at the North American market, there was very little difference between it and the TR5, apart from the two Stromberg carburettors fitted in place of the Lucas fuel injection.

TR250 Technical Data
Production: 1967-1968
Output: 8,484
Engine: 2498 cc
Cylinders 6, 111 bhp
Speed: 115 mph
Time to 60: 10.6 secs

                                                    Triumph TR250

                                                                                                    Full Screen 

The Triumph TR6

     In 1969, the top selling sports car in the TR range was launched - it was the stylish Triumph TR6. Apart from the front and rear sections, the body styling was similar to the TR5. 

     As was the case with the TR5 and TR250, the TR6 had two engine versions, one for the non US (150bhp) and another for US (125bhp) markets.

     From about 1972 onwards, non US models were detuned from 150 to 125bhp. An optional overdrive was available on all forward gears except first.

TR6 Technical Data
Production: 1969-1976
Output: 94,616
Engine: 2498 cc
Cylinders 6, 150 bhp
Speed: 120 mph
Time to 60: 8.2 secs

                                                1971 Triumph TR6                                                                           This close-up reveals one of the last and more                                                   desirable 150 bhp models. In late 1972, a detuned                                                         125 bhp engine was fitted. A real looker

                                                1972 Triumph TR6                                                                                      Yes. Very smart. It really stood out

                                                     Triumph TR6

                                                                                                                                          Full Screen                                                                                                                              

The Triumph TR7

     The penultimate TR was the Triumph TR7, launched in 1975. It displayed a distinctive "wedge" shape which was regarded, by some, as futuristic.

     It used a similar design of 2 litre, eight valve engine as used in the Triumph Dolomite Sprint. There was a hard top and roadster version. 

     Many fans of the Triumph TR regarded the TR7 as not being part of the classic TR range which they felt ended with the TR6.

TR7 Technical Data
Production: 1975-1981
Output: 141,232
Engine: 1998 cc
Four Cylinders, 105 bhp
Speed: 108 mph
Time to 60: 10.8 secs

                                         1975 Triumph TR7 rally car                                                                     This patriotic racer was spotted at the Bromley                                                                 Pageant of Motoring 2015 in Kent

                                                      Triumph TR7

                                                                                                    Full Screen

The Triumph TR8

     Finally, launched in 1978, the Triumph TR8 ended the charismatic series of this classic sports car range.

     It was aimed at the US market and was, in essence, a TR7 with a 3.5 litre V8 Rover engine. Early models had twin carburettors, which were later replaced with fuel injection. Both coupe and convertible variants were available.

TR8 Technical Data
Production: 1978-1981
Output: 2,497
Engine: 3528 cc
Eight Cylinders, 148 bhp
Speed: 135 mph
Time to 60: 7.7 secs

                                                Triumph TR8 racer

                                                1980 Triumph TR8                                                                       A well cared for example of the end of the TR range

                                                                                                     Full Screen

The Triumph Stag

                                                1972 Triumph Stag                                                                            A well cared for example that really stood out

                                                1972 Triumph Stag

                                                 1975 Triumph Stag

The Triumph GT6

                                                1973 Triumph GT6                                                                      This Mark 3 variant, with its improved aerodynamics,                                                    had a top of 112 mph with 0-60 in 10.1 secs,                                                             and could now outperform the MGB GT

                                            1972 Triumph GT6 Mk3                                                                         This very smart example was spotted on the                                                             2015 London to Brighton Classic Car Run

                                           1970 Triumph GT6 MK2

                                           1971 Triumph GT6 Coupé  

The Triumph Spitfire Marks 1-5

                                              Triumph Spitfire 1500                                                                           This up-close shot displays a well presented                                                            example of this 1974-81, 100 mph classic

                                    1971 Triumph Spitfire Mark 4                                     

                                         1972 Triumph Spitfire Mk 4                                                                         Seen in Greenwich during the London to                                                                       Brighton Classic Car Run of 2015

                                               Triumph Spitfire Mk 3

                                               Triumph Spitfire Mk 2

                                               Triumph Spitfire Mk 1

The Triumph Vitesse

                               1966 Triumph Vitesse 2-Litre Convertible                                                            With its white-walled tyres, it really stood out                                                        when presented at the 2015 Bromley Pageant                                                                            of Motoring in Kent

                                      1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible


                                                   see All My Reviews


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                                            The Triumph Sports Car


› Triumph Sports Car


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