The Triumph Sports Car

1973 Triumph TR6

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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