‘In the year following World War II, Britain led the world with its charming affordable sportsters. The TR2 had been introduced in 1953 as Triumph’s effort to catch some of the USA’s burgeoning sports car market where European imports were in high demand – MG, the great British rival in this project, already had shown itself to be a success.

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‘A large proportion of the 8,636 TR2s manufactured were sold in the United States: 5805 TR2s were exported, largely to the USA, leaving 2823 for the UK home market. Thus was kicked off the establishing of Triumph’s reputation and the extremely popular and legendary TR line. You certainly couldn’t ignore the TR2 and Triumph never looked back.

‘His model for this, the Triumph TR2, had a 1991 cc 4-cylinder Standard wet liner inline-four engine from the Standard Vanguard, fitted with twin H4 type SU Carburetors and tuned to increase its output to 90 bhp (67 kW); it had a top speed of 107 mph. A removable hardtop was optional equipment, as was an overdrive transmission and attractive wire wheels.

‘First the car’s cramped interior and restricted trunk space had been given the thumbs-down. Then its actual performance came under scrutiny. After Sir John Black invited test driver Ken Richardson to try out the car, his verdict was withering. ‘Frankly, I think it’s the most bloody awful car I’ve ever driven,’ was Richardson’s assessment, citing it as a potential ‘death-trap’ due to its poor handling and a top speed of only 80 mph – Black had been insistent that the car must be able to easily hit 90 mph.

‘On his return he began to assemble his dream car. The result was what he called the ‘Daybro’, replete with a Sage 2-liter engine and a Meadows gearbox. David Brown’s expertise with gearing – in the blood, one might feel – gave him plenty of contacts, notably with Aston Martin and Amherst Villiers. David Brown finally achieved his ambition in 1947. David Brown Limited, which by now he ran, bought the struggling Aston Martin company, setting it on track for the next quarter of a century.

‘We have one right now at Beverly Hills Car Club, a gorgeous 1954 Triumph TR2 Roadster – the year the TR2 won the RAC Rally outright – that is finished in green over a black interior. Equipped with a four-speed manual transmission, inline-four engine, front-wheel disc brakes, SU dual carburetors, single exhaust outlet, Jaeger instruments, Lucas-branded ammeter gauge, convertible soft top, side curtains, Moto-Lita steering wheel, mesh headlight grilles, Nankang tires, wire wheels with two-eared knock-off wheel spinners, and a full-size spare tire fitted in the trunk.

‘Amenities include a dash-mounted rearview mirror, wind deflectors, door pockets, fender-mounted side mirrors, and a passenger dash grab handle. This is a charming and exciting British sports car that is mechanically sound.

‘As well as that 1954 RAC Rally win, there were further racing feats: Le Mans, where in 1954 it came fifth in its class, and the Mille Miglia, for example.

‘An underdog to Austin-Healeys and MGs, the Triumph TR2 all the same came with a massive biting bark.

‘And was perhaps even more fun.

-Alex Manos, Owner