Beschreibung:

The Triumph TR2 was produced from 1953 to 1955 by the Standard Motor Company at the Canley factory and a total of 8,636 cars were produced. The TR2 was a small lightweight two seater open sports car that was powered by the 1991cc four cylinder Standard Vanguard engine with the addition of twin SU carburettors which gave 90bhp. The body was mounted on a separate chassis which featured coil-sprung independent suspension at the front and a leaf spring live rear axle with the choice of wire wheels or steel wheels. The transmission was a four speed manual gearbox and buyers had the choice to opt for overdrive on top gear when they specified their car. The TR2 was a sprightly performer for its time and achieved 0-60mph in 12 seconds with a terminal velocity of 107.3 mph, times attained by The Motor magazine in 1954 using an overdrive equipped example, the overdrive option costing an additional £56 to the cars £900 purchase price. Always popular for competition use, the TR2 was an excellent rally and race car and they are still chosen by historic race and rally competitors for use in today's retrospective events. SAF 424 is an early 'long door' example that was collected from the Canley factory by Dr CJF Coombs in February 1954 and ordered new by the Bristol doctor with special sports specification. Dr Coombs was clearly a competitive fellow as he upgraded the car in 1955 with the fitment of Derrington manifolds and a set of Alfin brake drums. By 1957 Dr Coombs had decided that forced induction was the way to go and installed an Arnott supercharger which undoubtedly made SAF 424 an exciting and competitive car. The car was campaigned throughout the 1950's and 1960's at hillclimbs and race meetings by Tommy Taylor and other drivers before Dr Coombs passed the title of the car to his son. Carey Coombs decided to restore the car and the now tired Arnott supercharger was replaced with a Shorrock unit that is still fitted to the car today. Mr Coombs retained ownership of the car until the eighties whereupon it was sold and passed through the hands of three collectors before the vendor acquired the car for his collection in 2007. After acquiring SAF424, the vendor decided to return the car to its original colour and set about a bare metal re-spray in black, the interior is finished in burgundy hide. The car was white when purchased but the engine bay, boot and floors still retained their original colour, as such the car presents extremely well with the under bonnet area retaining excellent patination. In addition the Shorrock supercharger was fully rebuilt in 2009 and the vendor describes the engine, overdrive gearbox, 10'' front and 9'' rear Alfin drum brakes in good working order. SAF 424 is supplied with a comprehensive history file that contains substantial supporting history regarding the period modifications and letters from the Allard motor company to Mr Coombs discussing the fitment of the supercharger. A buff log book is also contained within the file and photographs of Carey Coombs and his son, the grandson of the original owner reunited with SAF424 in 2009, some 55 years after Dr Coombs collected this wonderful car from the Canley factory. Further documents included in the history are a number of invoices, full UK V5 registration document and a number of previous MoT road test certificates including the current certificate, valid until August 2011. There can be very few opportunities today to acquire a fifty's sports car with fascinating period modifications and competition history as this car for such a relatively modest outlay, SAF 424 represents superb value for money as well as a prudent investment.