Triumph TR2 and TR3

Here are two cars which took part in the AMOC Lighthouse Anglo-American Thoroughbred Challenge race at the Aston Martin Owners Club race meeting at Oulton Park in May 2002.

This is a 1955 Triumph TR2 and was driven in the race by Roy Chamberlain. Produced by the Standard Motor Company the TR2 used a tuned version of the 1991cc Standard Vanguard engine and I remember when the car was introduced in 1953 it had such a striking appearance compared with the mainly pre-war sports cars which were around at that time.

Also in the race, and driven by Charles Gillett, was this successor to the TR2, the Triumph TR3. It had a slightly more powerful engine and the only noticable difference to the bodywork was the external grille to the radiator air intake. The grille on later TR3s was made the full width of the body and these cars are usually referred to as TR3As, although the name wasn't used officially and they were not badged as such.