Cars

The Triumph roadster was conceived in the final days of the Second World War. The Standard Motor Company bought Triumph in 1944, and managing director Sir John Black wanted a sports car to take on Jaguar, for which SMC had supplied engines before the war. The roadsters were built on ash frames, with aluminum hoods and trunks, and steel fenders. Production ran from 1946 to 1949, first with the 1800 model, then with the 2000 model.

The engine was a variant of the Standard 1.5-liter side-valve four-cylinder, which had been converted to overhead valves by Harry Weslake and built by Standard exclusively for Jaguar SS cars before the Second World War. The Triumph version differed from the Jaguar in having a compression ratio of 6.7:1 (compared with 7.6:1 for the Jaguar) and a downdraft Solex carburetor instead of the side-draft SU of the Jaguar. It was mated to a four-speed column gearbox with synchromesh gears on the top three ratios.

What makes the Triumph Roadster truly unique “is its surprising five-seat configuration, a rare feat for a roadster. In the” front, two comfortable seats for the driver and passenger; in the “rear, an ingenious double ‘dickey seat’ that can be folded away, nestled under a reverse-opening cover, allows for two additional passengers in the open air. A central bench, more symbolic than practical, completes this extraordinary layout. This subtle blend of sportiness and conviviality makes the Roadster 1800 a model as surprising as it is” elegant, designed for family drives… with the wind in your hair.

This example is in very good condition, having been restored about twenty years ago. Its current owner has possessed it for over 37 years. There is no corrosion on either the chassis or the body, and the upholstery is in perfect condition. The mechanics run perfectly.