Lot Ended
Description
Fully restored to show-winning condition in 2010 and only 6,300 miles
since; recent £6k repaint and £4k gearbox rebuild; one of the oldest
surviving examples; original number plate; a fine example of this striking
Forties roadster
The
first post-war car from the Triumph Motor Company, the Roadster was produced
from 1946 to 1948. Styled by Frank Callaby and Arthur Ballard, with mechanical
design by Ray Turner, the Roadster was fitted with a 65bhp Standard 1.8 engine
which gave it a top speed of 75mph.
Post-war
steel shortages meant that the swooping bodywork was largely built from
aluminium, using the same rubber press tools that Standard had employed to make
the Mosquito fighter bomber during the war. The steel tube chassis featured
transverse leaf sprung independent suspension at the front and a live axle at
the back, the rear track being noticeably narrower than the front. Brakes were
hydraulic and drive was via a four-speed column-change gearbox with synchromesh
on the top three ratios.
The
front bench seat could accommodate three at a squeeze and additional room for
two was provided by a dickey seat in the rear with its own folding windscreen
and a stepped rear bumper to aid entry and exit.
Only
4,501 Roadsters were made in total, of which fewer than 300 are thought to
survive in the UK, making these elegant roadsters rare and sought-after
today.
This
particular car is among the first 102 made and is believed to be the fifth
earliest car surviving. First registered in Hertfordshire in August 1946, the
buff logbook shows that by 1958 it was owned by Doris Pringle of Bournemouth, a
member of the famous Pringle knitwear dynasty. By 1966 it was owned by a Mr F
Oliver, also of Bournemouth, and the trail then goes cold until 2004 when it was
discovered languishing in a barn by Roger Thompson of Kings Lynn.
He
succeeded in buying the car and then set about a total nut-and-bolt rebuild
which was to take over five years to complete, the whole process recorded in an
album of photos on file (a few of which are reproduced here). Originally Fawn,
he elected to repaint it blue, the odometer being re-set to zero once the
restoration was completed in 2010.
Mr
Thompson only covered around 1,300 miles in the car before entering it into an
Anglia classic car auction in November 2011 which is where our vendor bought it,
the invoice showing that he paid £20,790. Before bidding on the car, he
commissioned a report from an independent engineer which was overwhelmingly
positive, the only real criticism relating to the paintwork which: “Presents
well with a bright shine but on close inspection is by no means perfect with
minor areas of pitting and micro blistering”.
Our
vendor has looked after the car regardless of cost during his 15-year ownership,
a quick tot-up of the bills showing that over £19,000 has been spent on upkeep
and improvements. Highlights include:
2012
– gearbox fully rebuilt; starter motor reconditioned; electronic ignition
fitted; headlight rims rechromed
2013
– brake linings replaced all round
2014
– full repaint in Triumph Racing Green by Tony Williams Bodyshop of Malvern;
rolling road tune-up by Hi-Tech Motorsport of Cradley Heath; new Solex carb; new
cylinder head gasket
2015
– new clutch kit fitted and flywheel skimmed
2016
– full service and all chassis points greased; new pinion oil seal on diff and
fresh gear oil
2018
– rear shock absorbers reconditioned; fuel pump overhauled
2019
– new wheel cylinders; fresh engine oil and filter; fresh brake
fluid
2023
– full brake system overhaul; front suspension rebuilt with new front shock
absorbers, rebuilt king pins and new poly bush kit
Numerous
old MOTs show that the car was tested every year from 2010 – 2023, any
advisories being attended to as required. The last MOT was issued in September
2023 with no advisories recorded and it has only covered around 300 miles since.
The odometer currently shows 6,357 miles which is the total distance covered
since the restoration was completed in 2010.
Our
vendor has taken the car to various shows over the years where it has scooped
several trophies including: Top Twelve in the Triumph Roadster Club Concours in
2014 and 2017 against some stiff competition from all over Europe; Best Pre-War
Car at the Marches Transport Festival in May 2016; Best in Show at Apley Park in
June 2016.
In
April 2016 it was also invited to Buckingham Palace as part of an event
organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicle Group to celebrate
Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. The cavalcade featured one car
for each year of the Queen’s life, the Triumph Roadster being chosen to
represent 1946.
Supplied with a
comprehensive history file, it also comes with a spare pair of glass screens for
the dickey seats. The icing on the cake is the original GUR 605 registration
number which is transferable and doubtless has a value of its own.
Used
in fine weather only during our vendor’s 15-year ownership, it has always been
stored inside a Carcoon in a nice dry garage when not in use. As you can see in
the photos and the video, it looks to be in super condition both above and below
and has been starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on
site.
Only reluctantly for sale due to the advancing
years of the vendor, this rare and early Triumph Roadster is no doubt capable of
scooping more awards on the show circuit, should the fortunate new owner feel so
inclined.
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com