A Walk Through Triumph History

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY (Using Triumphs of Southwest Florida Members Cars)

The beginning of the Standard Triumph Motor Co. Ltd.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

The Birth of Triumph Dates Back to the 19th Century

• A German Transplant to England, Sigfreid Bettmann, moved his bicycle business he started in 1885 in London to Coventry and named it Triumph.

• In 1902 Sigfreid fitted a Belgian 2.25 horsepower engine to a reinforced bicycle frame.

• 1n 1905 Triumph came up with its own 3 horsepower engine.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

The Birth of the Standard Motor Company Early 20th Century

• Geginald Maudslay founded the Standard Motor Company with his first car being the Victoria in early 1903.

• Standard needed cash in 1912 and Bettmann made the investment. He became the chairman of the Standard Motor Company while maintaining control of Triumph.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

First Triumph Motorcar

• The first Triumph motorcar made its debut in 1923, called the 10/20. The name was derived its 10 horsepower rating and its actual horsepower of 20.

• Triumph built only 50 cars in 1939 and went up for auction. It was bought by Thomas Ward, but England declared war on Germany and the Coventry factory was closed

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Standard Motor Company Purchases the Triumph Name

• Thomas Ward sells Triumph name in 1944 to Standard.

• The first post war Triumph sports car came out in 1946 as the 1800 roadster.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Triumph 1800 Roadster

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Standard Designers Come Up With a Sports Car • Standard designs a simple inexpensive sports car equal to MG, Healey and Morgan.

• The 20TS prototype was built in 1952, (later known as the TR1. Only one is known to have been built).

• In 1953 the TR1 was refined into the TR2 and reached a speed of 124 miles per hour in a speed test in Belgium.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Doug Canfield’s 1954 Triumph TR2 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

TR2 production ends in the fall of 1955 with the TR3

• The TR2’s front apron, the recessed mouth, was replaced with a flush mounted egg crate style grille.

• Horsepower was increased to 95 with larger SU carburetors and overdrive was added to second and third gear.

• 1956 brought the TR3 to a 100 horsepower and a top speed of 110 mile per hour.

• The TR3 lasted only two model years with factory options of race screen, wire wheels w/center knock offs, leather upholstery and rear fenders skirts.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY George Krause’s 1956 Triumph TR3 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Triumph TR3A Arrives in 1958 Only With Cosmetic Change

• A full width aluminum grille was added, as were door handles and a trunk lid handle.

• The 2138 engine is offered as an option in 1959, which raised the compression from 8.5:1 to 9.1:1.

• The TR3A proved the most popular of all the Triumphs to date.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Ed Major’s 1958 TR3A - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

G. Michael Bohardt's 1960 TR3A - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Glenn Vrooman's 1960 TR3A - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Lee Longstreth's 1961 TR3A - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Gary Jones’ 1961 TR3A - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

A United States Only Model, TR3B Was Offered In 1962

• The Triumph TR3B body was identical to the TR3A, but with the 2138cc as the standard engine.

• The TR3B also used the synchromesh gearbox and the TR4 drive train.

• TR3B’s never officially had a badge as a “B” , but it was advertised that way.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Bruce Skaggs’ 1962 TR3 B - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Jon Liversedge’s 1962 TR3 B - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Giovanni Michelotti Takes on the TR3 Series Replacement

• Michelotti’s first prototype was named Zest and was delivered to Triumph in 1958.

• The TR4 first met the public in 1961.

• The new styling was well received with creature comforts like roll up windows, cockpit ventilation and an all synchromesh gearbox.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Guy Fauconneau’s 1964 TR4 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

TheTR4A Would Replace The Rear Live Axle With IRS

• The introduction of the 1965 IRS TR4A made Triumph the only auto manufacture with independent rear suspension in every production model. The TR4A could be bought with your choice of rear axle.

• The TR4A grille was revised and a new chrome IRS badge appeared on the trunk lid.

• The 12 year old TR shield was replaced by the Triumph globe.

• The last TR4A model rolled of the Coventry assembly line in July 1967.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Dennis McKinley’s 1965 TR4A IRS - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Gary Jones’ 1967 TR4A IRS - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

TR5 Released in Great Britain in October 1964

• The new TR5 car was powered by a 2.5 liter, fuel injected six cylinder.

• American emissions legislation prevented the TR5 from coming to the US.

• The American TR250 was born in 1967 for the US market with twin Stromberg 175 CD carburetors.

• The only differences between the two cars were how the fuel was delivered and the external badge.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Paul Taylor’s 1967 TR5 – TSSC, UK

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Ed Major’s 1968 TR250 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

The Triumph Spitfire Mark I Debuts in October 1962

• The Spitfire Mark I used a 63 horse powered 1147 cc engine with twin 1.25 inch SU carburetors.

• A 1147 cc Spitfire Mark II with 4 more horsepower than the Mark I was released in March 1965.

• A 1296 cc 75 horse powered Spitfire Mark III was released in 1967.

• In October 1974 an all new Spitfire, the Mark IV was released with an all synchromesh, four speed gearbox and an optional overdrive.

• By 1975 all Spitfires displayed the 1500 badge, even though the 1493 cc engine with twin SU carbs were being delivered in the Mark IV after their first release.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Dio Perez’s 1964 Spitfire4 Mark I - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Bill Newman’s 1964 Replica Sebring Spitfire MK I ADU 4B - BCCSWF

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY 1966 Spitfire Mark II

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Brian Vogel’s 1968 Spitfire Mark III - BCCSWF

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY 1974 Spitfire Mark IV

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Vince McConville’s 1979 Spitfire 1500 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Nelson Wruble’s 1979 Spitfire 1500 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Triumph GT6 Was Unveiled in October 1966

• The GT6 was fitted with a 95 horse powered 1998 cc engine with dual Zenith Stromberg carburetors.

• The GT6 Plus was released in October 1968 without any engine changes due to US emission standards, but with full independent suspension and stiffer springs.

• A GT6 Mark III version was released in October of 1970 and was thought by all that it was the most handsome of the GT6 family

• The GT6 ceased production in 1973 unceremoniously.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Harry Hartwell’s 1967 GT6 MKI - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Jerry Wilcox’s 1970 GT6+ - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Bill Newman’s 1971 GT6 MKIII - BCCSWF

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

The Triumph TR6 Was Introduced in January 1969

• Karmann from West Germany was hired by Triumph to designed the TR6 with a 2.5 liter engine.

• TR6 options included wire wheels, overdrive, tonneau cover, seatbelts and a radio.

• The 2.5 liter engine remained unchanged throughout the life of the TR6 with the exception of the US emission laws.

• July 1976 marked the end of an era as the last TR6 rolled off of the assembly line and headed for America.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Jan Lindberg’s 1970 TR6 PI - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Bruce Harris’ 1972 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Greg Walker’s 1972 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Chip Accorsini’s 1973 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Richard Paquette’s 1974 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Jerry Shaw’s 1974 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Pat Meier’s 1974 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Joe Frank’s 1975 TR6 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY “The Shape of Things to Come”

• The Triumph TR7 engine, which Triumph had been building for Saab 99s was a 1998 cc unit fed by dual Stromberg carbs and delivered 92 horsepower.

• TR7’s began in late 1974 and were first produced with a hard top only, air conditioning and a 4 speed gearbox.

• The TR7 was the first TR in 10 years not to offer IRS or an overdrive transmission.

• In 1976 the Rover 5 speed gearbox and beefier rear end were added to the car.

• Triumph became Jaguar Rover Triumph Inc. in 1979 and introduced the TR7 convertible with optional air conditioning.

• In 1981 the last TR7’s were all produced with fuel injection.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY 1975 TR7 Coupe

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Ken Taylor’s 1979 TR7 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Bruce Skaggs’ 1980 TR7 - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Dennis McKinley’s 1981 TR7 PI - TSWFL

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Triumph Returns to a Thoroughbred Sports Car Status

• The V-8 powered TR8 was launched in early 1980 with the 3.5 liter aluminum Rover, (formerly Buick) V8 engine.

• The regular US version was fed by dual Stromberg carbs, while the West coast got a fuel injection version.

• The TR8 was cancelled in 1980 with the last production cars produced in 1981.

• By mid 1981 British Leyland was out of the sports car business for good.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Phil Coe’s 1979 TR8 Coupe - TWOA

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Doug Canfield’s 1980 Triumph TR8

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Bruce Skaggs’ 1980 Triumph TR8

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY 1981 Triumph TR8

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY

Triumph STAG was a sporting car for the family man

• The Triumph built 3.0 liter V-8 powered Stag was launched in mid 1970.

• The interior was appointed with a walnut dash and a full complement of gauges and power options

• The Stag was fed by dual Stromberg carbs and came with a T-bar roof, 4 speed trans with optional overdrive or an Borg-Warner 3 speed automatic. Most of the US cars came with the automatic.

• The Stag was withdrawn from the US market in 1973, but continued on in UK market until the end of 1977.

A WALK THROUGH TRIUMPH SPORTS CAR HISTORY Cy Ling’s 1973 Triumph Stag - TSWFL