Triumph Roadster 2000

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The first post-war car from Triumph Motor Company, the Roadster was produced from 1946 to 1949. Initially equipped with a 65bhp Standard 1800cc engine, it was superseded by a 68bhp 2-litre version in 1948.

Styled by Frank Callaby and Arthur Ballard, with mechanical design by Ray Turner, the Roadster was intended as a rival to Jaguar, whose cars had also used Standard engines in the pre-war period. Post-war steel shortages meant that the swooping bodywork was built from aluminium using rubber press tools that had been used by Standard to make parts for the Mosquito fighter bomber during the war. A riot of generous curves, the styling was certainly distinctive, although "more toadster than roadster" was how one critic unkindly described it.

The chassis was hand-welded from steel tube and featured transverse leaf sprung independent suspension at the front and a live axle with half elliptic springs at the rear. The rear track was considerably narrower than the front. Brakes were hydraulic and drive was via a four-speed column-change gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios. On the 2-litre model this was replaced with an all-synchro three-speed ‘box.

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. Tested by Autocar in 1948, The 2-litre got to 60mph in 27.9 seconds and could hit 77mph. A Triumph Roadster was famously driven by Bergerac in the BBC crime drama of the same name, starring John Nettles. Just 4,501 examples were made of which less than half had the 2-litre engine, making these elegant roadsters very rare and sought after machines today.

This fabulous 1948 Triumph Roadster 2000 has been something of a Shropshire secret for the last 30 years or so. The previous owner had always intended to restore the car, but never quite got round to it, although he did at least keep it nicely tucked up in dry storage.

Our vendor knew of the car for most of that time and had always wanted to buy it. Eventually, the opportunity arose and the car changed hands. However, our vendor also found himself storing, rather than restoring the car and has now decided it needs to go to someone with the time and enthusiasm to get the job done.

There is a V5 with the car, and an old MOT from 1986, but no other paperwork. The car is substantially complete, the engine turns over and it could be that all it needs is a battery and a good spruce up. It has great presence and could easily carry off the barn-find beauty look for the owner who doesn’t want concours. However, there are those who would say it is just begging for restoration.

Offered for sale with no reserve, this is a great opportunity to buy a car with massive potential and huge appeal. Which way would you take it?