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Triumph Mayflower

Triumph Mayflower

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Triumph MayflowerTriumph MayflowerTriumph MayflowerTriumph MayflowerTriumph Mayflower
Triumph MayflowerTriumph MayflowerTriumph MayflowerTriumph MayflowerTriumph Mayflower
Lot number 4
Hammer value £1,200
Description Triumph Mayflower
Registration MVS 617
Year 1952
Colour Black
Engine size 1,247 cc
Chassis No. TT24973DL
Engine No. TT25041E

Triumph launched its curious Mayflower in 1949 in an ultimately misguided attempt to crack the all-important American market.

Billed as being an upmarket car at an economy price, the body was designed by Leslie Moore, chief stylist at Mulliner, and used the same fashionable ‘razor-edge’ styling as Mulliner employed on some contemporary Bentley and Rolls-Royce models. The imposing radiator also had upscale pretensions as did the protruding rear luggage compartment. But while these styling cues worked well on big limousines they looked faintly ridiculous on a compact saloon.

Powered by an updated Standard 10 engine with a new alloy head and a Solex carburettor, the driver had 38bhp at his disposal and could just about crack the magic 60mph marker although it took over half-a-minute to get there. Modern features included hydraulic brakes and independent front suspension, while the well-appointed interior relied on traditional leather and wood to continue the upmarket image.

While we wouldn’t agree with Top Gear’s James May who called the Mayflower the ugliest car of all time, it was certainly something of an acquired taste and only 200 were sold in its intended American market although it did find 35,000 buyers elsewhere before production came to an end in 1953.

First registered in December 1952, this particular Mayflower has had just one owner for the last 15 years and is described by the vendor as being “a very solid and original example that will be a straightforward restoration project and is accompanied by the original buff log book.”

Only a handful of these quirky little saloons still survive and, although it does look rather hearse-like from the side, it is important that this one should be kept alive – if only to annoy James May.
 

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