1946 TRIUMPH ROADSTER Registration Number: NJO 765 Chassis ...

Estimate

£20,000 - £24,000

1946 TRIUMPH ROADSTER

Registration Number: NJO 765
Chassis Number: TRA 1283
Recorded Mileage: 6,500 miles

The first post-war offering Triumph, the new Roadster was produced from 1946 to 1949. Initially equipped with a 65bhp Standard 1,800cc engine, it was superseded by a 68bhp 2-litre version in 1948.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. 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 dickey seats in the rear and a stepped rear bumper to aid entry and exit. 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, making these elegant roadsters rare and desirable today.

Our example, NJO 965, was delivered in late May of 1949 to Sir Vivian Naylor-Leyland, a prominent aristocrat and later successful banker. Resplendent in black with an attractive red leather interior, the wooden dash cappings are in good order, as is the convertible roof which is produced in red to match the seating.

This well presented and much enjoyed example is in good order throughout, supported by a large history file outlining various works over the years. The Triumph has a current V5C and also older buff log book, confirming the car wears the same registration as when new in 1949.