1955 Triumph TR2 Description

1955 Triumph TR2 Convertible

Extensive ground up restoration with well over 500 hours of work Matching numbers engine with original head Resided with the same family for 40 years One of only 8,636 TR2s produced All mechanicals rebuilt-including the bottom end Vanguard 2.0 L inline 4 cylinder engine Dual SU carburetors Vanguard 4-speed manual transmission with desirable overdrive White soft top with matching side curtains

MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this handsome 1955 Triumph TR2 convertible. Only 8,636 TR2’s were built from 1953 to 1955, this beautiful restored ’55 is one of the finest examples of a short door TR2. This TR2 is painted in a Signal Red exterior, Stone leather interior, matching Tilton wool carpet and white top and side curtains. Ground up restoration. Matching engine numbers with original cylinder head. New rods and camshaft, pistons and liners and all of the mechanicals rebuilt and benefited from a period correct overdrive transmission.

The previous owner, Don Whelchel, a body shop owner from Eastern Kansas feel in love with Triumph motorcars while serving as a Navy SeaBee in Europe during WWII. He purchased this TR2 and stored it away in 1973. In 2009, after 43 of the triumph, he decided it was time to give this Triumph a full restoration. Unfortunately his health wouldn’t allow Don to take in the project by himself. In stepped a long-time friend “Mad Dog”, a owner of another area body shop and together after 500 hours completed the ground up restoration. This TR2 has the beauty of a show car with the reliability of a daily driver.

One model of TR2/3 can be difficult to tell from another unless you know what to look for. The first was the TR2, built from 1952 to 1955. The early “small mouth, long door” has a small, recessed front grille and door skins that extend down to the bottom of the rocker panel. After the first few thousand TR2s, the Triumph factory responded to concerns from owners who scraped the door bottoms on curbs by shortening the door skins, and introduced the TR2 model which has come to be known as the “small mouth short door.”

Finished in a brilliant Signal Red that shows extremely well. The front chrome bumper with over riders are tight and finish is exquisite. The rear is equipped with excellent period correct over riders. The recessed “Small Mouth” front grill is in very good condition. All trim pieces are present and have a great finish. The headlights are period correct and taillights are in very condition with no hazing or cracks. The white soft top is in very good condition and looks great with matching side curtains. This triumph has the classic British style these envelope-bodied cars are known for.

Inside, this Triumph features a correct and restored Stone leather sport seats looks great. The matching tan door panels and dashboard are a continuation of the striking interior of this roadster with Tilton black carpet looks fantastic. The weather-stripping is excellent, with little or no signs of drying, tearing or shrinkage. All the original equipment gauges are well placed, have correct appearance as originally designed. The original Banjo style three spoke steering wheel is in very good condition.

This ’55 TR2 is nicely equipped with a Vanguard 2.0L inline 4 cylinder engine fed by a dual SU carburetors. Power is transferred to the wheels by a Vanguard 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The ladder-frame chassis was comprised of coil and wishbone front suspension with a live axle and semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Stopping power is provided by four Lockheed drum brakes. The 15-inch original steel wheels painted to match the exterior with Triumph hub caps.

The emphasis of the restoration of this 1955 TR2 was to retain and refurbish as many of the original parts as possible, thereby maintaining the car’s provenance. The beauty of a show car with the reliability of a daily driver, an unbeatable combination!… GET OUT AND DRIVE!! Please be sure to check out our other Don Whelchel and “Mad Dog” collaboration, a 1964 Triumph TR4!

Current mileage on the odometer shows 3,757 miles, sold as is and is mileage exempt title.

VIN: TS6583L

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