1949 Triumph 2000 Roadster (TRA) |

Sold

1949 Triumph 2000 Roadster (TRA)

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£7,500

Mileage~25,787
TransmissionManual
Engine2.0L
LocationOrpington

SOLD

1949 Triumph 2000 Roadster (TRA)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Alan Stuart

Professional Consigner

Instigated as a direct challenge to the sports cars Jaguar was producing, the 2000 Roadster was the predecessor to the popular TR range of cars.

In September 1948 the 18TR was replaced by the 2000 Roadster (TRA), the engine was upgraded from the 1.8L to a 2.0L unit. The gearbox was also changed from a 4-speed to a 3-speed. Only ~2,000 of the TRA models were made making this a very rare car. The model was first introduced in 1946 as the Triumph 1800 Roadster (18TR), steel shortages during the war resulted in aluminium construction of the body. It has a quirky layout with dickie seats in the rear with an additional windscreen for their occupants.

This particular 2000 Roadster has been in family ownership since 1982, a solid 40 years. The vendors late father restored the car over the years, overhauling the engine and fitting electronic ignition and electric SU fuel pump along the way, it was a childhood dream to own one of these that he was able to fulfil. More recently, the car has not been in use, and so it's coming to market as a bit of a rolling restoration.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Alan after meeting Steve the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

After coveting the Triumph Roadster as a child, my dad found this car and purchased it in 1982, going on to restore it himself.

Steve if selling this 2000 Roadster as part of his late fathers estate. His father purchased the car 40 years ago, and set about restoring the car. He overhauled the engine, interior and the brightwork too. He also attended to the bodywork from home as best as he could.

As mentioned previously, the car hasn't been used regularly on the road for some time, so although it's running, it should be considered that some recommissioning is required. The car was part of Steve's father's estate and is the reason it is coming to market now. He will be happy to answer any questions in the comments below.

Steve

Vehicle Owner

Steve saved £1,260* when they
sold their Triumph with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Curvaceous front wings, suicide doors and an extra windscreen at the rear, the Triumph Roadster has a very unique style.

Wheels and Tyres

The body coloured wheels with chrome hub caps looked in good shape, we didn't notice any damage around the rims. We did notice some small age related marks in the surface of the chrome hubcaps though.

A mix of tyres were on the Roadster, both fronts were Uniroyal and both rears Avon, all tyres were showing signs of perishing, we would definitely recommend replacing them. Please have a look at the photos and video below to asses the condition of the wheels and tyres for yourself.

Bodywork

The bodywork seemed to be in ok condition, panel gaps looked to good for a car from the 40s. We did notice a few areas around the car where the paint was bubbling or had been broken through, a couple of the main areas we noticed this was on the rear of the driver's door and the rear wing on the passenger side.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view at what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork on this Roadster is of a bronze colour, Steve's father likely painted the car himself as part of his restoration work in the 80s on the car. It looked to be quite dull with age having gotten to it, and you could also notice some slight colour differences on panels around the car, along with some marks on the rear quarter on the passenger side.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

All the glass around the car looked in good condition we didn't notice any discolouration or chips in any pane of glass.

The chrome trim around the looked to be in good condition, with only slight markings on front bumper. Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

A simple wooden dashboard greets you when you enter via the suicide doors, the rear dickie seats complete the vintage feel.

Seats and Carpets

The black leather bench seat looked to be in good condition, it was showing some signs of wear but we didn't notice any tears in it.

The carpets looked in ok condition too, they did show some staining, but we think that could be sorted with a shampoo. Please take a look at the photos and video below to decide on the condition of the seats and carpets for yourself.

Dashboard

The original wooden dashboard is present, with the clocks in the centre of the car, a couple of other gauges have been added below the steering wheel. The gear shift sits above the steering wheel.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The two-spoke steering wheel looked to be in good condition, it was trimmed in leather that we didn't notice much signs of wear on.

The gear shifter was behind the steering wheel, it looked quite difficult to use, the lower part of the gear stick was showing some signs of corrosion. Please take a look at the photos and video below to check the condition of the steering wheel and gear stick for yourself.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Under the split bonnet lives a 2.0L which gave the 2000 Roadster a top speed of ~77MPH back in the 1940s.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine burst into life on first attempt and seemed to be running nicely. On our short drive the engine performed well. The car isn't registered for road use so we took it around the private yard. The gearbox was working well too, it took some getting used to due to the unfamiliar layout but appeared to be operating correctly as can be seen in the video.

As mentioned previously, Steve's father rebuilt the engine as part of the restoration work he actioned back in the 1980s. Please take a look at the cold start video below to see for yourself the performance of the engine and gearbox.

Suspension and Brakes

On our short drive the suspension felt good, on the uneven surface bumps were absorbed reasonably well, we didn't notice any unwanted noises coming from the suspension. The roof was rattling around a bit as can be heard in the video, this is a 1940s car after all.

We didn't really get a chance to properly test the brakes but they did seem firm. Steve has recommended the car has some recommissioning work actioned, given it has just been kept in storage for many years. Please take a look at the on the road video below to see how the suspension and brakes performed.

The Drive

As mentioned above the Roadster performed well on our short drive, the engine started easily and didn't make any unusual noises. The gearbox was quite fiddly but once you get to grips with it, it worked well.

The suspension and brakes also seemed to work as expected too, with no unwanted noises present, on an uneven surface too. To see the car in motion please take a look at the on the road video below.

Electrics and Other

The Roadster doesn't have many electrics but all dials etc seemed to be working as expected, the engine electrics were working well too and previously mentioned, the car has had electronic ignition and an electric fuel pump fitted.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

A 2 former keeper car that comes from ~40 year family ownership, it has been restored when purchased in the 80s and comes to market in need of some recommissioning post longterm storage.

The Roadster has not had an MOT since it has been exempt, the car comes with very little paperwork, but has most recently received a fuel pump in July this year. It was purchased back in 1982, and Steve's late father carried out a restoration on the car which included an engine rebuild, interior restoration, and home restoration to the exterior too. The car is being sold as part of Steve's late fathers estate, and has been kept in storage for some time now.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.