1947 Triumph 1800 Roadster

Produced by the Standard Motor Company from 1946 to 1948, the elegant Roadster provided long legged motoring in the grand touring style. Comfort for two was provided in the main cockpit, with two further seats being available at the rear with separate windscreen, all of which could be folded away when not in use. A folding hood offered protection to the occupants of the main cockpit. This unusual design was aimed to compete against the Jaguars, which had had somewhat of a head start during the pre-war years with their SS models.

Triumph used a Turner designed rolling chassis, on to which a tubular steel frame was used to take the aluminium over ash coachwork pressed from the same tools which provided the Mosquito fighter/bomber. Steel was in short supply but also used for the front wings. Standard had provided the original engine for the SS Jaguar. This was converted to overhead valve by Harry Weslake, the Triumph having a downdraught Solex carburettor and a 6.7:1 compression ratio. A four speed gearbox was fitted with synchromesh on the top three gears.  The Roadster gained much publicity from the Bergerac detective series on television, the separate headlights mounted in front of the long bonnet, offering a degree of opulence,  well suited to the Channel Island setting in which it was portrayed.

This fine example has been in the current ownership for twenty one years. Its sadly late owner cherished the Roadster, maintained it well and enjoyed it at local shows and classic events up until last summer. We understand that he purchased the motor car from a Mr Simpson of Bristol, who it is believed owned the Triumph from new. We are told that a complete restoration was carried out in the mid Nineties and to a very high standard and the motor car remains in lovely order now.

The body and panel work are described as being very good and the paintwork is very presentable. The upholstery, renewed that the time of restoration, remains in lovely order and the instrumentation is all apparently in working order. The hood is Double Duck and in nice condition.

After a short period of storage, the Triumph will need mechanical recommissioning but we understand that the engine runs well with good oil pressure and ‘appears to be OK’.

The history file contains past MOT test certificates, photographs, maintenance instructions, an original instruction book, the current V5C registration certificate and an older V5C, and others. The Roadster is also supplied with five lever arch files of Triumph Roadster Club newsletters dating from 1970, a Standard Triumph service instruction manual, an original spare parts list, a 1968 replacement parts list, a copy of The Motor and an album of photographs detailing the aforesaid restoration.

SOLD