Pictures
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1949 Triumph Roadster
Here is some more information about the Roadster, it's sweeping bonnet and large curvaceous wings really command attention. If you like this car then it can be hired individually or as a five seater it makes an ideal second car for the bridesmaids to arrive in in style. Please contact us if you would like to see the cars or need more information.
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More Information
The Triumph Roadster was the first vehicle made post-war by the Standard Motor Company after their acquisition of the respected Triumph name. It was manufactured between 1946 and 1949 which means ours was one of the last ones made.
It’s design went back to the classic tourers of the 30’s, even to the extent of featuring the ‘dickey-seats’, whereby 2 extra passengers could sit on seats in the boot! On this car these unique seats even had their own windscreen.
Though not a sports car the Triumph was acceptably fast in its day, managing a top speed of around 80 miles per hour.
The Triumph Roadster gained its notoriety as the daily transport for ‘John Nettles’ the Jersey based detective in the ‘Bergerac’ television series.
Most of the bodywork is clad in an aluminium alloy that was originally produced for aircraft construction in the Second World War, over an ash frame. The front wings are manufactured from steel which was in short supply in those days.
At the end of its production run over 4000 of these cars were built and it is estimated that around 180 survive on the road in the world with many others surviving in various states of repair.
We are active members of the Triumph Roadster Club of Great Britain and attend various club functions, which included representing the club at the National Restoration show this year - see the events page for more.
What else was happening in 1949?
- Rationing of clothes ended in Britain, whilst the Soviet Union tested their first atomic bomb.
- George Orwell’s famous book ‘1984’ was also published along with Cambridge University being successful in storing the first ever computer program.
- The worst thing to happen in 1949 was Triumph ending the production of the Triumph Roadster, however they went on to produce the excellent TR2, TR3, TR4, TR5, TR6 and TR7 series of vehicles.
