Mystery Car: "Triumph Streamlined Roadster"

[Editor_Reid]

I recently found a trading card in an antique shop depicting a car that it labels the "Triumph Streamlined Roadster." I've never heard or seen anything like it, even though the description on the back of the card makes it sound like something that was currently in production:

This is the newest in the line of sports cars turned out by this British Company. The Triumph firm was the first to use hydraulic brakes in small production models. The new Triumph roadster is an aluminum panelled car that can seat three passengers. Its top speed is ninety-five miles per hour

I wonder if it was a planned competitor to the Sprite or somethng like that, but one that never got off the drawing boards. In any case, please fill me in if you can shed any light.

By the way, it's currently (October 12) at auction on eBay. Thank you.

 

[piman]

Hello Editor Reid,

this pre dates the Sprite by some years,and known as the TRX; according to Brian Robson in his book Triumph Cars (ISBN 0 947981 28 4) only three prototypes were made, and first shown at the Paris Motor Show of 1950.
Based on a Standard Vanguard chassis with electro-hydrauliclly operated seats, head lamps and a self-extracting and retracting hood. (Soft top, not engine cover)

Alec

 

[Roger]

They built a few in 1950 or thereabouts. I doubt if any still exist.

 

[Roger]

Piman - missed your post, but your erudition exceeds mine!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Hi Reid -

Looks vaguely familiar. May have been a design exercise based on the Triumph 10 saloon? Lines seem similar.

Mickey

 

[martx-5]

[ QUOTE ]
They built a few in 1950 or thereabouts. I doubt if any still exist.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apparently, two TRX prototypes still exist. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Andrew Mace]

[ QUOTE ]
...known as the TRX; according to Brian Robson in his book Triumph Cars (ISBN 0 947981 28 4) only three prototypes were made....

[/ QUOTE ]Right! Last I heard, at least two of the three are still known to exist. Interesting cars, but (at the time) almost impossibly complicated structurally and electrically...and never seriously intended as true sports cars. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif

Oddly enough, though, there is some photographic evidence that one of the cars, at some point in time, actually appeared to have had a 'crossflow' cylinder head, a feature that never appeared again, at least in any series production of that engine.

As, er, intriguing as these cars were, I think most Triumph fans are grateful that the company rethought their philosophy and ultimately came up with the TR series that really "made" Standard-Triumph in the sports car world. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Russ Austin]

I thought I post an original picture of the TRX.

 

[Russ Austin]

I on a picture posting frenzy, how about the TR1?

 

[Russ Austin]

And one more the Francorchamps TR2!

 

[sammyb]

Triumph had many not-so-pretty concepts/show cars. Many of the styling exercises for the TR range were just plain nasty. The TRX and TR1 just looked dumpy.

By comparison, the Francochamps and Italia were simply gorgeous. I also liked the Swallow Doretti, as long as we're talking about cars on the TR chassis.

 

[Russ Austin]

I have one more picture, I thought the styling of the 63 Zest was something that would sell. Shame it was never produced. The 1963 TRIUMPH ZEST 2 LITRE TRI CARB. The Michelotti Prototype, based on a TR4 chassis with 6 cylinder tri carb engine and all syncro gearbox

 

[Sherlock]

And one more yet...

The 1958/59 Peerless GT, if I recall correctly this is a Phase 2 Peerless, picture I took at Mosport Raceway in Ontario.

 

[jsneddon]

Oooh... I like the Peerless - hadn't seen that one.

anyone see the latest Hemmings Sports & Exotics?

Nice article about the Italia re-body of the TR3- another fine looking oddity.

https://www.doretti.co.uk/italia/

There's also a good write-up on Joe Curto and his SU Rebuilding business

 

[Guest]

Wow, I love the Zest, really wish they had built that. Very modern looking, I love the split bumper nose.

The Peerless is pretty to, but whats going on with the trunk lid? Is there a little fin there, or a raised lid, or is that just something in the background that looks like part of the car? I'd like to see a rearview of that car if anyone has any shots of it from a back angle.

 

[Ab Crevoiserat]

Am I mistaken or does that car look a hevily modified TR6?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

[ QUOTE ]
Am I mistaken or does that car look a hevily modified TR6?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, probably because the TR6 was just an update of the TR4!

Mickey