TR2/3/3A Tom McCahill's 1954 review of the TR2

[NutmegCT]

Just received my TRA National News, issue 104, which includes the 1954 McCahill review.

Excerpt:

<span style="font-style: italic">"The Triumph can kill the MG in performance in every department including comfort and luggage space, and both have almost similar price tags.

The Triumph's looks, however, are subject to challenge. To me, the front end resembles a cardboard box that someone has shoved his foot through.

....

The instrument panel is neat, adequate and easy to read as a Marilyn Monroe calendar and almost as informative.


....

There is enough room behind the seat to carry a limp, flexible drunk and this barge has a real trunk big enough for two five-rib roasts of beef or 10,391 Philco refrigerator ice cubes."</span>

I don't think cars today are described with quite the same metaphors!

Tom

 

[Twosheds]

He can turn a phrase, can't he?

I remember this from a report on the 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser:

Something like "<span style="font-style: italic">The rear windshield lowers to allow as much breeze as a jet pilot gets when he opens the canopy to stick his arm out to signal for a left turn.</span>"

His report on the Morris Minor Traveller went something like: "<span style="font-style: italic">Handles like a baby Ferrari</span>"

Now I'll have to dig up my old MIs.

 

[Brooklands]

Uncle Tom was always a fun guy to read, even if you did not care about the vehicle in question.

 

[Lou Metelko]

Dave:

It ain't couth to speak unkind words about another's pride and joy!

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
54 TR2LD

 

[TR3driver]

Couth ? We don need no stinkin couth !

I still like the "Unlikely Tractor" article from C&D, which starts out "It was an evil-sounding, raucous little bastard that would lure you into a corner all cozily understeering ..."

 

[Banjo]

Hahahaha. I love hearing realistic views about my "pride and Joy" that were written when they mattered (I.E. when those cars were actually competeing for thier share of the new car market"
Opinions wirtten now tend to lean heavily in one direction or the other. It's not fair to comment on the charecteristics of a 54 year old car. that's like trying to compare taking a Steam train ride to flying in a jet plane.
Although I have to say I enjoy reading Peter Eagens "Side Glances"

 

[TR3driver]

The C&D article was a retrospective, published in March 71, almost ten years after the last TR3 was sold. Overall, I'd call it a positive review, in spite of comments like "It handled like a 3-legged camel" (talking about the prototype car) and "In fact, with the top and sidecurtains down, you stood a pretty good chance of being flapped insensible by your clothes".

At the very least, it brought a smile to MY face