TRIUMPH HISTORY
Why 20 May 1953 was so important to Triumph
70 Years ago on a road in Belgium a significant milestone in Triumph history was achieved.
Then as now, the places available to drive a sports car flat out are few and far between. As
automotive production resumed following the cessation of hostilities in 1945, manufacturers
were keen to gain publicity that could be used to push sales.
The completion of the Jabbeke Highway in Belgium following the war would prove an
expedient and inexpensive way to conduct these tests. Long, straight and almost perfectly
flat, it would prove a beacon to manufacturers - especially those from England - seeking to
test their products before the cameras of the assembled press.
Standard Triumph were keen to show the world that their new sports car, the TR2, was faster than its nearest rivals.
Of particular interest was the Sunbeam Alpine that had completed the run at Jabbeke in the March of 1953 with 120.135 MPH
over a flying mile at the hands of Sheila Van Damm and Sir Stirling Moss.
For Standard Triumph's attempt at the record, Ken Richardson, an experienced test driver
and contributor to the development of the TR2, undertook the challenge. He did this with just
some changes to the aerodynamics of theTR2 to reduce drag and included a metal tonneau
cover, belly pan and rear wheel spats.
Sitting on the floor behind a lightweight plastic windscreen, Richardson achieved only 104.86
mph on his first run on May 20th 1953. However, it was later found that the car had only been running on three cylinders
due to a loose spark plug lead! Once that was repaired, the car achieved 124.889 mph for a flying mile - a new top speed
record for a 2 litre production sports car. The invaluable publicity from the achievement led the Triumph TR marque to
become a household name across the world.
Incredibly the TR2 has survived and was recently purchased by the British Motor Museum
after a full restoration. The car always looks white in the black and white period photos
however, it is actually lce Blue which is a very pale green.
