Triumph - Triumph 1800 / 2000 Roadster
When Standard took over Triumph, it was decided a sports car was needed in their range. Pre war, Standard was the basis for many of Jaguars cars, and it was time to try and revive this sporting theme at Triumph. The earlier post war years were a difficult time with steel and other shortages in the UK, so the 3 seater Triumph 1800 Roaster had an aluminium body, with the boot opening to provide space for 2 more, in what was called back in the 1920's a dickey seat. Well finished this Triumph certainly was, but a sports car it really was not, with a 0 to 60 mph time of over 34 seconds! Luckily Guernsey was not so big, so Bergerac could operate well enough using his Triumph Roaster to catch the criminals. For 1948 the engine capacity was increased to 2 litres (Triumph 2000 Roadster) using the Standard Vanguard engine, now redesigned with coil spring double wishbone front suspension replacing the leaf spring front suspension of the earlier1800 Roadster. Although this led to an improved 0 to 60 mph time of some 28 seconds, along with better handling, production ceased in 1949.
Triumph Roadster tyre size was 5.50x16 originally from the factory. Blockley make the 550x16 tyre that is the ideal fitment for the Roadster, which is a great handling period authentic looking high build quality cross ply tyre - do not be put off by the idea of a cross ply tyre which today are fairly poor handling tyres - the Blockley 550x16 is very different! Roadster owners who would prefer to fit a radial tyre, fit the 185VR16 size. Blockley produce both of these tyres (cross ply and radial) suitable for the Triumph Roadster - See full details of these tyres at the links below:
