Triumph TR2, TR3 and TR3A

In 1952 the Type 20TS (often referred to as the TR1) is introduced at Earl's Court Motor Show. Built on a prewar Standard chassis and sporting a dual-carb version of the Standard Vanguard engine, this show car looked much like the TR2s and TR3s that later followed, although rear body styling was quite different, with a more rounded, traditional look featuring exposed spare tire.

Ken Richardson was soon hired by Standard-Triumph to oversee development of the car into what became the TR2.

The car eventually gained its own purpose-built chassis frame, which incorporated front suspension originally developed for the Mayflower.

The Vanguard engine (2088cc) was further developed into a reliable 90hp, under 2-liter (1991cc) engine. The rear of the body was redone to provide a trunk and an enclosed space for the spare.

A prototype TR2 was run on a closed stretch Jabbeke highway by Ken Richardson in spring 1953, achieving close to 125mph in "speed" trim and around 105mph in "street" trim.

The first "off-tools" TR2s were produced in summer 1953. Various continual developments, changes and improvements to both body and mechanical specifications led to the TR3 model for 1956 and the TR3A version around 1958.

Production of the TR3 largely ended by 1961, replaced by the mechanically similar (but with much more modern styling and comfort features) TR4. A small number (approx 3,331) of TR3B's were built for the North American market in 1962, largely to TR3A specification, although most of these had the larger 2138cc engine and all had the all-synchro TR4 transmission.

Total TR2-3B production was something under 80,000 cars. Also, several other cars shared basic TR2-3 running gear, such as the Swallow Doretti, Peerless, Warwick, and the (Vignale) Italia. TR engines also powered versions of the Morgan sports car.