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| Triumph TR2 |
Triumph TR2(1953-55)
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| Vauxhall Wyvern |
The London Motor show of 1952 saw the unveiling of the Triumph TR2, Standard-Triumph's production version of a prototype first seen in 1950. The TR2 incorporated the chassis frame from the Standard Eight saloon, but with the Triumph Mayflower saloon's coil-link front suspension, and a twin-carb, 90 bhp 2.0-litre engine derived from that of the Standard Vanguard. This unlikely-sounding bitsa was a lot more successful than the formula sounded: it was capable of a claimed 108 mph, though the handling was slightly suspect and such speeds weren't really recommended. The TR2 was the first of Triumph's series of popular roadsters, and was also a huge success in terms of exports, especially to the US. The TR2 also made its mark in motorsport; the growing success of privateer drivers led to the establishment of a competition department and works team, which made its debut in the 1954 Mille Miglia. A team of three near-standard TR2s was also entered in the 1955 Le Mans, though their thoroughly respectable performance was overshadowed by the tragic events in that race, when Pierre Levegh's Mercedes 300 SLR somersaulted into the crowd, killing 80 spectators. A total of 8,636 TR2s were built, though few remained in the UK this being another British sports car much loved by the Americans.
Vauxhall Wyvern(1951-57)
The EIX-Series Wyvern, launched in 1951, was the entry-level version of Vauxhall's big-car range with four-cylinder engines - the Velox and luxury Cresta had six-cylinder units. These three closely-related cars were all influenced in their styling by the post-war Chevrolets - Vauxhall had been part of General Motors since the late '20s - though the Wyvern had smaller vestigial 'fins' to the rear than the other two. Initially offered with a very slow 1442cc engine, a 1508cc unit was available from mid-'52, though this only produced 47 bhp, and was teamed with a three-speed gearbox. However, interior space was generous, the steering column-mounted gearchange freeing up the cabin for (years before MPV manufacturers boasted of doing this) two wide bench seats that could accommodate three adults comfortably up front and three children behind. It made choice transport for the family motorist of the time, but not for long, because the Wyvern rusted like a tin can in swamp - it was this car that triggered Vauxhall's once appalling reputation for building rust-buckets.
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