1946 Triumph 1800

Triumph Roadster (Convertible), 1946-1949

The Triumph Roadster was in production from 1946 until 1949. Styled in house by Frank Callaby, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive convertible range seating two adults and two children.

The plan for the Triumph Roadster originated with Sir John Black, managing director of Standard and Triumph. He wanted a sports car to rival Jaguar's SS100, having supplied drivetrains to SS before the war. Using an aluminium body over an ash frame, only the front wings were steel in a post war bid to conserve the metal for export. The engine was a modified version of the pre war sidevalve 180cc four, converted to overhead valve for SS Cars before the war and revived now with a Solex carburettor in place of the SS SU. The chassis, broadly, was a short wheelbase derivative of that under the 1800 Saloon, with independent front suspension and a live axle at the front.

In 1948, Triumph uprated the Roadster with the new 2.0 engine intended for the Standard Vanguard. The back axle from the Vanguard was also used, as was the gearbox - dropping to three speed, but all synchromesh. The chassis remained otherwise unaltered, as did the body. Performance was marginally improved, but production remained low - just 2501 1800 Roadsters and 2000 2000 Roadsters were built. Production ended in 1949. The next Triumph Roadster would be the TR2, launched in 1953.

Alternatives to the Triumph are perhaps tricky owing to its size and position in the market. It sat below the position of the later Riley RMC and RMD models, yet above the MG YT Tourer - both of which made admirable alternatives as a classic. The Triumph Renown series shares the Roadster's underpinnings, making it a good option if the open body isn't vital, alongside cars like the SS Jaguar 1.5 litre which shared much of the running gear. The subsequent Triumph Roadster series would become the TR sports car dynasty, and realistically buyers of the Roadster and the TR would be unlikely to consider the other an option.