Triumph TR-X Roadster "Silver Bullet"

Manufacturer	Triumph
Production	1950 to 1951
Produced	3
Class	Prototype Concept
Body style	Roadster
Engine	2,088 c.c.
Wheelbase	7 ft. 10 in.
Length	13 ft. 10 in.
Width	5 ft.10 in.
Height	4ft 7 in

 

This Triumph TR-X Roadster car was first announced in October 1950 motor shows in Paris and at Earls Court motor shows.

History

The Triumph Roadster prototypes fitted with light aluminium body panels on a open body mechanically using Renown saloon and Standard Vanguard parts but substantially lower and smoother body shape that features at the front enclosed headlights and air intake with horizontal chromium-plated slats the chromium-plated grill can be quickly detached. The back of the body has opening the locker lid for the luggage space and fuel tank location on the smaller wheel base of 7 ft. 10 in.

This Triumph Roadster incorporated more power actuated components than any previous British car. Those components including: headlights concealed behind shutters automatically opened when the headlights were switched on; windows; An electro-hydraulic motor under the bonnet supplies power for seats with back and forth adjustment along with the folding hood that is also raised or lowered by hydraulic jacks. from the pair of quick-acting clips. via a switch central locking mechanism, and then swinging the cover up by hand through 90 degrees. and radio aerial. Some of the electro-hydraulic mechanisms were concealed between the twin skins of the body along with matched loudspeakers within the walls of the double skin. A deep recess in the scuttle provides accommodation for the battery and heater, supplying air to the interior via ducts behind the windscreen.The doors are hinged at the front and the locks are of push-button type, The hydraulic door windows are also raised or lowered by hydraulic system.

Inside the bench-type front seat using Dunlopillo for the upholstery. fitted with a wide centre armrest .The leather covered facia panel is laid out with central grouping of the instruments Beneath the facia panel a parcels tray runs the full width of the car, the steering wheel is also leather covered,there is a space behind the rear seats which can be used for carrying small cases .

With an higher output 4 cylinder engine, this gave the Triumph Roadster a top speed of 85 m.p.h with engine output of 71 b.h.p at 4,200 r.p.m.,with two horizontal S.U. carburetters an improved version used in the Roadster engine with higher compression ratio.On the Roadster, four speed gearbox is standard equipment the top gear an electrically operated Laycock-de Normanville overdrive with a rear-axle ratio of 4.375 : 1.The brake system features Lockheed 11-in. diameter by 21-in. wide brake drums.

The TR-X was discontinued after only three prototypes had ever been built by 1951.