Triumph 1800 & 2000 Roadster - A Brief History

Well known today by many as the car driven by Bergerac in the 1980's BBC television detective series of the same name, the Triumph 1800 Roadster was introduced in 1946. It shared the same tubular, crossed braced chassis as the 1800 saloon which started production at the same time. It was a well appointed car, and featured a high quality leather interior, with polished wood door cappings and dashboard.

The bodywork which was styled in house by Frank Callaby was built on an ash frame with mostly aluminium panels, although the front inner and outer wings were steel. They were actually quite an expensive car of their day and were in the main handbuilt. A notable feature of these cars was the rear dickey seat, which provided occasional seating for two extra passengers and folded up out of the boot compartment complete with windscreen.  In 1948 the car was updated into the 2000 model and the old 1776cc (Jaguar) engine was replaced by 2088cc Standard Vanguard engine. A total of 4500 1800 / 2000 roadsters were produced by the time production ended in 1949.

1800

2000

1946 - 1948

1948 -1949

2 door roadster, alloy & steel on ash frame, separate chassis

14ft 0.5 in

14ft 4in

5ft 4in

5ft 4in

2541lb

2460 lb

1776cc 4 cylinder inline

2088cc 4 cylinder inline

65 bhp @ 4500 rpm

68 bhp @ 4200 rpm

4 speed manual, column change

3 speed manual, column change

Rear

Rear

Drum

Drum

Independent by transverse leaf spring & wishbones

Live axle, leaf springs

Live axle, leaf springs

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