About the TR Register Australia
Triumph Sportscars - TR2, TR3, TR3A/3B & Derivatives 1953/1962
Maintaining the Triumph Sportscar Marque
The TR Register (Australia) was formed in 1976 and has expanded to a current membership in excess of 300. The Register is dedicated to the preservation of "side-screen" TRs including TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR3B and derivative cars (eg Swallow Doretti). Derivative cars share mechanical parts and sometimes the complete chassis from Triumph TRs of the period (1953 to 1962).
TR2
1953 - 1955 4 cyl wet sleeve motor (83mm bore x 92mm stroke 1991cc) - a modified Standard Vanguard design. Drum brakes, 4 gears with optional Laycock-de Normanville overdrive unit was an option on top gear only, capable of 100mph & overall economy over 30mpg.
TR3
1955 - 1957 Similar specs to the Triumph TR2 apart from being fitted with an egg-box front grille and larger S.U. carburettors. The most significant changes occurred in 1956, when the engine output was boosted to 100 bhp and shortly after, the TR3 became the worlds first production car to install front disc brakes. *However, Australian "CKD assembled" TR3s were fitted as standard with drum brakes all round, and did not have disc brakes.
TR3A & TR3B
TR3A (1957 - 1962) again, similar specs with a changed front apron & now fitted with door and boot handles!! it was fully imported into Australia and disc brakes were fitted as standard, as were separate rear indicator lights. TR3B (1962) - was developed for the North American market & uprated to 2138cc with all synchro box.
Doretti (Derivative)
1954 - 1955 a two-seater sports car built on a tubular chassis utilizing Triumph TR2 mechanicals. 275 were built and about 14 are in Australia. They were built for the American market by Swallow (part of the TI group UK).
Peerless (Derivative)
The UK built alloy bodied prototype was named "Warwick". The production cars had fibreglass bodies & were renamed "Peerless GT" in 1957. It has Triumph TR3 running gear in a tubular space frame with de Dion tube rear suspension. About 325 were made and a handful made it to Australia - this one is in Tasmania.
Buchanan (Derivative)
The Buchanan Motor Co PL was an Australian kit car manufacturer. It made sports cars in the 1950s with the design based on the Aston Martin DB3-S. Many were fitted to Triumphs and MGs. This one is on a TR2 chassis.
The Triumph TR sportscars are fequently called SIDESCREEN cars because they don't have wind-up windows, just a slip-in screen (except a few derivatives).
One of the strengths of the Triumph TR Register Australia is our focus on a limited range of models. This enables the Register to purchase new and second-hand parts which are made available to members (only) at very special prices and delivered to your door, generally the next day. This is of tremendous help to restorers with parts readily available and at realistic prices. Restorers also benefit from a wide range of retail suppliers, which are advertised on our Website.
The Triumph TR Regsiter is a Not For Profit organisation and all of our funds and assets are used solely for the benefit of Register members, so ensuring that owning a sidescreen TR and belonging to the Register with like-minded enthusiasts is an enjoyable experience.
A regular newsletter ("Sidescreen") is published with a wide range of information on TR Register activities and an additional periodic listing of available parts. Issues frequently contain technical hints for restorers and owners. These have proved so popular that the articles, along with other material, has been collected and compiled as a Technical Tips Manual based on expert contributions to previous newsletters and the website. The Technical Tips Manual is available at cost to members and would be an invaluable aid to a prospective restoration.
You can sample a PDF version by going to the Front Page and clicking eSIDESCREEN link
The WEBSITE you are reading provides a wide range of information to members and there is an associated Forum for you to participate in discussions, attached to this website. Included on the web is a listing of New Parts.
Apart from restoring and preserving TRs, members also organise day runs and weekend outings, extended Triumph Tours (TTs), social activities and an annual National Meeting and Concours. The Concours is the premier event for the year and is held in various parts of Australia. Concours activities involve organised tours through the local countryside as well trips to important and interesting sites plus lots of socialising, eating, drinking dancing and camaraderie. Side events are also organised with a focus on the spouses of members who may have more varied interests!
The standard of restoration is improving each year, with concours competition at the top level becoming very tough. The cars are not treated as museum pieces however, and many competitive cars are driven to the Concours from far afield. We just want you to show your cars. Local members and state committees share the organisational duties which spreads the workload.
The Register also fosters motor sport activities with members participating in historic race meetings, rallies and various competitive events.
The key to the success of the Register is the friendly, co-operative attitude of members drawn from a broad cross-section of the community. Shared enthusiasm for a practical, affordable classic sports car has engendered a fine club spirit.
If you own, or aspire to own a sidescreen Triumph TR sports car, contact the Register at the address below. You will be most welcome!
New Members Contact
TR Register
PO Box 457,
MOUNT MARTHA, VIC 3934
or
OR you can print out a Membership Form and send to the above address.