Description

1953 Triumph Renown TDC

One of only 2,609 made and very few surviving; Mulliner aluminium body in the Razor Edge style; used regularly; much recent expenditure

The first car to carry the Triumph badge following the company’s takeover by the Standard Motor Company, the Triumph Renown was rushed out within months of the end of the war to cash in on the booming post-war export market.
The cars were coachbuilt by Mulliner of Birmingham in the ‘Razor Edge’ style that was all the rage on prestigious models of the late 1930s/early 1940s from makes like Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Due to post-war steel shortages, most of the body panels were in lightweight aluminium over a traditional ash frame.
In 1949 the original 1.8-litre engine was replaced by the excellent Standard 2,088cc unit and three-speed column-change gearbox which literally transformed the car, giving 75mph performance. In 1949 things got better still with the launch of the TDB which had much-improved coil spring front suspension (rather than transverse leaf) and the option of overdrive. From 1952 a stretched TDC model was available which gave significantly more legroom for rear seat passengers, had a larger rear window and push-button rather than lever-operated door handles.
Just 9,301 Renowns were built in total of which only 2,609 were TDC models and only a tiny handful survive today, making this a rare car indeed.
This Renown TDC dates from 1953 and while nothing is known of the car’s early history, the FHE 578 number plate would indicate that it was first registered in Barnsley and the V5C records six former keepers. An old photograph on file which looks like it was taken in the late 1970s shows that the car was silver at that time but it has since been painted white, perhaps for wedding duties, and is now somewhat dull and faded.
On the plus side it appears to have been in regular use, seven old MOTs on file showing the mileage rise from 37,053 in 2005 to 42,684 in 2011, the odometer currently showing 43,807 miles. There are also eight old tax discs from 1975, 1977 and 2007 – 2012 and some correspondence from the Triumph Razor Edge Owners Club.
Our vendor acquired the car fairly recently to keep himself occupied during lockdown and has gone right through the car to get it driving properly following a period in storage. This has included a rebuilt starter motor, four new brake shoes and wheel cylinders, a new battery and some fresh anti-freeze. He also cleaned up the interior woodwork, fitted new carpets and had the rear seat recovered. He advises that it will now benefit from an oil and filter change (a new filter being supplied with the car), the horn button will need attention and one nut is missing from the o/s/r wheel.
Starting easily and running nicely as we moved it around for these photos, this extremely rare and quirky pocket limousine looks excellent value at the modest guide price suggested.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com