Ex-Works Triumph TR2 set for NEC auction

An ex-works Triumph is one of the early highlights of this year’s NEC classic motor show auction. The TR2 finished in 19^thplace at the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1955. It is one of three works cars by Leslie Brookes and Mortimer Morris-Goodall.

Finished in British Racing Green, PKV374 ran with its sister cars – all consecutively numbered (PKV375, PKV376).

PKV 374 had an eventful race, with the car getting beached in a gravel trap before spending a couple of hours in the pits for repair. It eventually returned to the race but was hampered by gear selection issues and finished behind the other two works TRs.

The late King Hussein of Jordan took a fancy for PKV 374 and while the other two cars head back to Coventry, PKV 374 was sold to the King and left the circuit straight for Jordan in full Le Mans race trim. In 1956, the king brought the car back to the UK and at the time it was in the Jordanian colours of blue and white with luxurious upholstery. In November of that year, the King sold the car. 

After changing hands several times, the car was purchased by the present owner in 1972. By then it was in a poor state so he set about restoring the car over a long period of time to its original Le Mans specification. 

In 2000, PKV 374 was finally finished and went on to successfully complete the London to Istanbul leg of the Around The World In 80 Days rally. This was the start of the car’s modern era of competition, as it took part in many HERO rally events before it was decided to return the car to Le Mans in 2005 for the One Hour Legends.

Raced by Tony Dron and Nick Marsh, it suffered fuel issues and retired after six laps. Not to be outdone, it returned the following year and finished 5th in class and 23rd overall.

PKV 374 is now being offered along with its history, photographs, articles, magazines, race reports and it’s old FIA HTP papers which are now out of date. It is expected to fetch between £100,000 to £140,000

Adam Rutter, Silverstone Auctions classic car specialist, said, ‘It has been in storage for four years and is now up and running but may require some further fettling to prepare it for competition. The history file is massive there must be at least six box files, plus folders and other boxes of articles.’

This is the eighth year that Silverstone Auctions have been the official event partner of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with consignments now being invited.