Yes, it’s true: the plucky little 73-year-old TR2 that goes by the name of TS2 recently did ten European countries in ten days. Not bad for a car that’s been used by thousands of TR enthusiasts since its last rebuild over 25 years ago. It did about 2,800 miles in 10 days over some of the toughest terrain in Europe. By my reckoning, that’s about 280 miles a day, and despite all the second-gear mountain climbs, it achieved a fraction under 30 mpg. I’m not saying there aren’t other 73-year-old cars that could have done it, but they wouldn’t have been as affordable or as much fun.
Andy and Evie Allsopp enquired about using TS2 over a year before the event was due to take place, and, to support their application, they put forward a good package to promote both the car and the Club. TRGB pulled out all the stops to get the car prepped and ready to take on the challenge, and so I must apologise to all those TRGB customers who were ‘backspaced’ to make way for the work on TS2. The event was ‘eventful’, as is to be expected with any 70-odd-year-old car, but with a good dose of TR enthusiast resourcefulness, they made it to the finish.
The press and social media coverage were fantastic. The people following the trip came from all over the UK, Europe, the USA, the Antipodes and even Asia. So, a massive thank you to all who helped get TS2 to the finish: Julian Taylor, who carries out the day-to-day care of TS2; the Trustees, including Keith Reed, the car’s donor; and, of course, TRGB, who gave us great service.
Everyone is aware of the pressures of increasing costs throughout our lives, and those that relate to TS2 are no exception. When I took on the technical role, I was asked to look at TS2 and consider what our financial exposure looked like. What would it take to bring it back into good condition so it could represent the Club well? To do this, I arranged for an independent assessor to carry out the inspection, assisted by me (I also have an early TR2), and so we gave it a critical look. We found that the inner shell (sills, floors, bulkheads, etc.) is in decent condition, but the outer panels are ropey. The main problem, though, is how the body was rebuilt all those years ago.
The body at the rear sits way too high, and the whole of the rear of the chassis is on view when you stand behind it. When you next get the chance to look at the rear of a TR2–6, you should see very little chassis, and therein lies the problem with TS2. It doesn’t prevent the car from doing anything; indeed, it’s been doing everything asked of it in that condition since it was rebuilt. The estimate I produced included sorting out the rotten outer panels, the strangely shaped rear end, and a repaint. Most of this work is optional, and so the costs can be reduced dramatically if the membership wishes it.
There are also discussions taking place about members working on the car and using it as a demo piece for technical seminars. If we can sort the logistics, it should be a win-win situation, with members carrying out the skilled bodywork on the car and thus reducing costs. I know we have some super body and spanner people in the Club, and wouldn’t it be great if we could all learn from them whilst improving TS2?
Check out the next edition of TR Action for the full story!
Watch this space for more updates.
Chris Mountford
TR Register Technical
