RALLY STAR TR STUNS IN DUBLIN
Ex-works car found after 37-year layup makes sole pre-resto appearance
Aworks Triumph rally car that spent 37 years in a Dublin garage has made its only show appearance ahead of a full restoration.
The 1955 TR2, which was originally assembled at Percy Place in the Irish capital to Standard-Triumph works specifications, was the star of the TR Register’s stand at this year’s RIAC Classic Car Show.
The matching numbers car was originally campaigned by Raymond Laird and Keith Collie in numerous international rallies, including the RAC Rally of Great Britain in 1956.
It was rediscovered in May 2017, and current owner, Laura Copeland, is planning to make its restoration a ‘minimal makeover’ to preserve its originality, including the factoryissued, but non-standard paintwork.
The club says that the car’s Dublin show outing was a oneoff opportunity to view ‘a hugely significant piece of Irish motoring history’ in as-found condition before its restoration.
Ireland branch spokesman, Patrick MacMahon, says: ‘It’s definitely been one of the stars of this year’s show – it brought a lot of people over to our stand, who were interested to find out more about its history.’