The TROC caters for the large Triumph Razoredge saloons – the 1800, 2000 and Renown –produced by Standard Triumph from 1946 to 1954. There are detail differences between these cars as can be seen later, but the overall appearance is largely similar. Triumph even offered a limousine version of the Renown that was built in small numbers. The large Triumph Razoredge cars are often confused with the small Razoredge model from the same stable, the Triumph Mayflower. The Mayflower is catered for by a separate club – the Triumph Mayflower Club.

Why Razoredge?

In the late 1930s when the overall shape of cars was tending to be more rounded, and streamlining was in fashion, there was also a move in a very different direction, towards sharper edges or “razoredge” styling - by certain English coachbuilders. This design concept was thought more elegant by some compared with mass-produced cars. This style was also called “knife–edge” in some publications; this term has more or less died out in favour of “razoredge”. Hand-built bodies were usually fitted to luxury makes like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Daimler and other chassis, when the so called “carriage trade” allowed wealthy people to order a variety of styles from different coachbuilders, on their choice of chassis. With mass produced cars, one bought the complete vehicle, body and chassis. Notable exponents of razordedge styling included Hooper, Freestone & Webb and others. Indeed Hooper persisted with this style into the 1950s with its Empress line, mainly on Rolls-Royces and Daimlers.

Who built the bodies on these Triumphs?

The bodies on our cars were all coach built by Mulliners of Bordesley Green, Birmingham then fitted to the chassisthat was made by Standard Triumph in Coventry. This firm shared its name with other Mulliner coach-building firms (e.g. H J Mulliner and Arthur Mulliner) but with whom there was no financial connection.

 

Was there a Dinky toy model of these cars?

Dinky introduced a model of the Triumph 1800 saloon in 1946 that was in production for around 5 years – longer than the real car. Many owners can trace their affection for this car back to ownership of the Dinky model. Have you got any photos or reminiscences of our cars? If so, please get in touch with John Bath, the TROC Historian by phone: 0208 330 0013 (London area) after 8pm weekdays or anytime at weekends. All material will be acknowledged on receipt and returned after copying.

There was also a more detailed 1/43 scale model in Grey, Black or Maroon (three of the four actual Triumph colours, the other being Jade Green) from Lansdowne, number LDM08. These are based on the 1954 TDC model, complete with the radiator cap mascot.

The different types of car

There are 5 different versions of Triumph Razoredge within our club:

Triumph 1800 produced from 1946 to 1949 with the commission (chassis) number preceded by TD, 3999 cars were made.

Triumph 2000 produced in 1949 only with a TDA prefix to the chassis number, 2000 cars were made.

Triumph Renown produced from 1949 to 1952 with a TDB prefix to the chassis number, 6501 cars were made.

Triumph Renown Limousine produced from 1951 to 1954 with a TDC prefix and LIM suffix to the chassis number, 191 cars were made.

Triumph Renown produced from 1952 to 1954 with a TDC prefix, 2609 cars made.

The difference between these cars is mostly as described below:

The Triumph 1800 Town and Country Saloon has a 4-cylinder 1776cc engine similar to that used in the Jaguar 1.5 litre saloon. The gearbox is a four speed column change unit, with the gear-lever to the right of the steering wheel. The chassis is tubular with a transverse leaf spring for the front suspension. The front and rear bumpers were of a 'V' shape cross-section.

The Triumph 2000 TDA of 1949 is very similar in outward appearance to the 1800, but has the Standard Vanguard 2088cc engine and drivetrain.

The Triumph Renown TDB introduced in January1950 has the 4-cylinder 2088cc engine as used in the equivalent Standard Vanguard. The gearbox is a three speed column change unit, with the gear-lever to the left of the steering wheel. The chassis is box-girder with independent coil springs for the front suspension. There were lever-type door handles, and the bumpers had a 'C' shape cross section with broader over-riders than the preceding models. The stylised ‘flaming torch’ radiator mascot was introduced only after the first 3,000 of this model had been produced, and at the same time Overdrive became an option.

The Triumph Renown TDC introduced in January 1952 has the same Standard Vanguard 2088cc engine and drivetrain, but the chassis was lengthened by 3 inches to give easier access and improved leg-room for rear seat passengers. (This chassis length was originally developed for the 191 ‘Limousine’ models produced starting in 1951, featuring a fixed front seat and a partition with a sliding glass window between the front and rear compartments.) The rear window on the TDC was a slightly larger size, and door-handles became push-button operated instead of lever-action.

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE TDB/TDC YEARS

by John Bath, Club Historian

The Club obtained, early in its history, the official Standard-Triumph records relating to the engineering changes for the TDB and TDC models. These records deal mostly with the mechanical aspects only, not the various bodywork and ‘optional items’ changes. It might be of assistance to owners of TDB and TDC Razoredges to note exactly where their own car comes along this timeline.

9/1/50	Rear jacking bracket below the bumper was closed with a welded plate, instead of being open with a rubber plug – TDB 50 onwards.
24/5/50	New longer dipstick introduced as from engine TDB 2843E, following complaints that the cars used a lot of oil. (Engines had their own TDB number ending in E, usually close to the Commission Number, but they only matched by coincidence, not by design or intention.)
28/5/50	New radiator and thermostat introduced as from TDB 2001.
26/9/50	Non-adjustable outer track-rods introduced from TDB 2663.
Sept 50	Chassis modified to allow an overdrive unit to be fitted. This involved the rear engine mounting redesigned to give more clearance. From TDB3001.
Sept 50	‘Torch’ radiator cap mascot introduced – the first 3,000 Renowns having had a plain nut, like the 1800 and the TDA models.
2/10/50	Colour scheme of dashboard instruments changed from green to white (white pointers) on TDB 3454-60 and then TDB 3464 onwards.
27/10/50	Revised engine manifold system introduced with thermostatically controlled hot-spot. For more details see Workshop Manual. From engine TDB 5094E.
Nov 50	Oil filter changed from Fram to Purolator type, from engine TDB 2725E, fitted to Commission Number TDB 2714.
Nov 50	Oil filler cap changed from brass to aluminium, from engine TDB 3213E.
8/3/51	By this time, 157 cars had been made fitted with overdrive.
6/9/51	The cover plate on the steering box now has a fixed button – formerly an adjusting screw with locking nut. (Adjustment now made by thickness of shims.)
26/9/51	Headlamps from TDB 5966 onwards are painted, not chromed, due to rising cost of chromium plating.
17/1/52	Brass plate on rocker box cover giving valve clearances replaced by a transfer, from engine TDC 208E.
Jan 52	Dipstick identical to Standard Vanguard, from TDC 713E onwards.
24/3/52	By this date, 1,192 type ST chassis had been made, of which 192 were fitted with overdrives.
14/2/52	New exhaust valves fitted as a matter of urgency, with new guides. TDC 1107E onwards.
5/6/52	Chrome headlamps return – TDC 1619 onwards.
24/6/52	Reports that radiator top hoses are blowing off. Changes made at the request of production: old part number 100948, ne part number 58180, from TDC 994 onwards.
21/11/52	Clutch operating rods redesigned and ‘to be introduced with a minimum of delay’ from TDC1901 onwards. (We have an early Globe article describing how a member’s clutch rod had sheared. They repaired it themselves in a garage workshop, only afterwards discovering that the man who they thought had given them permission to do so was nothing to do with the garage.)
8/12/52	Dashboard clock is replaced with an ammeter, TDC 1841 onwards.
1953	Virtually no changes made during this year.
1/1/54	Electrically-operated overdrive replaces the mechanically operated system.
5/3/54	Rear bumper fitted with reflectors, TDC 2352 onwards.
12/8/54	To comply with new lighting regulations, a new rear number plate box and stop light unit was fitted, TDC 2684 onwards.