A roadster by definition is an open top car with neither a convertible
top nor roll up windows. Think Jaguar XK120. The TR2 and TR3 are close,
but they have attached convertible tops. Which in the proper British
vernacular is a "drop head coupe". It seems that the terminology for
"Roadster" was generously applied, via marketing hyperbole to increase
the sporty image. How sporty does drop head coupe sound? The higher end
cars, such as Aston Martin, Jaguar and such continued to use Roadster,
Drop Head coupe and Fixed Head coupe for a little longer. Now, a
roadster denotes any two seat convertible. A coupe is simply a two
door, non-hatchback automobile that seats either two or four people.
Just a simplification of terms.
Not all simply my opinion, some of it can actually be backed up. :-)
Shawn Loseke
1972 TR6
Fort Collins, CO
http://www.loseke.net/shawn
On Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at 10:16 AM, Walt Philipson wrote:
> So Shawn,
>
> What is a true roadster?
>
> Walt Philipson
> 74 Carmine
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net]On
> Behalf Of Shawn Loseke
> Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 11:49 AM
> To: Creamer, Mark
> Cc: 6pack@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: any historic connection with the motorcycles?
>
>
> Originally I believe there was. The motorcycle company made the first
> Triumph automobile (4-wheeled) in 1923. [Pre-dating MG's by the way.]
> Having dabbled with two wheelers and three wheelers before that. Going
> on to produce their version of the Austin "Seven" known as the Super
> Seven, the Gloria, Southern Cross (Option laden Gloria) and Dolomite
> (supercharged straight eight ALFA clone). The company diverged around
> ( or after) WWII when the Standard Motor Car Company bought (rescued
> from recievership) the automotive division. Then producing the first TR,
> even though it wasn't named so, the 1800 Roadster. [Remember, TR stand
> for Triumph Roadster, even though they are not true roadsters.]
> Followed by the long line of TR's that we know and love as well as all
> the Saloon's (sedan's) and "lesser" Triumph motorcars.
> The lineage of our venerable 2.5 litre in-line six cylinder engine is
> not traced to a tractor. But instead to a Standard Saloon. Originally
> displacing 1.6 litre's.
>
> The Triumph name and logo stayed with the Motorcycles. The automobiles
> were known as Standard Triumph's. A form of early brand engineering.
> Later when Standard was having trouble, British Leyland came along and
> the Standard name was dropped, leaving Triumph as a British Leyland
> brand with separate logo and licensing from the motorcycles.
>
> At least I think I read that somewhere anyway.
>
> Shawn Loseke
> 1972 TR6
> Fort Collins, CO
> http://www.loseke.net/shawn
>
>
> On Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at 09:01 AM, Creamer, Mark wrote:
>
>> List, someone asked me recently whether there is or was any connection
>> between the Triumph cars and Triumph motorcycles. I didn't know, so I
>> thought I'd ask here. Thanks!
>>
>> Mark Creamer
>> 76 TR6
>> CF53032UO
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