New books on small English sports cars have been few and far between in recent years. The roadsters from Triumph, Austin-Healey and MG were early collector's items, which is why extensive brand and model chronicles were written early on. It seemed that everything had already been said about them. And even if their popularity has declined somewhat in recent years, newcomers are still discovering the open-top two-seaters for themselves.
For them, the Austrian Oswald M. Posch has written and published a new typology of the TR series from Triumph.
Contents
In keeping with the title, "The TR History" naturally deals mainly with the Triumph roadsters from the TR2 to the TR8 over 125 pages. Each model has its own chapter, in which the history of its creation and technical development as well as any distinguishing features from other models are briefly explained. A summary with technical data and the most important stages of model development can be found at the end of each vehicle chapter for quick information searches.
In addition to the production models from Coventry, one chapter also deals with the TR-based offshoots Coupé Francorchamps, Swallow Doretti, Italia 2000, Conrero Le Mans and Dove GTR; another with "in-house designer" Giovanni Michelotti and how he found his way to the English in 1957. Finally, an "X-list" lists all prototypes and test vehicles from 1946 to 1979, including - if known - their registration number and whereabouts.
This is, if you like, the "compulsory program" for a TR book. The "free program" that follows is pleasing. For example, the extensive chapter on Triumph in racing and rallying, which not only mentions the factory entries, but also the (often more successful) efforts of privateers such as Kas Kastner or the "Group 44". A table reveals for which FIA classes which TR model is homologated - and a vivid photo explains why the DOHC racing engine was nicknamed "Sabrina".
Praise and criticism
Also commendable - so that newcomers don't pick up on this widespread nonsense in the first place - is the clear (and comprehensible by means of technical explanations) clarification that the four-cylinder TRs were not powered by a tractor engine. In addition, "The TR History" contains amusing little side notes on TR history, such as why the names of the prototypes all begin with "Z" or what the TR7 has to do with "Back to the Future". The book is rounded off with a short epilogue explaining what has become of the Standard, Leyland and Triumph companies and their factories.
For a book of its kind, "The TR History" contains comparatively few historical photos. Most of the production models were photographed in modern times at meetings or on the roadside, which occasionally makes for unsteady backgrounds or unfavorable perspectives and sometimes shows unnamed deviations from the production state - which is not necessarily ideal for a type chronicle. However, where it matters (and where there is hardly any alternative), there is historical image material: studies and prototypes that did not go into series production as well as design drawings.
Linguistically, the work is solid and - by today's standards - pleasingly correct. As a Swiss or German, you only occasionally stumble across Austrian peculiarities, which is of course not surprising or objectionable for an Austrian author. Only two things are really annoying: the superfluous, but unfortunately modern "gendering" and a conspicuously high number of unnecessary Anglicisms (even for a book about English cars).
Conclusion
"The TR History" does not go into the greatest detail, but that is fine, as Posch himself writes in the foreword that the book is primarily aimed at beginners. However, they are given much more than a superficial overview. Oswald Posch's work is also a recommendable book for beginners because it strikes the right balance between basic knowledge and depth. Even though intimate TR connoisseurs will probably already know most of it, they might still learn something new in the chapters on the secondary aspects of the story.
Bibliographical details
- Title: "The TR History"
- Author: Oswald M. Posch
- Language: German
- Publisher: Self-published
- Edition: 1st edition, 2023
- Scope: 125 pages, approx. 240 photos
- Format: 250 x 250 mm, hardcover
- Price: EUR 30.00
- ISBN: 978-3-200-08846-7
- Buy/order: online on the publisher's website
