When you enter a large exhibition, whatever the subject, it’s natural to seek an element of comforting familiarity, but perhaps with a different edge or impressive twist. With modern vehicle shows in particular, there are always many silhouettes previously viewed on the road, track, or in the media, Therefore, quirky concepts and futuristic new models make the greatest impact in such arenas and demand attention.
Thus, at Race Retro, once perspective and bearings were established, it was possible to begin separating potentially interesting automobiles, with those that could be wandered past. The ranks of rally cars and miscellaneous mid-size single seaters, which I can’t even name correctly, were the latter. But then I spied a little gem which, I guessed, others might not. The almost unique shape was identifiable, but not the shade. This was Air Force blue – rather than green, red or bare metal like the only others I knew – but confidently concluded here was a fourth SLR Morgan. But how wrong I was, and hook, line and sinker fell straight into the trap. I didn’t even spot the big, bold letters of the company printed above it. “TR” was a clue that the firm might specialise in Triumphs, and the cars beside this curvaceous highlight were a further giveaway.
Steve Hall, the owner of TR Enterprises had heard it all before. Just another smart arse who thought he knew what he was looking at. He patiently explained, for the up-teenth time, the history of this Triumph TR4 SLR, the personalities involved in its development – Neil Dangerfield, Chris Lawrence and John Sprinzel – and features from this low-drag coupe’s life over 50 years. Yes, there were huge similarities to the three, subsequent, Morgan cousins;- “Sprinzel LawrenceTune Racing” was the common SLR genesis, but this was a Triumph, and it wasn’t born in Malvern.
Mr Hall didn’t need to talk to me, but politely, if wearily, did so. He could have just pointed to a sticker on the window and then walked away for a more intelligent conversation with someone else. The brief message says it all, and the acronym saves wasted breathe even further. The original, aerodynamically efficient, aluminium body was fitted to a Sid A. Hurrell tuned TR4 at the end of 1963, and TR Enterprises have become part of its ongoing legacy by installing a fresh engine to “SAH 137” during 2012.
Sheepishly, I sidled off to search for something unequivocal to view, which might eventually dissolve the word ‘fool’ which, I was sure, had been daubed in oil across my forehead.
Article by John Godley.
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