ONE of the most significant sportscars in the history of British motoring has proved a popular attraction while visiting the Lakeland Motor Museum as part of its Round Britain Relay.

The Triumph TR2 was the first ever right-hand drive version of the famous model and was only the second TR2 ever built which is why its lovingly known by its chassis number “TS2”.

It’s currently on a round Britain relay to visit every TR Register Car Club in mainland Great Britain.

The visit took place as the Lancashire branch of the TR Register handed the car on to the Cumbria branch before it continued its journey around Great Britain. Members of both clubs also brough a selection of other Triumph TRs to the museum.

Chris Lowe, Operations Manager at the Lakeland Motor Museum says: “It was great to welcome the historic TS2. It’s lovely to see historically important vehicles kept in roadgoing order and used as they were intended.”

When introduced in the 1950s, The Triumph TR model proved incredibly popular as a small, rugged and reliable sports car capable of over 100 miles per hour yet was relatively affordable to buy.

The Lakeland Motor Museum, at Backbarrow, has a collection of vehicles made by Triumph since it was first founded in 1886. It initially produced bicycles, then motorcycles and finally cars.

Lakeland Motor Museum’s display includes examples of Triumph motorcycles spanning from the 1st World War to an example celebrating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Triumph’s cars are represented by an example of their Vitesse sports saloon, Spitfire sportscar and a highly original UK supplied TR5 equipped with a Surrey hardtop.

Triumph’s TR range was a large part of Britain’s post-war export drive – alongside the Jaguar XK range and MG T types and A & B models. The Museum also displays a 1955 Jaguar XK140, a 1954 MG TF and a 1960 MGA – originally used by Lancashire Police.

The TR2 re-energised the Triumph brand into a sporting marque after the second world war and led to nearly thirty years of Triumph sports cars that followed.

By the banks of the River Leven at Backbarrow, the Lakeland Motor Museum is far more than a destination for motor lovers. The museum is built around a little piece of Leven Valley industrial history – part of the old “Dolly Blue” mill complex.

There are displays to illustrate that history, period shop displays, a 1930’s garage and a World War One display. On top of that, housed in its own unique building, there are special displays honouring the historic speed record exploits of Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell. Highlights include full sized replicas of the 1935 Blue Bird car and the 1967 jet hydroplane Bluebird K7.