Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; multiple show-winner; extensively restored;
only 3,000 miles on rebuilt engine; overdrive gearbox; sold for a record price
in 2017; find a better one!
One of the most
curious cars of its era, the Triumph Renown was rushed out within months of the
end of the war to cash in on the booming post-war export market. However, while
other manufacturers were busy making their cars look sleek and modern, the
Renown was wilfully formal and upright, with the air of a distinguished
gentleman who had accidentally wandered out of a black and white film and into
the colourful chrome-laden world of the 1950s.
Coachbuilt by Mulliner of Birmingham, it featured the ‘Razor Edge’
styling that had become fashionable in the mid-1930s on prestigious models from
the likes of Daimler, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Due to post-war steel shortages,
most of the body panels were in lightweight aluminium over a traditional ash
frame.
In 1949 the original 1.8-litre engine was
replaced by the excellent Standard 2,088cc unit and three-speed column-change
gearbox which transformed the car, giving 75mph performance. In 1950 things got
better still with the launch of the TDB which had a new lengthened Standard
Vanguard chassis with much-improved coil spring front suspension and the option
of overdrive.
Only 6,501 Renown TDB models were
produced in total between 1949 and 1952 of which fewer than 100 are believed to
survive worldwide, making this a very rare car indeed.
This fabulous Renown TDB is well-known to the Triumph Razor Edge
Owner’s Club having been owned by various club members over the years. During
this time it has scooped several awards and has been featured in various books
and magazine features.
First registered in June
1950, it was originally owned by a Mrs Hannah Gittins of County Durham and then
had five further owners before being acquired by a Mr M Bettridge of Stamford in
2005. At this point the car had been largely off the road since the late-1980s
but was in good condition and had been carefully stored and regularly greased
and moved to keep everything free.
Mr Bettridge
and his wife used the car regularly for the next few years, old MOTs showing
that they added some 10,000 miles to the odometer on lengthy trips from their
Lincolnshire home to France, Jersey, Wales and beyond.
By 2009 it was starting to look a little tired so it was treated to a
sympathetic body restoration while preserving as much originality as possible.
Mr Bettridge was a joiner by trade so he took care of the ash frame (not that it
needed much) while his friend Mike Jakeman of Westgate Classics of Spalding
attended to the bodywork and repainted the car in Renault Slate Grey which was
almost identical to the original Cottman Grey.
Much of the brightwork is original but the bumpers and the headlight
reflectors were rechromed by Brighthouse Metal of Peterborough. The interior was
fully retrimmed by Brockwells of Kings Lynn using top quality grey leather for
the seats and door cards, faithfully copying every pleat of the original
upholstery.
The car then won a couple of ‘Best in
Show’ awards in 2010 but mechanical work continued over the next couple of
years. The engine was rebuilt by Mr Bettridge’s son Mike, a professional
mechanic and garage owner, using TR4 pistons and liners which took the capacity
up from 2,088cc to 2,164cc, along with new bearings, timing chain, oil pump,
water pump etc.
The overdrive gearbox was
serviced as required with a new clutch kit, the suspension was overhauled and
the brakes were uprated with servo assistance, the mileage at this point being
c.67,400. Used lightly over the next few years, it scooped ‘Best TDB – TDC’ at
the Triumph Razor Edge Club gathering at Kimbolton Castle in
2015.
The Bettridges finally sold NHN 647 to
another Club member in 2017 when it had covered 70,200 miles, the invoice
showing that he paid £19,500 – a record price for a Renown at the time,
according to correspondence from the owners' club. The current owner acquired
the car in November 2019, the invoice showing that he too paid
£19,000.
The interesting history file includes Club
correspondence, many old MOTs and tax discs, invoices, magazine features, 1950
Triumph price list, Pitmans Triumph book, photographs, restoration CD, buff
logbook, current V5C and older V5 etc. It is also featured
in Graham Robson's book 'Triumph Cars - The Complete Story'.
On offer here from a deceased estate, it was treated to a professional
check-over just prior to coming to Brightwells and although exempt from this
test, it was submitted for an MOT which identified a few minor issues which
were all fixed so it now has an MOT until August 2026 with no advisories
recorded. It currently shows 70,245 miles on the clock which is almost certainly
correct.
As you can see in the photos, NHN 647
is in super condition throughout and has only covered some 3,000 miles since the
engine was rebuilt in 2011. Starting promptly and driving beautifully as we have
moved it around on site with healthy oil pressure and a notably taut and
rattle-free ride, it is no doubt capable of scooping more silverware on the show
circuit should the new owner feel so inclined.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com