The Triumph TR Register

Sir,
As Social Secretary of the TR Register I feel that it is not beyond my call of duty to offer Motor Sport some recent news about TRs. After all, from approximately December 1969 to March 1970 you surprised all us early TR drivers (and from the Ed.’s comment, it seemed yourselves) by such splendid coverage of TR 2/3/3As through the Readers’ Letters.

As was suggested in a couple of the letters you printed, we formed The TR Register in January 1970 specifically to preserve the marque 2/3/3A. Our first meeting was held in January 1970 at Hopcrofts Holt Hotel in Steeple Aston (between Oxford and Banbury) and about 35 TRs attended. Since then our membership has increased astoundingly and now tops 600 actual TRs registered, encompassing Sweden, France, Germany, Switzerland, S. Africa, Ghana, Holland, West Malaysia and nearly 20 from the USA.

The success of the Register has been relative to the enthusiasm from the President, Committee and members. It was not long before we were circulating a Newsletter quarterly, holding regular National meetings where further encouragement was given by old films and talks from such people as Ken Richardson, Vic Derrington and John Davy of Standard Triumph. There are now also in existence some strong local Groups who carry on similar activities but on a purely local scale under the auspices of The TR Register.

One of the main problems of owning an early TR is the availability of spares and body parts. However, the Register has now built up a strong ‘Spares Register’ of both old and NEW parts which can be made available to members at reasonable prices.

Also we are now in the process of building up a comprehensive library of information on TRs covering technical, social and historical aspects. As well as this we are keeping a complete photographical record of TR Register activities. At the time of writing the “season”, as it were, is drawing to a gentle “soft top” close and we start taking the TRs apart to clean every nut and bolt—such is the enthusiasm for preserving our cars engendered by the Register—before next April, except for those die-hards who brave winter driving in such as a TR. The winter season is a quiet time for TR activities but next season should show even greater activity. We shall then—if not already—be RAC recognised and this should open up new avenues for the enthusiasm which continues to be shown. We certainly expect a really spectacular 1972 for TRs.

Darryl Uprichard.
Etwall.