Earls Court, Ken Richardson, and The TR2
The 20TS was shown to the public in October 1952 at the London Motor Show at Earls Court. Reactions to the 20TS were mixed. Criticisms included a tight interior and lack of boot space.
To get an opinion of the car's performance and handling at speed, Standard-Triumph chairman Sir John Black invited BRM development engineer and test driver Ken Richardson to drive it. Richardson had a low opinion of the 20TS's performance and handling, describing it as a "death-trap" with poor handling and a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h), short of Black's target of 90 mph (145 km/h):
Frankly, I think it's the most bloody awful car I've ever driven. —Ken Richardson, BRM test driver, to Sir John Black, chairman of Standard-Triumph.Upon hearing Richardson's assessment, Black asked him to help redesign the car. Richardson tuned and modified the engine and worked with Triumph engineers to increase the brake size, modify the front suspension, and experiment with rear springs and shocks. A stronger frame with improved torsional rigidity was designed. Meanwhile, the stylists widened and lengthened the car for more interior room and boot space, mounting the spare wheel inside the boot. The result was the Triumph TR2, introduced in March 1953 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Read more about this topic: Triumph TR1 / 20TS
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