1950 Triumph Renown TDB

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 – [email protected]