1955 Triumph TR2 Works Le Mans
PKV 376 is a works Triumph TR2 that competed at the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours, finishing fourteenth overall and fifth in its class despite the tragedy that overshadowed the event. Driven by Bob Dickson and Ninian Sanderson — both former Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar pilots — the car also contested the 1955 Tourist Trophy at Dundrod before a brief domestic career. After decades of private ownership, it underwent a comprehensive rebuild including bodywork restoration, engine overhaul, and a new chassis frame, and is supported by FIA HTP papers and extensive documentation.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$203,500
- → 1956Factory deliveryStandard Triumph works teampartial documentation
Car operated as a factory competition entry, used in international events including Le Mans and the Tourist Trophy, as well as UK domestic events, before being rebuilt and sold into private hands.
- 1956 → 1959Private saleMalcolm Hurstpartial documentation
First private buyer after the factory sold the car following its works career.
- 1959 → 1962Private saleGraeme Forbespartial documentation
Scotland-based owner who purchased from Hurst and subsequently sold to a US serviceman stationed in Germany.
- 1962 → 2000Private saleGerald Finchpartial documentation
American military serviceman based in Germany at time of purchase; retained the car until his death in 2000, with family members holding nominal ownership during the early 1970s.
- 2004 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Purchased from Finch's son after Finch's death; commissioned extensive bodywork, engine, and chassis restoration work during ownership, and assembled a detailed history file with supporting documents.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDonald George Phillipspartial documentation
Des Moines, Iowa resident; reportedly Finch's cousin, holding ownership within the extended Finch family during the early 1970s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJeffery James Hoganpartial documentation
Des Moines, Iowa resident; reportedly Finch's brother-in-law, also holding ownership within the extended Finch family during the early 1970s.
Competition
- 19551955 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Bob Dickson14th overall, 5th in class
Co-driven by Ninian Sanderson; car completed approximately 2,040 miles at roughly 85 mph average. Race overshadowed by a catastrophic accident involving multiple fatalities.
- 19551955 Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb — Ladies TrophyDriver: Cherry Osborn1st (Ladies Trophy)
Driven by Works Rootes Group driver Cherry Osborn in one of several UK domestic events following the car's international campaign.
- 1955-09-011955 Tourist TrophyDriver: Bob Dickson22nd overall, 3rd in class
Co-driven by Ken Richardson at Dundrod circuit; finished behind a Maserati A6GCS and a sister TR2 in the up-to-1,500 cc class.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1956RestorationStandard Triumph
The factory rebuilt the car prior to selling it into private hands after its works competition programme concluded.
- —Restoration
During the current vendor's ownership a thorough rebuild was carried out: bodywork was meticulously restored, the engine was overhauled, and a replacement chassis frame was fabricated, though the original frame was retained alongside the car.
Bodywork by North Devon Metalcraft; engine rebuild by Company Langbauer; replacement frame constructed by CTM Engineering.
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