Hi Sarah:
Glad to hear that you are undaunted in your search for Renown.-:. The
reference I have "The Complete Catalogue of British Cars" by Culshaw and
Horrobin, 1974, indicates that production ceased in 1951 but that the
Mayflower was built until 1954. It's possible that some cars were carried
over unsold and titled after production ceased.
I checked performance figures for you. The Renown is apparently rated at
only 20.4 mpg versus the Vanguard at 23.8. I suspect the problem is
related to body shape because the two cars share the same axle ratio.
Incidentally, the top speed of the Renown is listed as 74.4 mph where the
Vanguard could do 78 mph. There must be something in that streamlining
after all.
I think Practical Classics, which is a British Magazine, is edited by
fellows who are too young to know the significance of the statement that
Renown was targeted toward North America, and are confusing what they have
read with the facts about the Vanguard. The Vanguard was definitely
designed as a World Car - in fact probably the first ever. It was aimed at
the North American market because of its relatively large engine, its six
passenger seating and its durability.
The Renown was never intended to see service in North America because it
couldn't compete in the price class in which it had to be sold. The
Vanguard could compete with the lowest-priced American cars and had
comparable performance with similar internal space. However, the Renown
would have had to compete against medium to upper-medium priced cars which
would never have happened because it was too small, too slow and had
antiquated styling. Buyers in that market range tended to be upwardly
mobile, forward-looking people. Only Jaguar was able to make any inroads
here and Jag sales were no match for any American car of the day.
Only low-priced LBCs were sold in any quantities with Austin being perhaps
the most common at that time (late '40s early '50s). Mayflowers were sold
here because they were much cheaper and appealed to people who wanted
something very unique-looking. They were unsuccessful because they were
hopelessly underpowered and too small.
Don't make the mistake of assuming that the Ferguson engine will serve as a
parts source for the Renown. Some internal parts are the same or similar,
but not a lot will interchange. The two engines are not alike externally
although use similar ignition.
Be very sure that the wood framing of the body is in good condition or
correctly repaired. I am currently restoring a Lagonda 3 Litre which has
some serious deterioration which will prove difficult to repair.
The parts books and manual which I have copied does cover the Renown which
will be useful to you if you need them.
My reference to Sky Masterson refers to the famous Broadway musical "Guys
and Dolls". The dramatic heroine of the show is Sarah Brown - Sister Sarah
Brown of the "Save a Soul Mission". She winds up marrying the notorious
gambler, Sky Masterson. It exists as a film made in 1957, starring Marlon
Brando, as Sky, Frank Sinatra and Jean Simmons, who played Sarah Brown.
I'm sure you must be familiar with the show but if not try to rent the
video. It's one of the greatest Broadway shows.
I hope you buy the old knife-edged wonder. I'd trade my restored Vanguard
for one in a flash.
John McEwen
>mmcewen@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca (John McEwen) writes:
>
>>Hello Sarah:
>Hello John
>>I would dearly love to own a Renown as I love the syling, however they were
>>never imported to Canada or the US to my knowledge.
>I find this interesting as a "Practical Classics" article which I have states
>that Renowns and Mayflowers were "aimed squarely at the American market"...
>I wonder if the designers at Triumph were hoping to copy MG's success with
>the TC.
>> I do own a Standard Vanguard which supplied the chassis and drive train for
>>the Renown.
>Standard Vanguards used to be very popular here particularly with
>farmers who were familiar with the Massey Ferguson tractor engine.
>Unfortunately
>many were abused and left to rot in paddocks when a new car was purchased.
>A fully restored one is a rare sight here.
>>The situation can be divided into pluses and minuses. On the plus side,
>>the old Vanguard engine was the basis for the TR2 - TR4 engines so some
>>parts are readily available.
>I understand that engine parts are readily available here, helped I
>suppose by the popularity of MF tractors.
>
>snip
>>On the negative side, front end parts should be a bit of a challenge as
>>would any steering components.
>The aforementioned "Practical Classics" article mentions that the British
>Triumph Razor Edge Owners Club is producing stering idler joints and
>springs. I guess they'd be pretty expensive being a short run.
>> The traditional body of the Renown would be more prone to deterioration
>>and harder to repair.
>I understand it's alloy except for the wings and running boards.
>> Parts for the body would likely be difficult to find, as the car was very
>>low-production.
>That's why I'm on the lookout for a straight one - I'll try not to bend it
>:)
>> The car would likely be looser and noisier because of the construction
>I have learnt to live with rattly cars :)
>> Renowns with overdrive were only built for two years '50 and '51 following
>>which the car was discontinued.
>As you've probably gathered I've collected quite a bit of info on Renowns
>and understand that production finished in 1954.
>>The major concern I would have is that the cars were definitely not quick.
>>When you say that you wish to keep up with modern traffic,
>I realised that I hadn't really phrased that bit well. I live in a rural
>area with the hilly roads. I realise that a Renown would be slow under
>these conditions; but the area is sparsely populated with few cars on the
>road. I was more interested hearing about in open road driving on flat
>highways. I have been corresponding with a NZ owner and he states that
>they will do 70mph. I guess that's flat out.
>> you should
>>realize that a Renown would probably be slightly heavier than a Vanguard
>>and the Vanguard is dead slow. 0 to 60 mph times of 20 seconds with
>>quarter mile times of 24 seconds should give you some idea, where any
>>modern car can do that in around 11 seconds and 17 seconds respectively.
>I know from the Morris 8 that coach built cars do tend to be over bodied.
>I'm hoping that the Renown's extra power will help, but realise that the
>heavier body probably doesn't help.
>>The Renown would have a decent cruising speed once it got going, and should
>>be able to sustain the speed limit on level road, but long hills would see
>>it plodding up at 45 mph.
>I can live with that.
>>A further concern is the price of tires. Renowns have 16" wheels and
>>unless a match to a smaller wheel can be found - TR maybe - the cost of
>>tires is high and radials which fit are very dear.
>Thanks for this. I hadn't found any info about tyres. (that's how we spell
>it).
>> The engines used oil.
>>Normal new consumption is listed in the owner's handbook as 1 gallon per
>>2000 miles. The caution is given that when this oil consumption rises to 1
>>gallon per 1,000 miles a heavier grade of oil should be used. I drove my
>>Vanguard on a 1500 mile trip last year and it used 3 litres of oil.
>Wow. Thanks for this info.
>> Fuel mileage is decent at about 24 mpg on the highway which I suspect would
>>be about 18 mpg in town.
>The local owner claims 24mpg regardless of conditions.
>>
>>If you decide to buy a car, please keep in touch.
>Will do. Thank you very much for taking the time to write. This
>information is very useful, ta.
>I believe that there are about 20 Renowns in NZ. Two of which are for
>sale.
>> I have made copies of the parts book and the shop manual for the car, which
>>I would be able to provide to you.
>This is very kind of you.
>>John McEwen
>
>>PS: Are you a Broadway musical fan?
>no.
>> If so I'm sure you've heard your share of Sky Masterson jokes.
>I've no idea what you are talking about - please enlighten me.
>Regards and thanks again
>Sarah Brown
>PS my BIL has just spent two years doing post grad studies at McGill
>University in Montreal.
>--
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