Ok, here's a rough translation of the flemish text re the Coupi
Francorchamps as found at:
http://www.amwmag.com/IJK/Imperia_World/imperia_world.html
At Impiria, at Nessonvaux bij luek, Belgium, where for years they
assembled automobiles for the British firm, Standard Triumph they
thought that a more comfortable variant of the TR could be possible,
without reducing the performance of the car. It would require that
the carriage (body) remain extremely light and that a more
aerodynamic shape to enhance the flow line or streamlining was
possible. In 1954, Imperia brought the TR2 "coupi Francorchamps" on
the market which was indeed as rapid, and handled as well as the
original TR2 but gave more luxury and comfort then the original
product.
The name "coupi Francorchamps" was a reference to our national
circuit ( spa Francorchamps, home of the Belgian GP) where the TR2
gained considerable success and that name emphasised once more the
extremely fast character of the car.
Plus points of the coupi Francorchamps
One must admit that the coupi Francorchamps in its whole is more
elegant.
It also ensures more security because it has real door handles and a
lock on the cap.
It gives more comfort and protection, It has real windows in
security glass and real doors.
It offers better visibility (top up)
But really revolutionary for its time, the sunroof was in plexiglas.
With all these changes the "coupi Francorchamps" weighed only 947
(TR2- 902 Kg unladen and dry)
kilogrammes and was faster than the original TR2.
Furthermore, the coupi Francorchamps could be equipped with an
overdrive, a radio, wire wheels,
square wipers with 2 speeds and a speciall custom steering wheel.
Regrettably, the export of the "coupi Francorchamps"
were made very difficult by Triumph themselves and thus the coupi
Francorchamps was a special sold only on
the Belgian market. Consequently only 22 were sold. Very regrettable for
this splendid sports car.
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