1967 Triumph TR5 PI

Details

The TR series Triumphs stand as iconic British sports cars that are well known and loved by enthusiasts all over the world. It started back in 1952 when the Triumph 20TS, a prototype sports car which later became known as the TR1, was shown at the London Motor Show. Reactions were mixed, however, Triumph thought they were on to a good thing and the prototype evolved into the TR2 that was subsequently shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953. Triumph built over 8,500 of these 1991cc 4 cylinder sports cars from 1953 – 1955 and the rest they say was history. The model evolved into the TR3 (produced from 1955 – 1962), the TR4 (built from 1961 – 1965), the TR4A (built from 1965 – 1967), the TR5 (built from 1967 – 1968) and ultimately the TR6 (1969 – 1976). Subsequent TR models were interesting cars but it’s fair to say the evolution of the TR2 finished at the TR6.

Perhaps the most interesting and certainly the rarest of all of the TR production cars is the TR5 with only 2947 cars built. The most significant change from the TR4 was the introduction of a 6 cylinder 2.5 litre fuel injected engine that boasted an impressive 150 bhp that could propel the car from 0 – 50 mph (80 km/hr) in just over six seconds and a top speed of just under 120 mph (200 km/hr).

Today the TR5 remains the most sought after and collectable of the TR series cars.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale a lovely 1967 Triumph TR5 PI. This car was delivered in perhaps the most desirable specification being fitted with the surrey top and overdrive.

According to the British Motor Industries Heritage Trust ‘Production Record Certificate’ on file this TR5 is an Australian delivered, factory RHD example that was delivered new in ‘Triumph Racing Green’ with a black surrey top and a black interior, which is the colour scheme of the car today. The car had a build date of the 11^th December 1967 with a despatch date of the 14^th February 1968 making this a very early car. As noted above Triumph made only 2947 TR5’s, however, only 65 were built in 1967. The Heritage Certificate notes that car was delivered with the following options: overdrive, Triumph Racing Green hard top, mph speedo, SP41 tyres, wire wheels, black surrey top, heater, jack, tool roll, spare wheel and no battery. It was shipped to Australia from the King George Dock, London aboard the Port Hobart.

The car was delivered to Triumph Motors Limited in Sydney, Australia, however, its subsequent early history is not known. The history of the car has been tracked back to 1988 when it was owned by a solicitor in Adelaide who used the car as a daily driver. The TR5 changed hands in late 1999 and it then spent the next 18 years of its life in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The owner of the car relocated to Encounter Bay, just south of Adelaide and at that time decided it was time to part with his beloved TR5. He sold the car through Richmonds in Adelaide to the current owner in April 2018. Whilst in Alice Springs the following work was done to the car: the gearbox was rebuilt, a new clutch was fitted, the brakes & brake booster were rebuilt and a supplementary fuel pump was fitted.

Since acquiring the car the current owner has gone on a journey to bring it to the next level and he has undertaken the following work: the interior has been re-trimmed in black leather – which included the seats (with white piping), the rear cushions & wheel well covers, the sun visors, gearshift cover, hand brake cover and the door cards which were fitted with door pockets. The seat frames were repaired and re-foamed, DYNA matting was fitted to the entire floor & door panels, new wool poly blend carpet was sourced from the UK complete with new full wool underlay, new timber was sourced from the UK, a chrome steering wheel and boss kit installed, all the instruments were refurbished and the cables were replaced, the missing dash heater and fan hoses were installed, a custom built leather and timber pull out table was installed in the boot, a new fuel tank cover, new 72 spoke stainless steel wire wheels fitted with new white wall tyres, a new (poly) surrey top was imported from the UK, the suspension bushes and front support arms were replaced, new engine & gearbox mounts were fitted, the brakes were overhauled, the front shock absorbers were replaced, a new coil, distributor and leads were fitted. Additionally, the owner has had seat belts fitted. There are receipts on file for around $20,000 for all of the above work.

Today this TR5 presents and drives really well. The green paint work is in good condition all round with the odd blemish and stone chip evident. There is a scrape on the inside/lip of the right front wheel arch caused by a suspension arm failure some years ago which allowed the front wheel to touch the inner guard. The panel gaps are generally very good with the only exception being the bottom rear of the passenger’s door which could do with an adjustment. All of the exterior trim, chrome and glass are also in good condition. It should be noted there are some scratches on the rear Perspex screen. Inside the cabin this little TR5 is a lovely place to be, not surprising given everything is new! All of the instruments and controls look to be in working order, though we suspect that the tacho may not be reading correctly.

The engine bay is very original and in good order. The car starts easily and it doesn’t take long before you can back the choke off. This TR5 is an absolute delight to drive. The engine has that typical TR exhaust note and it pulls willingly through the rev range. The gearbox is precise, the car handles with precision and the brakes work well. Today the odometer in the car reads 24,038 miles.

It should be noted that the overdrive unit is not fitted to this car. From our research it was removed sometime prior to 1988. The gearbox looks to be correct and most likely original (confirmed by the gearbox number) and our advice is that a refurbished overdrive unit can be supplied and installed for between $4,000 and $5,000. There is also no surrey top (soft top frame and canopy). This has been factored into the pricing for the car.

The original painted wire wheels, a history file with receipts/documents dating back to the late 1980’s, an owner’s manual, copies of a workshop manual & a parts manual, an owner’s workshop manual as well as a few books and magazines will accompany the car.

The car’s current owner has enjoyed his journey with this TR5, however, his next project awaits so it’s time to move it on to a new home.

The car is currently on full Queensland registration and it is being sold with a current Queensland Roadworthy Certificate.

Highlights:

–       an Australia delivered, factory right hand drive, early production TR5.

–       a fully ‘matching numbers’ example finished in its original colour scheme.

–       the car is a sought after surrey top model.

–       BMHT Production Record on file.

–       whilst an older paint job this car presents and drives beautifully.

–       good history file with many receipts and an owner’s manual.

–       just sorted and ready for its new owner to enjoy.

This TR5 is certainly a great car for summer and there’s still time to have it in your garage whilst the warm weather is still with us!

 

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