1967 Triumph TR5

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. This car is 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 a UK delivered, factory RHD example that was delivered new in white with a black (ambla) 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 4^th January 1968 making this a very early car. As noted above Triumph made only 2947 TR5’s, however, only 65 were built in 1967 of which only 25 were ‘home market’ cars.

The very early history of this car is not known, however, by the mid 1980’s it had fallen into disrepair and its then owner was intending to restore it back to its former glory. This did not eventuate and the car changed hands. It was acquired by a Triumph enthusiast who lived on a farm near Royston in Hertfordshire in the UK. However, he never got to restore his TR5 as it was prized away from him by an Adelaide based Triumph enthusiast who stumbled on the car during a holiday to the UK in 1988.  He conveyed to the car’s current Brisbane based owner that when he initially inspected the car in a barn he found it to be in a very sorry state. The good news was that in preparation for the restoration its then owner had assembled an amazing array of spare parts for the exercise. All new body parts (including: doors, guards, bonnet, boot lid, surrey top, floors, grille panel, windscreen frame, etc) lights, chrome trim, instruments, timber dash, seats, interior trim, door & window glass and many mechanical components had been acquired. These were all brand new genuine British Leyland parts.

 A deal was struck to purchase the car and all the parts. Everything was packaged up and sent off in a sea container to Adelaide in South Australia.

From late 1988 through until the early 1990’s the car underwent a meticulous, professional restoration to a very high standard using all of the brand new parts. The body was treated to a rotisserie style restoration and the engine, overdrive gearbox, suspension, differential, suspension and other mechanical components were rebuilt with new parts where required. The interior was also totally refreshed. Once completed, the car presented as near as was practical to a ‘brand new Triumph TR5’. It was a stunning car and a concours winner.

In 1999 the car’s current owner stumbled across this TR5 and he persuaded its then owner to part with his pride and joy. During his ownership the car has been rigorously maintained and cared for by Triumph specialists as evidenced by the numerous receipts on file.

The car remains in excellent condition all round, which is a testament to the quality of the restoration all those years ago and also the way has been kept over the last 20 years. When acquired the car’s odometer was at 4,106 miles and today the odometer reads 26,760 miles.

The white paint is in excellent condition all round, as is all of the exterior trim, chrome and glass. Inside, the car is exactly the same with just a little wear here and there . . .  but overall it’s ‘just lovely’. Everything looks to be fully functioning and in working order, though the tacho is a little erratic (perhaps the result of an electrical fault). The boot and engine are also extremely clean and well kept. The car starts easily and it doesn’t take long before you can back the choke off. This little TR is an absolute delight to drive. The engine is sweet and it pulls willingly through the rev range. The gearbox is precise and the overdrive works well. This car has a perfect exhaust note that gives the right bark when the engine is under load, but not to the point of being ‘loud’. The car handles with precision and the brakes work well.  In mid 2003 the car was fitted with Panasport 15” wheels which just suit the car perfectly.

The car just been serviced by Brisbane based Triumph specialists Greg Tunstall Mechanical and it has a current Queensland Roadworthy Certificate. If sold in Queensland the purchase of the personal number plates TR FIVE can be negotiated with the sale of the car.

Highlights:

–       a factory right hand drive, very early production TR5.

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

–       the car has the desirable surrey top with overdrive.

–       BMHT Production Record on file.

–       whilst an older restoration this car presents and drives beautifully.

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

–       just serviced ready for its new owner to enjoy.

This TR5 is certainly a great car for Summer and it would make a fantastic Christmas present for someone!

 

 

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