1968 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 collectible of the TR series cars.

We are delighted to offer a fabulous and incredibly original 1968 Triumph TR5 fitted with the rare and desirable surrey top.

It is an Australian delivered example that was understood to have been a Motor Show car in period, attending the Melbourne and Brisbane Motor Shows in 1968. Following the Brisbane Motor Show the car was despatched to Annand & Thompson in Toowoomba and sold on the 29th August 1968 to its first owner.

The car was kept by its original owner for 47 years until it was sold to its current owner in October last year.

The car is in stunning original condition. The paint looks to be mostly original and is in really good condition as is the chrome, trim and glass. The interior is also very good for an original car that is now nearly 50 years old. It needs a new set of carpets, some minor repairs and a recolour of the hood lining to bring the car up to the next level. The engine bay is also very tidy.

The car starts easily from cold and soon settles into a smooth idle. It is incredibly tight on the road with no rattles or squeaks. The engine has good oil pressure and the car pulls strongly through the gears.

As they say a car can be restored any time, but it is only original once . . .  a true ‘time capsule’. 

The odometer is at 93,893 miles.

Note: the photos show the car riding on TR6 wheels, however, these will be removed and the original wheels and hub caps fitted to the car prior to sale.

The car has its original warranty book, owners manual and factory sales brochure.