1968 Triumph TR5 2500 Pi. Wedgewood Blue with Blue Ambla upholstery and matching Surrey top. When Michelotti's sharp-suited new TR4 was unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1961, the car looked thoroughly modern, especially when compared with the venerable TR3A that it replaced. However, the reality was that under the skin, the car was still very much a TR3A as little more than the outer skin was actually new. Despite this, the TR4 and the TR4A that succeeded it were amongst the fastest affordable sports cars on offer throughout the 1960s. Cheap to buy and run, the cars' road manners however left a little room for improvement, despite the TR4 having gained rack and pinion steering, wider front and rear tracks to make it more sure-footed, and an all-synchro gearbox. However, as stylish transport, they were pretty much unbeatable. All it cried out for, to compete with the new wave of GT saloons was more power. Lots more. The stock 2-litre GT6 engine was tried and, although smooth, was actually no quicker than the old tractor-derived four-pot. The answer was simple though – enlarge the straight-six by a massive 500cc to give a lusty 2.5-litres and help it breathe a little easier. With a better cylinder head and wilder camshaft, the engine worked well, although it was a bit lumpy at low revs until fuel-injection was fitted to better monitor fuel delivery. All this led, in October 1967, to the launch of the TR5. Outwardly, the car was barely discernible from the TR4A, but the new engine, complete with Lucas fuel-injection, turned the TR5 into a genuine performance car with a handy 150bhp on tap.
In truth, the TR5 was little more than a test bed for the new engine, which quickly found its way into the 2000 saloon. Realistically the car was effectively a stop-gap and only had to last around 18 months until Karmann had finished its work on the replacement, the TR6. The TR5 was produced in limited numbers, with just 2,947 cars manufactured between 29th August 1967 and 19th September 1968 and, out of these, a mere 1,161 were intended for the UK market. However, with the benefit of hindsight, the TR5 is arguably the best of the lot, enjoying the clean unsullied looks of the TR4 with the raunchiness of the TR6.
Offered here from the Anthony Hamilton Collection is a TR5 that has frequently been acknowledged as the best in the world, an Autoglym Champion and a benchmark for Concours judging. Various marque specialists have been left bemused that a car could be taken to this level and remain this stunning. The story of this particular TR5 begins when it was purchased by an enthusiast from the West Country who embarked on an exacting restoration. Suffice it to say that many thousands of hours were invested in the rebuild with amazing attention to detail, however, where this restoration differs from most, is the quality of all the paint finishes. The internal flitches in the engine bay have the same depth of shine as the bodywork, all engine parts and brackets have been finished with close inspection in mind and the entire engine bay gleams as if it had its own light source. Although originally green, the car is now presented in Wedgwood Blue and the interior has been fastidiously retrimmed in Powder Blue using the correct materials throughout. In common with every other aspect of this lovely Triumph, the dashboard, gauges and the switchgear look and function perfectly and the TR’s (better than) showroom looks are set off by a matching Surrey Top.
One of the best indicators of a quality engine rebuild on these early Lucas fuel-injected six-cylinders is that when the car is started, it does indeed run on all six with no recalcitrant injectors, fuel pumps or metering units. This superb TR5 does just that allowing the 'cold-start' pull to be instantly returned to the half-on position until warm. The 5 and the early TR6 enjoyed 150bhp which always felt like a lot more when enhanced by the particularly melodious exhaust note. Performance, even by today's standards, is more than adequate and with overdrive on every gear except first, progress is swift leading to comfortable cruising in overdrive top.
Simply stunning in Wedgwood Blue with its pretty Surrey top, the quality of this TR’s restoration was sufficient to put in on the top step of an Autoglym podium, and we encourage your close inspection to appreciate the quality on offer. Absolutely any inspection welcome. Part exchange considered. Free U.K mainland delivery. Please contact us for any further information. Lots more pictures and a video on our website.