Lot 218: Triumph TR5

The TR5 was the last of the range to owe anything to Michelotti in the styling department and the first to have a six cylinder engine. Gone was the 2138cc straight four, to be replaced by a hairy, 2498cc, fuel injected straight six, which pushed the top speed up to 115 mph. You have to be an expert to tell a TR4 from a TR5 at any distance but once the 5 starts up, there is no doubt. To aid stopping the brakes were servo assisted, to aid handling the tyres were radial.The rarest of the TR range, by a huge margin, the TR5 is also the most sought after. With a mere 2947 injected cars and 8484 American specified, Stromberg equipped TR250's, the TR5 is rarely seen for sale. When they are, they command very strong money.This 1968 example is said to have benefited from a nut and bolt restoration in 2004-2005. The vendor, who is only the 4th owner in 38 years, declares that the previous owner kept the car from 1978 to 2004 in original condition, which was the excellent basis for the restoration.The car has benefited from bare metal bodywork restoration, chassis restoration, brakes, suspension, mechanicals, interior, chrome work, trim etc etc. No part of the car has escaped attention. It is now described as being in excellent condition throughout and is equipped with a stainless exhaust, Motolita steering wheel and a new Bosch fuel pump.Finished in red with black interior the car is complete with MoT through to July 2007 and historic tax through to June 2007.