Triumph TR 250

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Launched in 1967, the Triumph TR5/TR250 was basically a cock-up. But what a great cock-up it turned out to be, as the cars are now the rarest and most highly sought after of the whole TR range.

Triumph had originally planned to replace the TR4A in the summer of 1967 with the car that eventually became known as the TR6. However, as legend has it, the Germans at Karmann who designed the body of the new model supplied all the tooling specifications in metric units. Unfortunately, the Brits were still employing the good old Imperial system and the resultant confusion delayed the TR6 for over a year. Thus the TR5/TR250 was launched in its place, destined to live for just 15 glorious months.

The car was identical to the TR4A with the same gorgeous Michelotti-styled bodywork, front disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering and independent rear suspension, but with one crucial difference. Under the bonnet lurked not the TR4A's agricultural 2.1-litre four-cylinder, but a 2.5-litre inline six. Creamy smooth and with bags of torque, in fuel-injected form the 150bhp engine could propel the TR5 from 0-60mph in just 8.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 125mph.

However, stringent emissions regulations meant that the American market had to make do with a twin Stromberg carburettor version, the TR250. This was 39bhp down on the TR5, but it was still beautifully smooth and was only 2 seconds off the 0-60 pace and 14mph shy of its top speed – still more than a match for its big rival, the Healey 3000.

The owner of this TR250 is an experienced car restorer and no expense was spared on its restoration. The quality of the work and the extent is apparent and the car will stand up against any similar model. What you can’t see is that the engine was worked on by John Noble (ace tuner, not LSR man) so it will go as well as it looks (and possibly better if that fearsome triple pack of twin-choke Webers is anything to go by)

Originally an American car, it is currently being put through the registration process and will have a UK number in time for the sale. The car does have a Heritage Certificate and valid import documents.

Interested parties should ask for further information on the viewing day or on the day of the sale.