Triumph TR5

Built for one year only from 1967-68, the TR5 is the rarest and most sought-after of the Michelotti/Karmann-styled Triumph roadsters. Virtually identical to the TR4, the TR5’s trump card lay under the bonnet which boasted a 2.5-litre straight-six fuel-injected engine developing around 150bhp. Triumph claimed in their sales brochure that it was the first British production sports car to feature petrol injection. This unit could propel the car from 0 to 60mph in just 6.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 125mph.

Standard equipment included front disc brakes, all-independent suspension, rack and pinion steering and a four-speed gearbox. Optional extras included overdrive, wire wheels and the Surrey Top, with detachable roof panel. Only 1,161 were built for the British market, against almost 8,500 carburettor-fuelled TR250s for America.

First registered in April 1968, this original UK market TR5 has been in the current ownership since 1997. As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, it was built in December 1967 and dispatched to Archers of Shirley in January 1968 (their name plates are still affixed to the sills). Royal Blue with a Shadow Blue Ambla interior, the extras included wire wheels, a heater and Michelin XAS tyres.

Acquired in a fairly dilapidated state, the car was treated to a major restoration during 1998-99 which included a full engine rebuild with new pistons, a balanced crank, a balanced and lightened flywheel and the fitment of an unleaded head. An oil cooler and electric Kenlowe fan were also fitted along with a Bosch fuel pump and a modified injection system and throttle linkage by TR specialists Prestige of Wrexham. The overdrive gearbox was examined and found to be in good condition.

The suspension was rebuilt and uprated with adjustable shock absorbers and a thicker anti-roll bar. The brakes were rebuilt and uprated and a stainless steel sports exhaust system fitted along with Minilite-style alloy wheels. The body was removed from the chassis which was cleaned and repaired as necessary before new sills and floorpans were fitted along with a replacement TR250 body tub sourced from TR Bitz. The panel gaps on the body are not perfect and could do with some careful adjustment.

The car has covered less than 5,000 miles since the restoration was completed and is said to drive very well indeed – it certainly fired up instantly and sounded wonderful as we manoeuvred it to take these pictures. It comes with a perspex window Surrey top and a central steel roof panel is available by separate negotiation if required. There are also various bills from the restoration and a copy of a green log book from 1972 when the car was resident in Bridgnorth.

With an MOT until August 2010 and due to be driven some 50 miles to the sale, this is a most exciting road car that is ready for immediate use but could be gradually improved over time. TR5s have shot up in value in recent times and it is rare to find one in such good mechanical order at such an affordable price.