1967 Triumph TR250 (O/D)

• The TR250 was powered by Triumph's creamy smooth 2.5-litre, in-line six with twin-Strombergs
• This fabulous example was imported from the USA in 2013 with all duties paid
• Purchased as a stalled project by our vendor in 2015. First registered in the UK 01/01/2016
• Subject to a 4-year restoration with very impressive results. Just under 1,000 miles since
• Body off, chassis cleaned and strengthened and converted to right-hand drive
• Complete respray costing over ú7,500.00. Reconditioned original Surrey hard top
• Engine completely rebuilt, fitted with SU carbs, reconditioned gearbox with overdrive, new clutch
• Stunning interior, MX5 seats trimmed in two-tone leather, new set of door cards, rear covers and carpets, reconditioned instruments in a Walnut dash
• We understand that our vendor has invested over ú40,000 in this TR and it clearly shows
• Supplied with some older MOTs and resto photographs. Historic Vehicle Classification (tax-exempt)

Launched in 1967, the Triumph TR5/TR250 was basically the result of some remarkably poor communication, however, 'alls well' and all that as these 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 new car's bodywork, supplied all the tooling specifications in metric units. Unfortunately, the Midland's finest engineers were still working to 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 and was 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 somewhat long in the tooth 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. A total of 8,484 examples were made all told.

Our vendor bought this lovely Triumph in January 2015 as a stalled project. Apparently, the previous owner found the car whilst working in the States and imported it to the UK in 2013 with plans to fully restore it. He got as far as removing the complete body and stripping the chassis before sending it to a specialist who cleaned it, checked the dimensions and fitted a proprietary strengthening kit. (See invoice from CTM Engineering). The bodywork was removed and repaired by the previous owner but that appears to be the extent of the restoration to that point.

Shortly after his purchase, our vendor re-commenced the restoration spending nearly 4-years getting it to the remarkable standard you see today. The car was converted to right-hand drive, the chassis reunited with the restored bodywork and the car was treated to a ú7,500 respray. The rare original Surrey Top was reconditioned and painted and the interior was totally transformed with MX5 seats trimmed in two-tone leather, a new set of door cards, rear covers and carpets, reconditioned instruments in a Walnut dash and much more. The engine was completely rebuilt and fitted with SU carbs, the gearbox and overdrive were reconditioned and a new clutch fitted. As with any total restoration, it's the little things like clips and brackets and small chrome parts that take the time to source and fit but the TR was eventually finished. Our vendor believes his costs were in excess of ú43,000 and it certainly shows. Since it was finished, according to the smart new white speedometer, the car has covered just 908 miles.

There is a seriously long list of new parts purchased by our vendor and it can be made available to interested parties. The Triumph is supplied with the logbook, old MOTs and some photographs of the restoration. It's UK registered with all taxes paid and is currently taxed until December under the Historic Vehicle Classification i.e. exempt from the road fund licence