1968 Triumph TR5-PI

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 old-fashioned 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 surefooted, 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 saloon GTs was more power. Lots. 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-litre 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 TR 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. 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.

This delightful TR5 (#CP5970) dates from 2nd January 1968 and, according to its Heritage Certificate, was supplied to its first owners, the Lankester Engineering Company of Kingston on Thames, finished in Valencia Blue with a black interior and a black hood and optioned with "heater, dip left lights, petrol injection engine". The lovely short Registration Number, UYF 5F, which it still wears today, was issued by the Greater London (South West) Licensing Authority.

Our vendor is the fourth owner since then and it was he who decided to entrust the renowned Triumph specialists TR Bitz with carrying out an exacting restoration, utilising their knowledge and stock of extremely rare new/old stock of materials and parts. The car was completely stripped and, where possible, the original panels were reused, however, many of the lighter inner panels were replaced to ensure it stood up to any future concours-level inspections. The interior was totally retrimmed in the original 'Stanpart' diamond material, in itself unobtainable but for TR Bitz enterprise in buying the remaining original stock many years back. The complete restoration is recorded on a memory stick. Mechanically everything was either replaced or refurbished and the engine rebuilt to unleaded specification. With a Bosch fuel pump delivering the correct pressure and a well set up metering unit, these TR5s are a joy to drive with great performance, exhaust note and a lovely gearbox with overdrive on second, third and top.

This was undoubtedly a 'Benchmark Restoration' and this stunning matching-numbers TR could not be restored today to this level without the appetite for a six-figure invoice. The MOT is valid until April 2023 and this gleaming Valencia Blue TR5 is now ready to be enjoyed.