1968 Triumph TR5
Triumph continued its development of the popular TR sportscar range over many years from the first sidescreen TR2 of 1953 onwards. The TR4 introduced a wind up window bodyshell to the exiting chassis and 4 cylinder engine and then the TR4a which for the first time incorporated independent rear suspension. The next step was to use the powerful six cylinder engine as fitted to the 2.5PI saloon which resulted in the TR5 of 1967. Triumph though, couldn't resist the temptation to update the bodyshell soon afterwards and after just one year of production of the TR5 the TR6 was introduced in November 1968. Thus the TR5 is one of the rarest yet fastest cars in the TR range with only some 3,100 built in Petrol Injected form. Incidentally, the Lucas mechanical injection gives far better performance than the export specification twin carb setup in the TR250 and actually is very reliable - contrary to legend! This particular TR5 was with us for a long time to be restored and the owner who was often abroad periodically asked for the project to be paused in his absence. We finished the car back in November 1992 but didn't see it again for 13 year. When we did, it was looking superb as you will see . . .
The start in August 1982 (in our old workshop that we left in 1986). The car was in its original Triumph White and very rusty. We lifted the bodyshell of the chassis complete and started work on a rolling chassis.
This is the rear of the chassis showing the differential mounting pins. Well, three of them at least because the fourth had broken away through rust and fatigue.
The repaired and painted chassis is being built up here with the restored suspension.
The rolling chassis is nearly complete with the reconditioned engine and gearbox fitted. In the background you can see a Triumph TR3A and an Austin Healey 3000.
After stripping down the bodyshell we shotblasted it to see what was left - lots of rust damage and dodgy repairs gradually became apparent.
Typical of the rust damage was this nearside inner rear wing. The rust had eaten it all away.
As the floorpans and sills had to be scrapped the bodyshell was actually cut in two and rebuilt on to the chassis using new floorpan and sill panels.
This was all of the rear half of the body that was useable. The view shows the spare wheel well and the inner rear wheel arches.
The bodyshell is nearing completion, soon to be ready for spraying.
The bodyshell was painted Jaguar Regency Red, an opulent and suitably impressive shade of burgundy.
The engine bay view just after painting. At this stage the project was halted for many years while the owner was away, and the car went into storage.
In our new workshop in 1992 where we completed the assembly and trimming of the car. Here the engine bay restoration is nearing completion.
The finished car, MOT'd and ready to go. We didn't see the car again for 13 years!
