The Triumph TR5 Sports Car

Triumph TR5

from Classic to Modern

The Triumph TR5 sports car was launched in 1967. It used a 6-cylinder engine that was, essentially, a longer stroke version of the unit used in the Triumph 2000 saloon.

However, the increased performance came from an improved exhaust manifold, a revised camshaft and, of course, from the more efficient PI system itself.

The TR5 was regarded as a stop gap measure, as was the TR3B, between phasing out the TR4A and introducing the redesigned TR6.

Triumph was simply not prepared to countenance any additional retooling costs associated with even a partial redesign.

For this reason, production only lasted for thirteen months, when 2,947 units were built.

In terms of external appearance, there was little difference from the TR4A it replaced. However, the principal change was down to the engine.

The TR4A had a 2.1 litre, 4-cylinder engine with two carburettors, whilst the TR5 used a 2.5 litre, 6-cylinder, fuel injected unit with a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

Apart from a modernised grille, the only addition was:

A prominant "TR5" badge on the bonnet
"2500" badges on both wings
A badge on the boot saying "Triumph TR5 PI"

Technical data TR5 TR4A

Production: 1967-1968 1965-1968
Output: 2,947 28,465
Engine: cc 2498 2138
Cylinder, bhp 6, 150 4, 104
Speed mph 117 110

Performance TR5 TR4A

0-30 mph 3.5 secs 3.5 secs
0-50 mph 6.0 secs 6.0 secs
0- 60 mph 8.8 secs 11.4 secs
0-90 mph 21.4 secs 30.8 secs
Standing Quarter Mile: 16.8 secs 18.5 secs Overall Fuel Consumption: 19.6 mpg 25.0 mpg

1968 Triumph TR5 A great shot of a very smart early 150 bhp model... the onlookers agree. Seen here before its entry in the 2015 Shere Hill Climb in Surrey

1968 Triumph TR5 This beautiful example was probably one of the first production models to be fitted with the 150 bhp engine, and for this reason it stood out. Very desirable

Triumph TR5

Triumph TR5 and 1937 Austin

1968 Triumph TR5

1968 Triumph TR5

1968 Triumph TR5

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The use of fuel injection (PI) was almost unheard of in the mid 1960's. Consequently, Triumph made a great play about this and, in its sales literature, proclaimed that the TR5 was the first production sports car to be fitted with PI.

Retained from the TR4A were:

Disc brakes on the front wheels and drums on the rear
The well-received independent rear suspension
Rack and pinion steering
A four speed gearbox with synchromesh on all forward gears
The power bulge on the bonnet, which was now no longer required, apart from adding to its appeal

Furthermore, for the first time, the brakes were power assisted.

Optional extras included:

The very desirable, switch activated, Laycock-de-Normanville overdrive which operated on the top three gears
Wire wheels
A fixed hardtop with a roof panel that could be removed, and replaced with a vinyl covering, known as a Surrey Top

A total of 1,161 TR5's were earmarked for the UK, whilst the rest, all left hand drive models, were exported to, amongst others, France, Belgium, and Germany.

No TR5's were exported to the US. Instead, a version, known as the TR250, was specially built for that market, and was produced in tandem with the TR5.

An interesting fact was that the TR5 used a Lucas fuel injection system which had a tendency to periodically stop working when the petrol tank was less than a quarter full.

In my own TR5, I added a Bosch system and never had any such problem.

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

A 1967-68 Triumph TR5, in outstanding condition, could command anything up to £40,000/$64,000, whilst restoration projects start around £15,000/$24,000.