TR5/TR250 What is this? Appears to be aluminum fuel cap for TR250 and early TR6

[90DegreesSouth]

Hello LBC Friends,

I picked up an aluminum fuel cap from a club member for my Austin-Healey 3000 a couple of years ago, but it is way too large to go on a big Healey, nearly double the size of the original cap; the proportions are all wrong. He had said it was from a Triumph TR 250.

I'd like to know exactly what it is so that I can advertise it correctly, so any assistance is appreciated.

Hopefully you can see the photos. If not here are some key points:

• Aluminum alloy (not polished, no chrome)
• Magnetic only, no latch
• Has vent hole below the lid opposite the hinge (vents to the outside)
• Opens to slightly more than 90 degrees (let's call it 100)
• 2 inch OD for filler pipe (1.66 in long)
• 4.4 inch at widest point
• Approx. 1.5 inches from bottom of base to top of dome
• Has grommet that goes between base of filler and mounting hole in rear deck

Got any idea what it is worth? Caps run the gamut from used OEM around $75 to NOS (with latch) at $595 (> 723040 Rare Triumph TR6 Early Alloy Gas Cap - Sports & Classics <). However, I have not found one like this.

Thanks for looking!
Mark

 

[Tybalt]

At least for North American cars, I seem to recall that the magnetic "latch" caps were TR250 only. Although it would not shock me to find that there some early 1969 TR6s that might have had them as well to use up some of the existing factory inventory.

 

[90DegreesSouth]

At least for North American cars, I seem to recall that the magnetic "latch" caps were TR250 only. Although it would not shock me to find that there some early 1969 TR6s that might have had them as well to use up some of the existing factory inventory.

Looks like the '69 TR6s had it. Attached is a technical service bulletin for both TR250 and TR6 from 12/29/1969 to rotate the filler cap 45 degrees to "minimize the possibility of it flying open in the event of an impact". It also says that it only applies to the TR250 and TR6, and not the GT6.

 

[RGK]

I have a 250, fuel cap is not like that one; hinge is different.

 

[auprichard]

I have two TR250s and both have identical magnetic latches. I think they are more valuable than the standard TR latch, but I wouldn't quit your job just yet. Maybe $100 ??

 

[90DegreesSouth]

I have two TR250s and both have identical magnetic latches. I think they are more valuable than the standard TR latch, but I wouldn't quit your job just yet. Maybe $100 ??

Thank you, Auprichard
There seems to be a great variety of them, and a lot of aftermarket. Glad to have the validation of it matching your two.
Wasn't expecting to get rich off of it, but wanted it to find a home on the right car and at a reasonable price.
I'll stick it in the classifieds.
Hope that you have a great weekend,
Mark

 

[auprichard]

Thank you for your gracious reply! If you go to the Triumph Experience, you'll see a discussion about bumble bee hoses. Someone just posted a period advertisement which specifically mentions the magnetic gas cap.

 

[90DegreesSouth]

Thank you for your gracious reply! If you go to the Triumph Experience, you'll see a discussion about bumble bee hoses. Someone just posted a period advertisement which specifically mentions the magnetic gas cap.

Hello Andrew,
That ad was a real throwback! Pretty cool video, but the woman's voice would have put viewers to sleep.
Thank you for sharing!
Mark

 

[ed_h]

At least for North American cars, I seem to recall that the magnetic "latch" caps were TR250 only. Although it would not shock me to find that there some early 1969 TR6s that might have had them as well to use up some of the existing factory inventory.

My 69 GT6 has magnetic-only cap, but it is slightly different from the one in the original post.

 

[annendale]

I have been working on restoring my TR250 that has a magnet fuel cap like yours. Mine doesn't have a spring and metal disc that would hold the rubber seal. Does your cap have a mechanism which seals the cap to the base? If so could you post some pictures of what that mechanism looks like.

 

[annendale]

I have been working on restoring my TR250 that has a magnet fuel cap like yours. Mine doesn't have a spring and metal disc that would hold the rubber seal. Does your cap have a mechanism which seals the cap to the base? If so could you post some pictures of what that mechanism looks like.

 

[ed_h]

Not sure if you are asking me or the OP, but there are more pics of mine here:

GT6 Restoration--Fuel Filler

Ed

 

[billspohn]

That is indeed a Triumph cap. I used one on my MGA race car as although I did pin it, I liked the idea that if it ever did manage to come open, it would close itself at the net bump, unlike the type with a catch.

 

[StagByTriumph]

Yes. looks like a TR250 style cap. That series were hand shaped and hand polished aluminum and no two are the same until they went to a semi automatic shaping process and a different style of cap.

I have always been intrigued by that TSB on the 45 angular degree orientation to prevent the cap from flipping open upon impact.
That is absolute BS in a TSB.

How many directions can the impact come from? One cap orientation p[osition cannot account for all possible impact directions. Only one direction can be accounted for any single position orientation of the cap to prevent the force of the impact opening the cap.

That is why the cap changed to a latching style.