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TR-5: Anyone have one???

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vagt6

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Does anyone here have a TR-5? I'd like to chat with an owner, just to see what it's like to drive and restore one.

I may have a chance to purchase one that's unrestored, and yes, has no rust. All the parts are there, too.

Anyone? Or, could you put me in touch with someone who has one?

Many thanks!
 
Charles Runyon of TRF has one of the very few genuine TR5s in the US.

Watch out for fakes (TR250s converted to PI).
 
TR3driver said:
Charles Runyon of TRF has one of the very few genuine TR5s in the US.
Click to expand...

I thought he sold it.
 
I thought his son in law totaled it when Charles loaned to him on his wedding day.
 
AFAIK Charles still owns it. Don't know for sure if he finished rebuilding it from it's last wreck (just one of several), but I thought he did. Last I heard he was working on a TR3.
 
Check your local club. There has to be someone in the DC area with one.
 
I used to have one back in the olde country and I would buy another in a heartbeat; assuming I could afford the prices they now get. The mechanical fuel injection system needed to be babied back then and I don't know how well it holds up now, although I'm sure there are resto-mods to improve it. A guy who lives near me imported one from Belgium a couple of years ago.
 
I have converted my TR250 to PI spec, and no its not a fake TR5, its a TR250, it just has a different induction system, same idea as putting on triple webbers.
Restoring one is no different than restoring any TR. Parts are easy to find, and there is lots of PI stuff in the UK, it was used on 5's and 6's over there as well as some of the Triumph saloon cars.
The link that someone gave you for the UK triumph site is a good one ( for PI cars ) LOTS of people over there who have lots of time on these cars........
ITs a mechanical system, not too complex, but a bit beyond your backyard mechanic as well......
Buy it, you will be glad you did.
 
What's it worth???

Thanks for all the great replies, gents! But, I'm a little surprised that no one here has one! Just shows you how rare the TR-5 is on this side of the pond.

What do you all think the car below may be worth:

The one I'm considering is involved in an estate liquidation. The owner, a retired Brit college prof, brought the TR-5 over here with him in 1971. It's been in storage since 1980, in a climate-controlled garage, well-covered. No rust anywhere(I looked carefully!); interior is in good condtion but will probably need minor refreshing (seat covers, rubber bits, etc.); D-type OD; no tires/wheels or top, but all other parts are there. A nice project car, needs no body work and the BRG paint looks surprising nice.

I've got "dibs" on it, but it may be a year or more before the estate is settled.

I'll probably have to pay something near market value on the car to get it. What's "market value" of such a TR-5, guys???
 
Re: What's it worth???

Just a guess....$25K?
 
Re: What's it worth???

<span style='font-family: Arial'>Are you sure about the "D" type O/D. Lacock manufactured many over drives used in Triumphs. My TR-250 was delivered with an A-Type. The same with early TR-6 models. Later TR-6 models used the J-Type. I believe originally D-Type overdrives were fitted to all Vitesse and GT6 models, and may have had lower power and torque capacity. A D-Type O/D has the solenoid on the right hand side, a J type on the left. Since a TR-5 produces more power(150 BHP), the power capacity of the O/D is important. Something you may want to verify </span>
 
Re: What's it worth???

Yes, a TR5 should have an "A" type OD on it, although people do convert them to "J" types. As FJA says, it should not be a "D" type ( will it even fit?) But from what you say about the car I would buy it, and 18-25 thou would be about the going rate for a car in that shape. Plan on having to do rings and valves after sitting all that time, and i can gaurantee that the metering unit will be seized solid!. Good news is you can get overhauled exchange units for around $200.00-$300 bucks depends on the type of rotor installed in them. Check out prestige injection in the UK, Malcom is the guys name and he knows TR PI systems inside out,www.prestigeinjection.fsnet.co.uk/ and check out the Lucas site https://www.lucasinjection.com/
 
Re: What's it worth???

Mark, if you look on the UK ebay motors site, there are 2 TR5,s up for auction right now....
 
Re: What's it worth???

TR6BILL said:
How many LHD TR5s were built?
Click to expand...

Hello, Bill. Good question, as far as I know, none. All TR-5s were RHD and none were "officially" imported to the U.S. because the Lucas mechanical fuel injection would not pass U.S. smog emisssions standards.

Thanks for all the input, guys. I was unsure about the OD, if it's stock, then it must be an A-type and not a D-type. And, if I'm lucky enough to get my hands on this car, everything will be done correctly, down to the last nut and bolt. No mods, no changes. Bone stock. This car is too important to hot rod, IMHO.

It will be very interesting to see how the auctioneers value the car. It's not rocket science, as we know. I'm not sure I'm ready to pay $25K for the car in pieces, then sink another several thou into restoration. I also know other parties who are interested in this car as well. However, I've been told I'll have first right of refusal on it.

We'll see. A TR-5 is like the Holy Grail to an old Triumph bloke like me. Numero uno LBC!

Time will tell. I'll keep you informed. Something to look forward to, for sure!
 
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