"The TR5 was built for a 13-month period between August 1967 and September 1968 in Coventry. Visually identical to the Michelotti styled TR4, the TR5 hid the main differences under the body. The most significant change was the 2.5 litre straight-six fuel-injected engine developing around 150bhp and which was carried forward to the TR6. At the time, fuel injection was uncommon in road cars. Triumph claimed in their sales brochure that it was the ‘first British production sports car with petrol fuel injection’. This engine could propel the TR5 from 0-50mph in just 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 125mph. Standard equipment included front disc brakes, independent rear suspension, rack and pinion steering and a four-speed gearbox. The available optional extras included overdrive, wire wheels and a hardtop with detachable roof panel, known as the ‘Surrey Top’.
This stunning, fully restored, manual with overdrive TR5 was built on 29th January 1968. The accompanying Heritage Certificate verifies that the car was despatched on 16th February before first being registered on 23rd of February 1968. Looking stunning in its original colour of Valencia Blue with a tan interior and black hood, the Heritage Certificate shows that wire wheels, SP41 tyres, heater and overdrive gearbox were all specified from new.
Restored over a 16-month period, this car was something of a passion project. Having owned several Triumphs over the years, Mr. Hoffman had always hankered for the pretty looks of the TR4, but with the performance of the TR6 therefore a TR5 was a must. Having looked around for a suitable car, but having had no luck, he turned to the best in the business and had TR Bitz restore a car from the ground-up just for him. It was essential that the car was usable and reliable for trips and holidays. Mr. Hoffman spent over £45,000 with TR Bitz restoring the car between 2002 and 2004. A true nut and bolt restoration, the California sourced chassis was shotblasted and stove enamelled, the body taken back to bare metal before fitting and painting along with every mechanical and interior part being fully restored, rebuilt or replaced. Whilst having the car restored, the opportunity to upgrade various elements arose. As a result, the car benefitted from; the engine being rebuilt to Stage 2 specification (as well as being lightened and balanced), rebuilt differential, rebuilt J-Type gearbox with overdrive, stainless steel sports exhaust, Bosch fuel pump, 72 spoke wire wheels, Spax shock absorbers, polyurethane bushes, halogen headlamps, high torque starter motor, Kenlowe fan, leather seats and wood door cappings.
The car also later benefitted from Alfin rear brake drums, a Borg and Beck clutch assembly and more recently a new Mohair hood cover. Mr. Hoffman spent a further £5,000 on keeping the car in perfect condition before selling it in 2013. The car still looks as good today as it did back in 2004, a testament to how well the car was restored. The car sounds incredible through its sports exhaust and is reported to run and drive incredibly well with the ability to cover ground at an impressively rapid rate.
Offered to auction with a V5C registration document, MoT test certificate valid until February 2024, restoration details, photo record and invoices over the past 20 years and several impressive files along with a Heritage Certificate, a copy of Triumph World with a five-page article on the car, original chassis plate and even an original handbook. With only 1,161 original right hand drive cars built, this TR5 must be one of the best and available at a fraction on what a similar restoration would cost today.
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