TR5 prototype in spotlight

Club Triumph displayed the X754 factory prototype as the centrepiece of its stand to celebrate 50 years of the TR5. Built on 22 February 1967, this working development TR5/250 originally had a TR4A body, an experimental 2.5- litre engine, as well as unique hoop of steel welded onto the chassis behind the steering rack to prevent the column penetrating the cockpit on impact!

Triumph road- registered the prototype on 25 May 1967 for further development, just six weeks before TR250 production began. The car then sat unused and forgotten in the factory until it was scheduled to be scrapped. Thankfully an employee realised the prototype’s

importance and bought it, noticing that the engine had been upgraded to an early production TR250 engine. Since it had been left untouched it had acquired some modified wheels and a pair of official TR5 seats.

The current owner bought the car after noticing that it was for sale in the ‘ Miscellaneous’ section of the Coventry

Evening Telegraph. Given that it was hiding away in these listings, the new owner was able to acquire X754 without any competition. It is believed to be one of only three prototypes in existence, and is a fabulous example of how Triumph developed the successful TR5 range.