Triumph TR5
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This genuine fuel-injected TR5 needs a small amount of choke to get going but is soon idling smoothly once up to temperature. The engine pulls cleanly from low revs and offers spritely performance. Oil pressure is good, reading just over 50psi. Gears are a little stiff, but the overdrive operates cleanly in both third and fourth gear. Steering is well-weighted and slop-free - and it rides well with no bangs or crashes.
BODYWORK CHECK
The quality of the panel gaps is faultless. They’re particularly good on the doors – there is no sign of any sagging and they don’t sit proud at any point along the bottom edge. The bonnet sits flush with both wings and all panels are free from corrosion, though there’s cracked paint on the edge of the rear splitter. The Surrey top fits well. There are some minor scratches in the rear screen and quite a bit of pitting on the chrome rear light clusters, though the latter look like they could be revived with some polish. The rest of the brightwork is impeccable.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The aftermarket seats have strong side bolsters and are in good condition. The white piping is unbroken, the adjustable backrests work and inertia reel seat belts are fitted. There’s a lovely lustre to the wooden dashboard facing, and the gauges work. The Kenlowe fan switch is below the dash, along with a false ignition toggle fitted as a security measure to serve as a kill switch. There’s minor cracking to the door cards (especially on the driver’s side) and both have been scuffed by the window winders.
UNDER THE BONNET
It’s very clean underneath, with the inner wings and bulkhead free from rot. There’s some crumbling paint where the bonnet hinges mount to the inner wings, but there are no leaks from the engine block or brake servo. The engine mounts look a little tired, but there’s no sense of any fatigue from behind the wheel. The aftermarket (but period-looking) Kenlowe fan is joined by Lumenition electronic ignition and NGK ignition leads. The radiator looks in good condition and the battery looks relatively new.
THE CCW VIEW
Here’s a TR that has been used and enjoyed rather than molly-coddled, and we reckon it’s all the better for it. There are stickers for an event at Spa in 2013, and last year’s Circuit des Remparts in France. They’re all borne out in how this Triumph presents and drives. It’s not a car that has been overly messed about with, and where the previous owners have left their mark there’s a logic to their improvements. This isn’t going to win any concours awards, but with its proven continent-crossing form, who cares?
PROS Good, honest condition, Surrey Top
CONS Some cosmetic tidying required