‘I haven’t owned a classic in 20 years’
Your tales of the latest classic car deals. This week, how one reader got one of the best condition Triumph TR5s in the country
What made you want a TR5?
I hadn’t owned a classic car since selling my Series 5 Sunbeam Alpine 20 years ago. But at the beginning of lockdown I took a view that if ever I was to own my dream classic – a Triumph TR5 – I should do it now. I wanted a red one with soft top – not a Surrey hardtop. I am no mechanic so I wanted a good condition restored car. I got lots of advice from the great team at TRGB in Somersham.
Tell us about this one.
In early December I got a text from a mate showing me that there was a TR5 fitting my brief coming up at auction with Classic Car Auctions at Stoneleigh Park. I was initially rather nervous about spending a significant sum on an unknown car with no comeback at all. I had really wanted to buy from a dealer to lessen the risk. However, I went to look at the car on a viewing day. It looked excellent – lots of recent history. I got them to start the car but obviously I couldn’t drive it. There was also a gushing video by Mike Brewer asking if it was ‘The best TR5 in the world?’
How did the auction go?
I expected that the price would rise well above what I could afford, but I thought ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ – so after due consideration I put in an on-line bid. In my naivety I was under the misapprehension that I would get a phone call during the auction. So we all sat around the PC to watch the auction. There were a few technical difficulties during the on-line auction & when it came to the TR5 the bidding seemed very quick – just one bid – the same amount I had bid. But was it my bid? No phone call – no email. I was ready for a row when – ping! – an email came in confirming that my bid was the successful one.
Has it been a joy to own?
My son and I went to pick it up and the car started and drove beautifully the 100 miles home, though one of the indicators packed up. I gave it to TRGB to service it, MoT it and sort a couple of issues, but it is a good solid car.I will put it in storage until the weather improves and then have some fun with it!
course, the dodgy indicator shows that with even the most pristine cars, a gremlin is always around the corner, at least with cars as old as a TR5. Still, that’s a tiny issue Barry has already solved and now he has a summer of Triumph powered fun
ahead of him.