1968 Triumph TR250

“ Showing 73,450 miles before a comprehensive restoration. ”
Originally a US car, returned and restored in the UK.
Background
The TR5 might look very similar to the achingly pretty TR4 but it’s got a 2.5-litre, fuel-injected, 150bhp straight-six under the bonnet, a significant upgrade over the TR4’s 2.1-litre inline-four.

Front disc brakes help it pull up smartly too, and independent rear suspension and rack-and-pinion steering keep it pointing in the right direction.

An overdrive and wire wheels were options, as was a ‘Surrey Top’ roof, which neatly combined a rigid rear section with fabric panels above the occupants’ heads.

And the ‘TR250’ you see here?

This is a North American-spec car, which is pretty much identical to the RoW TR5 except for having twin Zenith-Stromberg carburettors instead of Lucas mechanical fuel injection, which, weirdly, helped it beat the USA’s more stringent emissions requirements.

Well, that was the official reason.

Cost may have had something to do with it too, as might reliability – but, while reliability might be better, power is down to 105bhp, which means the 0-60mph time increases from the TR5’s 8.1 seconds to a more leisurely 10.6.

Overview
This Triumph TR250 departed Queen Alexandra Dock in Cardiff aboard the vessel ‘Norbu’ bound for the Leyland Motor Corporation of North America in New York.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirms it left the factory in 1968 finished in Royal Blue with a black hood and interior, and fitted with optional extras that included a laminated windscreen, wire wheels, Michelin X tyres, and a heater.

Nothing is known of its time ‘Stateside and ‘FMA 193F’ appears to have arrived back in the United Kingdom in around 2015. The photo album and invoices that accompany the car further suggest it was restored between 2020-22 when it had 73,450 miles on the clock.

The work appears to have been carried out to a very high standard with good panels and paint, a new hood and interior, Minilite-style wheels and new whitewall tyres, and a good fit ‘n’ finish. It was also converted to right-hand drive.

The seller bought the Triumph TR250 in September 2023 from its only UK-keeper. Sadly, having driven it only 150 miles, ill-health is forcing this reluctant sale.

Estimate: £25,000 - £30,000

View current price bid HERE