TR5, any owners on here?
Discussion
I've found myself strangely drawn towards buying a classic sportscar, always liked the look of the old Triumph cars especialy the tr4/5's. The Tr5 seems favourite having the looks of the 4 and the 6cyl engine of the 6 (please feel free to correct me if not). I was amazed to see the sort of money that Tr5's are advertised at tho, (One at 50k in Ph classifieds).
Just wondering how drivable these old cars are, for instance how would the trip to LeMans go? What sort of speed is feasable for cruising 70? 80+?
Any info much apreciated Dave.
Just seen the Triumph forum btw
Just wondering how drivable these old cars are, for instance how would the trip to LeMans go? What sort of speed is feasable for cruising 70? 80+?
Any info much apreciated Dave.
Just seen the Triumph forum btw
Edited by R TOY on Thursday 26th June 23:55
Tr5 for 50k?!!! a friend of mine runs a Triumph specialist and his mechanic rebuilds them and flogs them (in his spare time) and they are better than factory (full leather etc etc) and they only go for 35 - 40k!!!
Anyway, dad has a Tr4 and that has been to Le Mans every year for about the last 14 years, sometimes twice if the classic is on! never had any real problems just the normal sort of things you get on a classic or in fact any car really. As for speed well its only the four cylinder, so not in the league of the six cylinder Tr5 and 6's but it will still see over the ton (on a track obviously) and will cruise for hours at 80 - 90 (on an autobahn!) as for the Tr5 mates on has seen 150 at Bruntingford (sp?) although that is in a fair state of tune (electronic engine management etc!)
Anyway, dad has a Tr4 and that has been to Le Mans every year for about the last 14 years, sometimes twice if the classic is on! never had any real problems just the normal sort of things you get on a classic or in fact any car really. As for speed well its only the four cylinder, so not in the league of the six cylinder Tr5 and 6's but it will still see over the ton (on a track obviously) and will cruise for hours at 80 - 90 (on an autobahn!) as for the Tr5 mates on has seen 150 at Bruntingford (sp?) although that is in a fair state of tune (electronic engine management etc!)
n3il123 said:
Tr5 for 50k?!!! a friend of mine runs a Triumph specialist and his mechanic rebuilds them and flogs them (in his spare time) and they are better than factory (full leather etc etc) and they only go for 35 - 40k!!!
Er, 35-40k isnt an only. well not to me anyway. Sound great tho. I had sort of planned to sell my Tuscan , buy a TR and have some change. Would be interested to have a look tho maybe you could pass the contact details on thanks. I had been thinking about some trackdays if i buy one with prehaps moving onto a classic sportscar type series one day. I share a track Elise with a friend at the moment which at least keeps the Tuscan off the track.
I'm going to keep an eye on the classifieds and see if the right car comes up, maybe residuals will drop as winter aproaches.
Not sure if i can bring myself to sell the Tvr at the moment tho !!
ahh decisions decisions
n3il123 said:
Tr5 for 50k?!!! a friend of mine runs a Triumph specialist and his mechanic rebuilds them and flogs them (in his spare time) and they are better than factory (full leather etc etc) and they only go for 35 - 40k!!!
Only??? That's a lot of money for a TR5! Most insurance agreed valuations are just below £20k at the moment (or rather 2007). I think your friend is charging people too much for what is essentially a nicer bodied TR6! Unless it's the likes of a Racetorations 5...Oh and full leather was actually a factory option if you asked nicely. Indeed there are a few running round with genuine Triumph leather in even today.
n3il123 said:
Anyway, dad has a Tr4 and that has been to Le Mans every year for about the last 14 years, sometimes twice if the classic is on! never had any real problems just the normal sort of things you get on a classic or in fact any car really. As for speed well its only the four cylinder, so not in the league of the six cylinder Tr5 and 6's but it will still see over the ton (on a track obviously) and will cruise for hours at 80 - 90 (on an autobahn!) as for the Tr5 mates on has seen 150 at Bruntingford (sp?) although that is in a fair state of tune (electronic engine management etc!)
A TR4 would need to be genuinely good to crack a true 100mph if I'm honest.A TR5 / 6 would need to be in a bloody good state of tune to crack 150mph and you'd need a lot of space, much longer gearing and the driver to be equipped with god-like b
ks to do it. As there are 400bhp Supra that can't seem to crack 150 at Bruntingthorp, I think your mate may be telling porkies.If he isn't and he has done it, then he's much braver than I am stupid!
Edited by Combover on Sunday 29th June 12:01
Combover said:
A TR5 / 6 would need to be in a bloody good state of tune to crack 150mph and you'd need a lot of space, much longer gearing and the driver to be equipped with god-like bks to do it. As there are 400bhp Supra that can't seem to crack 150 at Bruntingthorp, I think your mate may be telling porkies.
If he isn't and he has done it, then he's much braver than I am stupid!
An XK150 needs well over 300 real BHP to crack 150, plus longer gearing. At that stage they are normally out to about 4.5Lks to do it. As there are 400bhp Supra that can't seem to crack 150 at Bruntingthorp, I think your mate may be telling porkies.If he isn't and he has done it, then he's much braver than I am stupid!
Edited by Combover on Sunday 29th June 12:01
R TOY said:
Er, 35-40k isnt an only. well not to me anyway. Sound great tho. I had sort of planned to sell my Tuscan , buy a TR and have some change. Would be interested to have a look tho maybe you could pass the contact details on thanks.
I had been thinking about some trackdays if i buy one with prehaps moving onto a classic sportscar type series one day. I share a track Elise with a friend at the moment which at least keeps the Tuscan off the track.
I'm going to keep an eye on the classifieds and see if the right car comes up, maybe residuals will drop as winter aproaches.
Not sure if i can bring myself to sell the Tvr at the moment tho !!
ahh decisions decisions
30 - 40 k isn't something that I sniff at either! was just responding to your comment about a 50k tr5! considering these are basically new.. if you want the contact details then please feel free to contact me.I had been thinking about some trackdays if i buy one with prehaps moving onto a classic sportscar type series one day. I share a track Elise with a friend at the moment which at least keeps the Tuscan off the track.
I'm going to keep an eye on the classifieds and see if the right car comes up, maybe residuals will drop as winter aproaches.
Not sure if i can bring myself to sell the Tvr at the moment tho !!
ahh decisions decisions
I would suggest that you try to get a test drive in a TR before you do any more research. The TR5 would certainly be capable of cruising at 70+ but they are quite a primitive thing and may be a bit of a culture shock if you have no previous experience of classics.
Unfortunately for you the TR5 is probably the most desireable of the TR range and prices reflect this. The TR6 is basically the same car rebodied but can be found at around half the price.
As in all classics there is a massive difference between a "nice" car and a fresh professionally restored one.
I think you would have to pay at least 20k to get a really nice TR5. 12k should get you an eqivalent TR6.
Unfortunately for you the TR5 is probably the most desireable of the TR range and prices reflect this. The TR6 is basically the same car rebodied but can be found at around half the price.
As in all classics there is a massive difference between a "nice" car and a fresh professionally restored one.
I think you would have to pay at least 20k to get a really nice TR5. 12k should get you an eqivalent TR6.
Combover said:
n3il123 said:
Tr5 for 50k?!!! a friend of mine runs a Triumph specialist and his mechanic rebuilds them and flogs them (in his spare time) and they are better than factory (full leather etc etc) and they only go for 35 - 40k!!!
Only??? That's a lot of money for a TR5! Most insurance agreed valuations are just below £20k at the moment (or rather 2007). I think your friend is charging people too much for what is essentially a nicer bodied TR6! Unless it's the likes of a Racetorations 5...Oh and full leather was actually a factory option if you asked nicely. Indeed there are a few running round with genuine Triumph leather in even today.
Combover said:
n3il123 said:
Anyway, dad has a Tr4 and that has been to Le Mans every year for about the last 14 years, sometimes twice if the classic is on! never had any real problems just the normal sort of things you get on a classic or in fact any car really. As for speed well its only the four cylinder, so not in the league of the six cylinder Tr5 and 6's but it will still see over the ton (on a track obviously) and will cruise for hours at 80 - 90 (on an autobahn!) as for the Tr5 mates on has seen 150 at Bruntingford (sp?) although that is in a fair state of tune (electronic engine management etc!)
A TR4 would need to be genuinely good to crack a true 100mph if I'm honest.A TR5 / 6 would need to be in a bloody good state of tune to crack 150mph and you'd need a lot of space, much longer gearing and the driver to be equipped with god-like b
ks to do it. As there are 400bhp Supra that can't seem to crack 150 at Bruntingthorp, I think your mate may be telling porkies.If he isn't and he has done it, then he's much braver than I am stupid!
Edited by Combover on Sunday 29th June 12:01
The reference to Bruntingthorp was more to disguise where the actual act took place, the TR5 in question has been highly modified including final drive etc so yes I believe it was a "trueish" speed and yes he does have god like
!!Still very much doubt it would carck 150 though. An E-type is more aerodynamic and much more powerful and has longer gearing and still didn't manage 150 when brand new, unless they were factory fettled. I doubt a TR5 with even 225Bhp (about the maximum for an all steel version of the engine) would do it.
n3il123 said:
Combover said:
n3il123 said:
Tr5 for 50k?!!! a friend of mine runs a Triumph specialist and his mechanic rebuilds them and flogs them (in his spare time) and they are better than factory (full leather etc etc) and they only go for 35 - 40k!!!
Only??? That's a lot of money for a TR5! Most insurance agreed valuations are just below £20k at the moment (or rather 2007). I think your friend is charging people too much for what is essentially a nicer bodied TR6! Unless it's the likes of a Racetorations 5...Oh and full leather was actually a factory option if you asked nicely. Indeed there are a few running round with genuine Triumph leather in even today.
In the case of the OP, however, I'd like to stress that these are not 'normal' cars, so do not command the normal money. What you're giving people by doing that is not something that Triumph would have done themselves so suggesting that they're better than the factory could produce is an opinion. I happen to think that a standard TR5 should command a higher premium because you get to sample them in the way the factory intended. If it's not to your liking, then modifying it afterwards is always an option.
The TR5 that is for sale at £50k will likely go to someone who will never use it in the way it was intended, which is a genuine shame. If they did, the car wouldn't be worth as much financially so it will likely become a garage queen, which is not how these cars should live. I just hope that a very wealthy enthusiast buys it and can afford the depreciation which will occur just from driving it.
Looks a nice TR5 for sale.
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/pdfs/3948603_29060...
205 bhp at the rear wheels seems rather a lot to me, can it be done ?
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/pdfs/3948603_29060...
205 bhp at the rear wheels seems rather a lot to me, can it be done ?
Easily. Enlarged all steel engine, Webbers, mappable ECU, really hot camshaft, beter breathing.
About 225Bhp at the fly is the upper limit of the engine so yeah 205 at the wheels can be done.
ETA if it's a TRBitz car, you'll pay for it, but it WILL be a genuine car.
About 225Bhp at the fly is the upper limit of the engine so yeah 205 at the wheels can be done.
ETA if it's a TRBitz car, you'll pay for it, but it WILL be a genuine car.
Edited by Combover on Sunday 29th June 18:12
mph said:
The TR6 is basically the same car rebodied but can be found at around half the price.
...and short of 25bhp on the later versions.Combover said:
An E-type is more aerodynamic
Are you sure? Aerodynamics is a notoriously non-intuitive science and the E-type, although it looks sleek, is not very good aerodynamically. (The XJ-S was designed in a wind tunnel so they could avoid the aerodynamic downsides of the E, which is where the flying buttresses came from...)A couple of years ago I bought my TR4 & have not looked back (yes, before anyone asks, I do have a rear view mirror). Before buying, I drove a TR6 & a TR4a back to back. The TR6 definately has more performance & a more modern feel, but I preferred the period charm of the earlier car.
Undoubtedly the combination of period charm & better performance of the TR5 is what makes is so desirable as reflected in the higher prices. I didn't fancy shelliung out around 20K + for one that had been well restored, so I paid around half that for my TR4, which had been very well restored about 8 years before, & had very little summer use only since. I use the car a couple of times a week between April & November, always without a roof (they are only an option for girls) & absolutely love it. You may notice I went for a TR4, not a TR4a - the main difference is that the TR4 has a stronger chassis, which is why the rally boys go for them. The TR4A chassis was, as far as I know, carried forward with little mods to the the 5 & 6.
Undoubtedly the combination of period charm & better performance of the TR5 is what makes is so desirable as reflected in the higher prices. I didn't fancy shelliung out around 20K + for one that had been well restored, so I paid around half that for my TR4, which had been very well restored about 8 years before, & had very little summer use only since. I use the car a couple of times a week between April & November, always without a roof (they are only an option for girls) & absolutely love it. You may notice I went for a TR4, not a TR4a - the main difference is that the TR4 has a stronger chassis, which is why the rally boys go for them. The TR4A chassis was, as far as I know, carried forward with little mods to the the 5 & 6.
The TR5 that is up for 50k is concourse condition. It's build has been the subject of a number of articles in the Triumph club magazines such as the TSSC mag and TRaction.
If you buy it and use it you will never get back the 50k. If you put it on a trailer and take it to shows where you spend most of your time on your back with a cotton bud cleaning bits of it then it will probably keep its value.
To the OP if you want performance and modernity feel go for a TR6 if you want an older ride go for a TR4 or 4a. If you want to use the car every day avoid a sidescreen TR2, 3 or 3a. You need to be a hardcore TR lover to live in one every day.
If you buy it and use it you will never get back the 50k. If you put it on a trailer and take it to shows where you spend most of your time on your back with a cotton bud cleaning bits of it then it will probably keep its value.
To the OP if you want performance and modernity feel go for a TR6 if you want an older ride go for a TR4 or 4a. If you want to use the car every day avoid a sidescreen TR2, 3 or 3a. You need to be a hardcore TR lover to live in one every day.
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