| Author | Message | ||
     Dentfixer |
Who can give me some info on this car? I have an opportunity to pick one up, unrestored, 11K miles on the odo, it was running when garaged for a resto 25 years ago. I'm in the U.S. How hard is it to get parts? What is the average value after resto? Etc. Thanks for allowing me this OFF TOPIC post. | ||
| Ducxl |
Hunk-O-Junk...Lucas electrics says it all.Sometimes the lights work,sometimes not.The accepted response it to wait a little while,they'll come on eventually.Stay away..Same goes with those silly Morris Garage cars,especially the MGB-GT | ||
| Spiderman |
I have never restored a British car but last year I did restore Norton Commando. While I am sure not all of the info I am about to share will transfer it may be a small window into your future dealings with said auto. First off, I think all the effort and money you will put into it will be worth it cause of the uniqeness of the car. I restored the Norton for my last boss, it was a pain doing the research mainly because he was a cheap a$$ and didn't want to things "by the book" so a lot of things went the cheap route but I delt with a company called British Only that delt specifically with British bike so getting and finding parts was great. A little pricey but easy. There was also a Norton BBS that I headed to to answer some of my more vague questions BO couldn't. So if I were you I would try to located a British car specialty parts depot and a British car BBS. Those will be your most valuable tools. Also get a parts book and manual. Those are also on top of the list. Other than the owner of said Norton being a tad toolish it was all in all a fun project but be prepared to do some reading and spend some cash. Hope that helps you out a little bit. | ||
| Zenfrogmaster |
Here's an interesting link to get you started: http://www.sportscarmarket.com/affordable-classics /2005-August/1968-triumph-tr250.html "For parts support to be any better, Girl Scouts would have to give away TR250 distributor caps with their cookie orders." Sounds like a fun project! | ||
| Bomber |
Dent -- while I'm not real familiar with that particular sled, the chances of it being worth more than you'll have into even a slipshod resto is very slim -- the big bucks go to the big names (Type D and XKE Jags, and the like) -- triumphs were working man's cars, and still bring (more or less) working man's prices lookie here http://home.wanadoo.nl/karel.gerritsen/ (Message edited by bomber on March 13, 2007) | ||
| Djkaplan |
You can make a small fortune with that car... if you already have a big one. | ||
| Glitch |
My MG Midget was a nightmare! I never got the electronics figured out completely. It drove me mad! I hated it because when all was right, it was a hoot to drive. Great little car....when it decided to be a car. Most of the time it was a nightmare. Kdan had a TR6 (?) that turned him off of British cars and their nightmare electronics. Speaking of Lucas Electronics, isn't that what the Triumph Tiger uses? Ask Smokescreen and New12r what nasty electronic woes they've found... | ||
| Bcordb3 |
The TR4's with IRS were great cars to drive. Thing it would be a great project. Check Hemmings for parts and availiblity. | ||
| Smoky |
If I remember correctly, the TR250 is the TR4 with the first TR6 drivetrain, old style body, before it became the TR6. These are rare, and highly sought, by a few people. Don't restore it for the money, I think you will be disappointed, do it for the fun and the satisfaction. Powertrain parts are going to be easy to get, body parts for this un-usual model are going to be harder. If the body and trim are in good shape, go for it! | ||
| Ulywife |
I had a 72 Triumph Spitfire to drive when I was 16. The trick is not only getting parts, but being able to do the work yourself. In my case, my Dad is an Engineer and had been tinkering on British sports cars 20 years before I started driving. I can relate to the lights....maybe they'll turn on....maybe they won't turn off! Dad rewired all of the lighting switches. Still have a soft spot for British sports cars. They are a lot of fun to drive and have lots of character. Just know we don't have the time, money or know how to keep up with them! | ||
| Mikej |
A TR250 is basically a TR5 (between the TR4 and TR6), but some will argue with that. I used to have a TR3A, TS68159L, titled as a 1962 model (though some will argue with that as well, persnickety lot some folks are). Get to know http://www.mossmotors.com as they will become goods friends with you and you with them. If you decide you don't want it then post up the contact info please.  Kind of like having a Buell, once you wrap your mind around it everything doesn't seem as bad as some make it out to be who haven't had their mind warped around one.  | ||
| Jerseyguy |
I owned a TR250 in the early 70's. Navy blue with that cool white stripe across the bonnet. I loved that car. I'll warn you though... If you aren't a good mechanic and able to do your own work it will be expensive. The car was basically a TR4 with the 6 cylinder engine that was put into the TR6 the following year. In the UK it was called a TR5 if I remember correctly. I probably had to work on it every weekend for one thing or another. From the Lucas electrics to the finnicky carbs to the banging U joints in the fully independent rear. I finally sold it for a new Opel Gt in '71 when 2 of the 4 studs that held the rear end to the aluminum cross member snapped off. I brazed them back in and sold it. I've owned alot of cars in my life. Too many probably. Among them several Porsches, Audis, Beemers, Trans Ams, Jeeps and more. That Triumph, despite its mechanical woes ranks right up there with my favorites. That musty British smell, top down, incredible throaty exhaust note and great handling (for it's day) made it a joy to drive. It evoked a visceral feeling, not unlike a Buell. You knew you were in a machine. I had a Plymouth road runner start to push me on a back road one day, just busting my balls. We came up on a sharp curve and the last I saw of him was spinning across a muddy field as I motored away. I wouldn't hesitate to restore one myself. I would have to say though, If you don't do a perfect body off the frame, correct restoration, you will probably loose money on the project. Do it for the love of it, not the money. Incidentally, I'm rebuilding a mid '60s BSA right now so if you need any help sourcing oddball British tools & fasteners in the US, I may be able to help. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
gut it and put ford pinto power and wiring, it was the only way that we ever got our MG to run with any kind of reliablity | ||
| Dentfixer |
Whoa, I didn't expect to see so many Brit Car experts here! This is great info you guys have shared. Zen that was an informative article about the 250. More than I got from the VTR site. But it's all good. Well, if and when I get it, You know you guys will be the first to share in my heartache and/or thrills! Thanks! | ||
| Rocketman |
The TR5 is a very rare car. It was only produced in the hundreds due to it being a transitional model between TR4 and TR6. At least that's the way it's seen here in the UK, in right hand drive form. As with all the TR models, total restoration can be achieved by removing the body from the chassis. This is perhaps the easiest way to restore a TR as all the components that make up the entire drive train, including steering, suspension and brakes, can all be easily worked on. Bodywork will be a struggle on a badly rotted example as the only available body panels are all faithfully reproduced new, but I suspect not cheap to obtain Stateside. Heritage in the UK go as far as to make entire new body shells for TR's. This can work out reasonable if you are in possession of a donor car with a completely shot body. I don't know why you American fans of British cars moan about the electrics. You should try working on a period TVR. The entire wiring loom is black. You only get to identify each individual wire by finding a tiny coloured loop at the end of each wire - if you're lucky. Bite the bullet. Buy it and enjoy. They are easy cars to work on and restore. Just be aware of the money pit you are digging. Rocket | ||
| Sshbsn |
I've had a few Triumphs. While it's "cute" to make derogatory remarks about them, not much of what you hear is accurate. A TR4 IRS (independent rear suspension) with a carbureted inline six displacing 2498 cc's is what makes a TR250. A TR5 is the same car with fuel injection, and was not sold in the USA. Once the body was restyled, the car became the much-loved TR6. TRs always had a reputation for toughness, based on many successful years of factory rally racing and development in Britain and Italy. They are hard to break, with the exception of a few weak spots, and very simple to fix. Every part you could ever need, including complete, new frames, is available. If you can read and turn a wrench, you can fix every mechanical problem the car may have. Lucas electrics are alright, the main problem is people working on the electrical system without knowing what they are doing. TR250s are rare, a "stopgap" model to fill in while Triumph waited for Karmann to complete the body restyle which gave us the TR6. Looking down the road, they may be worth more than either the TR4IRS or the TR6 because there are so few of them. One caveat: If not properly maintained, the frames are prone to rust in specific areas, especially on the frame rail in front of the rear suspension's trailing arm. Look at the frame underneath the car's side, about even with the back edge of the door. You may find a dime-sized hole there, which can be fixed but will cost $$. Victoria British, and Moss Motors, are both excellent sources of parts for Triumphs. They also include many diagrams and exploded views in their catalogs to assist you with ordering. Good luck!! Steve | ||
| Sshbsn |
If you do buy it, you should pick yourself up a copy of "The Works Triumphs" by Graham Robson. This excellent book will give you great insight into the history of competition TRs, and a better feeling for just how special these cars are. While viewed for quite some time as a "poor man's Jag," they are really starting to come into their own now. Cheaper to buy and MUCH less expensive to work on, a well done TR is quite a performer. | ||
| Dentfixer |
Bomber, thanks for the link. If those pics can't get me excited about restoring the TR nothing will! Beautiful machine! Mike, Looks like you can build a whole car from parts at Moss Motors! No grief finding what I need for this car, updated electrics and even performance items! Thanks! Jersey, I just might give you a call. Always good to have an experienced brain to pick. Looks like we have quite a few here too! Thanks to everyone for chiming in. I'm on a few other BBS's and I gotta tell you, this group of guys is by far the best. All of ya! |
