The British Brute That's Quicker Than A Porsche (And Italian Designed!) - Triumph TR5

The Triumph TR5 was only made for one year. It was designed by an Italian and the first British sports car to use fuel injection and is widely held as the most desirable car in Triumph's range. More powerful and advanced than its competitors. Today I explain why the US wanted this car but never got it.. and drive it to see if it's as good as they say!

Support NR27 And Get:
1. Members Only Monthly Live Chats 2. Priority Replies To Comments 3. Loyalty Badges

[AVM-Music]

Someone has been paying for bots 😂😂


Great feature
The sound these old things produce is magical 😊

[timwest]

I was a Triumph nut back in the day. My first car was a Herald, then a 1600 Vitesse, then a 2 Litre and finally a white TR5. It was a fabulous car and the injection system never missed a beat. Its SO nice to see a correct one that hasn’t been customised with walnut dash, dual exhausts and leather seats etc. And it has the super rare original stainless steel rostyle wheel covers on narrower wheels which most came with but were long lost. Lovely car.

[constantin]

I am so grateful to you that you reviewed this car. I bought a TR250 in the US in 1984. It had had an electrical fire damage and I restored it myself with parts from Moss Motors. And sure it was not a TR5, the power was not there, but what a satisfying car it was!

[rhettcorcoran]

A sensible response from me, unlike the bots beneath! I had a TR6 for 3 years, absolutely loved it, I love TR's.

[HJ-vslf]

The reason why British engines are focussed on torque rather than revs, is tax benefits. British cars have a very long stroke and low piston surface area to get it in a lower tax category. Italy had a limit of 2 liters, before having to pay a higher rate. It's funny how tax rates made up by politicians, have resulted in revvy Italian engines and torqy British engines for decades.

[slartybartfarst]

I worked with an automotive engineer in Jaguar who had worked in Triumph in this hey day. He said it was incredible before BL took over. They were working 24/7 shifts 7 days a week turning out 90% sports cars! Vitesse, TR5, 2.5pi, then Stag, Dolomite sprint, GT6, said the product profile made no sense but they could not put a foot wrong. I scratched the itch by getting a beautiful Hart Tuned yellow Stag a few years later when UK tax laws gave you one as a company car....what a machine.

[ktrethewey]

I’ve had a TR6 for many years. It’s essentially the same car. Your review is very good. I have never had a problem with the PI. A lovely car.

[philtucker]

I really appreciated this chap’s positivity and his appreciative smile. The Triumph TR4a to late TR6 cars are cars we should all be proud of and very interesting that approximately 70% of all cars made were exported to ( mainly North America) and were certainly a great export success story for the GB car industry. Well done sir!

[mikejohnson]

so nice to hear such a purebred brit describing my first car here in the usa i got for college a 64 tr4 straight from Switzerland, at my college some of my fellow students thought they would play a joke and lift it into the academic hall but unfortunately the steering lock short circuited and the wire harness went up in flames they came running into my room shouting mike mike the car is on fire what a shock but they all chipped in together to get me a new wire harness installed quite an experience

[MrCarrera]

Jack, I am really enjoying your videos reviewing older classic cars.

It is so awesome to see a Youtuber who has stayed with his passion and continues to deliver enjoyable reviews in their own inimitable style rather than so many who simply chase views and have become a pastiche of their former selves.

This particular car is very beautiful and I love the way it is styled in its own unique way and it really stands out today as a stunning example.

[chhindz]

I went to the dealer in 1968, and sat in this car, TR250 in Chicago, had white race stripe across front of hood, loved it. I took home the most beautiful brochure of the red car. Was 13 so car out of question. Father took home Volvo wagon in which I learned to drive later.

[tommaguzzi]

Way back in the days when i was an apprentice, one of the fitters at work took me out as a passenger in his TR4a. I was blown away, I just couldn't believe how loud, brutally hard riding and fast it was. Of course back then the few normal cars on the road were making 50 hp and struggled to get to 60 mph and he was blasting round the near empty roads at 90!

[MrRea]

Yes, the TR5 was the best and most underrated of the TR’s, and prettier than the TR6 or hideous TR7

[mchurch]

I bought a new TR-250 in 1968. It was a rocket. It had two Stromberg carburetors and would routinely blow the doors off small block V-8’s, light to light. But it really shined on the twistiest, windiest roads you could find. The only other car that could pull it was the Healey 3000. When it was new few other cars in its class could beat it.

[philtucker]

This chap’s presentation skills are so good he should have his own named channel. I hope both Cheftush and Elin Yakhov, (the two most well known North American Triumph restorers) and the famous Canadian “six pack” club, also follow him and show their own appreciation accordingly.

[adriansutherland]

My dad has a titanium ankle thanks to a 2L Vitesse, he also had a couple of 2L saloons before 3 2.5PI's. Mum also drove Triumphs also, she had a 2L auto for years she loved it. She replaced it with a Rover 3.5TC & then SD1. Both parents only stopped driving Triumph because the brand was discontinued. Dad went over to Volvo which he imported from Sweden himself. They were top of the range Thor models not available in the uk, big engines & all the toys estates.

[philipdubuque]

Throughout the 1970's and early '80's my manager/agent (I was a touring musician) drove this exact model. We spent many a happy hour bombing along the A and B roads of Briton (including in Oxfordshire), probably on the same roads you used for this review. I remember him complaining that, at least back then, this model wasn't considered a "classic" largely due to the weight. Either way, I had a passinger-seat experience of this car driven at the limit. Thanks for a fascinating nostalgic look back. Another brilliant video!

[jackburtonstwin]

With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight it becomes apparent that Triumph were knocking out of the park with cars like the TR4, 5 and 6. They have that Terry Thomas swagger and rakish manner about them. Cars to be cherished.

[geoffburrill]

People really forget how good Triumph were back in the day. Such a shame that the brand is almost being written out of history. It is great to see you giving one a review. Hope to see more Triumph on your channel, Jack.

[talosiv]

What a treat this vid was! Thank you! Years back I had a '67 TR4A, and later a '74 TR6. Loved them both, and also had a friend with a TR5/TR250. He had placed a triple weber kit on his car and it was a dream to drive. His also had the surrey top, though instead of the steel cap, it was a convertible piece with metal struts connecting the solid rear window section to the crown of the windshield. I thought that was SO cool, both then and now. To me in many ways the TR250 was just the best, because you had the more classic TR4 styling with the straight six engine. Oh, and the electric overdrive was absolutely essential for maintaining freeway speeds here in California, though now with the speeds people drive at, it was be pushed to the limit.