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why can't i find any TR5's for sale


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Hello Everyone

 

i am new to Triumph Ownership having recently bought a TR6

 

its been a long wait for me to be in a position to get the TR6 however i also love the TR5 equally

 

am i missing something here, i can't find any on eBay and only a couple of classic car pages

 

is there a reason for this

 

and where would you suggest i look for one

Edited by Michaelk3289
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Hello Michael,

 

Of course, as you probably know, it's always going to be more difficult to find genuine TR5s for sale than many of the other cars in the range, because there were only 2,947 built in the first place. However, with rising prices for the model, a lot have sprung out of the woodwork in the last few years.

 

Wait a while and I'm sure there will be another barn find :D

 

Being serious now, it's just going to be a case of watching for one to come up. In your position, I'd watch the TRR's Buy and Sell section, pay regular visits to carandclassic website (and the like), check with car auctions, and perhaps register your interest with firms that specialise in selling TRs.

 

Good luck with your search for one.

 

Cheers, Darren

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I'd say it's probably because the TR5 was made for such a short period of time they are less common than other TR's.

 

Plus, I think there is a fair amount of speculation on TR5's as well - people are hanging on to them as they rise in value. I would bet a fair few are in workshops being restored.

 

There have been some for sale recently, but they generally only come to light on here as they are £50k plus and people are stunned by the prices they are fetching now in comparison to a good 4 or 6.

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A TR5 is nothing more or less than a TR4A with 2 extra pots . . . . . there aren't that many of them remaining, or at least not genuine TR5s as opposed to the numerous clones, fakes and frauds.

 

In contrast, there seems to be an endless supply of silly beggars wanting and willing to pay an inordinate premium for those extra two pots and the TR5 badges.

 

Why on earth anyone in their right mind pays a 50 - 80% premium for a TR5 as compared to a TR4A or TR6 escapes me, but then I've driven enough TRs over the past 50 years to appreciate that there is absolutely nothing special about a TR5 . . . . it's just another TR.

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

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A TR5 is nothing more or less than a TR4A with 2 extra pots . . . . . there aren't that many of them remaining, or at least not genuine TR5s as opposed to the numerous clones, fakes and frauds.

 

In contrast, there seems to be an endless supply of silly beggars wanting and willing to pay an inordinate premium for those extra two pots and the TR5 badges.

 

Why on earth anyone in their right mind pays a 50 - 80% premium for a TR5 as compared to a TR4A or TR6 escapes me, but then I've driven enough TRs over the past 50 years to appreciate that there is absolutely nothing special about a TR5 . . . . it's just another TR.

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

Spot on Alec

Why on earth I do not know but many fingers will get burnt ,kudos ? on there head be it at the end of the day.

Edited by ntc
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I might get slated for this but if I wanted a TR and especially a TR or TR5 I would be going to Marko at Classic Marks in Suffolk.

 

I've never met Mark or dealt with him or had any discussions with him even, however I have seen quite a few TR members posting on the site who have had good dealings with his firm and he does seem to find TR5s, mainly I think because a selling TR5 owner knows Mark gets enquiries, and it's a simple equation, owners wishing to sell their TR5s know they'll get a good price and people wishing to buy a TR5 see Mark obtaining or making the connections for them to buy one. Seems like a plan.

 

I would advise that you make your own enquiries about the firm and Mark to ensure you are happy to deal with him, but if I wished to spend money on a TR5 that's where I'd be heading.

 

But don't think the 5s are going to be available for reasonable money, they'll all be sold for what they are worth and a little more, that's how the market works for a restricted model. As Alec says it's a TR4a with a 6 cylinder engine, you'll even find cars for sale as "American TR5" (that means it's an American spec TR250 (lovely car) but trying to be sold to newbie to the TR scene buyers for TR5 price. Again, if you buy from a knowledgeable trade source they'll do all the hard work for you checking the shell for non TR5 fitments and checking and approving the numbers on shell, chassis and engine comparative to the reg date, I don't know enough about them to do that so trust a professional (who you can claim against if he muffs it ), it's a minefield out there.

 

Mick Richards

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RHD TR5s were outnumbered by their LHD brethren by 2:1. So if you're after the former you're stuck with a field that only numbered ~1100 or so originally. Rarity accounts for a great deal of the price where vintage/classic cars are concerned; this is the operative phenomenon here.

 

A proper TR5 with all the options ( O/D, Surrey top, leather seats etc. ) is fabulous to drive, beautiful to behold and rare to boot. Prices have a good way to go before they reach parity with their " peers ", which term is generous to the latter I think.

 

For those wanting LHD the TR250 is a better bargain - get the best one you can find ( Wilson Motor Co. in St. Louis has several right now ) and in (3) simple steps bring it to or + TR5 performance: CP cam, milled head and triple DCOEs. You'll be over the moon with the result.

 

We can be glad TRIUMPH fitted the LUCAS P.I. to their 6-pot TRs instead of Webers, as they'd be much more expensive than they are ^_^ ! ( I'll get my coat ).

 

Cheers,

Tom

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Ive got a nice TR250 for sale if anyone is interested.....and thank you Motorsport Mickey for the recommendation (no this is not me under another name :P)

 

I normally have a wating list for people wanting decent cars, in fact most of my cars never reach the my website which is why it hardly ever gets updated :blink:

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I might get slated for this but if I wanted a TR and especially a TR or TR5 I would be going to Marko at Classic Marks in Suffolk.

 

 

Why do you think you might get slated Mick, you won't.

 

Mark is a very reputable dealer both in and out of the TR Register community and comes highly recommended - I've dealt with Mark on a number of occasions and he's one of only two dealers (after 35 years of TR ownership) I would recommend personally, the other is TR Enterprises.

 

As for the TR5, I've wanted one since the early 80's but even back then refused to pay a premium for what is, as we all know, a TR4A with a 6 lump and nothing special other than the badge.............

 

Cheers

Andrew

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It could be a sketch between John Cleese Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, But "I" like,nay,LOVE my Tr5, BECAUSE it has those two extra pots! ( . )( . ) !!!

+1 :-)

 

Cheers

Ian

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Love my 5 too. I went out with the idea of buying a 6, decided I preferred the styling of the 4 and nearly struck a deal on one. When that deal fell through, I thought I'd just drive a 5 to see what it was like. It might have been a case of the heart ruling the head, but I fell in love with it ... it just felt the right car for me.

 

I couldn't care less whether the prices go up, remain static, or fall through the floor, because my car will be with me until the end.

 

Cheers, Darren

Edited by TR5tar
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Thanks to everyone for your input and info.

 

I cokdnt understand why they were none around.

 

This explains it.

 

FYI. I'm on the look out for a project TR5 if anyone knows of one, which by the sounds of it is massively unlikely.

 

Thanks again all.

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Hi Michael, keep your eyes on the Auction sites, they appear from time to time, but do make good money, and you have to be quick on your toes !

 

I obviously agree with Darren , and everyone else that owns one, and Cleese and Barker and Co. Will no doubt carry on with their comedy sketch.

Cheers,

Conrad.

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Hi Michael, keep your eyes on the Auction sites, they appear from time to time, but do make good money, and you have to be quick on your toes !

 

I obviously agree with Darren , and everyone else that owns one, and Cleese and Barker and Co. Will no doubt carry on with their comedy sketch.

Cheers,

Conrad.

As Conrad says a project TR5 sometimes comes up but beware of the TR4a bodyshell (or TR250 converted) with saloon or other look a like TR5 engine and other bits to make it into a MUCH more costly buy than a normal project TR4a would fetch.

 

You might think there's not much difference (there isn't) but if the car is ever sold by yourself later a serious TR5 purchaser or professional garage assessor WILL pick up any small shell differences and out of sync numbers on engine, gearboxes and other bits to reg numbers etc which WILL mean the car will be valued accordingly as a bitsa NOT a pukka TR5.

Unfortunately you are in an exposed position, because buying a project TR5 by auction means the price to be paid to buy it may be offered by somebody in a similar position to yourself, and often without having had the sense to check out the forum looking for pitfalls as itemised above. Make sure it's not you that pays too much.

 

Mick Richards

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I bought my RHD converted 250 from Mark, and absolutely love it, and as Darren says this it a keeper. All the bells and whistles of a 5 and less than half the price. The twin SUs provide plenty of power and are reliable and easy to tune, unlike the Lucas PI in a previously owned 6.

I can also endorse the comments already made about Mark.

 

John

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Hello Michael,

 

Of course, as you probably know, it's always going to be more difficult to find genuine TR5s for sale than many of the other cars in the range, because there were only 2,947 built in the first place. However, with rising prices for the model, a lot have sprung out of the woodwork in the last few years.

 

Wait a while and I'm sure there will be another barn find :D

 

Being serious now, it's just going to be a case of watching for one to come up. In your position, I'd watch the TRR's Buy and Sell section, pay regular visits to carandclassic website (and the like), check with car auctions, and perhaps register your interest with firms that specialise in selling TRs.

 

Good luck with your search for one.

 

Cheers, Darren

thanks

 

appreciate the info

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As Conrad says a project TR5 sometimes comes up but beware of the TR4a bodyshell (or TR250 converted) with saloon or other look a like TR5 engine and other bits to make it into a MUCH more costly buy than a normal project TR4a would fetch.

 

You might think there's not much difference (there isn't) but if the car is ever sold by yourself later a serious TR5 purchaser or professional garage assessor WILL pick up any small shell differences and out of sync numbers on engine, gearboxes and other bits to reg numbers etc which WILL mean the car will be valued accordingly as a bitsa NOT a pukka TR5.

Unfortunately you are in an exposed position, because buying a project TR5 by auction means the price to be paid to buy it may be offered by somebody in a similar position to yourself, and often without having had the sense to check out the forum looking for pitfalls as itemised above. Make sure it's not you that pays too much.

 

Mick Richards

 

 

Hello Mick

 

many thanks for your information

 

at the moment I still have my 6 which is going through restoration, it has another 2/3 weeks left before it will be finished

 

once done I will look to start my tr5 search but I wont be in a rush and thanks to you guys will now know what I am looking for and how to make sure I get a 5 and not a 4a or 250

 

thanks again

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RHD TR5s were outnumbered by their LHD brethren by 2:1. So if you're after the former you're stuck with a field that only numbered ~1100 or so originally. Rarity accounts for a great deal of the price where vintage/classic cars are concerned; this is the operative phenomenon here.

 

A proper TR5 with all the options ( O/D, Surrey top, leather seats etc. ) is fabulous to drive, beautiful to behold and rare to boot. Prices have a good way to go before they reach parity with their " peers ", which term is generous to the latter I think.

 

For those wanting LHD the TR250 is a better bargain - get the best one you can find ( Wilson Motor Co. in St. Louis has several right now ) and in (3) simple steps bring it to or + TR5 performance: CP cam, milled head and triple DCOEs. You'll be over the moon with the result.

 

We can be glad TRIUMPH fitted the LUCAS P.I. to their 6-pot TRs instead of Webers, as they'd be much more expensive than they are ^_^ ! ( I'll get my coat ).

 

Cheers,

Tom

 

thanks Tom for the info

 

very helpful

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As Conrad says a project TR5 sometimes comes up but beware of the TR4a bodyshell (or TR250 converted) with saloon or other look a like TR5 engine and other bits to make it into a MUCH more costly buy than a normal project TR4a would fetch.

 

You might think there's not much difference (there isn't) but if the car is ever sold by yourself later a serious TR5 purchaser or professional garage assessor WILL pick up any small shell differences and out of sync numbers on engine, gearboxes and other bits to reg numbers etc which WILL mean the car will be valued accordingly as a bitsa NOT a pukka TR5.

Unfortunately you are in an exposed position, because buying a project TR5 by auction means the price to be paid to buy it may be offered by somebody in a similar position to yourself, and often without having had the sense to check out the forum looking for pitfalls as itemised above. Make sure it's not you that pays too much.

 

Mick Richards

 

Mick's advice is the best you'll get. One of the key things is, when it comes to 5s, if you are not sure what to look for, go to someone with expertise. I was well aware of my lack of knowledge when buying my car, which is why I went to one of the specialist TR firms to buy.

 

Cheers, Darren

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They are out there but getting very scarce and you have to be very lucky.

The car has not seen daylight for 32 years.

I have known the car that I have just bought for about 35 years but did not realise the owner still had it.

When first asked a couple of years ago if he was interested in selling it he thought he would keep it with a view to restoring it.

When approached a little time later his son was going to do it up.

When asked by my wife, he finally agreed to sell - I had no idea she had done this, what a surprise!

Three weeks later I picked it up.

Still can't believe my luck.

Happy hunting.

 

 

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