Triumph TR250 Roadster, 1968
Triumph TR3
Triumph TR3•
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Chassis No.: CD878L
Auction: Monterey 2023
Auction date: August 19, 2023
Lot No.: S4
$84,700 | Sold
- Odometer: 80,751 miles
- Engine: Inline 4-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: Triumph Racing Green
- Interior: Black
- Body: Roadster
- Professional ground-up restoration by specialists at Triumph Rescue
- Over $100,000 in receipts included
- Triple Stromberg carburetor set up with custom intake
- 4-speed transmission with electric overdrive
- Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes
- Powdercoated frame and suspension
- Custom aluminum cold air box with custom air filter
- Performance engine rebuild with Richard Good Performance parts
- Dyno sheet showing 167 HP
- Rare Surrey top with metal and canvas top inserts
In 1961, Italian styling—courtesy of Michelotti—abandoned the template of the bluff-fronted side-screen TRs, which had found wide appeal among American sporting motorists, and created the totally fresh and far more sophisticated lines of the TR4. Independent rear suspension appeared on the TR4A of 1965. Though visually similar, the TR5 of 1967 became the first of the series to adopt 6-cylinder power. The new unit offered both a larger displacement of 2498cc and considerably more power, but it wasn’t all good news.
While the Brits and Europeans got the full-house fuel-injected TR5, the American TR250 version ran on twin carbs to meet emissions regulations, which despite its go-faster stripes on the hood, considerably subdued performance. That, however, is not the case with this standout 1968 Triumph TR250 Roadster. In addition to a performance engine rebuild, the power-sapping twin-carbs have been replaced by triple Strombergs with a custom intake. With dyno test results showing 167 HP, it has more than reclaimed the lost horsepower.
Not only is that a massive gain over the 104 HP of the U.S.-spec TR250, it easily surpasses the manufacturer’s quoted output of 150 HP claimed for the British-spec TR5, which in road tests returned top-speed figures ranging from 112 to 118 MPH. Along with extra go, there’s also more whoa, thanks to the installation of a Wilwood 4-wheel disc brake setup, a feature not even installed on the TR5’s successor, the TR6. In addition, from its powder-coated frame up, this TR250 has benefited from a complete specialist restoration by Triumph Rescue, with receipts totaling more than $100,000.
Attention has clearly been paid to maintaining the stock appearance of a TR250 that unassumingly and with few outward signs goes far beyond any of the factory-offered options. While wire wheels were a factory option, this TR250 goes one better with 72-spoke stainless/chrome wire wheels shod with Michelin redline radial tires. TR Triumphs were pitched between the basic MGs and the brawny Austin-Healeys. This TR250 more than bridges that gap with a 17 HP advantage over the most powerful Healey 3000.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1094635/1968-triumph-tr250-roadster/
Cost
311,061 AED
