Vehicle Description
1968 Triumph TR250 Roadster
To find the essence of classic British sports cars, one doesn't
need to look much further than Triumph. Affordability is an
important facet of this discussion. Although there are plenty of
examples of sports cars that predate Triumph, these machines were
most often concerned without outright speed and power as opposed to
being fun, light, drivable vehicles. These cars come from an era in
which fitting massive aircraft engines to a vehicle frame wasn't
unheard-of, but in the grand scheme of things, I think these cars
find a closer modern relative in supercars and hypercars than in
the world of sports cars.
The Triumph TR250 was built between 1967 and 1968 by the Triumph
Motor Company in the United Kingdom. During this time 8400 cars
were built, all destined for the American market but many can now
be found outside the US, mainly in Europe but sadly, worldwide
there are now about 600 pieces left. The Triumph TR250 was
identical to the TR5 except for the fuel delivery system. The TR250
did not have the TR5's fuel injection system, instead the TR250 was
fitted with twin Weber carburetors. For consignment and the
beneficiary of a splendid restoration, we give you a Triumph TR250
right out of 1968. She's looking very snappy with beautiful paint,
a like new convertible top, a glistening grille and of course
Minilite style wheels. Purchased by our consignor from the son of
the original owner and at that time the car was serving long term
indoor storage and did not run, stop, or roll. We've come a long
way since that day and this stays true to its tradition of the
included British Motor History Heritage Trust report and goes with
a Jasmine exterior and black interior.
Exterior
Anytime we hear about restoration, I get excited because I know it
will be a painstaking process to get a beautiful yield in the end,
and this example does not disappoint. A very shiny front aluminum
ribbed and polished grille with round headlights completed by in
the hood casings and TR250 badging along with a transverse silver
nose stripe that contours over the fenders and dips downward lead
the way. A nicely polished bumper with vertical push bars frames
the bottom along with decidedly European yellow lense fog lights.
The rounded front quarters have a chrome trimming on the beltline
that race rearward from the integral side signal marker and this
helps highlight the boxy styling and large wheel look. The steel is
straight and rust free and bathed in gorgeous Jasmine, which is the
deep end of the pool. All panels are minding their gaps nicely and
up high we note a like new tan canvas convertible top fitted with
clear rear and side glastic. On the back, a nice spacious boot with
vertical tail fin accentuating tail lights for the rear quarter
endings highlight the rump. With the top lowered we catch a quick
glimpse of the interior as well as the small black rollbaradded for
you and your passengers safety. 15-inch Minilite faux knockoff hub
wheels on all 4 corners add to the decidedly British feel.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see a wonderfully restored black smooth
vinyl stitched panel with chromed window cranks, the door actuator,
and a small map pocket below. We also see all new weatherstripping
here and Jasmine painted metal is reserved for under the door jambs
which are all rust free. Dual tuck and roll insert, and smooth
black bolstered bomber styled buckets are in for the passengers and
these have nice wide white piping to highlight the edges. In the
back there is no seat, just carpeted panels in dark saddle looking
very clean and unused. Upfront, wood burl graces the dash front and
is peppered with beautifully restored nearly perfect black faced
British Smiths and Lucas gauges with white numbering, lettering and
white pointers all surrounded by black bezels and LED backlighting.
The burl stretches across the face of the dash and holds within 4
additional gauges and below this more knobs and pulls for your
enjoyment. A glovebox is accessible for the passenger in front and
a black padded vinyl dash top islooking very nice with no cracking
or fading. Residing on the hump is a small black plastic consolette
holding the wood ball topped shifter with the factory AM radio just
in front. Dark saddle carpeting is flooding the floors and looks
like new.
Drivetrain
Talk about pristine you need to gaze into this engine bay. All
bathed in Jasmine surrounding it and has all new wiring, supple
hoses and chromed accenting throughout. In its heart is the rebuilt
original 2498cc 6 cylinder with a chromed valve covering, during
the rebuild the engine numberswere removed during machining much to
our consignor's dismay. It is fed petrol through 2 rebuilt Weber
carbs, and has 4-speed manual transmission on back. The rear axle
weighs in at a 3.70 ratio and all is looking nearly showroom under
this bonnet with a cooling system flush and new radiator to ensure
reliability.
Undercarriage
Very clean, with a touch of surface rust and patina peppering the
black framing and floor pans, and single exhaust. It has a touch of
road dirt on her and does have power front disc brakes and power
rear drums which are all new. Independent coil springs are on front
and a rear coil spring and lever shock IRS provide the ride and
handling and we note a new rear differential cover has been
installed.
Drive-Ability
A super quick starter, and with a little choke once it warmed up it
ran swimmingly. Rail-like handling and snappy acceleration from the
6 cylinder fed by those 2 Webers. All working on the electrics,
save for the radio that is not hooked up, and all other functions
on this beauty worked crackingly.
This is a very economical way to get into the sports car game. A
totally buttoned up TR250 which has its charm and looks like it was
designed in the early 1960's and done so in Britain. I cannot get
enough of those large wheels, thin body and square styling with
neatly rounded over corners, and the hood formed headlight casings
are to die for. Quintessential Triumph.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.