TRIUMPH TR5
It’s top of the TR tree. Here’s what you need to know before buying one
ASK ABOUT ENGINE CARE
Bodywork is the costliest area to get right on these cars so look closely at the t of all of the panels, especially where the doors meets the rear wings. When the sills and oors rot, the gap opens at the top as the rear body starts to collapse – rectifying this properly is a very skilled – and therefore potentially very expensive – job. A car with dull paint and localised rust but good panel gaps will be much less expensive to restore.
HOW’S IT INSIDE?
Look for any cracks in the wooden dashboard, and the seat trims tend to give way around their seams with a lot of use. You should also scrutinise the carpet because it can start to look decidedly threadbare after years of footfall. Check the condition and t of the hood (especially around the door windows) and the hood cover; a tonneau cover is a plus
IS IT ON WIDER RUBBER?
Front suspension can wear rapidly and the steering become heavy if big, wide tyres are tted. Powerassisted steering conversions put extra strain on components far beyond what they were designed to take and it’s not uncommon for poorly-maintained suspension to collapse when driven hard on wide wheels/tyres. Likewise the front trunnions seize if they’re not lubricated properly when being tted.
CHECK THE TRANSMISSION
If there is a scraping noise from the transmission, dip the clutch in neutral to see if the noise reduces – if so, it could be either the clutch release or layshaft bearings. Check for leaks from the front and rear seals. Rear axles suer if allowed to run low on oil – check for oil leaks from the front and sides and for when driving.
GET IT ON A RAMP
Chassis condition is crucial and all sorts of horrors might have been concealed under ller and underseal. Get the car up on ramps and go over it carefully – all of the problems with a separate chassis can be found if you take the time to look. Check especially around body mounting outriggers, rear suspension and dierential mounting points. Ensure that past repairs are sound and not about to rot through again.