The Triumph TR Story
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- Triumph produced what might be the perfect open top sports car in the 1950s and 60s. A daily driver during the week, a track-day car at the weekends, and a whole heap of fun every day of the week! From its roots as a show car that was labelled a “death trap” to a much-loved icon of freedom on the open road, the Triumph TR cars have it all. For much of their life they battled MGs and Porsches for victory in the open top arena, having an amazing 28-year production run and it still inspires new open tops into the 21st century.
Contents:
0:00 Intro
0:59 Triumph Roadster
1:44 Triumph 20TS
3:20 Triumph TR2
4:42 Triumph TR3
5:39 Triumph TR3A
6:08 Triumph TR4
8:19 Triumph TR4A
10:12 Triumph Fury
10:49 Triumph TR5
11:50 Triumph TR6
13:05 Triumph TR7
17:54 Triumph TR8
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This video covers the Triumph Roadster, Triumph TRX, Triumph 20TS, Triumph TR2, Triumph TR3, Triumph TR3A, Triumph TR3B, Triumph TR4, Triumph TR4A, Triumph TR5, Triumph TR6, Triumph TR7 and Triumph TR8.
#TriumphTR #TriumphTR6 #TriumphTR7 - Авто та транспорт
I have a 1969 TR6 that I've owned for 31 years. It was built in early '69 and has been a 'love of my life'. Thanks Triumph!
As a former MGB owner, the joke in the 80's was that they tried to start a TR7 Owners Club but nobody would admit to having one.
Can't lie would toooootally love to own a tr7 I think we got the tr8 here in America but I'm nit very up on my triumph knowledge hence why I'm here XD
I owned a '76 TR7 back in the 80's. The drivers door fell off one day, the dash lights kind of worked... sometimes. One day the right headlight wouldn't go back down, took a month to find the short. If you drove through a puddle or if it was raining hard the distributor would flood out and kill the motor. It hated starting if it was below freezing, and it got beat in a drag race with a Datsun Pickup. Owned it for about a year, I sold it and got a used Oldsmobile Cutlass (it always ran - no matter what). Years later I was thinking about buying a TR7 Convertible (Drop Head), when the guy turned on the headlights they started going up and down, up and down, and wouldn't stop. I walked away thinking, "no, I don't want to go through this again".
I have a 1970 TR6. My uncle was the original owner and sold it to me for $1 because I loved the car so much. Such a fun car to drive. So happy I have it!
I have a 1965 TR4A that I bought 49 years ago for £200 .I have had literally a lifetime of fun from this car - and it was my only means of transport for 35 years, driving me to work every day, rain or shine. It's the best purchase I ever made. Thank you, Triumph!
Legend!
One in a Million
Let us know if you want to sell it - I'd give you £200 back !
@@thetessellater9163 That's great. Then he will not lose any money on it.
You are a real Thriuph owner. I like you for that.
I had a British Racing Green '62 TR3 in western Canada in back in 1975. That winter I drove it across Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. I tightened up the side curtains with bungee cords and wore long johns plus covered myself with a heavy woollen blanket all to ease the winter chills on that 4000 mile oddessy (because that little heater certainly was of no help 😄). I made it back home safely by on Christmas Eve. The car worked great throughout the whole trip and my younger brother was excited to see me arrive as he already had restored his own '59 MGA. The two of us had great fun back then bombing around with those two vehicles. Ya gotta love the old British sports cars!!!
I owned and drove a 1968 TR250 in the states in the 70's. The most fun to drive. I also owed and drove a 1973 MGB, also a fun car to drive. The Triumph was my favorite it was powerful and the ride was comfortable and tight.
Bought a new TR-7 in 1977. Dealerships were worthless, but once I found a great TR mechanic, I was good to go. Made two coast-to-coast trips in it with NO incidents. Loved that car. If Leyland had supported it better, I probably would still have it.
First attracted to Triumph's in grade school - Triumph dealer was next door to the school and the TR-3's caught my attention. Later I purchased at TR-4A IRS and kept it until I rolled it where a field draining across the road created a ice patch in my braking zone for a 90 degree turn. Traded that after it was repaired for a TR-250 which I ran until it was stolen. Used the insurance proceeds to get a 1969 TR-6. Kept the TR-6 until it wasn't practical in my job. Got an AMC Gremlin UGH! Got a TR-7 Convertible in 1979 and still have it as my 'toy' to this day. I competed in the TR-7 in local Autocrosses and won several local championships with it.
Fifty years later and I still miss my beautiful 1968 TR250 That car was a dream drive.
The TR6 remains one of the most iconic and sort after British sports cars ever. It's just so beautiful to look at with it's modern proportions and styling. Crushed by the British Leyland debacle and the absence of investment typical of British industry back then. The TR7 by comparison was a joke compared to virtually everything else that was available and the horrendous build quality from the Speke factory put another nail in the coffin of it and BL. Looking at the TR's from the 4 to the 6 brings water to my eyes as missed opportunities for British engineering. Great video and thank you to everyone who is still cherishing these cars today. The TR6 is on my retirement bucket list, and I wish I'd kept that GT6 Mk2 from my youth...
Well said - a former owner of a TR6 and TR7. call it taste of whatever, but I loved my TR7 but as you indicated the quality was abysmal. Completely agree -about the TR6 - I wish I still had mine - i was just at a different time in life and did not have the time or attention to redo - upgrade what I needed to -as i could have easily done today. So much fun to drive,
I am a proud owner of a 1966 TR4A IRS that I bought in 1978. Fully restored and will provide fun to me for years to come! Thanks for the video!!
My first car was a 1971 TR6 I bought in the early 80s. The car had a lot of character, was gorgeous, and was a lot of fun, in between breakdowns. I often think of getting one again...then I sober up.
Great video. I was the proud owner of a TR6 that I had for 20 years. It was so easy to work on the car just kept running without ever seeing a mechanic and me replacing parts as they wore out. On a beautiful day with the sun shining I really miss that car.
You, my dear friend, were the mechanic! My TR-6 could pass anything but a garage! :(
I came of age just as Triumph was closing up shop… but the futuristic look of the TR7 and 8 really intrigued me… I tried several times to buy used versions… but they always had mechanical issues and sadly never made it into my garage.
I was also young when the TR7 came out. I thought it was an amazing looking car.
Back in the late 60's and early 70's a friend of mine got into TR2's and 3's. He had about 7 of these cars and I essentially became his head mechanic since they required constant maintenance to keep them running. One of the cars he had had detonated it's transmission and we could not get a replacement anywhere at the time. He was thinking about parting the car out when I told him I might have a solution. I knew of a Triumph Ensign that was sitting in an auto wreckers yard. The car essentially had the same engine but in the case of this car, it had a Borg Warner automatic transmission in it. If we did the swap he would have the only TR3 with an automatic anywhere. The swap proved easy since the torque plate bolted right on and the transmission mounts required only a little bit of tweaking. We used the shifter out of a 65 Mustang and it looked like it was meant to be there. The only component we needed was a new driveshaft. About a year later he decided that keeping all 7 was far too expensive and time consuming so he took the best of the lot and parked the others with for sale signs in front of his fathers shop.
One Sunday afternoon we were in the shop working when I noticed a woman out front looking at the cars. I told him and we went out to talk to her. In conversation she told us that she had always wanted a sports car but couldn't have one. He asked why and she explained that for the life of her, she could not drive a car with a standard transmission. My buddy looked at me and then turned back to her and said, "Lady, have I got a deal for you." He took her over to the modified car and when she realized it was an automatic she fell in love with it. My friend asked if she would like to take it for a drive and she said, "Yes, very much so." I went and got the keys while he stayed and talked to her about the car. Shortly after she climbed in and away she went. She was gone about an hour and when she returned she asked how much and could she leave a deposit and bring you the balance tomorrow. He told her there was no need for a deposit and she could come back tomorrow with the cash. She received a hand written bill of sale and the next day she was back with a friend bearing cash and a license plate. While I was putting the plate on I watched her. I have never seen someone so excited over a car. She was like a little kid with a new toy. Once the paperwork was all done up and the transaction completed she climbed in, put a kerchief over her hair and away she went.
About a month later she was back with the car and we both assumed there was a problem. We went to talk to her and there was no problem. She just wanted me to give the car a thorough going over since she and a friend were planning to take it down the coast highway to California. I spent an hour checking the car and the only thing I found was a rear tire that should be replaced. She handed me $50.00 and said, "Thank you, I will put four new tires on it tomorrow." I used to see her from time to time and when I could talk to her I would ask how the car was. She would always smile and say, "It's just fine. It's my Baby." I had not seen her for years and assumed that she had moved on. One day I was coming out of a grocery store and a a shiny red TR3 went by with a young woman driving. She parked the car and walked towards the store. I commented on her car and like any good car lover she proceeded to tell me all about it. She told me it was a very special car and she had inherited it from her grandmother. I asked what was so special about it and she said, "It has an automatic transmission and that's why her grandmother had bought it." I looked at her and said, "An automatic with a 65 Mustang shifter." She looked stunned for a moment and then asked how I knew that. I told her I had built that car and I remembered her grandmother well. We went over to the car and she told me where her grandmother had been in that car. California, Texas, Mexico, New York City to name a few of the places. She had had the engine rebuilt along with the transmission and the car repainted because it was her "Baby". She had left it to her granddaughter because she admired it and again, could not drive a standard to save her life. I laughed when I heard that.
We parted shortly after that but as I drove away I couldn't help but think about how that car had became a cherished heirloom to that family and how I played a small part in that. I hoped that she would drive it and get as much fun and pleasure from it as her grandmother had.
This is a great story - it should be featured in the Triumph club mags!
I had a 1976 TR6 and loved that little car. Broke my heart to sell it when I was reassigned to Germany in 1988. I'm 70 years old now and giving that car up is one of the few real regrets I have. I think my wife agrees with me.
...I've been enjoying my TR3A now for 50+ years.....Like Terry Pattison, it was my only car for many years....The first 2 years through the winters of Northern Ontario (Can.) with no sidecurtains ...wearing snowmobile suits.....I had no clue I'd still be driving that $150.00 TR well into the 21st century ....Never restored,...just maintained as best as I could (rebuilt the motor during winter 1973/4 and still run 55lbs oil pressure ) .....Yes indeed, thank you Triumph for all the memories,....John (west coast, Can.)
John McKenna 😃👍
I had a TR7. I still have PTSD. The only thing that didn't fail or just fall off was the radio and I put that in myself.
Ahhh I love works of fiction. Thank you.
@@skylined5534 Ahhhh. I love reviews from people who neither read nor understood the book.
Yep..I had two TR's..they were both great..a baby blue 58TR3 and a black TR4..I forget the year of the TR4. I was finishing high school in 1963/64 and lived in the NorthWest USA and it was a super car for driving the country roads and twisty seaside areas. So easy to "toss around" and still have total control..Don't think I ever drove a car where I felt so "in control" no matter what was happening..You could pitch it hard into a corner and reverse steer ...if you wanted..and do it all day long and totally control all with just a touch on the steering wheel. There was never any "snap like" sudden misbehavior by the car. It was totally predictable and easily controlled.
Had a 68 TR250. Loved that car! 4A body with the new 6 cyl engine! Dual Carbs! Awesome speed!
I had a '58 TR3 as a junior and senior in College, 1968/69. Loved it. Fell for the look of the GT-6 and got a GT6+, which I kept for about a year. It seemed to run at the point of boiling over and was an oven inside. Had to put Koni shocks in it to keep the front end aligned. Moved on to a '71 TR-6.. Loved it. Kept it until it was wrecked in 1979 and then I found a '73 that had never been run on winter roads. Living in New England, this meant a lot. I still own and enjoy my Mimosa TR-6.
I had a 1966 TR4A IRS in the early seventies...Still my favorite of all the automobiles I have owned...
The TR5 is the best combination of looks and power.
Yes. Why so few make this point I’ve never been sure.
@@davidmacdonald1695 i suppose because it's less well known and realisation only comes through ownership.
I can back that
True information about Triumph Motor Company: ua-cam.com/video/heIx58ZH_bg/v-deo.html
@@davidmacdonald1695 IDK, auction prices closely reflect this. The TR4 is a relative bargain
I owned the last TR 6 off the assembly, and sold it back to BMC. It is sitting in a museum in England somewhere
DID YOU TAKE OVER ANY SWEET JUMPS?
You what?
I've never owned a Triumph TR or driven one even going to passenger but I've always liked those cars back since I was a little kid in 1970
In 1964, two friends had new MGBs. I drove theirs, then test drove a TR4. I lived in San Francisco (steep hills) and chose the TR4 mostly because it had a synchronized first gear and the MGB didn't. Drove it for seven years and 90K miles, and the last 10K miles were expensive. I described it at the time as an "80,000 mile car". Had a lot of fun in it, though.
Owned a '66 TR4A w/IRS from 1969 to 1982 and sold it when my second child arrived. Couldn't fit two car seats in the back! Loved the car; pitched and rolled in corners, went through countless U-joints (because of the IRS), always tuning the Stromberg carbs; but it was pretty quick in a straight line. Lots of great memories
I currently have a 1980 TR7 Spider EFI. This is the third TR7 I’ve owned and I have enjoyed this particular car immensely! I truly believe that the seven was a Greek tragedy from the get go. Every thing that could’ve gone wrong did but it my opinion that none of those problems were the car itself. It being underpowered wasn’t the original intent and the quality issues were merely a result of a very turbulent time. I still hold out hope that one day BMW perhaps will reissue this British classic as it did with the Mini.
The Triumph brand was long gone before BMW acquired Rover and got rights to the Mini brand.
I recall seeing my first TR in about 1976/77; I cannot remember exactly when but it was a yellow TR7. I was on the school bus just entering Bridgnorth from the direction of Telford. Little did I know that TRs would become an obsession, however as for the yellow TR7 the jury was out.
By contrast it was love at first site for the TR4. It was 1982 and I was a cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. One evening I walked out of New College and there were 3 TR4s parked side by side; red, white and blue. At that time I didn't know of TR4s and TR4As; in fact for all I know one may have been a TR5, but the body styling captured my motoring heart and I was determined that one day I would own one.
Fast forward to 1985 and the decision was made, I had read up about TR4s and it was to be a TR4A for me. No internet then, it was a case of looking through Exchange & Mart for that dream car. By now I was a commissioned officer in the REME studying mechanical engineering at university and so with a view that I could finish off a partially restored car that I went to view one at a dealership near Oxford. It was a lot more work than I intended, however they also had a 1975 magenta TR6 and on impulse I bought it. The TR6 was a great car and I loved driving it, but mine was a Friday pm car and it wasn't a TR4, however it put me off the IRS as I found it a bit too lively on country lanes.
In April 1986 I got to scratch my itch and bought a 1963 TR4, it was painted plumb, TR6 colour, had no chrome and no carpets. In 1987 I was posted to Germany and so sold my troublesome TR6, loaned the TR4 to a friend to use as they daily runner for a year before driving it to Germany in the summer of 1988. Over the next 2 years I did a superficial restoration painting the car back to the original white, fitting new interior trim and chrome. I still have the car 35 years later and love it as much today as I did when I bought it.
Having retired from the Army after 33 years I fancied a project. The natural thing to do would have been to do a full restoration on the TR4; it is getting to the stage of needing some attention, however the side screen cars had my attention and so it was in late 2018 I imported a LHD TR3A from California based solely on photos and a short video of it driving.
Today the car has been in restoration for just short of 3 years. The chassis was stripped completely and taken back to bare metal and powder coated. The body tub is now back on with new floor pans and boot floor. It has been painted in primrose yellow; the colour it left the factory in back in 1958. The engine and running gear are on, it has been converted to RHD and now it is a case of working on each of the body panels. My son wants to use it as his wedding car in the summer of 2023, so there is my target and this is the story of my love affair with Triumph TR sports cars.
I had a red 1966 TR4 with wire wheels
and Stromberg carburetors. It was a
great car to drive and holds many fond
memories.
I had a '71 TR6, was British Racing Green w/red interior, looked great with the red boot cover...had factory AC and overdrive, wire wheels and dual Stebro Exaust...and the "sound" it made while cruising in 3rd gear, around 3k rpm was nothing short of amazing. Sold it in '75 and dreaded it to this day. As most of you know, once you have a true sports car, you're gonna have another one at some point...so last Dec I bought an '07 Saturn Sky that only had 38k miles, it's a very shinny silver...beautiful car, and fun to drive...BUT IT AIN'T A TR6!!!
My Dad had a 1969 TR6 for about 30 years and used it regularly. It was one of the last unrestricted cars. He had the hard top, soft top and tono-cover. He spent years buying spare to keep it pristine. My Mum would say he had enough spare parts in the garage and body panels in the loft to build another car. He only sold it when he recovered from cancer and decided to concentrate on the motorbikes.
They’re hard to get in and out of. I wonder if that was a factor.
In the 70's I had a friend and neighbour who's father was Managing Director of Dutton Forshaw, North West. He often used to come home in new TR6's so I got to ride in them often, as well as Dolomite Sprints, 2.5PI's, 2500S' etc. I loved them all.
I had a 1965 TR4 which I kept until 1971. Excellent little car, and really loved driving it. I wish that I had another one now!!
Love the classic look of the TR7.
This video keeps my mind springing back to Coventry and the two Art Deco styled office buildings on Fletchamstead Highway - one for Service the other Engineering. One TR7 story comes to mind. For us engineers it was codenamed “Bullet” and one had to be careful not to put a “The” in front of it. One day my colleagues and I were taking a prototype to MIRA in Nuneaton for testing. These cars were painted Matt black and camouflaged with a canvas rear extension and wooden blocks on the wings (fenders) to disguise the radical new “Wedge” design. All the development vehicles had left hand steering and I was in the passenger seat. As we were zipping through the country roads we were pulled over by a West Midland police car. Probably an Austin Westminster. Of course, he came to the right hand side of the car and asked me “What’s going on here”. I told him I wasn’t the driver and he needed to speak with the other chap. He wasn’t amused until I pointed out I did not have a steering wheel!
I had two TR4s. I loved them both. My mother always held onto something when riding with me. My father would never even get in. I have always been a careful driver but the older generation always expected disaster.
My Aztec Gold 1980 TR8 convertible was a fantastic car - growly and torquey Rover 215 V8, a very nice shifting 5 speed gearbox, a lovely supple and very sporting suspension and road feel, a spacious and comfortable cockpit that was surprising buffet free top down at high speeds, a glovebox that could hold a twelve pack of beer, a GM sourced Frigidaire AC that could power a refrigerator, a blast furnace of a heater (great for top down motoring in the dead of winter) and a very roomy trunk. I absolutely loved that car. A very much unloved and underappreciated classic that changed minds when skeptics got behind the wheel and went for a grin inducing drive. I installed a Blaupunkt Berlin cassette deck with a 350 watt amp and the top of the line Altec Lansing Voice of the Highway 7 speaker system with the powered subwoofer. Amazing little car! If you find a nice example in good shape go the restomod "correction" setup - Holley or Edelbrock small 4 barrel carb and chrome air cleaner, Offy intake manifold, modern Mallory distributor and ignition, custom headers, Mallory fuel pump, upgraded rack and pinion kit, disc brakes and shocks at all four wheels with larger modern rims and tires and bushings, upgraded radiator, water pump and cooling fans. Seems like a lot of trouble but these upgrades "correct" the original TR8's weakness and flaws and turns them into monster sleepers.
i Started my TR addiction in 1962 , with a TR 2 which was written off by an Austin A55 failing to stop and hitting the rear end,, so then moved on to a big Healey , loved that car but the fuel consumption was not affordable on a just married motor mechanic wages ,, so it had to go ,, I then scoured the Exchange an Mart (shows how long ago it was ) and their she was a 1959 TR3 A so we journeyed a long long way to see it , so their we were the proud new owners of TR again ,, and yes we still have all these year later,, around 53 years on
leonard clutterbuck What a great story, cheers to you Sir!
I had a Triumph Spitfire, 1969 in British Racing Green! I loved that car so much! Living in San Diego, California where average rain was 12 inches, the top was down about 350 days a year. I would probably still have it now, 55 years later if it hadn’t been stolen. Thanks for the memories even though I didn’t have a TR, it’s close enough! But the car I always wanted was an Austen-Healey 3000.
I had a TR4 and loved it. It was a perfect car for a man in his late teens and early 20's. Mine was all black and I thought I was hot stuff. This video brought back fond
memories. Thanks.
I've had two TR7s in the past and both were great cars to drive. Excellent handling but still very comfortable. And I still love the looks.
How was the reliability?
Hi my first car was a TR3A then two TR7 convertibles . All really good fun . I'm 66 now and have a new MX5 , easier too live with but is it so memorable ? Maybe not . Still fun .
I had a TR-7 too, roughly in 78. I still love the looks. I must say rust became a huge issue. The aluminum head needed milled plus it required a new drive shaft. I liked the car, fast it was not but sure got looked at.
After it came an 86-7 300ZX. Unlike the TR that always seemed to be having an issue, the ZX car was really well built.
I have a 73 TR6 from down south in the States in Arizona so it's in beautiful shape although next month I'm replacing the complete wiring harness, new top, dual Webber's with a new intake and exhaust manifold and putting on dual exhaust. I love that car. All day long people want to come and talk to me about. And that sound of the inline-six.. nothing like it.
I loved my yellow TR7. However, it cost me an arm and a leg in repairs and in the end caught fire on the motorway and my girlfriend refused to get in it again. I sold the remains of my car and got myself a Metro Turbo. Hardly ever think about the Metro but still yearn for a TR7.
My father had a TR-3b back in 1966 .. It was a lot of fun to get around in .. Miss that car
I still miss my TR6 , it was in mimosa and a 1973 car, I still have its number plate on my study wall, along with a large photo. I checked the reg and its still alive .I always seemed to be working on the car. But it was worth it, I even had a hard top too.
Been in love with TR6's and GT6's for decades. Amazing designs for not much money.
Same, been procrastinating for years, weather to go for a better looking GT6 or the better chassis of a TR6?
@@bernardwarr4187 We're only given about 30,000 days in this life. Go ahead and do it. Buy the GT6 and enjoy yourself. If you want to push it harder for whatever reason, like autocross, then just improve the chassis.
My Triumph TR 4 , 1964 was a pleasure, fun drive 🌅
Between the TR4 and TR5, to me that is the pinnacle of style and performance for the TR cars.
Great memories of my old Spitfire and TR7... thanks.
Funny coincidence, my first car was a 71 Spitfire and I currently own an 80 TR7. I miss that Spitfire.
Restoration Obsession beautiful corvette mate! One of my personal favourites.
1972 Triumph TR6 was my all time favorite new car I bought - EVER. I'm 75 years old now and only wish it could be reproduced exactly with more power. In 1971, I purchased aforementioned 72 for $3950 U.S. without a AM radio. Loved that 4 speed transmission, red line tires, but the twin carburetors were temperamental if they got out of sync.
I saw a 1975 TR-6 , three years ago with only 34,000 miles on it for sale at a garage/gas station in the old money part of town, where widows would have that garage, that they'd always gone to, sell their late husband"s favorite weekend toy, as part of liquidating the estate, so it seemed, that there was always a new looking 280SL or 230SL roadster for sale there which had always been kept in a garage.. The TR-6 looked like new, and they only wanted $18k for it. ...Too bad for me, It was the one that got away! I was in the middle of a move and a big project at the time and just wasn't in a position to buy it. It was the first TR-6, that I'd seen in at least 25 years. I thought, that they'd all rusted and crumbled to dust by then. I imagine, that it hadn't been driven in 15 years, because elderly people around here, when they get too feeble to drive, often keep their cars, until they die, not so much in the hopes, that they'll get better, but their car represents their last vestige of independence!
Search OFFERUP and Craigslist Los Angeles, Orange County,San Diego, Basically all up the West Coast You can find what your looking for at really low Prices guaranteed and the vast majority rust free .Even if you Claculate Shipping with a British or EU exchange rate ,though registering is another cost which you can look into.hope it helps .
I always wanted a TR-6 when I was in college on the east coast. I didn't get one because of it's size. Then I move to Los Angeles, the town where a Triumph TR-6 would have been right at home!!
Great video! I do disagree with your version of events regarding the reasons for going to carburettors on later 2.5PI's and TR6's though. Yours is the sanitised marketing department version. My father-in-law who was a highly competent engineer had an exchange of letters with the Chief Engineer at British Leyland following a catastrophic crankshaft failure in a 30000 mile old 2.5PI. what followed between them was a fantastically truthful and Frank conversation about all the 'challenges' that motor faced, the reasons for them and the course of action to be taken by BL to stop them. Quite a story!
I’m probably one of the few owners lucky enough to have owned the TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A,, TR5 and the TR6. I was 18 years old in the 60’s and it was then rare for teenagers to even own a car let alone a sports car! I loved them all but I did also own at different times, an Austin Healey BN1, an MGA fixed head coupe and an MGB and MGC. Much as I liked the other makes, my real love was the TR range other than the TR7 which I never owned as I didn’t consider it worthy of the TR title!
I'm 72 in the USA and until today had never heard of a TR5... just assumed it was a flop designation, skipped over, and never sold... first car was a '55 Morris Minor so was aware of British stuff... here in 1960's, many kids with an after school job could buy a new Pontiac GTO, Chevelle, Fairlane, Dart, etc... but new car prices have now gone out of reach of most in that age group now... The price of 2000's GTOs revival was up about 11 fold, but wages only up about 5 fold... Currently have a '75 MG Midget...
You missed the TR 250.
I grew up with these cars. I always loved the TR6 but oddly didn't think much of the TR7. I never owned any Triumph, but did have a Fiat X1/9. 124 Spider (70s era) and Supra Turbo MK3 with sport roof. I still have a soft spot for the TR6.
As a poor 21 year old living in London, I got my kicks test driving sports cars. I fondly remember thrashing a TR5, drifting around a narrow hedgerow lined country lane as I came across another sports car doing the same thing at the apex in the other direction. Somehow, we both made it through unscathed. Sweet youth, sweet car...
I was 4 wheel drifting my '62 Jetfire w/ the Buick/Rover/Olds 3.5L engine at 90 MPH around the curves in I-23 expressway above Ann Arbor... ua-cam.com/video/iieDedNEYuI/v-deo.html
A friend had a TR3a back in the mid 60's. It was my first exposure to a real sports car. MANY happy memories from that little yellow roadster. My 718 Cayman (despite being a coupe) reminds me a lot of that experience. Great video. Brought back a lot of memories!
My older sister bought a '72 tr6, I bought a '71 tr6, and my older brother bought a '74 tr6. Lots of fun!
Thanks for the video.
I've owned my 1969 TR6 since 1991 and it's a wonderful car.
My TR6 was also a 1969 with overdrive it was vey reliable except for the light switch.
Had a 1968 Triumph TR 250 just out of high school. Loved it! Like new, rode great and excellent power. Top down driving at it’s best!
I had two 1954 TR 2's. The first in London in 1964-5 and the second in Singapore for 20 years. The TR 2 was a very basic car but huge fun to drive. I found it great to complete on the Malaysian plantation roads on which we often competed. The power and range in 2nd gear was great. This car gave me some of the most enjoyable times and many competition successes.
My older brother had several MG's in the late 60's and early 70's. I still remember looking through the owners manual from one of his Midgets. There, in the recommended maintenance section, it said you were supposed to replace the connecting rod bearings every 25,000 miles. Yes, you read that right. MG recommended new rod bearings every 25K miles.
If you didn't do it, they threw a rod at 26K... don't ask how I know that... also, the valve springs broke and dropped the valves into the engine at 26K... the trannies disintegrated at 26K...
The front suspension required full lubing at 1,000 miles... this seemed stupid in a country like the USA that is 2,200 miles wide... a simple drive from New York to Cal required 2 full maintenance stops? 3 - 5 stops round trip ???
UK taxed engines by bore diameter, so British cars were undersquare... small bores, long strokes, and didn't like to rev high for very long... and didn't... Their first oversquare engine was the 1950 design Buick 215" aluminum V8 they bought lock, stock, tooling, and barrel from GM in mid 1960's. The Brits were amazed! An engine that ran at any speed for 250,00 miles with just oil, points, oil pumps, filters, water pump changes... and weighed less than their 4 banger engines... gave smooth effortless power...
I owned a yellow TR6 back in the 70’s. On a smooth road, the car was a hoot to drive.
Great video. Love the archive film.
In the 50s my dad was a competition mechanic at Standard Triumph under Ken Richardson so I have fond memories of TR3s.
I owned a ‘68 TR250 and a ‘73 TR6. For me the sweet spot of Triumph cars was the TR5, great styling, fuel injection, 5 speed gear box, independent rear suspension and wire wheels. I’ve owned a number of sports cars over the last 40 yrs and the TR’s were the most fun to drive. Currently driving a Porsche Boxster S.
I owned a 1967 TR4A for a couple of years around 1971 when I was about age 21 (British racing green with wire wheels) and while it looked great, it was known for overheating and the cylinder head kept cracking.
I purchased my first car in 1970. It was a 1964 TR-4 for $400. I owned it for 20 months having to sell it in 1971 for $785 for college money. 80% of what I know about working on cars was learned owning that car. As soon as I purchased it, the head gasket blew. Once that was fixed, the clutch went out. Fairly major projects for a person who was just learning but that knowledge has served me well.
Similar story here. My first car was a 62 TR4 in 1971 when I was 16. I worked on that car almost every day for three years. Even though it required CONSTANT maintenance, it's still my favorite.
I owned a Triumph TR 7...... I loved that car, it was 1977 gorgeous blue.... it was gorgeous.... ad what performance it gave me.... I still think about it.....but for the last eight years, I have a Mazda Miata.....Ferrari Red convertible....she is also very peppy...!!!!..
I've owned 2 TR3s and a 1967 TR4A IRS (purchased new). Loved them all.
I have a 1973 TR6 and a 1981 TR7 V8. They are both beautiful cars and are a joy to drive. Their little idiosyncrasies of minor mechanical issues now and again, are easily overcome and almost add the joy of ownership.
I’m always impressed how British executives have destroyed their motorcar industries. Not that American executives aren’t busy killing off GM and Chrysler. I liked the TR7/8. But it was difficult to compete with the reliability of the 240Z
Had a ‘71 240z but I wanted the TR6. Could not get a friend to even trade for his.
The unions started the rot.
@@rappers5719 Not reaIIy .
@@abbush2921 Well, let's just say that there was also no shortage of hi-profile labor strikes during that era. So there was plenty of blame to go around for both Labor and Management. BTW, the Germans have an interesting alternative, mandated by law, which instead of the usual adversarial relationship, now constitutionally guarantees that Labor gets an equal seat at the table in all major corporate decisions.
@@rappers5719 Back in the late '70s I met a German apprentice on holiday in the UK and after hearing how he was trained and treated I realised that British manufacturing as a whole was well and truly bleeped. I suggest that you examine the history of how German management incorporated unions into the manufacturing & business process. In contrast My father, for instance, worked for Massey Ferguson in Coventry at the Banner Lane factory "on the line" in the '80s. If he had any suggestions to improve processes he was told by management that it was not his job to make such suggestions. Management of companies in other countries were at the same time rewarding workers for suggestions which were adopted and "quality circles" were in use. Management has the ultimate power and it is their culture & power that prevails, and the saying"a fish rots from the head" is very apt (you only have to look at Boeing).
I had a TR-4 and it would rev until you took your foot off it, over 6000 and 120 mph. It would outrun, out brake, and out corner a new 289 Mustang, which surprised both of us! Absolutely a great car.
When I was an apprentice I got to tour the Triumph factory and watched the TR4 & the USA special ordered production run of the TR3 made side by side
Where were you an apprentice at?
@@grahamespin2779 Plessey in Swindon , form 59 to 64 , and you?
Just found your channel and it’s an absolute gem. Thanks for putting all the work into this. It shows!
back in the 70's i wanted to get a tr6. used, as i was a student. was $200 shy of the purchase price so i bought a toyota celica st instead. loved the celica but even to this day i stop and take a deep breath whenever i see a tr6 on the road. beautiful.
I own drive and love a 1975 TR6, tuned up, performance cammed and... just the best most fun car I've ever driven in my 51 years.
Had 1964 and 1971 spitfire, 1969 GT 6+6 1974 TR6, 1969 spl 311 Datsun roadster, 1960 Sunbeam Alpine always here in NY state. All of them were well enjoyed three season cars and wish I could go back in time and do it again!
I owned a 68 TR-250..I was stationed at Camp Pendleton and bought it from a used car sales lot in San Diego in 81.
She was in need of some TLC..and didn't have the funds at the time...Yep, one of those cars I kick myself for selling...I ran into only the fourth owner of her a few years back...He kept the original color a cream color..He has my name and number if he decides to sell one day...
A very fun British car...
IMHO. The TR6 is the best looking car ever made. In high school I drove a 1967 Triumph Spitfire MK3 but always aspired for a TR6. The Spitfire was a great car but eat every dime I ever made at my teenage jobs : ( It always ran, but never with everything working... at the same time. Still, fond memories.
I can't believe I just found your videos. Subscribed! Thanks!
Back in the early 70s my colleague had a TR6 while I had a FIAT 124 Spider. It was a toss up whose car would start on any particular day. Well presented, thanks from Orlando Florida.
I still have my 72 tr6 with removable steel hard top, i loved and still love it, my girl friend who i ended up marrying had a Fiat 124 Sport Spider that was very good handling car but OMG it was always breaking down hence Fiat was acronym for Fix It Again Tony
Oh, yeah. Fiat Fix it again, Tony.
Thanks for this very nice retrospective! I had TR250 in NY which I had bought in the early 80s and restored myself. I loved it, but indeed it was a litlle sluggish. It looked pretty good though and sounded great.
I own a 1974 Triumph TR-6. Paul Newman raced one. Enough said! All the quirks have been repaired.
You are lucky. Where I live, the quirks are suicidal drivers on dangerous highways. I wouldn't want a rare, special car damaged by some idiot driver in a hurry to get home to the TV.
We live in the time of: Idiot Highway Drivers. Very Common.Be Careful.
What an interesting video! Keep them coming - really informative and just the right tone.
Great presentation as yours always are,and I enjoyed it! I am 69 years old and we owned a 50's Triumph sedan for a short time in early 60's. I had a friend who had a T.R. 250 which I tried to buy for years, and he traded it in on a T.R.6. I think the 4,5,6 series was most beautiful Triumph made and look to get one some day. I owned a 67 Sunbeam Alpine MK V which I bought in 1971 from a co worker who had purchased a Tiger. I loved the MK V and finally sold it to my Brother in Law. They went to the Alpine fast back afterward and it was nice, but just not the same. Mark from Michigan, U.S.A.
I really enjoy reminiscing with your stories and remembering the cars I grew up with. Thank you!!!
My dad owned a TR3a that I learned to drive on. Very dependable, good handling and he kept it for years.
Great historic tour, always loved the TR6, getting this background story was awesome.
drove my '57 to California and back to BC without a problem and then throughout Western Canada, including two straight years with tonneau only before buying a '69 124 Fait Spyder which succumbed to front suspension rust in four years. Loved them both
The Fiat 124 was a handsome car but Italian cars had that odd steering wheel. The reborn model looks better than the Miata on which it is based.
Agree coompletely on both counts. I replaced my "bus driver" steering wheel with one which had a smaller diameter and a thicker rim.
I have owned Dolomite Sprints, Dolomites and a TR7 with a 2 litre 8 valve engine and I have to say the TR7 engine was really very good, with much more torque than previous versions of the engine and good free revving power
I love your big car videos. I love the history side of things and the detail of car specifications. Perfect.
So, I had a '74 French Blue TR 6, 2 speed overdrive. Loved it immensely, but at less than 3 years, I had to trade it off as it was nickel/diming me to death. Rebuilt alternator, maybe 3-4 headlight switches, collapsed muffler, sagged rear springs, rear window zipper replacement. broken plastic ext. tonneau snaps, rebuilt clutch pedal reservoir. Probably other things I can't remember replacing in under 3 years. Cold as h*ll in the winter, made insulators for the interior soft top. As for pro's, oil always remain pristine looking at each oil change. Had a chance to get another one, then remembered why I got rid of the first one.
I owned a TR-4 for 7 yrs during and after college. It was a magnet for the females, the cute factor. It was loud and slow; but, great fun to drive, provided it was not cold; the heating and defrost was primitive. Always remember, it had a wet clutch and one time at college my girlfriend was driving the TR while I drove my roommates Pontiac back to the dorm. The clutch reservoir was low on fluid, going up a steep San Francisco type hill. You guessed it, the clutch failed, slipped and all I heard from a block away as horns honking B/C the clutch was slipping and no movement. Just one of those wonderful, crazy experiences. I put 50,000 miles on the TR and in the shop way too much. Lots of fun when tuned and running good.
Best to you.
You mean hydraulic clutch... "wet clutches" are found in most motorcycles...
My first and last British car. 1969 TR6 in yellow. Loved it!
I had a TR7 in 1978. Wonderful car, second hand to me, it needed some repairs to the suspension but really a treat after. I regret selling it.
I remember the TR-4, Spitfire, MG-B and all those cars well. I aspired to own one but it never happened as my attention was diverted to Mustang. I dreamed of getting a GT-6 when I was a soldier in Vietnam. I loved the redwall tires on Triumph.
THIS is what I was looking for! Very informative and relaxing.
...One correction if I may. I owned a 1962 TR 4 A . The 'A' stood for independent rear suspension . I also had a bubble top ( fiberglass). Lost this beauty on Easter Sunday 1969 on my way home from work due to a drunk driver. Most beautiful car I ever owned ! (red)
I owned a 1976 TR6 for almost a year. I'd wanted one for twenty years when I saw one at a used car lot. It was a car from an Estate sale and after new brakes all around and some clever juggling on the part of my mechanic to balance the Webers, that baby ran like a scalded cat. In the midst of enjoying the car I was retired on disability. I admit it took a while to get in and out, but it was so much fun to drive. I sold it and had back surgery two days later. A coincidence of course, although I couldn't convince my Doctor of that.
After falling in love with the early TR 2 as an 18yo kid in 1969, I couldn't afford one but I had the opportunity to buy an old MG TD....THE most fun I ever had in a car :) Never was able to buy a TR but was consoled for some time by my TD.