The Triumph TR250 was basically a TR4 body with a 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine installed, and for US delivery that included twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors (overseas it was Lucas fuel injection – those cars were called TR5s). This car was made to bridge the gap between the cessation of the TR4 and the introduction of the TR6. Gap cars can tell a story, revealing a company’s condition and philosophy, and so it is with the TR250. When the competition began to compromise TR4 sales, money was tight. Triumph was just about to be merged into British Leyland, but it did have a six-cylinder motor on the shelf that it had been using – in one form or another – since 1960. Into the TR4 that went, creating a controversial solution. Customers were expecting an all-new car but instead were asked to make do with a hotted-up version of an old body style. British Leyland procured a cut-rate deal with Karmann, the German coachbuilder, to facelift the TR4 so the TR6 could hit showrooms in about a year from design to manufacture. Once the TR6 was available, BL pulled the plug on the TR250. Only 8484 were made over about 13 months. Here on eBay is a mint example of a 1968 Triumph TR250, bid to $15,200, reserve not met, and located in Portland, Oregon. We thank T.J. for this tip!
This car has benefited from regular maintenance, with those records available. Work performed by British Auto Works in 2019 included new master and slave cylinders, and rebuilt carburetors. The motor is Triumph’s in-line six-cylinder, originally developed for use in the Vanguard in 1960. By the time it was installed in the TR250, it displaced 2.5 liters and made 110 bhp. This was the second controversial feature of the TR250 – its serious power deficit relative to the TR5 delivered with fuel injection in Europe. Those cars made 140 bhp and sprinted circles around their US cousins. Still, the motor was better than the wheezy, agricultural four-cylinder it replaced. Compression is said to be 150 psi in each cylinder – a healthy number. We’re not going to complain about this pristine engine bay, either!
The interior is equally well-kept, a minor miracle for a British car. Spend some time looking at even great British roadsters of this ilk and you’re likely to find peeling finishes, carpet that won’t stay put, vinyl tears, and cracked dashes. None of that here; this car looks show-ready. The seller reports that the top is new and the car has new chrome wire wheels. We know he cares, too, because he even replaced the spare. This car has a four-speed manual gearbox.
A full suite of underside photos is posted. While the seller’s description is brief, the photos drive home the point that this car has been well cared for. I live nearby, so it would be easy for me to inspect the car, but ironically I’d be happy with a call to the owner and his mechanic. This might be a car I could buy sight unseen. As far as value, the TR250’s rarity and performance have launched prices past $30,000 in some cases. It would not surprise me if this seller was hoping for a number close to that.
Beautiful example of a rare car. Always was a fan of the TR4s and their TR250 cousin.
I knew of one of these in our town.The body was all done
& painted in that Pale Primrose color.It just needed to be put back
together & fine tuned.The seller wanted $5000 for it,which was a
steal.It was another one of those cars I always kept in the back of
my mind,to buy if I ever got the space & money.
I ended up letting people know about it.A guy came up from
the Sacramento area & bought it.I was a little bit upset that he never
got back to me about the progress he made on it.
I didn’t get any money out of the deal,just tried to help the
seller out.
There is one in Cedar Falls, Iowa that is just as clean.
Wonderful cars. I bought a project 250 in college when I was 20 – kept it 38 years! It had some primer over the BRG for the first 10 years. Eventually I had the resources to make it nearly perfect. Still wasn’t as nice as this one, though … love this!
Merry Christmas!
Is this IRS model?
Yes. All TR250s are IRS. TR4As had an IRS option, but all 250s and TR6s were IRS.
Beg to politely differ Michelle. I have had two TR4’s and ’69’ TR6. I always thought those four bangers were tough, and gave a gave a spirited ride through the gears.
Still have my ’64’ …
Totally get it. I have an MGA, talk about agricultural, holy cow. I prefer the primitive to the finessed, I was reflecting what buyers saw at the time.
In the picture the car does not have chrome wire wheels, but maybe the owner has added them on since.
I owned a TR-250 during the ’80s and I found it to be a reliable sports car that always got me to school or work…and with a touch of class. Interesting that what in 1968 was looked down upon by some car magazines as “old wine in a new bottle” tends to sell for double or so what a TR-6 in similar condition will fetch.
Nice. Any chance and converting this to a fuel injected engine?
Yes. I had the PI (petrol injection) system on my stock 250 motor for several years. The PI engines used to be easy to find in England. I found mine in Los Angeles in 1983. I sold the engine and PI bits to a guy in TX several years ago.
The system is mechanical and requires a ridiculous PSI – 120 pounds if I recall. I plumbed it with 3/8″ copper tubing along the frame. It was a beast! The weak link is the rear end. I went through two mounting brackets and one “pumpkin.”
Other popular HP boosts for the 2.5 include a triple Weber carb setup, or a single carb and supercharger.
In England these were badged as a TR5,
& came with fuel injection.
Biggest problem for triumph was the tin worm. However this one looks to be in pristine show room condition
My 250 I’m about 75% complete in the assembly stage of restoration. It’s not as original as this at all, steel TR 6 wheels instead of the wire, TR 6 highback seats, and a ’72 TR 6 motor, with new down draft webber carbs. However its the same color signal red, the nose stripe, and 4 speed transmission. It was a barn find by the person who owned it before me. He had done a very substandard attempt at restoration except for the interior, the dash which is teak, and convertible top which were all new. I acquired it in running condition for $2500 years ago, and after a year began the restoration which because of my work has taken forever. I have around $15,000 invested now though I’m not intending to sell it. This spring it should be finished, and I can’t wait to get it out on the road. What’s amazing is I bought my 250 in Tigard, OR close to where this one is for sale!