Complete with a good history file detailing significant expenditure
Undergone a full engine rebuild less than 1,000 miles ago
The Appeal
The TR250 was built alongside the TR5 at Coventry for just over a year between August 1967 and September 1968. Virtually identical to the TR5 the TR250 was designed primarily for the North American market and swapped out the TR5’s Lucas mechanical fuel injection for twin Zenith-Stromberg carburettors.
The TR250 has everything a classic British sports car should have and that is the basis of its considerable charms. The delightful Michelotti design manages to be both muscular and sophisticated in just the right proportions. The wire wheels, ornate chromed side light pods and that signature power bulge in the bonnet combine to make this the architype of ‘60’s British sports cars. ZxQE6KmZz7fLrrr81SAt6jvfcDOziZv6xgmJKcce.jpeg3.67 MB
The History and Paperwork
The car started its life as a USA specification, left hand drive car destined for export
Rather than crossing the Atlantic, the car was supplied new via a dealer in Germany
This may suggest that the car’s first owner was a in the US military and posted in Germany
At some point in its past the car was re-imported to the UK
A right-hand drive conversion was seeming done at that point
The current owner became just the third custodian in 2015
At that point a full engine rebuild was undertaken at a cost of over £2,000
Since then, the car has covered less than 1,000 miles
It is this lack of use that prompts this sale
The car comes with a good paperwork file
This includes the current V5 and a current MOT valid until November 2022
Despite this the car is registered as a Historic Vehicle and so VED and MOT exempt
There is a good level of invoices and previous MOT’s on hand
A BMIHT copy of factory record for the car is also included
The black, perforated vinyl seat covers are in decent, overall condition
The driver’s seat does exhibit a bit of age-related wear and the internal structure may need some attention by the new owner
The carpet set appears to be in good overall condition
The wood veneer dash is populated by a number of original Smiths gauges
Ahead of the steering wheel is the large speedometer and tachometer so evocative of the period
A delightful, wooden rimmed MotaLita alloy steering wheel is fitted
An additional spare steering wheel (pictured) is included
The door cards are finished in black vinyl and appear to be in good overall shape
A period-correct Aiwa stereo unit is fitted
The interior of British sports cars of this period are a positive antidote to the screen and technology laden cabins of todays cars, and all the better for it. This TR250 is certainly no exception to that and is clearly orientated towards the sporting driver of the period.
This interior appears to be complete and predominantly period correct. There is some scope for further improvement should the new owner desire it, but it remains in a very useable condition.
The Exterior
This TR250 appear to wear its original Royal Blue paintwork
The paintwork is in generally good condition but may benefit from a professional machine polish
There are some areas of surface corrosion in evidence
These are primarily to the leading edge of the bonnet and to the offside door shut
The bodywork is generally good with no dents or dings noted or reported
The car rides on chromed wire wheels, affixed with chrome twin-eared spinners
The wheels are shod in Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres
The tyres appear to be in good overall condition with good levels of tread remaining
The hood is a black fabric item, and the canopy appears to be in very good condition
The plastic rear window set is a little discoloured and the rear window appears to have had a basic repair (pictured) at some point
The cabin glass is in great, original condition with no issues noted
All the correct badges and emblems appear to be fitted
The Michelotti design is an enduring one. Quite a small car by today’s standards but one which continues to appeal with its classic beauty and charm. The car looks good overall and is in a very useable condition. A new owner has the potential to further improve the paintwork in places, if they wish, to bring the car up to a more show-orientated standard.
The TR250 is fitted with the same 2,498cc, 6-cylinder engine as found in the TR5
The TR250’s engine was fed through twin carburettors as opposed to the mechanical fuel injection of its brother
This was primarily to meet the more stringent US emission standards of the time
The engine was originally rated at 111bhp
Power was fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox
This car underwent a full engine rebuild in 2015, less than 1,000 miles ago
This was a thorough rebuild undertaken at a cost of over £2,000
As a result, the car is understood to perform very well with no mechanical issues being reported
For many the straight-six engine of the TR’s of this period is a sweet-spot for British sports cars. It was a considerably more appropriate powerplant than the lowlier four-cylinder units of the time giving these TR’s some substantive performance for the time. They sound great too. Purposeful without being obtrusive. An ideal companion to the svelte Anglo-Italian styling of the TR250.NhJPjQ8Hlt8tiIUEDJLgGoi5e097JmoCA70Db77W.jpeg1.87 MB
Summary
The TR250 is a worthy contender for the role of “thinking person’s classic British sports car.” It ticks all the boxes in terms of svelte design, proven mechanicals and simple yet effective engineering. The carburettors fitted to the TR250 also bypass some of the problems associated with the early fuel injection system in the TR5 and TR6. Spares are widely available at a reasonable cost so these cars can make a lot of sense for the connoisseur.
This example is a great example with an unusually low ownership history and very sound and well-maintained mechanicals. It also offers its new owner the chance to further improve the car if they wish making this an excellent prospect for the British sports car fan.
Notice to bidders
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