About this Triumph TR5

1968 Triumph TR5 Pi – Matching Numbers | 1 Previous Owner | 64,866 Miles from New!

A Truly Exceptional Example of the Most Desirable TR | Beautifully Presented with Superb Provenance

Produced for just 13 months between August 1967 and September 1968, the Triumph TR5 is one of the rarest and most coveted British sports cars of its era. Only 2,947 cars were ever built, of which just 1,161 were supplied in Right Hand Drive in the UK, making genuine home-market examples like this one particularly special.

Although outwardly similar to the Michelotti-styled TR4, the TR5 marked a major technical leap forward. Beneath its familiar bodywork lay Triumph’s new 2.5-litre straight-six engine with Lucas mechanical fuel injection — producing 150bhp and transforming the TR5 into a true performance sports car. It was, as Triumph proudly declared at the time, “the first British production sports car with petrol injection.”

With a 0–50 mph time of just 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph, the TR5 offered thrilling pace and refinement in equal measure. Combined with independent rear suspension, front disc brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering, it was one of the most advanced roadsters of its day — and today, it remains the most sought-after of the TR series.

Provenance & Ownership

This example — Chassis No: CP2192 / Engine No: CP2192 — is a 'matching-numbers' UK-supplied car, which was first registered on 23rd May 1968 to Mr. Albert De Sousa of Forest Hill, London SE23. It is finished in Signal Red with a black interior, black leather front seats, walnut dashboard, black leather Mota-Lita steering wheel, chrome wire wheels, and the desirable Surrey Top with both hard and soft panels. Upgrades include a Bosch fuel pump conversion and Kenlowe electric cooling fan, both enhancing reliability without compromising originality.

Mr. De Sousa cherished the car for almost 37 years, commissioning a full body-off chassis restoration by Triumph specialists TR Sports Cars of Mitcham, Surrey between 1986 and 1988. The colour was changed from its original Triumph White to Signal Red, and the work was comprehensively documented — with invoices totalling just over £10,500, an impressive investment for the period.

The car was then maintained by leading marque experts Cox & Buckles and Enginuity, before being sold through Classic Chrome in September 2005 to its second and current owner — a French collector working in London at the time. The mileage then stood at a genuine 62,715 miles.

He later took the car home to France, where it was registered locally, but it retained its original UK registration (HST 201F) and status on the DVLA database. During his 20 years of ownership, the TR5 was used only sparingly, covering just over 2,100 additional miles, bringing the total to a genuine 64,866 miles from new.

Recent Works & Condition

In 2025, the owner — now living permanently in the USA — entrusted the car back to Classic Chrome for sale. Upon arrival from France, a few cosmetic paint issues were noted, so the car underwent a comprehensive recommissioning in collaboration with Enginuity, the same Triumph specialist who had serviced it decades earlier.

Works included:

A full cosmetic repaint in Signal Red
Full Service and Tuning
Full Brake overhaul with new Brake Calipers and Brake Hoses, new Suspension Bushes throughout, new front Shock Absorbers, new Water Pump, new Clutch Master Cylinder, and various other items in readiness for an MOT test.
New MOT (22nd July 2025 – No Advisories)

In total, a further £12,692 was spent in 2025 on the repaint and recommissioning and it is presented today in superb condition.

This is an outstanding, low-mileage TR5 with just one previous owner, a fully matching numbers car, and a fully documented history spanning over five decades.

It drives superbly and offers the ideal blend of originality, usability, and provenance.

The car comes with:

Original V5 registration document
Heritage Certificate and box file containing its history file with invoices and photographs, clear HPI Check & Certificate, a copy of our 2005 Classic Chrome sales listing and handbooks.

Upon sale, it will receive our own 55-point pre-delivery inspection and come with a new MOT + our 6-month mechanical warranty, extendable on request. Naturally, the car benefits from Historic Vehicle status, meaning Road Tax Free, MOT Exempt, and ULEZ Compliant.

Now available for viewing at our showrooms in Mortlake, South West London.

Classic Chrome Ltd makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information provided. Details are offered in good faith, based on the car’s history file and previous ownership records. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves as to condition and suitability before purchase. This does not affect your statutory rights.