1968 Triumph TR5

This UK-market, right-hand drive Triumph TR5 boasts Valencia Blue coachwork and a black interior, the same colour scheme it left the factory in according to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust factory record in the history file. The same piece of paper also shows that it has also managed to retain its original registration number of ‘UYF 723F’.

Restored in 2010 with an emphasis firmly on reliable touring, the highly-regarded Robert J Forster rebuilt the TR5’s 2.5-litre engine with a fast road camshaft. Around 15,000 miles have been put on it since, meaning it is little more than nicely run-in.

The gearbox was rebuilt using Stag components where possible, and the front brakes are now four-pot jobbies from Wilwood. The suspension is via adjustable Spax dampers, and the cooling system runs with an electric fan and an uprated aluminium radiator. The fuel system benefits from a custom-built long-range fuel tank and swirl pot, and the petrol is pumped from it via a Bosch fuel pump. The engine exhales via a stainless-steel exhaust system that sounds as good as it looks.

Other niceties include a hazard warning light switch for touring in Europe and period Lucas spotlights, while more modern updates include a new wiring loom in 2022.

This emphasis on reliability and long-distance touring is exactly what the seller was looking for when he bought it back in 2024, later using it to strike out across Spain twice as well as roaming down through France as far as the Mediterranean coast.

A small amount of corrosion to the bonnet was addressed in November 2025 and this built on previous bodywork in December 2024 that included localised paint and the installation of the softtop and frame – and that in turn built on the restoration of 2010 we’ve already mentioned and which is documented in the photo album that comprises part of the history file.

The result is what you see here, a beautifully put together example of one of the best-looking sportscars of its generation. With no dents, dinks, or ripples, the straight panels provide the perfect canvas for the Valencia Blue paintwork (paint code 66) to shine.

And shine it does, backed up by some very nice chromework: With only minimal tarnishing and pitting to some of the smaller items and none on the bumpers, it works beautifully against that smoky-blue coachwork

The lamp lenses are all good too, with the factory lighting being supplemented by a pair of period-correct Lucas spotlights, the same firm who supplied the headlamps.

It’s often the small things that make the difference, isn’t it?

The glazing is also good, including the rubber windscreen and door seals, which are still plump and pliable.

As for the 15-inch chromed wire wheels, they too are beyond reproach being completely free of tarnishing and kerbing damage. Tyres are recent and matching 165/80R15 Continental Contact on all four corners. Made in 2024, all have good tread and we didn’t spot any damage to their sidewalls.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The black fabric roof is in an excellent condition; rising and falling smoothly, its surface fabric sits nice and taut when it is raised, giving good weatherproofing and a clean profile.

The furled roof can be hidden beneath a matching black cover, the plastic windows are transparent and free of creases and cracks, and the inner frame is both clean and nicely painted.

We noticed the following flaws and blemishes: black paint peeling off the front grille; sanding marks on the bonnet; stonechips on both front wings and the offside door; chips and a scratch on the nearside rear wing; perished rubber seals on the rear light clusters; a damaged seal between the windscreen frame and scuttle panel; and a poorly aligned nearside door.

That might seem like a lot but Our Man is VERY picky, and we suspect that once the door has been more carefully aligned and the seals replaced most folk wouldn’t bother to rectify any of the other points he’s raised, content to accept the odd chip as the price of doing business in a sportscar that’s so well-suited to roaming far and wide.

Please note the car comes with an L.F. Dove Badge and outdoor & indoor car covers.

The speedometer drive was replaced by Enginuity in May 2026, with the same firm having already replaced the tachometer in June 2025. Previous work had been carried out to refit loose instruments, modify the trim to suit the installation of the softtop, fit a good secondhand gear selector assembly, and much more.

The result is a pretty much flawless interior; everything works and there are no cosmetic issues.

Which is, upon rereading the previous two paragraphs, somewhat underselling it because a cabin like this shouldn’t be defined by the absence of anything: Wood ‘n’ leather might be a well-trodden path but examples like this demonstrate why the combination became so popular.

So, admire the flawless burr walnut veneer on the dashboard and try to tell us that a finer material exists to host a full suite of white-on-black Smiths instruments.

Sit in the barely-creased black leather seats and try suggesting a better material for a car that may see the odd spot of rain plus plenty of sunshine.

Acknowledge too the suitability of chrome-plated metal for the job of cranking the windows up and down without fault for more than half a century.

And yet, this is far from being a utilitarian cabin because white piping on the black leather seats and door cards adds a discreet touch of flash, while the adjustable steering column for the wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel ensures drivers of all heights and sizes should be able to get comfortable.

The period Motorola radio is another lovely feature, as are the hazard warning light switch and the manual override for the electric cooling fan.

The sunvisors stay where you put them too, another sure sign that someone’s been keeping of top of things.

Recent rubber pedal covers also say nothing but good things, as do the Triumph-branded overmats that protect very good carpets. Rear Securon seatbelts further extend the usefulness of this brilliant little sportscar, and a fire safety stick provides a more reliable and convenient method of putting out a fire than the traditional and bulky fire extinguisher.

The boot contains a full-size spare wheel plus a car cover and the sort of bits and bobs you’ll appreciate if you too decide to tour in it.

As we said at the beginning, it’s pretty much flawless in here and we can’t see anyone short of a concours judge finding much to criticise.

Enginuity carried out quite a few jobs in November 2025, and these are listed on the attached invoice, which totals £5,304. Mind you, that sum did include a service, so the TR5 is raring to help you enjoy the rest of the summer.

The same firm carried out almost a thousand pounds-worth of work in June of the same year and this in turn built on tuning work, which set him back £4,595, in the previous February and March.

And we aren’t finished yet because he spent a further £10,398 with the same folk in December 2024, an overhaul that included coachwork, fitting the softtop, a full service, Polybushes, a Waxoyl treatment, and much, much more.

But then the seller has always adopted a money-no-object approach to his cars: “I’ve always had classic cars, and they’ve all had to be absolutely perfect – even when I couldn’t really afford it!”

He tells us that it’s always been reliable, bar a momentary blip when the electronic ignition failed. However, he has since replaced that with a traditional point ‘n’ condenser setup and has had no further issues, even in the height of Spanish and French summers.

As the video demonstrates, the fuel-injected engine starts beautifully, idles solidly, and revs enthusiastically while making all the right noises. Being a straight-six, it is also eerily smooth – and with 150bhp on hand, it is still a very quick motorcar.

The engine bay is a beautifully presented as everywhere else and even sports a period-appropriate Lucas decal on the battery. As for the core of the vehicle, the inner wings are well-painted and utterly solid, as is the bulkhead.

As a result, we can’t spot a single thing for the new owner to do other than congratulate themselves on their good fortune.

It’s the same story underneath: The recent Waxoyl treatment is obviously protecting an already-good finish rather than obscuring problems. You might like to touch-up the odd spot of peeling underseal but that’s a job for Future You.

And the solidity of the underbody is reflected in its MoT history; the current ticket, which is valid until October 2026, was issued with no advisories, just like the previous three.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file contains expired tax discs and MoT certificates as well as a good quantity of invoices that list, in great detail, the work the TR5 has benefitted from in recent years. It also contains a photo album that details the restoration.

As for its previous keepers, it was built on the 27th of December 1967 and sent to L.F. Dove Limited of Wimbledon, London on the 12th of February 1968 and we understand its first owner held onto it for 30 years.

The second kept it for ten, and the third 15. The fourth owned it for just two years but as he sold it to finance a season of classic racing, you can’t fault him for that, can you?

The seller bought it in September 2024 and is only selling it because one of his dream cars has unexpectedly come up through the owners’ club and he can’t resist, even though he knows he’s going to take a hefty financial hit. He’s told us what that car is, and we really can’t fault him, either.

Of course, the TR5’s condition means it won’t be cheap but then when you’re thinking of buying a classic sportscar it is often better to ‘buy once, cry once’ than to try to shave a few pounds upfront, only to have to invest significantly more later on.

Besides, our guide price of between £35,000 and £40,000 still represents extremely good value; tot up the invoices and you’ll discover that the seller has spent more than half of our upper estimate on maintaining and improving it, hopefully leaving its new owner nothing to do other than enjoy it.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.