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Triumph TR6 - TR6 or TR250?

Hi to all in cyberspace,

Anyone out there with experience of owning a TR6 and a TR250?
I would appreciate a few pointers as to which is the better car to drive/maintain etc.
I realize that it is ultimately a personal choice in the end, however opinions from people who have owned or driven these two cars would be appreciated.

Triumphantly yours, Neil.P.
Neil Peniston

From a mechanical standpoint, there is little difference between the TR250 and the TR6, especially the 1969 TR6. The TR250 and TR5 in some ways presents the best of both worlds. You have pretty good parts availability with rather low production numbers as they were a one model year only car (~8500 TR250s and ~3000 TR5s). From a body work standpoint, they are primarily TR4A with a few specific trim and badge pieces unique to these cars, the interior is same as early TR6 with the exception of the seats and steering wheel, mechanically they are early TR6. The hood/top is different in the reflective strip pattern and it not have a zip out rear window like the TR6. The fuel tank in a TR250/TR5 has no baffles as in the TR6, so they can slosh the fuel over and the leave the pick up dry when driven hard in left hand turns on low fuel loads. Driving and maintaining the TR250/TR5 and the TR6 is not really any different.

It boils down to 1) do you want a Michelotti design or the Karmann design that was built around was essentially the same tub and 2) which one do you find first that you are willing to buy. When I bought my TR6, I set out to buy either a TR250 or a TR6. The best car that I found and was willing to buy was a TR6. Several years later, I added a TR250.

SteveP

Neil
About the only thing to add is that a 250 is considerably rarer than a TR6. The 250 is a very classy car. Mechanically, very similar. In theory you could take a TR6 body off of its frame and drop on a 250 body. I have only driven a 6.
The TR5 was named the TR250 for the NA market. 250 is the engine displacement (2.5L) and is the carb version.
Good hunting.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Neil:

Before I bought the TR6 I looked extensively for a TR4A to replace the car I sold 20 years ago but the cost of good TR4A's, even for restoration purposes was prohibitive so I decided on the '76 TR6 as an alternative. As you can guess, a couple of very nice TR250's and TR4A's became available after I made the deal on the TR6 but the deal was done so I now own a TR6. I was a little disappointed at first but I have to admit that the TR6 was the best move I ever made. While I still like the TR4A/TR250, the TR6 grew on me and it is probably the best sports car design ever,with the exception of the Jag E-Type or the big Healeys. In any case, I would not trade my TR6 for a 4A or TR250. I would advise buying a pre- '74 TR6 to avoid the black rubber bumper in favor of cleaner lines but you will never be sorry you bought a TR6. On technical matters, you should defer to Steve or Rick as they do know what they are about and while there is little difference between a '69 TR6 and a TR250, after 1969, improvements were made to the TR6, which sould make it a superior all around car to a TR250. The first such change was the front roll bar, although you can easily fit that to a TR250. It also appears that as the TR6 progressed through the years they continually made small improvements so with the exception of sacrificing horsepower as the years went by, the TR6 should be technically superior to the TR250. Bottom line, you won't be disappointed with anything from TR4 onwards.

Cheers,
Bob
76-6
Bob Evans

Here is a neat website to check out: http://www.tr250.net/
The latest issue of Classic Cars has good article on the TR5. The auction report in the same issue shows a lhd TR250 "older restoration" selling for BR Pnds 14,357 in a Coys auction! The trick is finding a decent TR250 for at an affordable price.
Andy Blackley

Neil,
I have a 6 'cause I always loved that look. I do appreciate the 4/5/250 body style quite a bit. The 5/250's are probably fairly rare which would make ownership somewhat exclusive.
My understanding on the body design is that Karman basically "restyled" the front and rear, so much of the Michelotti design remains (this seems obvious when comparing photos of the 250 and 6). Maybe it's just me but I consider the 6's styling a Michelotti/Karman product. However, I'm a newbie owner and this forum does have some experts that can iron it out.
Chris
c.a.e. emenhiser

Bob
Good points on the mechanical improvements.
Agreed with all, if you find a 250, expect to pay more for it than an early TR6. I also agree on looking for an earlier TR6...less pollution crap and does not reqire a bra.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

This thread was discussed between 02/04/2005 and 04/04/2005

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