Jonathan Bonds

My work transferred me to southeastern Pennsylvania in the spring of 2004. A prerequisite for my new PA home was a 3 car garage for a sports car but I didn’t own one. Researching on the internet, I found the Delaware Valley Triumphs club to be very active with 2 to 3 monthly club events. So it looked to me like the Triumph was the way to go for a new guy in town. I’ve always liked the looks of the TR4 and performance of the TR6, so I began looking for a TR250. My work frequently takes me to Europe & I found a TR5, ‘1299’, in Brussels & I purchased it.
Now, I did not know anything about Triumphs; the TR5’s rarity or Lucas electrics or its mechanical fuel injection!!  My learning curve has been steep, but I’ve had lots of help. The car is a Belgian CKD & Dutch registered in August 1968, sold by Kroymans in Amsterdam.  I took delivery of a sound, condition 3- car; it ran relatively well with rough paint & interior.
Over the years, the car has been completely restored and upgraded, referencing the “How to improve your TR5/250” book by Roger Williams.  
Neil Revington of RevingtonTR and his team were a great help. Over several phone conversations, Neil provided his ’fast road’ suspension, upgraded front disc brakes, steering rack, half shafts & alfin drum brakes.
While restoring the car, I had the opportunity to visit Triumph shops in the UK, meeting our Andrew Uprichard’s cousin, Darryl Uprichard of Racetorations in Gainsborough, England. I purchased alloy radiator, water pump & valve cover from Darryl. Not knowing who to help with the PI; I found & visited Malcolm of Prestige Injection in Wales. The seats are from Bob Ridgard near Cambridge. Locally, Triumph Rescue and Ragtops & Roadsters have rebuilt the car. A special shout out to our Kevin Kelly. Kevin is a master mechanic & lives near by. He’s got my car in the best tune I’ve experienced & I still use his tune ’sheet’!
The car has been a blast to drive & the Triumph club experiences have been a great way to meet people and make new friends. My car has taken me to 2 VTR Nationals, 2  TRA National meets & a 6-Pack Trial. I driven the car everywhere, never trailered with over 20,000 miles driven in 16 years and hopefully many more.