1968 Triumph TR250K

1968 Triumph TR250K
1968 Triumph TR250K Navigation

This vehicle is a one-off, Triumph TR250K race car designed to compete in just a single race, the 1968 Sebring 12 Hour of Endurance race. The car was the brainchild of Triumph's North American Competition Manager (R.W. 'Kas' Kastner), who hoped the car would enjoy tremendous success at Sebring, which would spawn more business for performance and racing products.

The one-off Sebring car was powered by a Triumph 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine and clothed in lightweight, custom aluminum bodywork wearing a design courtesy of Peter Brock. Kastner was able to secure some financial backing from Triumph for the project. Kastner, Jimmy Coen, and Bob Avery assembled the chassis, and the custom aluminum bodywork was fabricated at a local shop. Brock's race shop completed the assembly of the body and the chassis.

The design created by Peter Bock is elegant and aerodynamic, with a low hood line and a moveable rear spoiler. The spoiler, in design, was supposed to allow the team to adjust it for best aerodynamic performance.

Construction of the car was completed just in time for Sebring, with very little time for testing or fine-tuning. During practice at Sebring, it was discovered that the car suffered from cooling problems. Work continued and the car returned during qualifying where it qualified 39th out of 68 starters. The car, wearing race number 47, was officially entered by 'Leland Motor Corporation - Teaneck, New Jersey' and assigned to compete in Sports Prototype (Group 6) Class 10. The car was driven by Jim Dittemore, Bob Tullius, and Mike Rothschild. The Triumph TR250K was one of five cars competing in the class, with the other four vehicles being Porsche 907 works entries. Two-and-a-half hours into the twelve-hour race, the car encountered problems when one of its rear wheels broke apart, causing the car to spin around. No body damage occurred, but it did cause damage to the suspension which caused the car to finish the race prematurely.

Though the car endured disappointing results at Sebring, it was featured on the cover of Car and Driver magazine's April 1968 edition. It was also shown throughout the country, making appearances at the Detroit Auto Show and other events.

At some point during the car's history, it was part of the Blackhawk Museum's collection. Currently, the car is in restored condition.


By Daniel Vaughan | May 2014

Recent Vehicle Additions

Related Automotive News

Gooding & Company Announces Collection of Hollywood Filmmaker Richard Donner, Additional Consignments for Geared Online Scottsdale Edition

Gooding & Company Announces Collection of Hollywood Filmmaker Richard Donner, Additional Consignments for Geared Online Scottsdale Edition

10 classics from the collection of revered Hollywood director and producer Richard Donner will be auctioned at the companys online-only sale, along with a 2005 Ford GT and a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS. The personal classic car collection of famed...

Nissan Legends to Swap Stories and Dan Gurney to be Remembered at Picnic at the Paddock at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

MONTEREY, Calif., August 7, 2018 — Peter Brock, John Morton and Steve Millen – three legends that sparked Datsun and Nissan racing heritage in America – will share their experiences as guests at the annual Picnic in the Paddock on Saturday, August...
Comedian And Car Collector Adam Carolla Moderates Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2017 Seminar

Comedian And Car Collector Adam Carolla Moderates Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2017 Seminar

In 2017 the Amelia Island Concours dElegances traditional Friday and Saturday seminars offer backstage passes to the world of Japanese racing and high performance cars. On Saturday, the racers who helped forge Jaguars legend offer an intimate look...
VIC ELFORD RECEIVES RRDC'S 2015 PHIL HILL AWARD

VIC ELFORD RECEIVES RRDC'S 2015 PHIL HILL AWARD

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2015) - Vic Elford, considered one of the fastest race-car drivers of the Sixties and Seventies, was honored by the Road Racing Drivers Club with the 2015 Phil Hill Award. RRDC president Bobby Rahal made the presentation...
Horch 853 And Scarab Win The 19Th Annual Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Horch 853 And Scarab Win The 19Th Annual Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance

Nearly 29,000 Automotive Enthusiasts and More Than 325 Automobiles Attend The Worlds Most Innovative Concours Weekend Jacksonville, FL (March 11, 2014) – A 1937 Horch 853 and 1958 Scarab won the Best In Show honors on Sunday, March 9,...

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.