1973 Triumph 2500 Pi MK2 - Fuzz Driving Review 

Used to sell Triumphs and this one was a wonderful car. A real BMW eater, and the British just let it slip away. What a shame.

I think Fuzz was smitten ! He reminded me of the quarter light wind noise they suffered from. Back in 1973 , l was 19 , and worked at a main dealer . I bought a A 1970 mk 2 p.i for £600 ! It really was a fantastic car and of all the cars l've had since the only one that came close was the series 1 4.2 XJ6 Automatiic l bought 18months later. My brother bought a new TR6 but the CR had a milder cam and my early 2.5 would out run his TR both in performance and road holding. We serviced the police 2.5's . One day a traffic officer brought "his" car in complainig of a petrol smell. He was smoking his pipe , oblivious of the potential hazard ! On opening the boot l was greeted by the spare floating in petrol ! I calmly walked to the front of the car and asked the Sergeant to switch off the engine and give the p.i a wide berth as he exited the workshop ! The injection sytem could be problematical but they really were a magnificent car to drive . I too would have this but my garage has an 'e'type and very early TR6 that l'm restoring ! Thankyou very much for sharing .

I grew up with my mum having one of these. I took it over in stead of getting a new modern car. We had to trade it in years later, after I finished University. The finest drive I have ever had and that includes V12 mercs, and Beemers I got from the office to use for clients. Just lovely. We had the slide back vinyl roof, great in Rhodesia in the heat. An elephan'st trunk came through and nicked my orange.

I went to my much loved uncle’s funeral today who was an amazing mechanic too. I only knew him to drive three cars. A top spec Hillman Minx, a Triumph 2.5pi and a BMW 320i. He loved all those cars but the Triumph he ran forever. John died a few weeks ago at the amazing age of 98 years of age living a very happy, stress free, enjoyable life and he lived it with a smile.

Had the pleasure of driving my dad's 2500TC many times and miles, over several years from new to 3 years old (1974-1977). Less power than the PI, but coming from a Mini, you can imagine how good it felt. Loved the overdrive in 3rd and 4th. Always thought it was one of the best looking cars, and one of my favourite drives. Fuzz got this review dead right.

Those 6 cylinder triumph engines were super smooth. Motor magazine always said in late sixties/early seventies they were the finest six cylinder engine in the world..and BMW had an ohc six at the time!

I had one of these in 1978 when I was 18 paid £800 for it and it was a peach. The previous owner told me his son had put a TR6 camshaft in it. My father worked at Lucas and was able to get the injection system completely overhauled for £100, I had the option to fit rich running injectors for better performance. It really did go like stink but the mpg slumped to 12mpg, I wasn't too bothered with petrol around 80p a gallon I had some fun in my 2.5PI. To keep me off motorbikes my dad let me insure it in his name with me as a named driver £75 a year ! Happy days 😊

I had one years ago. This brings back happy memories. I sometimes ran it around without the air filter and associated plumbing. Six open bodies, sucking induction sound...fantastic !

I had a 1971 model and loved it, a pleasure to drive and cruising on a long trip down under was magic.

There's just something about them, isn't there? I have one of the last few built in the world - a NZ-assembled 1979 2500S, assembled 22 January 1979 at the Nelson NZMC plant. There were 22 built after mine, but mine is now the third youngest survivor. She's Pimento in colour and it looks stunning with the black 'C' pillar and the original 14" alloys. Engine is obviously running the twin HS6s rather than the petrol injection, but the sound of that engine and the pickup she has are certainly very similar to the wee beast Fuzz was driving in the video. When I bought her she ran quite poorly, but there was something about the way she went that I knew it wasn't anything serious. Turned out her timing was around 22 degrees ATDC, the points were shot, the vacuum advance was jammed by a too-long screw that was holding the points down and the centrifugal advance weights were seized. A couple of hours of replacing and adjusting things to where they should be and she was a totally different car. I've never had so much fun throwing a car around on the winding roads on the hundred mile trip up and over some fairly testing terrain and hillsides on the way to see family. The furthest I have driven her in one day was 580km (about 350 miles) and I felt like I could do it all again when I got there. The handling of the 2500 is more predictable than the Stag I also own and although the Stag has the power, the 2500S is more nimble and sticks better in the corners. I absolutely love the beast - it is comfortable, practical, seats four people effortlessly (and their luggage for a week too) will hold its own on the hills, is very economical for a straight six and happily keeps up with modern traffic. My only regret is that this one does not have a Webasto sunroof....but even so, I still smile more when I drive it than I do when I am in the Stag (and that aint no lie!). I'm glad Fuzz loved the PI. I hope he gets himself a 2500 one of these days and has a blast!

My older brothers mate had one of these in the same colour, interior, manual when i was a kid in 1980. Any time i seen him i bugged him to take me for a spin in it and he just ragged that car literally everywhere. Great car with a great sound. Love it.

A mate of mine drove/shared his dad's triumph 2000. He drove it like a bloody rally car. You knew your were pushing the engine when it made this kinda repetitive humming noise. When it did that we knew we were pushing. We held on and many a time, on the razors edge of control. Great times haha. I remember once we were hooning down an old roman road and he lost the back end and flipped it onto its side. We climbed out the drivers door and pushed it over onto its wheels and drove home making up a story to tell his dad. Serious it drove it beyond its design and for the most part he was spot on. Cracking motor.

I had three PI's in the '80s, but my favourite was the estate version. We'd be arrested these days, but we'd settle the children down in the back and drive overnight between Fort William and Wiltshire. Cruden Bay to Aberdeen was my favourite commute and I often had a bit of a race with another driver. The PI estate could be a bit "tail happy", but easy to handle, so imagine his surprise after I'd overtaken him, only to come from the other direction after a sharp corner 🙂 The PI's real rival was the Rover P6 V8, of which I also has a few. I always thought the Rover would benefit from the PI's overdrive, while the PI would be better for leather trim.

When I started work in the 1970's , several managers (including mine) had 2.5 pi models. My boss used to drive it across Leicestershire at an astonishing rate of knots. How he kept his licence I never knew , for he was braver than I. Got to drive it once back from a skittles evening ( I was nominated driver, unusual in those days) . A great car, classy interior and such a smooth engine with plenty of ooomph. I wanted one, but at 19 couldn't afford the insurance. Thanks for reminding us of this truly great marque.

A beautiful looking car, with good ride and great sound.......love that overdrive too!

Buzz enjoyed the review of the triumph 2500 love the wood in the interior more like this please

Great post fuzz ! from fellow petroll head and Triumph/Rover /jaguar mechanic and enthusiast , love the show mucker !! :-)

Just imagine being a traffic policemen in 1969, getting out your own Austin A40 and into a 2.5pi Jam Sandwich.

I grew up with Triumphs like that. Love them.

Great to see you enjoying yourself Fuzz. Where was this? Milton Keynes?!! You should've taken it right onto a long, quiet motorway with Police escort to have some real fun with this beauty. This was the very best car ever owned, (and this includes an E-Type V12, a 911 3.8S Gen 2, a Panamera, TR6, MGC, and James May's old 2000), which was over a twelve year period, completely restored. Same as this car, but the pre-emission version with 132bhp and max torque starting way low down at 2,000rpm and right up to the red line - as smooth as silk with no sense of rumble or imbalance from the engine. Ice Blue paint with Powder Blue interior. I actually secured new old stock of the later seats with headrests. 0-60 was about 8-seconds, but the top speed on four star was 125mph. Not the rubbish that every magazine would state as being 107mph. These cars had to have everything set up by one who knew about the system; knowing the tricks to get out of trouble, like air locks and sticking Lucas fuel pumps in excessively hot weather. The 110psi fuel pump sat right above the exhaust backbox which heated up the metal boot floor in which the pump was affixed to! I've heard it that one of these on 100 RON five star or converted to run on the latest 98/99 RON super unleaded (the valve seats require changing to hardened ones) with manual/overdrive can do a red-line top speed of 130mph. This begs the need for a higher ratio differential as the body with it's two rear scoops, (back window and tail light panel) and the narrow and low frontal profile make this car very aerodynamic for the time and relatively so ever since. I found it so stable on motorways. 80-100 was so effortlessly quick and smooth in direct top and way quicker than my BMW 540i. It could keep abreast with a Double Six to 110. The black-rimmed cluster of instrument dials and the better grade of dashboard veneers that the PI's had over every other model were just magnificent looking. The legroom was superb for a tall driver. Not sure why Fuzz had his seat so far forward, but these were a better laid out interior with a more supple ride than any P6 Rover, although the Rover did look rather dignified on the outside over the long, low-lying sports saloon, - which these were. A BMW M5 of it's day. The Rover SD1 was basically the follow-on from these in wheelbase and size, though interior headroom was lower in an SD1 by quite a margin as my Dad found out in a test drive, so he kept his '77 2500TC for a few more years. The 2300 and 2600 engines in the SD1 were actually intended for a newer (2000/2500 replacement) Triumph saloon, but BL management decided to cull the in-house competition between Rover and Triumph and instead deployed these in the later released SD1 six-cylinder variants.

I had the MK1 2500 PI with O/D on third and forth, best car I ever had. Sadly I was hit in the side by a Landrover, written off unfortunately, I still miss it. Only problem I had was the thrust bearing on the crank dropping out due to the uprated clutch putting too much pressure on it. I had a Bronze replacement fitted and doweled to the block.

My Dad had a 1974 Sapphire Blue 2000TC, it was a wonderful car, took us deep into France and back many times with hardly a single issue. Loved that car. I now have a Convertible Mk.2 Vitesse.

I have one. There is nothing that drives like them. They pull so well. Quiet. Smooth and well in front of modern traffic. No problems on the motorway. Is some road noise through the windows! But on the whole. Not a journey you will ever tire of. If you don't own one. Then you'll rarely see one. But they are changing hands for money now as, the next generation; like classics with a bit of power. They are about. Affordable still. A bit thirsty. But that will get lots of Club card points. Run them on super unleaded. While they still sell it. As with all classic cars. Wipers aren't brill. There's good parts supply on the whole and the Triumph 2000 register, has loads of contacts, so things are pretty easy in that way. I have a Triumph 2000. They are good everyday cars, and very enjoyable. They are infact well powered, for everyday driving and cruise nicely, so don't over look them. They are not a sloppy seconds. Many classics hold up traffic and a good 2000 won't.. But the PI is 132bhp where as the 2000 around 90. So a noticeable difference. The MK1 has indicators stalk on the left. That's helpful. Pay more for the best you can find. Don't buy a wreck if you lack skills (I'm one of those people who doesn't have restoration or major engineering skill). Check for rot and don't believe anyone who says a car is in good shape, unless they are happy to let you get everywhere around the car. Watch the sills, door gaps. The floor under the rear seat. Well just about anywhere could have rust. If you find a good one, Someone will tell you that you could have found one cheaper. However, as repairs are expensive. Paying a bit more, for a sorted one makes the best sense unless you have plenty more time and money. Powersteering is a help. Overdrive is a help. Most people uprate to these options. There's nothing wrong in doing that IMO. The gearboxes with overdrive are flexible and you don't need a 5 speed as overdrive gives you far more. Mk2's are long, so please make sure you have room. Estates are great cars. In 2000 or 2500pi or so I am told 2500s. Lots of PI's sadly have been converted to carbs, which is a shame. There is lots of discussion about the reliability of a PI, but well sorted ones, turn up regularly to meets, on time. Check the car all over for the smell of fuel. Frankly, I don't know why these were never depicted as good get away cars. With 0-60 in just over 9 seconds, they would have been well suited. However, the police ones were even faster. So you probably could still be caught on the wrong day.

Owing to he oil crisis in 1979, I bought a Mk2 PI in racing green for a snip - they are thirsty! They are also well built as I discovered when I reversed into a colleagues Datsun Cherry in the staff car park. Not a mark on the Triumph, but the Datsun required major body panel reshaping! Overdrive is a weird concept, but it does keep the revs down. Finally waved farewell to mine when a wishbone in the gearbox went and the repair was not within my modest means. Pretty good experience for my first car!

In times past I purchased a 1975 Triumph 2500TC , manual with electric overdrive, which after the problems they had with the PI reverted back too. I drove 300 Klm to a Club meeting at a racetrack. The Triumph was completely original as sold from the factory. Even down to the AM radio . I did not realize I had been entered against other Triumphs with Stag wheels and triple Webers etc. My stock standard Triumph did not disgrace itself, clocking nearly 100mph down the straight and only 4 seconds down on lap times on the race prepared ones. I then drove it home 300 Klm.

I owned a 1975 PI, I was so glad to be get rid of it, really heavy steering when parking and poor fuel consumption, I could actually watch the fuel gauge heading to E during a trip

Wasn't surprised when I saw the final auction price. Couldn't buy it - didn't have a spare £24k ! Looks (and sounds) like a really good car. Hope the new owner USES it !

A BMW chaser back in the day. I was in one as a 7 year old , the 2500S. Great car!.

Dad had one in the 70,s from New still remember her reg number today. SEN 874K a light blue 2000 loved that car

I had one of these late 70's early 80's... spectacular car... and it was quick !

Learned to drive in one , created my love of triumph’s I know have a stag .

I have a Stag with a 2500pi - it is glorious and probably the engine Triumph should have used !

My dad had one of these cars ... it was great so he told me ! The Surrey Police used them for a while too. I wish you could have shown all the parts of the car .... engine ... dash panel ... seats and boot space and the wheels ... do another one including what I mentioned ... make it Pt 2

Had a 2.5 PI, in white with black leather seats, from 1977 to 1984. Loved it.

My dearly departed Uncle, God rest his soul, had one of these (a K reg) but it was in a sort of dark, inky petrol colour with chrome & a black interior - Much, much better looking than this blue version but it's great to see one running. It must have been an awesome machine back in the day.

My dad was an area car driver at Hackney police station during the seventies and drove these. His favourite police car.

Beautiful car ! From my 1970's childhood! I would buy a 'decent' 1970's' model tomorrow! dx

The memories.... My pops had one when I was 15... It was his work car as a builder... I would TAKE his jag to school (thinking he never knew🥴) Weekends he would use the jag I would TAKE the triumph "what a car for its era" First time I drove it I was just like fuzz😁😁😁 My nan had to drag me out the darn thing "ya dad will string you up sunshine" I remember them words like it was yesterday.... Thank you for bringing back the good old days fella😁👍🍻👊

Me Dad had one , still want one myself after all theses years stuck in my head how good it was and quick for the day ,remember him chasin down a vauxhall forenza down that cut him up give it a run for its money , could have put that engine in Stag would have been ample with a cam and bits, but Triumph were to obsessed with puttin a V8 in it for American market

I had a 2.5 PI auto was super smooth and fast. Needed to keep re-tuning to keep the awesome performance. Wish I still had it

Had a 2500 tc modified so overdrive worked on every gear ,best car I ever had

My dad had one, FXD 611J in 1972. It was superb, he had the boot pump go at 90,000 miles and sold it at 140,000 miles.

It was my first car in 1971. I’ve get rid of it after a year. Nice driving but lots of technical trouble. My next was an Alfa Romeo 2000 quadraporte and that was a super good car.

I'd love to have my old purple one back... the 2.5pi do tune up exceptionally well

I tried to buy one a little while ago and missed out, I would love to get one mainly because of its underrated rareity . Triumph was a really good car manufacturer and owned by a bunch of people proporting to know what they were doing.

My dad had one of these and the only problem he had was the Lucas fuel injection .

My first car at 19!! Loved it more than anything. Sienna brown 2000 TC. NYN 977L Ran like a Swiss Watch…..till i fell asleep at the when at night and crashed it!! I survived,,, the motor did not

That triumph six had a character all of its own. Shows what can be done with well chosen mods, not ott, just right.

Thats a nice triumph fuzz pot love the old classics

Had 2 of Them great cars lots of character ,Lucas fuel pump always" interesting "in summer

Used to own a 75 Dolomite. It had the best seats I have ever sat in and when it was on song - I used to out run the Holden V8's....had high gear ratios for first and second gears. Cornering was amazing but overheating was always a problem with it. In a way I was saddened in a way when it blew the rings and wasn't worth fixing by that stage. It was sold for parts nearly 30 years ago now!!

I had an estate version which was loads of fun to drive.

I had a MK1 2000 estate, a MK2 2000 saloon and a MK2 2.5S. Never had a PI. I love the things.

Dad had a Mk2 2000. Bought new in 1972 and shipped to Jamaica when we moved there to live. Taught me how to drive in it. At the age of 19 I bought my own through Triumph Specialists in Kingston. Wonderful times. I loved them. A total shame they went the way of British Leyland. I would love to see the badge and brand restored. A 21st century-designed Triumph saloon could look and feel complete bad-ass if the right designer came along...

Had two 2.5PIs….great on a long trip..NZ

thats how they drive ive had 11 and own a gen mk1 pi estate

I bought one of these as a student, back in the late seventies - don't ask. It remains my favourite car, despite the ruinous fuel consumption.

now you made me want to go out and snap up a good 1. thanks

I hade the same car. I loved it only my Machanic saw it more. My mother had the s both cars lost there back wheel while driving due to the wish bone made of crappy cast ion. The electric system was also iffy. It was always a gamble if the lights were going to work or not ect.

My dad had loads of these and knew them inside out,we drove from Northamptonshire to Lecce in Puglia Italy to see his family in 1978 when I was seven,I remember going over mont blanc etc, Absolutely wonderful memories watching this as dad died suddenly 5 years ago and this takes me back to being a child sat in the back. He had wgc 839m and bbt120k estate to name a few Thanks for posting

Club raced a PI here in Australia, fixed all the issues and put a WILD cam in it. Went like the clappers and could do 14s qtr mile.... If I was going to get one today I would slap the same cam in it but change to EFI... We have some of the best after market ECUs in the world by a company called Haltech. 200bhp isnt hard to get, team that with a close ratio gearbox and a rebuilt a-type OD and use a 3.7 diff you have a club sport rocket

loved driving these as Traffic Cars (Surrey Police) in the mid 70s. A car you felt as part of yourself when driven. Perfection and thoroughly enjoyable🖕

I had a Damson coloured 2.5 Pi automatic. It was a lovely ride and a gentleman’s car in a way, but heavy on the petrol. The plus was if you were light on the pedal or heavy ….no difference to the consumption. I enjoyed it while I had it.

The rear end shimmy was always good when accellerating out of a corner as you changed up a gear it released the rear splines and the suspension would readjust itself.... My Triumph was a 2500S manual o/d.

I have a 1974 triumph 2000. Slightly smaller engine version of this one though still with the lovely straight six engine. Unforetunately knowhere near as quick as this but still a capable car on modern roads. Sadly I feel they're a very underrated 70s classic car.

I had to reset the injection pump on one to get it to fly, lively fast tourer, better than any car made today for comfort.

I had a mint 1976 2.5 S British racing green black stag aloys beast of a car.

Hi . I've just glimpsed the auction estimate. I think it'll go past 20 k . I 'll have to wait and see .

The only way to eliminate the 'lurch' was to replace the rear half-shafts with Datsun 1600 models. You just had to machine a few thou off the swinging arms and they bolted straight in. The British PI system was a bodge, lots of people replaced it with Bosch components, but of you replaced the arthritic winscreen wiper motor that powered the pump and moved it away from right next to the rear silencer, it worked ok. The "S" model made about 100bhp; the PI turned out around 165!

My late father's best car - a 2.5PI estate which I absolutely loved. I was 21 at the time and it was his fourth Triumph. I just thought they were brilliant. The Vitesse I persuaded him to buy was just mental..

yes indicators on the correct side of the steering wheel so you can indicate and change gear at the same time

I had a 1971 model, brilliant car but by 60000 miles the engine had lost some compression and the PI unit got very thirsty. I swapped the engine for a new TC version, not quite as fast, but still drove beautifully.

Hi Fuzz, I had a 1974 2500 PI N registration in dark blue Sapphire I remember part of the registration GBO ???N I bought it in Rugby for the sum of £450 quid.. I rarely drove it But it was Automatic and honestly it felt sluggish but motored. was really silly it was parked in my Mums garage for 6-7 years before she died and then I bought the house and my car was up in the garage.. I loved Triumphs and owned herald 13/60 my 1st car along my car collection had a 1300 TC 4 door 1969 a Spitfire 1300 cc with a really great registration BRA 345L..Dolomite 18/50 x2 and two more Spitfires a 1972 2500 TC and then the Dolomite sprint and TR7. Only 3 other cars would be part of my group selection a Vitesse 2.0 Convertible and a GT6 plus the Stag.. The sad thing is I've never really appreciated such cars and being there cheap end prices ranging from £150 - £500 I Basically let them go.. I still have logbooks for a few.. But to watch CAR SOS It brings fond memories of nearly all the cars I did actually own.. If only my health had not been so I might have still strived to keep some of them.. The other side to this story you start to appreciate the cars you own today Its a crying shame I still let another gem go "No funny comments lol " I let a 2000 X Registered MGF se 1.8 VVC go scrap for free And only 1 of 500 in Wedgewood blue. I think the reason I let it go and you can say this about most older cars if the repair bill is £600 + its sometimes cheaper to replace it with a slightly better one.. Great video and great car show across most cars.. We all have favorite cars.. mines Fords Jaguars MG/Morris Minor and Triumph.. Coventry born and breed 1964 - to present day...

Sold to the gent in the leather jacket and wooly hat.😉

I've got a GT6 with a 2.5pi under the bonnet. Once the injection system is properly set up, it flies. I can keep up with most cars, even my mates Audi TT

My Dad owned two of these in the 70's they had a unique engine sound and should correctly and always be driven by real ,clean and clean shaven Gentlemen in suits and crisp white shirts and ties.Anything else is a hack.

Fantastic 🚗

My second car great car and fast in its day

Arguably the best Triumph/BL product. A bit thirsty but the only competition to BMW who took over this market.

Much as I love Fuzz, his emotions got the best of him on this drive and he was rambling!! Great car though!!

Traffic cops in west London preferred these in the 70s as the existing Rover V8s used to get tappet bounce!

My uncles car. I got myself a rover sd1. He dident talk to me for ten years after. 35 years ago now he is still a bit grumpy

The 2.5 PI was the Dogs B0LL0X. Heathrow back to Brum VIA The M1 @ 125 on the clock in overdrive in a P REG 1975

I had a 2.5PI Automatic, it was a lovely drive but thirsty, it’s one saving grace it was the same thirst at full whack as at cruise so it didn’t matter. The manual with overdrive would have been a better bet. I think the Lucas injection was not great either. Bosch would have been better. A lovely car though!

Very nice. My dad had a 2.5 twin carb estate and it went like the clappers! I notice you dipped the clutch when engaging the overdrive…I don’t think you need to do this as it’s an epicyclic overdrive so uses brake bands like an automatic gbox. I assume the head has been converted to use unleaded? Cheers

My uncle had one. It was quick!

Got one when I was 18 from a neighbour for nothing,he found it hard too engage gears,a thrust washer worn or something,still managed to drive it for a couple months till throttle jammed open,scared the proverbial out of me so I swapped it for a MK1 escort, wish I still had both,cars were built too last then

Nice hat!

My uncle used to run an ex police 2500 pi.

My first car was a Triumph 1300, and then I had a 2.5 PI Auto in late 70’s. Had to sell it when I moved to South Africa in 1982. Lovely cars, but rot magnets.

How much? I have one (2500S anyway) in my garage on axle stands as I'm fitting a stainless exhaust. The only bits of rust are (the exhaust obviously) and along the seam under the rear number plate. Never been welded. They are lovely things indeed and used to be though of as fast enough to be highway police vehicles.

When did the flair of car design vanish.All we have today is identical boxes.

Was one of GB's 'recommendations' to fit an oversize pair of windscreen wipers???😉

Like Fuzz and Triumph

They were good cars

Loved them untill I got BMW 3:0si which of course was really be mega quick but did',nt get itself around corners any better at all! We choose Triumps over Rover 3500's because we felt that they fitted our young executive lifestyle,as Rovers tended to be for the older hats. Motorway Noddy Patrol used both ,bt eventually had to buy the E serris BMW's to keep up. Poor Belco electrics could let the MK2 down but PI system was sorted after the early unreliable MK 1 Lucas system,but no match for Bosch

Daaam I want one might sell my singer vogue for one

How does it compare to XJ ?

had a MK1 for my first car

So did he buy it? :)