Triumph TR4A

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THIS CAR HAS NOW BEEN WITHDRAWN. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED

Standard-Triumph tasked Italian stylist Michelotti with re-styling its ageing TR range and the resulting design went into production in 1961 as the TR4. 

A wonderful mix of British brawn and Italian style, the pretty roadster was powered by a torquey 2,138cc four-cylinder twin-carb engine mated to an all-synchro four-speed box that could launch the car to 60mph in 10.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 105mph. Optional Laycock de Normanville electricallly operated overdrive could now be selected for 2nd and 3rd gear as well as 4th, effectively providing the TR4 with a seven-speed close ratio gearbox.

The new TR4 body style did away with the classical cutaway door design of the previous TRs to allow for wind-down windows while the crisp rear end styling allowed a boot with considerable capacity for a sports car. It also handled much better thanks to a wider track front and rear and precise rack-and-pinion steering.

The TR4 proved very successful and became a formidable competition car – very strong mechanically, it was ideal for tuning and some cars were fitted with superchargers that could produce in excess of 200bhp at the flywheel.

In 1965 the car gained a new chassis with more sophisticated independent rear suspension (in place of the old live axle) for more predictable handling and an improved ride, these models being known as the TR4A. By the time production ceased in 1968, some 28,450 TR4As had been sold, the vast majority to the American market.

As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this particular TR4A is an original UK market car that has had just seven owners to date, the sixth of whom kept it for 28 years. When the current owner acquired it in June last year it was in rather a sorry state. Being a retired race engineer, he decided to treat it to a total nut-and-bolt restoration which has resulted in the magnificent specimen you see today.

Because the original chassis is prone to rot dangerously around the rear suspension, a brand new chassis was sourced from CTM Engineering at a cost of some £3,000 which formed the start point for this meticulous rebuild with some £20,000 eventually spent on parts alone, all itemised in bills in the history file along with a photographic record of the build process.

The red bodywork is superb and has been thoroughly protected with rust-proofing and anti-stone chip coatings to keep it looking good for years to come. New chromework and a fabulous Surrey top (with hard and soft panels for the centre section) complete the dazzling exterior, while the interior has been retrimmed to better than new with a glossy walnut dash, brown carpets, retrimmed beige leather seats and a chunky woodrim sports steering wheel.

The underbonnet appearance is equally stunning – the engine has been stripped and reconditioned as required, as has the gearbox and overdrive unit and a new clutch fitted. Sensible upgrades include a RevoTec electric cooling fan, uprated water pump, thin belt conversion, alloy front pulley including damper, electric fuel pump, K&N filters and an alloy rocker cover.

The braking system is completely new throughout and gains servo assistance, while the all-new suspension includes adjustable Gaz shock absorbers all round. A new steering rack and wiring loom have also been fitted along with a stainless steel exhaust system, new wire wheels and five new tyres.

MOTd until February 2015 and due to have 12 months’ tax before the sale, the car is said to drive beautifully and certainly went well when we were allowed a short test drive on the occasion of our visit with notably light and direct steering, excellent oil pressure and temperature and good performance all round.

Definitely the best TR4 we have ever seen, it must surely be as good an example as you could realistically hope to find and is ready to enjoy right away