Highlights

Outstanding restoration
Matching numbers example
Exceptional build documentation with photos and invoices
All original components which have been upgraded are with the vehicle

The Appeal

One of the best looking British sports cars ever made, the Triumph TR4. A civilised roadster for the era, with a design by Giovanni Michelotti, the lines and curves of these cars are nothing short of perfection and define the era of the 60’s better than most other affordable sports cars of the time.

This particular example has had a very thorough and sympathetic restoration, built with absolutely no expense spared and paired with a detailed documentation of the process with pictures, documents and photographs at all stages. It doesn’t take an expert to see that this is certainly among one of the nicest TR4’s on the market…. Maybe even the best.

The History and Paperwork

Date of manufacture 11/07/1963
First registered 09/08/1963
Imported from California to the UK in 2012
One UK owner since import
New copies of the owners manuals
Bought by the owner as a project to complete a full sympathetic restoration
Extensive restoration completed in 2018
Complete documentation packet of the restoration process
Bundles of pictures and invoices
Featured in the TR Owners Club magazine, a copy will come with the vehicle
Heritage certificate comes with the vehicle
Engine and gearbox completely rebuilt by specialists
The vehicle is MOT exempt, however it has a voluntary MOT which is valid until June 2023
Original registration ATL 449A will be on the vehicle upon sale

The Interior

Beautiful black leather with white piping
Retrimmed, new seats, door cards, dash top, carpets and wheel arch trim
Dashboard has been freshly stove enamelled
Gauges mechanically restored by a specialist
Dynamat covered floor and transmission tunnel to help with sound insulation
New carpets fitted throughout
Brand new retractable soft top
Classic tracker fitted
Period correct radio
Moto-Lita steering wheel
Brightwork all presented beautifully

The best way to describe this TR4 would be to relate it to a time machine, because as soon as you take a peek inside it takes you right back to the 60’s, akin to peering into one of these sports cars in a dealership forecourt. A truly outstanding, extensive restoration allows this car to be presented in possibly better-than-showroom condition thanks to the high quality adhered to - it truly is a delight just to be able to admire.

Starting in the front of the vehicle, opening the door reveals the beautifully retrimmed vinyl door cards matching the leather seats, black with white piping, with beautifully finished brightwork handles. The front seats themselves present themselves beautifully with virtually no signs of wear (thanks to the mere 1,300 miles done since the completion) and they feel comfortable and supportive with a great driving position.

Directly in front of you sitting in the driver's seat, the beautiful Moto-Lita steering wheel presents itself perfectly, leather remains nice and the stitching is completely in-tact, and just behind it sits the mechanically restored gauges showing in perfect condition with lovely brightwork surrounds. The remainder of the gauges on the centre of the dashboard all function flawlessly too, and their brightwork is up to par with the rest in the cabin - all of this sits on a freshly stove enamelled dash board which looks undeniably fantastic!

New carpets have been fitted to the vehicle atop some Dynamat and are all presented in fantastic shape, there is of course some very minor wear on the driver side floor mat but it’s easily overlooked when you can’t stop staring at everything else!

There really isn’t a corner of this cabin that isn’t impressive and filled with charm. Everywhere you look and every nook and cranny you peer into, you uncover more shiny bolts and fresh parts. Truly a sight to behold.

The Exterior

Conifer Green
Bare metal respray in 2018 which still looks fantastic
All brightwork either replaced or rechromed
Floor pans, sills and battery box replaced with heritage items during restoration
Brand new MWS Wire wheels, plus spare
New Blockley tyres fitted in 2018 with plenty of meat left
Brand new double duck (black) tonneau
Brand new (unboxed) black mohair hood

Simply, stunning. It’s difficult to find a sympathetic restoration done well, and quite frankly we don’t think you could do much better than this. The vehicle received a full bare metal respray near the end of its restoration process in 2018 in the original Conifer Green colour, and it presents itself absolutely wonderfully, and probably better than could ever be achieved in the 60’s. All of the brightwork has either been replaced or rechromed and it shows, absolutely all of it glimmers as if its just rolled out of the factory.

Starting at the front of the vehicle, the brightwork bumper is in absolutely fantastic shape as you’d expect, as is the grill and the headlights which are free from any damage and the glass remains crisp and clear and fully functional. Paintwork up front is incredible too thanks to the recent bare metal respray and the low mileage since then, you’d be fooled into thinking you’d somehow slipped right back into the 60’s. The triumph badging on the bonnet appears in new condition and that all-famous bonnet hump remains where it should be, proud and full of character.

Moving to the side of the vehicle all of the panels are lovely and straight and the panel gaps all appear to be of perfect fitment. The wheels present themselves in perfect order thanks to being pretty much brand new, as is the spare which even still has the tag on the valve stem, all of which are shod in Blockley tyres which were fitted in 2018 with very little miles accumulated since.

To the rear of the vehicle, the story remains as impressive. Brightwork is shown in outstanding order, the paintwork is immaculate and the body panels are straight with accurate and precise panel gaps.

Everywhere you look on this vehicle, even if it happens to be underneath the car, everything absolutely glistens. The thorough and sympathetic restoration that this vehicle underwent with the current owner certainly puts this example at the top of the pile when shopping for any TR4… You’ll seriously struggle to find a better one than this!

The Mechanics

Matching numbers engine and gearbox
2138cc 4-cylinder engine
Full specialist engine rebuild by CMES
Full specialist gearbox rebuild by Mike Papworth
CCK rolling road setup
Stainless steel trophy exhaust system
Propshaft rebuild
Alternator conversion
Electric fan conversion
High torque starter motor
Electric ignition 123 distributor
Twin DCOE Weber carburettors (original CD175 carbs come with the vehicle)
All suspension and braking components restored or renewed
All plumbing and wiring loom completely replaced
New aluminium fuel tank and ethanol resistant lines and hoses have been installed

Flawless, is one way to word it. There isn’t a nut, bolt or clip on this car that has managed to wriggle its way out of being restored or replaced by the current custodian, it truly is a sorted TR4 ready to hit the road and make for some fantastic driving memories.

The owner states that the vehicle has had many specialists involved throughout the entire restoration process, everything from engine, gearbox, suspension and body and paint, and the invoices and build pictures are there to back it all up. It is stated that this car performs as new, maybe even better thanks to the little modernisations made to make this vehicle as reliable as it can be for modern day use.

The engine is strong and responsive and sounds absolutely amazing thanks to the twin Weber carbs feeding it as well as the trophy exhaust system - you’ll be driving around with the roof down constantly just for an excuse to satisfy all of your senses. The gearbox is reported to be smooth and precise with confident shifts between gears, and the car produces no unwelcome knocks, bangs or clunks under any kind of driving. It’s fair to say that this little Triumph would put the majority of modern vehicles on the road today to absolute shame.

This is a true turn-key car, hop in and enjoy the hard graft that has been put into the vehicle over the years. After all, that’s what it was built for!

Summary

Arguably among the best British sports cars that ever emerged from the 60’s. And we agree. It looks fantastic, sounds amazing and the driving experience is second to none. Having the pleasure of getting a chance to own such a sorted and well put together piece of automotive history rarely emerges, so don’t let this one slip away.

Believe us, if you do, you’ll never stop thinking about what could’ve been!

You can see more of this car here: https://youtu.be/gU5p_GMxjwM

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