Highlights
• Restored twice!
• Heritage Certificate
• £1000s spent with bills on file
• Excellent overall condition throughout
• New soft top and tonneau
Background
Launched in 1961, the Michelotti styled TR4 was the first TR sports car to incorporate wind-up windows and through-flow ventilation. With independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a 'live' rear axle and front disc brakes, the model's chassis layout was similar to that of its TR3A predecessor.
However, the adoption of rack and pinion steering and a four-inch wider track gave the TR4 notably better handling. Powered by a 2138cc, four-cylinder OHV engine developing some 100bhp and 127lbft of torque, the TR4 was capable of 104mph and 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds.
Such performance was easily accessed thanks to the presence of synchromesh all four speeds in its manual gearbox (another TR first).
However, the adoption of rack and pinion steering and a four-inch wider track gave the TR4 notably better handling. Powered by a 2138cc, four-cylinder OHV engine developing some 100bhp and 127lbft of torque, the TR4 was capable of 104mph and 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds.
Such performance was easily accessed thanks to the presence of synchromesh all four speeds in its manual gearbox (another TR first).
History
According to the Heritage Certificate this TR4 was built on 24th November 1964 and delivered to Hollingdrake Automobile Company Ltd of Stockport in Cheshire. It appears that the registration was issued in Angelsey on 1st January 1965.
From then there is little known until it was exhumed from long term slumber in a dilapidated state in 1990. Over the following three years it was treated to a major restoration, with plenty of original bills on file. One invoice of note is from TR Bitz and is 4 pages long totalling £5,369, and included a used replacement chassis from the USA.
From then there is little known until it was exhumed from long term slumber in a dilapidated state in 1990. Over the following three years it was treated to a major restoration, with plenty of original bills on file. One invoice of note is from TR Bitz and is 4 pages long totalling £5,369, and included a used replacement chassis from the USA.
Sometime around 2015 the car had a new owner who decided to take the TR4 to the next level, and had an eye for correct detailing. There are a large number of bills on file, mainly from Rimmer Bros , totalling many £1000s, and other bills from Maidstone Sports Cars for £4,339 who did much of the work.
Purchased by the Vendor in 2015 to satisfy a hankering for a proper British sports car it has been well cared for but rarely used. According to the MoTs on file it appears it may have covered less than 400 miles in the past 18 years!
The Paperwork
Along with the V5c there is a Heritage Certificate which shines some light on the Triumph. It appears to be mostly as originally built except the roof and tonneau cover which were ordered and delivered in white, which explains perhaps why the dashboard was white painted to match. There are a few MoTs on file, the earliest being from 2003, when the mileage was 00025.
The mileage crept up to 00142 miles in 2011, 00269 in 2016 and currently reads just 00409. Either the speedometer was replaced in the 1990s restoration, or the Triumph had just “gone round the clock”. Also in the history file are copies of photographs from 1990 when the Triumph was disinterred, along with other images of the chassis and engine during restoration.
According to the Vendor, lovely as the Triumph is, it has too few seats. This has resulted in the Triumph rarely getting the exercise it needs, and now the family is moving to a new house which doesn’t have a garage (what?).. hence it’s being offered for sale.
The mileage crept up to 00142 miles in 2011, 00269 in 2016 and currently reads just 00409. Either the speedometer was replaced in the 1990s restoration, or the Triumph had just “gone round the clock”. Also in the history file are copies of photographs from 1990 when the Triumph was disinterred, along with other images of the chassis and engine during restoration.
According to the Vendor, lovely as the Triumph is, it has too few seats. This has resulted in the Triumph rarely getting the exercise it needs, and now the family is moving to a new house which doesn’t have a garage (what?).. hence it’s being offered for sale.
The Interior
Inside the Triumph all is as lovely, as it should in a car that has essentially been restored twice! The black seats with white piping are in great condition, as are the black carpets.
The steering wheel is a smart Moto Lita wood rim style item, although the original larger Triumph wheel is in good condition and will come with the car. The instruments are all clear and the switchgear all operates correctly.
The Vendor told us that the speedometer operates intermittently. The white painted dash is clean, and looks to be the original; you can see it in the photos of the Triumph prior to restoration. It should be noted that the paint on the top of the steering column is cracked, and some has flaked off.
The steering wheel is a smart Moto Lita wood rim style item, although the original larger Triumph wheel is in good condition and will come with the car. The instruments are all clear and the switchgear all operates correctly.
The Vendor told us that the speedometer operates intermittently. The white painted dash is clean, and looks to be the original; you can see it in the photos of the Triumph prior to restoration. It should be noted that the paint on the top of the steering column is cracked, and some has flaked off.
The boot is clean, with jack and spare wheel present and correct. There is a split tonneau cover with the car as well as a black soft top. According to the invoices this was purchased in 2015, but the Vendor admitted that it was the first time it had been on when we erected it for the photos.
The roof was particularly tight fitting, and we didn’t fully tension it for fear of damage, hence the slightly saggy appearance in the photos. But it’s new and clean, and all the press studs are correctly placed so the fit will be good once it’s been erected a couple of times.
The roof was particularly tight fitting, and we didn’t fully tension it for fear of damage, hence the slightly saggy appearance in the photos. But it’s new and clean, and all the press studs are correctly placed so the fit will be good once it’s been erected a couple of times.
The Exterior
The exterior of the Triumph is equally as nice, and attracted plenty of compliments from passers-by during the photoshoot. Resplendent in Triumph Racing Green the body appears to be in great shape with no evidence of bubbles or blisters, and virtually no chips or marks.
It was a little dusty, but generally it is smart and presentable. The chrome shines well with no pitting, and glass is all intact with no cracks. We are sure any interested bidders will see for themselves in the photographs how well the restoration has stood the test of time. All the badging is correct and shines well, as does the front grille.
The headlights and Lucas FogRanger lamps look the business, along with period AA badge and Arlburg Pass badge, although the Vendor admits the Triumph wasn’t driven there by him!
It was a little dusty, but generally it is smart and presentable. The chrome shines well with no pitting, and glass is all intact with no cracks. We are sure any interested bidders will see for themselves in the photographs how well the restoration has stood the test of time. All the badging is correct and shines well, as does the front grille.
The headlights and Lucas FogRanger lamps look the business, along with period AA badge and Arlburg Pass badge, although the Vendor admits the Triumph wasn’t driven there by him!
The spoked wheels all appear to be excellent, and are shod with matching virtually new Blockley tyres.
The Mechanics
Mechanically the Triumph looks to be pretty well sorted. The Vendor agreed that it would benefit from a good fast run to “clear the pipes”, with so few miles covered in recent years. That said it started easily and drove well to the photo venue.
There are no visible drips or leaks from the engine, although the metal ancillaries are showing surface corrosion. The rest of the engine bay is clean and remarkably tidy. Amongst the paperwork there is an invoice that lists electronic ignition, but the owner was uncertain if it was still fitted to the car.
There is a stainless exhaust from the manifold to the tailpipe.
There are no visible drips or leaks from the engine, although the metal ancillaries are showing surface corrosion. The rest of the engine bay is clean and remarkably tidy. Amongst the paperwork there is an invoice that lists electronic ignition, but the owner was uncertain if it was still fitted to the car.
There is a stainless exhaust from the manifold to the tailpipe.
The Appeal
It is obvious that the Triumph has had vast sums spent on it over the years, and the condition reflects this. It would be an excellent candidate to take to Concours condition as all the big jobs are done. It is a shame that so few miles appear to have been covered over the past few years, a situation that we are sure will be remedied by the lucky winning bidder.
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