All about the Triumph TR4

 

Another popular classic car out there is the Triumph TR4 by Triumph Motors. Its original run was from 1961 through 1965. After that, an upgrade version called the TR4A had production at the Triumph Motor Factory from 1965 to 1967. It’s another beautiful mid-1960s classic British roadster that should be in any veteran classic car collector’s inventory.

A look at the design of the Triumph TR4

When you first look at the Triumph TR4, you will immediately recognize the Italian flair it has. This comes from famed Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. It was one of his earlier attempts to make the design remain sleek but give it a boxlike design that became a classic over time. The shape of the chassis was similar to the previous model, the Triumph TR3, but with a wider front and rear.

Although a sports car convertible with a roof you can put away, this became one of the earliest cars that had the option of getting a hardtop. That hardtop came with a glass rear window, but you could still detach the entire component of it. It wasn’t one of the earliest, but the first-ever to have this type of detachable hardtop roof. Also, it would later have use in cars such as the Porsche 911 and other similar sports cars of our modern-day era.

Inside, the dashboard is beautiful with the era of the appropriate high-quality leather seating. Also a variety of beautiful wood-panelled dashboards that add that nostalgic classic look.

Rarity is an understatement

There are very few of these models still remaining in the world. The last estimated count came in at just under 1,000 units for an exceptionally beautiful car. Especially if you’re able to get it in that classic red that is common on GT sports cars. Due to the rarity, the design and the quality of the car, the average price of the series is around $24,000. Some 1964 models also go up as high as over $90,000!

It also had one of the lowest production runs for Triumph, and its TR series, with the run just being over forty thousand cards. In contrast, the TR3 had a production run of nearly 75,000 cars. The later models, such as the TR6, produced just under 95,000 cars. This makes the TR4 rare from the start.

How does the Triumph TR4 run?

It came with a four-cylinder engine and had a top speed of 165 km/h. The 4-cylinder makes it a 2138cc engine, and the power of it is just over 100 horsepower (at 104) with 4600rpm. In addition, it upgraded the steering from the TR3 with a smoother rack and pinion design.

It also had synchromesh on the first gear, which was a big game-changer for manual drive cars. This made it a lot easier to get into first, especially when you were at the appropriate speed. This was the first time it ever was used in a Triumph Motors car, and in fact, in any British made car at the time.

Don’t let the bulkier build and design fool you that this is anything but a roadster or sports car, as when you get that engine running, you’ll easily be able to feel and hear it.

What were the major differences between the TR4 and the TR4A?

While we’re doing a deep dive into the TR4 – production of it stopped in 1965, and for two years, the TR4A was built. A significant difference comes from an aesthetic one, where there’s a shinier chrome like grille in the front of the car just residing above the bumper.

When we leave the aesthetics, we can move to the frame of the car, and the TR4 is a bit sturdier than its predecessor. It also incorporated an independent rear suspension to the TR4A, making it a safer and smoother ride.

What are the significant risks with this car?

As with all classic cars, and with the Triumph TR4 not being different, rust can be a huge deal. These cars are about 60 years old, and back then, anti-rusting solutions weren’t as common as they are today.

So you’re going to always want to confirm and check through a professional inspection to ensure there’s no rust build-up. If left alone, as you may be aware, it’ll start to spread and end up eating your entire car. Ruining the selling process or if you just want to take it for a spin on a lovely sunny day.

You’ll also want to check the chassis for any type of corrosion, whether rust or something else. This is a routine inspection, not just a one-time inspection and then let the car be put on display. Some other checks you want to look into are the wiring and the shocks.

Unless they’ve been recently replaced, the wiring could have corroded, and the shocks could be spent. This makes it faulty and unsafe to drive on the road. It shouldn’t cost much to replace and even modernize some of the parts for an overall improved experience.

In the end

When it comes to classic roadsters and classic cars, the Triumph TR4 does not disappoint. It’s a statement piece of an era long gone. Also, the design or construction wasn’t poor, so there shouldn’t be any real major issues.

Cars back then were a lot simpler to build and maintain. Therefore those that see themselves as wanting to start to become an amateur mechanic or simply tinker with the car and get it working right again, this is a great model to be able to work on and restore. That is if you’re able to find it.

Don’t forget if you’re keen on finding these cars, or admiring them at your local competitions, then always take a look here at our site. We are always pushing events for classic car collections as well as running competitions to see who’s maintained their classic car the best. So you’ll be able to appreciate these legendary beauties in person.