Highlights

Extensively restored by TR Enterprises
Exceptionally well preserved, beautifully presented example
Backed by an impressive history file
Hard top, Surrey top and soft top roof all present

The Appeal

Certainly one of the more significant models in the revered sports car manufacturers history, the Triumph TR4 is perhaps one of the all time great British roadsters. A magnificent blend of Italian Michelotti exterior design with impressive engineering and respectable performance figures meant that Triumph’s signature sports car was an immediate hit upon introduction in the early 1960s and has remained an incredibly popular car among enthusiasts ever since.

The TR4 was without doubt an incredible success for the brand, finding unadulterated success on the race track and selling thousands of units to the general public, many of which found their way across the pond to the USA. The example we see here however, is a genuine UK market example making it all the rarer. Extensively restored by TR4 specialists TR Enterprises circa 2008 this 1962 model has been impressively well preserved and cared for ever since and stands today in truly fine form.

With a comprehensive history file detailing spending well into the thousands of pounds, this is certainly one of the better examples of a TR4 presented on the market today and is ready for a new life with a loving Triumph enthusiast or collector.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 01/06/1962
Purchased by the current owner in early 2004
Subject to an extensive, bare metal restoration circa 2008 by TR4 specialists TR Enterprises
Accompanied by several invoices detailing aforementioned restoration, indicating a spend well into the thousands of pounds
Vendor informs us that there is an extensive set of paperwork that accompanies the car dating back to an invoice for the purchase of the car for £350 circa 1962
Dozens photos present of the car’s 2008 restoration
Original TR4 handbook
Both tax and MOT exempt to the vehicles historic status and age
Despite exemption the vendor has regularly MOT’d the car for added peace of mind and the Triumph currently holds an advisory free MOT valid until October 2023
V5 registration document present with the vehicle

The Interior

High quality leather upholstery
Retrimmed in the factory red colour scheme
In highly original order throughout

Mixing exemplary sumptuous leather and sleek wood veneer, the cabin of the TR4 has been restored to the most excellent of standards. When purchased by the current owner circa 2004, the TR4 was fitted with low back black seating and matching black carpets, investigation revealed that the car actually left the factory with red upholstery and so the cabin was retrimmed to that specification as part of the aforementioned restoration.

The two sculpted red leather seats that now take precedence within the cabin area are of a great standard, with excellent upholstery and neat stitching, present with very little if anything to be seen in the way of wear or patina.

Front and centre sits the effortlessly classy wood finish dash panel, understood to be the original one fitted to the car. Still boasting a quality rich shine, the panel presents in great fashion as do the collection of gauges and switchgear housed within it, all detailed off neatly with chrome embellishments. The wonderful wood and chrome rimmed steering wheel that protrudes from within the dash is one of an exquisite standard. At the rear we find a simple, well sized boot area with a full size spare wheel and a selection of tools.

Well upholstered deep red door panels sit on each side of the cabin, well appointed with subtle chrome trim and quality door furniture, and to continue the red motif, we find a plush red carpet set draping its way across the cabin floor. Hopefully, with the warm weather incoming, the new owner of the Triumph wont need to utilise the fabric convertible top, but interested parties should note that there is a soft top present with the vehicle in great clean order.

If the new owner wishes to revert back to a black colour scheme, the black vinyl low back seats are still present and will accompany the car on sale.

The Exterior

Impeccable British Racing Green colour scheme
Stripped to bare shell and extensively restored
Beautifully presented throughout
Surrey top and full removable hard top

With styling by Michelotti the TR4 was always going to be a high ranker in the aesthetics department and the example we have here in its deep green splendour makes an excellent case in point.

British Racing Green, perhaps the only suitable colour choice for a classic British roadster was specced on this TR4 from the factory and we understand, and as part of the 2008 restoration the car was stripped to bare metal, fitted with new wings and door skins and given a fresh coat of the iconic colour. The TR4 has clearly been well cared for and preserved and the restoration performed to the highest of standards as despite around 15 years having passed since the job was performed, the car stands today in near immaculate form.

The exterior paintwork is truly of an exquisite quality, with something of a mile deep quality to the lustrous green hue, and incredibly limited, if any signs of age to be seen throughout the bodywork. External chrome trim and badging is of a similarly high quality and work well to embellish this truly stylish automobile. At ground level sit four wonderful 15” wire wheels with chrome knock off centre caps, a fifth spare wheel resides in the boot of the car.

In terms of roofing, interested parties are almost spoilt for choice. We have a full colour matched hard top roof present with the vehicle, alongside the rare, and highly desirable surrey top and soft top roof panel with adjoining framework, all of which are in great clean form.

The Mechanics

Great quality 2138cc engine
Subtly tuned and upgraded for improved performance
Clean, well preserved underside

There are of course three prime factors to consider when finding the perfect blend for a sports car engine: performance, reliability and simplicity. The 2138 cc OHV 4 cylinder engine found in the TR4 manages to tick all of those boxes well with a resounding yes.

The mighty four cylinder in this particular example is of a wonderful standard, presenting in good clean order, with great quality ancillaries and accessories. In 2010 the car was treated to a series of subtle mechanical upgrades to improve both performance and drivability in modern traffic, the following tasks were performed by TR Enterprises, the same outfit who performed the original 2008 restoration.

Head converted to run on unleaded fuel
Hardened pistons
Uprated cam (mild tune)
Weber carbs
Electronic ignition
Sports manifold and exhaust
Electric fan
Larger radiator
Sump guard fitted

The result of all these upgrades mean the TR4 now keeps up with modern traffic with ease and is now a far more usable example of the revered model. A rolling road tune of the car in 2019 suggests the car now runs somewhere in the region of 125bhp.

On the road the Triumph is reported to provide a wonderful overall driving experience, however the vendor advises that there is a slight oil leak believed to be coming from a seal at the rear of the engine where it meets the gearbox. There is also a slight noise from what is understood to be the thrust bearing but only when the clutch is depressed. The clutch itself is said to work fine without any slipping, but when engine braking (down hill for instance) it can occasionally slip out of gear. There's no reported problem under normal driving.

A large selection of original and spare parts for the car will also accompany it on sale, including a standard exhaust and the original carburetors.

Summary

An older restoration, in a desirable specification presented in fine fettle with some subtle upgrades. This is certainly one of the better examples of Triumph's top flight sports roadster and naturally being in such great order, it lends itself well to a pampered life as a weekend car or show piece, but with improved performance upgrades it is an entirely usable example in modern traffic, after all, new sports cars may be all well and good, but one can’t beat the raw driving experience provided by a classic such as this.

Notice to bidders

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