Highlights
- Full engine rebuild to 2,238cc specification by Southern Triumph
- Car has only covered 3,000 miles since work completed
- Older extensive restoration in pretty Signal Red
- Extensive list of improvements and maintenance since 2021
- Long MOT to August 2025 with no advisories
- Recently serviced by Southern Triumph in August
- Very tidy and highly presented example of these desirable cars
The Appeal
Pretty and potent, the TR4 was the first of the Michelotti-designed Triumphs and a thoroughbred alternative to the MGB. No wonder that good examples, such as this car, remain popular with enthusiasts over 60 years after they first entered production.
An older, comprehensive restoration completed in 2011, combined with the obvious care of its enthusiast-keepers, explains the car’s pretty Signal Red paintwork and beautiful condition. It is a well detailed example, from the bright chrome wheels with their white banded tyres to the rare Surrey hard top. Comfortable MX5 seats are fitted, making the car ideal for touring. The original seats, retrimmed in quality bull leather, are included in the sale.
The current keeper acquired the car in 2021 and subsequently set about a thorough renovation. All work has been undertaken by well regarded specialists Southern Triumph in Bournemouth. The highlights include a full engine rebuild in 2023 with a raft of upgrades and bore out to 2,238cc. It has covered just 3,000 miles since, the seller carefully running it in to the Southern Triumph guidance and only ever using branded high octane fuels.
The specification list is extensive and delivers a car to the buyer that is in superb mechanical and structural condition. It was recently serviced and MOT’d by Southern Triumph in August, despite the latter no longer being a legal requirement. There were, as you might expect, no MOT advisories.
This is one of the best TR4s we’ve seen in a while and will surely be tempting to the many enthusiasts of these desirable sports cars.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in the UK 6th March 1964
- BMIHT certificate provided with car
- Supplied by the factory to Westgate Ltd, Gloucester on 28th February 1964
- Six registered keepers from new according to DVLA
- Current keeper since 29th September 2021
- Previous keeper owned the car for 10 years
- Vencor acquired the car with 103,102 miles on clock
- Previously painted green which was changed to red in December 1994
- Vendor advises the car was extensively restored between 2007 and 2011
- A summary of this work is provided below
- Extensive history file of restoration with photographs
- Very long list of mechanical and running gear work since 2021 summarised below
- Always garaged by current keeper and never used in wet weather
- All work since vendor acquired car carried out by Southern Triumph of Bournemouth
- Original seats retrimmed in bull hide during restoration are supplied with car as shown
- Registered as a Historic Vehicle so MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
- Vendor confirms the mileage is 106,959 miles
- VIN number CT30278
- MOT to 20th August 2025 with no advisories
- 6,875 miles showing on MOT test (ie 106,875 miles)
- Vendor advises that the car has never been involved in an accident
- We are told that the car ‘wants for nothing’
Summary of 2007 to 2011 restoration:
- Floor replaced
- Fully rewired
- Brakes overhauled
- Glass replaced
- Stainless steel exhaust fitted
- Bare metal restoration of body
- Fully resprayed in Signal Red
- Chrome wire wheels fitted
- Chromework refurbished and re-chromed where necessary
- Fuel tank replaced
The Condition
- Pretty Signal Red paintwork in very good order following 2011 respray
- Few signs of age or use to paintwork but due to age buyers should be realistic
- Bodywork presents very well with flush panel fit particularly to rear edges of doors
- Rear wings are rust-resistant fibreglass fitted prior to vendor’s purchase of car
- Bonnet recently machine polished by professional detailer
- This work also included applying a protective graphine coating
- Supplied with rare and desirable ‘Surrey Top’ in red and black and well kept
- Folding soft top included with tonneau cover
- Vendor describes the car as ‘rust free’ across bodywork and underside
- Underside presents very well with no structural advisories on current MOT
- Fitted with chrome wire wheels during restoration with matching spare wheel
- The rims are in very good order with bright finish
- Fitted with quality vintage tyres showing smart white band and in good order
- Chrome luggage rack fitted to rear deck
- Chromework restored during older renovation and in very good, bright order
- Lights present well with headlights converted to much improved halogen units
- Very well kept interior with period correct dashboard in excellent order
- Dials and switchgear present very well with light patina of character to some elements
- Fitted with leather MX5 seats trimmed in black with white piping and very comfortable
- These seats are common upgrade that make these cars ideal for long distance touring
- The car is also supplied with its original seats retrimmed in bull leather as shown
- Period Philips radio in good working order
- We understand the electrics and switchgear are in fully working order
- Car was rewired during older restoration
- Fitted with a smart wood-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel which is in good condition
The Mechanics
- Original 2,138cc engine rebored to 2,283cc by Southern Triumph
- Engine fully rebuilt and upgrades by Southern Triumph in 2023
- 4spd manual gearbox with J-Type overdrive working on 3rd and 4th gears
- Fitted with twin SU carburettors
- Well detailed engine bay in very good order
- This work was undertaken at 103,926 miles and car has covered 3,000 miles since
- Car run in to Southern Triumph guidance and only ever using branded high octane fuels
- Full list of mechanical and running gear specification below
- All upgrades and improvements listed below applied since 2021 using Southern Triumph
- All maintenance and servicing since 2021 by Southern Triumph
- Fitted with brake servo and fuel cut off switch for safety
- Oil change and service by Southern Triumph in August 2024
- Vendor tells us that the car has no mechanical failings and requires nothing
- No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT
Specification with all work by Southern Triumph since 2021:
- Engine fully rebuilt to 2,238cc specification
- New cylinder liners and 89mm pistons
- Engine block machined
- Fast road cam
- New clutch
- Lightened flywheel
- Timing chain replaced
- New rear oil seal
- Four-into-two stainless steel exhaust with heat wrap
- Oil sump replaced
- Radiator replaced and fitted with new electric fan
- Uprated water pump and new fan belt fitted
- High torque starter motor
- Coolant and fuel hoses replaced
- Brake master cylinder
- Brake pipes replaced
- Speedometer calibrated
- Ride height adjusted to correct factory specifications
- New rear leaf springs
- Throttle cable repairs
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