Triumph : Other TR4A

1967 Triumph TR4A

This all-original TR4A remained with the original Texas Instruments engineer owner from his purchase in September 1967 until 2014.   It was purchased new from Precision Motors in Richardson. the local Triumph agent at the time. and has been in Dallas from new.   The car was used as a daily driver for the original owner from new until 1992 or so. then as a weekend car until parked in 1999.   The originality is impressive. with all matching numbers and specification as confirmed by the included BMIHT Heritage Certificate.   Displayed mileage on the odometer is 53. 62 miles.   The original speedometer was replaced with a used unit at some point in the past. and is included in the sale.   It displays 96. 33 miles. so while the true total mileage is unknown. it is somewhere in the range of 97k – 150k.     

Presented in one of Triumph's best colors. Royal Blue. the paint is 85% original to the car.   The boot lid was repainted following a minor tap in stop-and-go traffic on Central Expressway sometime in the late ‘70s.   It appears as though the rear bumper & over-riders were replaced at that time as well.   There is a light skim of old filler around the license plate mounting area on what appears to be the original boot lid.   No other body work or rust repair has ever been undertaken on the car.   It's truly a survivor with original panels. floors. sills. trunk floor. etc.

It has an unusual spec for a late 1966 production TR4A in the fact that it was wired with a positive earth and generator and is equipped with SU carburetors instead of the far more common Strombergs.   It is a solid axle car instead of the then-controversial IRS.   Other original equipment highlights include a non-overdrive 4-speed transmission. white steel wheels. blue leather interior and a white convertible top.  

Body & Interior Condition:

It appears as though the only substantive rust on the entire car is the battery tray.   Frame. floor pans. trunk floor. sills. closing panels. inner wings. all solid and rust free – car was never exposed to road salt being a Dallas car from new.   An excellent basis for frame-off restoration as the car is all original. unmolested and will require very little remedial metalwork prior to paint.

Needs complete interior retrim including dash wood re-veneering/replacement.   Everything is there. just in poor condition.   Seat frames are solid and appear to have been recovered with a dark blue vinyl at some point.   Door panels and other trim are the original lighter blue with white piping.   The original owner referenced a smash and grab theft many years ago that destroyed the glove box latch – no latch is present on the wood door.   The original radio w/operator's manual is present.

The top frame is present and is in good condition.   It raises and lowers smoothly.   No top covering is present – the original owner described removing it in the late 90's when it was worn out.   The original top boot is present.   The driver's window displays the Triplex mark and appears to be original.   There are no Triplex marks on the windshield or passenger window. so I assume that both are replacements.

Mechanical Condition:

Engine compression is good with 180 psi in all four cylinders.   It turns over freely.   I've spent some time attempting to wake it up and have replaced the fuel pump & lines. overhauled the carbs. and gone through the ignition system.   It wants to run. but just isn't.   That probably has more to do with my marginal mechanical skills than the engine itself. as all of the components are there for it to run.  

Brake and clutch hydraulics obviously need a complete overhaul from sitting for 16+ years.

The tires are shop rollers and hold air. but are quite dry rotted.   They appear to have tubes.  

Electrics seem to be in good shape.   Lights work. horn blows. starter turns. etc.   Wiring is in good shape and doesn't appear to contain any typical bodges or trite Lucas issues.   One of the headlights is the original Lucas sealed beam unit.   Lenses and such appear to all be original Lucas items.

Values of restored cars have increased to the point where a concours restoration of this original car makes financial sense.   I'm selling it as I'm just not the guy to take on that restoration due to available time and attention span.   I also have a very nice TR6 driver in the garage that scratches the British roadster itch.   I'd rather this TR4A go to someone who will restore her to original glory.   Original cars are becoming harder and harder to find. and this car is about as good of a restoration candidate as they come.

I am more than happy to provide a link to additional pictures of the car - please message me and I'll send it to you straight away.

Clear Texas title in my name in hand along with a copy of the original title.

On Jan-15-15 at 10:26:58 PST. seller added the following information:

UPDATE 1/15/2015: The engine is now running and running well.  It sounds great!  I had a Master British car mechanic to the house to diagnose why it wasn't starting. and turns out it was a bad condenser and the timing was off.  Fixed that. and it fired right up on the first shot of starting fluid and settled into a perfect idle.  Not bad for a car that slept for nearly 20 years! 

Also published at eBay.ca

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