HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: 1962 Triumph TR4 roadster for classic British motoring

Pick of the Day: 1962 Triumph TR4 roadster for classic British motoring

The restored sports car is said to be in excellent driving condition

-

One of the best-looking small-bore British sports cars ever was the Triumph TR4. With a design by Giovanni Michelotti, the lines of the car are nothing short of perfection and define the era of the 1960s better than any other affordable sports car.

The TR4 is a civilized roadster for the era, having roll-up windows and a convertible top that does a better job than most other British tops of the era at keeping the rain out. The interior of the TR4 is also well-finished with leather seats and a lovely dash layout with chrome-surround classic gauges that transport you back to the 1960s.

The TR4 also has a strong racing history, including finishing first in class at the 1961 Sebring race, first, second and fourth in class at Sebring in 1963, and another class win there in 1966. They were also quite dominant in SCCA racing in the U.S. fielded by Kas Kastner and Bob Tullius, who were the ones who took the cars to Sebring as well.

The Pick of the Day is a 1962 Triumph TR4 finished in Wedgewood Blue with a correct black leather interior.

tr4

According to the Hilton Head, SC private owner advertising this TR4 on ClassicCars.com, it is “not perfect but a real nice one.” They go on to state that it has all original chrome in good condition, and the engine has been upgraded to a set of twin Weber downdraft carbs and an Abarth exhaust system.

The car is completely rust-free, the seller says, and recently received new floor pans, inner and outer rocker panels, new clutch and clutch hydraulics, a new master cylinder, completely new and correct interior including Suffolk leather seat covers, new top, a new grille, wiring harness, an alternator conversion, new battery, horns, all new cooling hoses and fuel lines, new brake pads, and new speedo and tach cables.

tr4

A nice thing about this ad is that the seller also included pictures of the car during restoration, giving the prospective buyer a better idea of what has been done to the car.

The TR4 is being sold with four spare wire wheels, lots of additional spare parts and a factory workshop manual, the ad notes.

The car drives great with no slop in the steering or suspension, and it is ready to be driven now while the new owner adds the finishing touches to make this TR4 a truly excellent example, the seller adds.

The asking price of $25,995 is right in line with what a TR4 in this condition.

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

5 COMMENTS

  1. These are wonderful cars – but not for everyone. Drive one first before you decide this is the roadster for you. I have had a TR4-A and a TR6. Both of them had gobs of cowl-shake so bad that you grit your teeth and pinch your butt cheeks together every time you see a railroad crossing in your path. But, unlike MGs, they have loads of bottom end torque and full-syncho gearboxes that are a joy to use. MGs always seem to be better put-together and far less rattly than TRs, but TRs always seem to be more ruggedly simple. Four cylinder TRs are – literally – tractor engines from Ferguson. Six cylinders (TR250 and TR6) are more refined, but pretty much the same chassis with independent rear. If the pavement is perfect where you live, get a Triumph. If it’s not, look for something with a more compliant suspension. Maybe a Triumph-powered TVR?

  2. Yes, yes, yes…..
    As presented a sweet little fun car…promising an experience far beyond specs.
    The price – probably right for this market (albeit like most TRs these were never all that “hot”), but holding true to the ever increasing desire for originality (and apparent love and personality and experiences of the owner and vehicle) are worthy of a premium. (Whereas the costs, efforts and modifications by so many only change what it was/is and almost never achieve any bettering).

  3. I am the son of the owner, and my friend and I did the restoration for my dad. We removed all bad metal, replaced it, and also treated the inside of the fenders with rust inhibitor. My friend did the paint, and he took painting and body classes at McPherson College in their auto restoration program. Once metalwork was done, we prepped, primed with epoxy gap filling primer, long and shortboard sanded it, then DA sanded it, then I hand sanded the entire car 3x with DA pads of finer grit stuck to a rubber glove. I have owned dozens and dozens of Triumphs since 1993, and this is the fastest TR4 i have ever driven. Lots of low down torque to get you off the line and the powerband is wide and consistent.

    Our goal was to make a reliable, good looking, solid car my parents could hop in and drive halfway across the country to visit me. I feel we accomplished it, albeit a bit too late as Dad’s age has him leery of driving the car now. I was visiting a few weeks ago and took him for a spin in it as a final shakedown, and took the pictures. Dad had a TR3a new in 59, we have had TR7s, 8s, Spitfires, and I have had everything from TR2-8, Stag, all models of Spitfire and GT6. You could say we are Triumph fanatics and not be exagerrating the fact.

    Whoever ends up with this car will get a solid, 100% rust free greeat driving car that is just shy of that perfection line where a chip will absolutely ruin it. I am confident the next owner will really enjoy it for years to come.

  4. I disagree with Tom, if you drive one, you will buy it. The TR4’s and 6’s will not hurt you, cowl scuttle is normal in any convertible. And yes, if you go across uneven railroad tracks at an elevated speed – you will get jostled a bit. But for a fun ride and low maintenance, both cars are fun to own. One of my early cars was a ’62’ TR4, and I beat on that car every day – and it always came back for more. Right now I have a ’69’ TR6 and a ’64’ TR4, and I’m going to sell my TR6 and keep the TR4 – – solid axle handling in the 4 is a lot of fun.
    Thanks,
    matt

  5. I did this restoration with a friend for my dad. We replaced any rusty metal, and treated all the remaining metal to prevent future rust. It drives great and is very quick. The intent was to build a reliable good looking and driving car.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent Posts

spot_img