1963 Triumph TR4A Cabriolet

A fun fact: Body plates in TR4s will state the maker's name as Standard Motor Company Limited but from the TR4A onwards it was frequently changed.  You'll see Standard Triumph Motor Company Limited, Triumph Motor Company Limited, Triumph Motors British Leyland UK Limited, and Triumph Motor Company.

For consignment, a bloody British bonne beauty from bonnet to boot in the guise of the model TR-A.  This TR4 comes equipped with IRS, or independent rear suspension, which superseded the TR4.  Apart from the rear suspension, which used trailing arms and a differential bolted to the redesigned chassis frame and a number of small styling changes and refinements, the two models appear nearly identical.  In fact, an estimated 25 per cent of TR4s were not equipped with IRS, but instead reverted to a live axle design similar to the TR4, which was adapted to fit the new chassis.  Our consignment in question was restored boot to bonnet in the 90's and comes with receipts and photos of the work for the  full metal redo, an engine rebuild, has logged a mere 1,000 miles since.  Recently the entire brake system was rebuilt, the fluids were changed and new spark plugs have been installed.  I say, let's go motoring British style old chap.

Exterior
Be it not for the curved in the hood headlight visors, and the ubiquitous bump on the hood, wire wheels and egg crate grille this iconic design cues, it becomes the TR4, and is looking decidedly British.  A horizontal ribbed chromed grille, with the single flanking headlights floats above a lower rounded bullet turn signal lights, framed on the bottom by a small bumper with dual vertical bumper-ettes.  A long hood works its way back to the windshield and side and door panels are nice and straight, and rust free.  These are all bathed in Signal Red and looking good.  Chrome trimmings are smashing, (good), and mirror-like.  A few minor faults are seen overall, but it is mostly tip top notch mate.  The rear of the car borrows from the Sunbeam tiger with vertical torchlights at the end of each pointed boxed off fender, and a squared off trunk.  This is a precursor to the TR-6 and Karmann rear design.  Gone are the cutaway doors and now straight sills with roll up windows keep the belt line horizontal.  Above all this Brit menagerie' is a clean structure for the convertible but no canvas is installed, but a zip in cockpit cover in black vinyl is on for those rainy days.  Seen on all 4 corners are polished wire knockoff hub 15-inch wheels wrapped by 165/80R15's all around.

Interior
With this sports car being sans top, we see dual bomber style vinyl bucketed cockpit.  Tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters present in charcoal gray and are like new for these vinyl covered seats.  A central hump races from the back of the cockpit forward, and houses the gear shift lever.  This meets up with the wood veneer dash showing beautifully and doing its job of covering the dash front and creating a nice background for the original round Jaeger black faced gauges with shiny chrome bezels.  A nice black bakelite rimmed banjo style steering wheel with 3 thin chromed rod spokes fronts the dash.  The dash also sports a lower panel with black framing and brushed aluminum to house pulls and knobs in the dash center.  Black carpets floods all the floors and is clean with a few areas of wear.  The door panels are black vinyl and are just a bit wavy but are very clean and unmarred. 

Drivetrain
With a forward pop of the bonnet we get our jollies with the rebuilt inline 4 banger underneath in 2138cc configuration.  This has dual side draft SU carburetors feeding it and a 4 speed manual transmission popped on to the rear of the mill.  A 3.70 geared rear axle is reserved to turn the tires.  The bay is in supreme condition as are all the engine, and bolt ons.  There is a glasspack style single exhaust to help expel the spent fossils and air.  Now we know why that bump up is on the top of the hood!

Undercarriage
Nearly perfect for this undercarriage with straight framing, solid black painted rust and dirt free floor pans and other structural steel undercarriage parts.  Independent suspension along with disc brakes are seen upfront and drums with leaf sprung suspension on the rear.

Drive-Ability
I fancy a drive in this car from across the pond as I had one of these, and wanted to relive the memory.  It fired right up, and ran like a charm to make even the royals have envy.  Good acceleration, smooth shifting, good handling with the suspension and brakes working together to give me my thrills.  It cruised smoothly up to speed, and came to an abrupt halt when standing on the brakes.  A good memory was brought back. Quite Right, Your Bloody Well Right!

No rust on the fully redone exterior, a well restored and preserved interior and a rust free and restored undercarriage.  But the overall highlight for me is the engine bay with a rebuilt engine and is backed by extensive receipts.  Overall a stunner and all that is left to say is Bob's yer uncle! Hop in and drive away but only after ponying up the quid.

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This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.