You have several days to bid on this 1966 Triumph TR4-A or, if you believe, another part of the eBay ad, TR3. Or TR4. Which is it, seller Zombie? I don’t say that as an insult. Zombiemotors is the business behind this sale, which lasts a few days, until Sunday evening. The car itself sits in Eugene, Oregon, and that bid? One person has stumped up for it—at $1500. There doesn’t seem to be a reserve, so bid to buy, though you’re not likely to get this car at the next bid’s price unless you punch for a knockout.
Think about the era this car comes from. You could buy all kinds of thumping muscle cars, some even built-in convertible formats, like the Pontiac GTO and the Ford Mustang GT (and others). Why would you, then or now, want a little go-cart like this solid-axle TR4 (if that’s what this is)? Because you wanted to canyon carve, experiencing the handling that the big American cars could never approximate. What won’t help you is the claimed solid rear axle on this car, a feature that also presents a further problem, as sources indicate that the TR4-A (which was available in 1966) has independent rear suspension and that the TR4, with its live axle, lived only until 1965. So what is this, exactly, seller and Barn Finds experts?
Despite the confusion, if you’re convinced that a car like this would enhance your life, you’re probably right, but what about this particular example? It looks in rough condition as far as the paint goes. The seller claims the finish to be original, but it appears that it would take a lot of skill with the wheel to make the paint serviceable. On the other hand, there’s the old, “They’re only original once” argument to be bandied about. On another topic, the seller says that the floors and sills are good, and that he has a lift where he has verified this, but there are no images of the car underneath in the ad. So you’re on your own. Trust, don’t trust, inspect…that latter word is the one you want.
The seller claims that the car is in the original paint, that he will provide a new soft top, and that he has done various mechanical fixes. All of this adds up to a partial resto on a largely original car. And if that’s the case, and you can snag this ride for four figures, then you might just have a fun and stylish summer cruiser. See for yourself, but be warned: the seller says he’s quite happy keeping this car if it doesn’t sell. How that adds up on a no-reserve auction here on eBay, I’m not sure, so it’s best to sort through the contradictions visible here before you get your bid in if this little Triumph is your cup of English Breakfast Tea.
I didn’t see a link,or where it was advertised.
Thanks for spotting that. I just added it back in. Not sure what happened there.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the “problems of it’s own” was the lack of a panhard rod on the rear suspension. Put that on and you had a canyon carver of the highest order. Now the independent rear suspension had it’s own problems, not the least is blowing out the rubber joints on the half shafts. One of my favorite cars.
The doughnuts? The cure for the lower-powered cars was to fit Lotus Elan ones; not sure if there’s a higher-powered equivalent.
My sister has a TR4A, which I’ve never had a shot of (yet…); given that this one’s the same age as me it could be a mix of 4 / 4A / 5 / 250 depending on what happened over the years and what was available to fix it. TR6 wheels, too.
IRS cars do not have rubber joints anywhere in the driveline. Universal joints only. Ive owned many of them, and as long as they’re greased and maintained, they are trouble free. Spitfire and GT6 are the ones with rubber guibo joints.
Good info. Did know about the Spitfire and GT6 and assumed the same for the TR4. Were folks able to use the TR4 axles to upgrade their cars?
Spot on as to the CTC VIN being IRS – I own a 66 TR4a IRS. It’s not a trailer queen – could be great fun at the right price.
It’s a ‘66 TR4A according to the commission number. Solid axles and IRS were offered in ‘65 and ‘66. If it was an IRS model the commission number would begin with CTC and have IRS on the boot (trunk) lid.
No engine view?
One thing for sure, it is not a TR3.
Just nit-pickery, but I always thought that a rigid axle, front or rear, like those found on most older Jeeps (think Dana 25 or 44) was called a live axle, as opposed to an independent (IFS/IRS) suspension with the diff mounted to the body. Most older British sports cars like my MGAs and MGBs had live axles in the back. When I discovered BMW 2002s with independent rear suspensions it really opened my eyes to controlled cornering (i.e.drifting)! 2002 was the Ultimate Driving Machine in ’69-’76.
I’ve had a few IRS cars (Datsun 510, BMW 320i, Mercedes 220 and while they beg to be pushed in corners when they finally have had enough recovery is pretty dicey. The solid axel cars recover a lot better although they let go sooner.
My Midget will stick with just about anything in a corner though even given that it is much older technology wise.