The Triumph TR4A was the successor to the TR4, and the principal difference was a switch to an independent rear suspension (dubbed IRS – no, not the people you dread every April 15th). It was in production from 1965 to 1967 before being replaced by the TR5. Located in Columbia, Mississippi, this example from 1966 looks solid but has trouble maintaining oil pressure. The car is available here on eBay for $10,000 OBO, though the seller would entertain trading for an MG.
To accommodate “IRS,” a variety of changes were made to the undercarriage of the TR4 that slightly increased some dimensions. As a result, the TR4A was also 100 lbs. heavier than its predecessor. U.S. buyers weren’t crazy about the changes, and IRS became an option for cars destined for the States. The engine remained at 2.1 liters, though some tweaking gave it a boost in horsepower by 4% and torque by 10%.
The seller confirms this Triumph is an IRS car and is in good original condition. It has minimal rust, unlike so many of its compatriots. The survivor has disc brakes, wire wheels, and a 4-speed manual transmission. It could be a runner if a loss of oil pressure while idling can be solved. The seller is addressing that problem, and if he/she gets it fixed, the price of the TR will go up. Also, the brakes need some attention.
From what we can see, a coat of wax might encourage a shine of the red paint to come back. The convertible top is good, and the interior is at least okay but may need new upholstery. The seller may swap you if you have an MGA or MGTD you want to part with, as long as it runs well. If you’re good at working on these British sports cars, maybe you can get it going yourself.
…though the seller would entertain trading for an MG.
Good one
Nice car. The oil pressure is one of two things: Main and rod bearings need replacing or the oil pressure regulator on the mid right side of the block has a weak spring in it. I’d replace the spring to see if that solves the problem before replacing the bearings which can be done without taking the engine out. Might also check to see if the right oil is being used.
The oil gauge in the dash is fed by a pilot line from the engine (actual pressure gauge). These can get packed full of crud and need to be purged out. Before arriving at any conclusions, a temporary test gauge should be used. After that I would follow Bob’s advice.
I don’t know this for a fact, but having owned several British sports cars from the 50s and 60s, I’m guessing that the oil pressure gauge is not driven by a pressure sensor in the block, but rather by an actual oil feed line to the gauge. As such, the lack of oil pressure at idle is likely something internal to the engine (oil pump, valve stem seals/guides, rings). Engine rebuild in the offing? Also the interior is really tired, from the wood dash to the upholstery to the door cards.
On the plus side, the body ‘appears’ to be rust-free, even with the 1 floorboard picture showing some surface issues. If it’s a true southern car, and not on the Gulf coast salt air (Columbia is well north of the coast), perhaps it is really solid. Is this original paint? No mileage indicated.
Price seems high to me by about double given all of its needs.
Oil pressure has nothing to do with valve stem seals/guides nor rings. Worn main bearings, rod bearings, crank, oil pump and/or thin oil are more likely causes, assuming the gauge is accurate.
The RHD TR4A IRS that came to Australia also had an ‘electric’ overdrive engaged by flicking a lever on the steering column.
My brother-in-law had one and it was no slug; in overdrive they would pull 110mph.
I always preferred the TR4 over the TR4A.
Agreed, the live rear axle TR4 was a better set up than the IRS TR4A,
and more fun to drive IMHO
On the low oil pressure. I would recommend using straight 30wt oil. I have found using multivis oils in vintage motors can cause very low pressure at idle when warm. Like as much as 15lbs on the gauges
Idk….it all depends on what “low oil pressure” means. On pretty much every Triumph I’ve owned, once warmed up the oil pressure at idle is always “low”. Same with my Alfa’s.
I agree w the earlier comments about price. Even good project cars these days, which this certainly qualifies as, just aren’t in demand. The old generation is too old to want to take on the work and by and large the young generation doesn’t know how…or even know what a Triumph is.
Stuff a GM V6 in it and a 5 speed trans. Those Triumph 4 cylinders were boat anchors!
Having owned one for over 40 years now, I suspect wrong oil or a mistaken instrument reading. And when they get hot at idle the pressure drops. Let’s not forget this engine was designed for a tractor, you can beat the snot out of it and it still runs great.
Really should swap it for an NA Miata, and hardly ever worry about ‘todays challenges’.
I was driving one of these for the first time and was not impressed with the handling. It did not seem to handle as well as the first Triumph I had driven, a TR3 B. In the first 5 minutes of driving, I was passed by a car that I had never seen before. ( but had heard of) A Shelby Cobra that blasted by me like I was in reverse. And this was on the street.