When the Triumph TR4 first broke cover, people were surprised by how much more aggressive its styling was when compared to its predecessors. It received an update when the TR4A was introduced in 1965, and while the cosmetic changes were minor, there were some notable improvements under the skin. This 1967 model comes from the final year of production, and it is begging to be restored. It is a complete and original vehicle and could be an excellent prospect for someone seeking a project to tackle in a home workshop. Located in Rosedale, Maryland, you will find the TR4A listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $5,600 in a No Reserve auction.

One of the battles that potential buyers can face when searching for a classic British sports car to tackle as a project can be rust. The impact of this can be quite profound, and some people find the prospect of tackling major rust repairs to be daunting. That isn’t the case with this Triumph because apart from some surface corrosion, there is nothing that will require cutting and welding. The vehicle wears Royal Blue paint, which was introduced to the TR4A range in late 1966. This is now showing its age, and a repaint will probably be on the cards. It appears that there is some minor damage to the trunk lid, but the rest of the panels seem to be straight and true. The convertible top looks dirty, but there are no apparent rips. It would be interesting to see how it would respond to a deep clean. The chrome and trim are presentable for a driver-quality car, while I can’t spot any problems with the glass.

There’s no escaping the fact that the interior of the TR4A will require a full restoration, and while this isn’t going to be a cheap undertaking, the result should be worth the time and expense. All trim pieces are readily available, and the cost will depend on the choice of material for the seats. If a buyer is looking at leather, they will face a bill of around $2,500. This includes covers for the seats in the correct color combination. Also included are all interior trim panels, upper and lower dash pads, a veneer dash fascia, and a full carpet set. If the restorer opts for vinyl in place of leather, that will drop the price by around $270. I know that’s by no means cheap, but it does represent a one-off cost for the next owner.

It was under the skin that things changed with the TR4A when compared to its predecessor. While both shared a 2,138cc 4-cylinder engine, the unit in the TR4A received a minor boost to 104hp. Backing this is a 4-speed manual transmission, sending the power to the rear wheels. The rear end marked the dramatic change because while the TR4 was fitted with a live rear axle and leaf springs, the TR4A received semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension. This didn’t significantly impact handling, but ride comfort was noted to be markedly improved. Compared to what was available in the American domestic market at the time, the TR4A was not a muscle car. However, a 0-60mph time of 10 seconds was respectable for a low capacity vehicle, while the top speed of 110mph was not to be sneezed at. The news with this Triumph is both good and bad. The car doesn’t currently run, and it isn’t clear when it last moved under its own power. On the positive side, it is mechanically complete, and the engine turns freely.

For Triumph, the TR4 was not the sales success that it had hoped for. During 5-years of production, just over 40,000 cars were sold. The TR4A turned this around, and in 1967 alone, 28,465 vehicles found their way to new homes. This is one of those cars, and as a project car, it does show a lot of promise. Its lack of rust issues is a major positive attribute, while the fact that it is complete is also a plus point. If the bidding remains in its current region, it could be a pretty canny buy. Good examples can regularly fetch $25,000, while spotless examples will easily sell for $35,000 or more. When you look at those figures, it potentially leaves a lot of room to restore this one to the highest standard while remaining financially viable. That means that this is a British classic that could demand a closer look for the right person. Could that person be you?