Last weekend, while on a short vacation to St. Petersburg in Florida, I spotted the ideal: a quaint beach cottage, spitting distance to the ocean, with a gorgeous TR4 parked in the carport. Now, before you lecture me about salt spray, I find it highly unlikely this was a year-round resident; regardless, it looked like they were doing things right. That’s why this restoration-ready Triumph TR4A here on eBay caught my eye, with a Buy-It-Now of just $9K and the reserve unmet.
The TR4A designation is an important one, as this is represents the classic roadster’s transition to an independent rear suspension. The prior year’s so-called “Hotchkiss drive” system was criticized for its poor ride quality, and the new IRS was found to be more compliant. Some other mild styling tweaks occurred in concert with the suspension changes, including new chrome trim, redesigned bumpers and all dashboards featuring walnut inlays.
The seller says this TR4A has been in long-term storage and will need restoration throughout. That said, it is supposedly quite solid underneath, and we don’t see much missing from the cabin or exterior, so hopefully the next owner’s parts hunting tasks will be minimal. TR4As also received a shorter shifter assembly, and it would be a treat to row the spunkly four-cylinder (featuring more power and torque in this generation) through the gears.
The amount of debris in the engine bay tells you that while the barn it was stored in was warm and dry, any number of critters found a home in the Triumph. This could mean wiring was chewed through or insulation was devoured. The seller notes fresh fluids and cleaning out the tank are also recommended. The old-school Oregon plates and Clinton bumper sticker point to a hibernation beginning in the mid-90s, but this TR4A still looks like a good foundation for freshening up.
“running when parked”
I call BS. May have been sort of running, but I really doubt that it was anywhere near driveable. There are many hidden issues here. The loose hydraulic line in the engine bay shot: Brake line, or clutch? Probably brake, as the clevis pin is out/gone. No, this has been a Rodent House for so very long, it needs a complete strip and redo. Anyone thinking that they can do a quick clean and then drive it is setting up for a major disappointment!
I think that the seller is fishing in deeper waters than the car deserves. That said, the 4A IRS is seen by many as the “best” of the TR4 series. Very fun to drive. I am not knowledgeable enough here to tell, might this have OD?
OK, that settles it. I’m having “Running When Parked” engraved on my tombstone. I’ll be speaking to the wife about it tonight.
Yes the switch on the right side of the column is the O/D switch. It’s the shorter one above the headlight dimmer switch. But there is no guarantee that the O/D is actually there or if it functions.
I would assume that the O/D is helping to drive the price up. But $9k still seems high. Note that the trunk lid has been hit fro the back. Replacements can be found but they aren’t cheap. I agree that this would need a full restoration to be drivable again.
“Running when parked”?
Probably out of gas by now anyway.
Just a couple of notes from someone who’s owned a couple of these cars: First, just because it’s a TR4A doesn’t necessarily mean that it has IRS. This one should, given the badge on the trunk lid. The U.S. importers raised such a stink over the IRS that Triumph gave in and built a number of solid-axle TR4As. The reasoning that I always heard was that the autocrossers and road racers didn’t want the IRS cars. It could have come down to cost, though, because the solid-axle cars were cheaper when new. It’s easy to check to see how the car was born by looking at the commissioning (serial) number. IRS cars begin with “CTC” while solid-axle cars are labeled “CT”.
Also, the “walnut veneer” strikes me as odd. All the 4As that I remember had a lighter (teak?) veneer. This one looks like all the original veneer has either fallen off or been stripped. I should add that solid walnut dash panels were (are?) available from the aftermarket, but this one doesn’t appear to have been changed over to one of those.
Probably an aftermarket dash. The Roadster Factory makes them in various wood veneers as well as several other vendors that I can’t think of off the top of my head.
I’ve also heard that the solid axle was continued for the US market due to demand from dealers and/or customers.
Rare “Mossy Oaks” package under the bonnet!
Price is too high and I agree with those who say this is a major project. And the running when parked routine is way out of control. Who cares if it was running 20 years ago or whatever? Is it running now? If not, you know what you need to do.
Here’s my TR4A
It was running when new,
It was running when parked,
and now I’m running…
I concur. The front to rear hydraulic, fuel, motor, carbs, electric, upholstery. Carpet, glass?, bonnet looks squirrelly and bent, frame rot? Too much for me. I guess $3500 would be an awful insult.
Throw another 5-6 grand to that price and get a decent driver.
Can anyone identify the wheels on this car ? I have a set of three just like them and would dearly like to find a forth one to complete the set ? Or I’ll sell / swap my 3 to complete your set
They look like Ansons
If you had found this yourself, and paid what these guys likely paid for it, then a fairly solid base to take it as far as you wanted/could afford. But there is too profit much being attempted here – can’t see anyone starting into it at this asking price. Familiar story, I guess but figured I’d say it anyway! Notice there was a brand new tire put on the front at some point – even managed to lose a lug nut and/or snap a wheel stud in the process…
At least he was honest about leaving the moss under the hood. Not to be confused with Sterling Moss. I had a TR4A that was not IRS. It was in great running condition, and body was similar or slightly better. If memory serves, I sold it for around $2000 in Greensboro NC back in 1986. By the way, I hate wire wheels (heavy & high maintenence) and will never have them on a car again.