1963 Triumph TR4 From Santa Fe, New Mexico; Dry; Very good driver. Seller: Silver Arrow Cars Ltd. #40218Office Location: Victoria, BC, CanadaNearest commercial US Border: Blaine, Washington
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1963 Triumph TR4
Particulars:Type: Roadster/ConvertibleChassis No. CT7879LSpeedometer: MPHBody Color: RedTrimming: Red LeatherCarpet: RedSofttop: Black Vinyl
Non-standard options:Wire wheels
Model History:
The Triumph TR4 is a British sports car which was produced by the Triumph Motor Company from 1961 to 1965. Code named "Zest" during development, the car was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the previous TR sports cars, but with a modern Michelotti styled body. 40,253 cars were built during production years. The TR4 proved very successful and continued the rugged, "hairy-chested" image that the previous TRs had enjoyed.
Styling and coachwork:
The new TR4 body style did away with the classical cutaway door design of the previous TRs to allow for wind-down (roll-up) windows (in place of less convenient side-curtains), and the angular rear allowed a boot (trunk) with considerable capacity for a sports car.
Engineering:
The pushrod Standard inline-four engine, was designed for use by Standard-Triumph in Triumph cars, but was also provided to Ferguson for use as tractor engines. The notion that Triumph used a tractor engine, rather than the other way around, is false.[citation needed] The TR4 engine was continued from the earlier TR2/3 models, but the displacement was increased from 1991cc to 2138 cc in the TR4 by increasing bore size. Gradual improvements in the manifolds and cylinder head allowed for some improvements culminating in the TR4A model. The 1991 cc engine became a no-cost option for those cars destined to race in the under-two-litre classes of the day. Some cars were fitted with vane-type superchargers, as the three main bearing engine was prone to crankshaft failure if revved beyond 6,500 rpm; superchargers allowed a TR4 to produce much more horsepower and torque at relatively modest revolutions. The standard engine produced 105 bhp (78 kW) SAE but, supercharged and otherwise performance-tuned, a 2.2-litre I4 version could produce in excess of 200 bhp (150 kW) at the flywheel. The TR4, in common with its predecessors, was fitted with a wet-sleeve engine, so that for competition use the engine's cubic capacity could be changed by swapping the cylinder liners and pistons, allowing a competitor to race under different capacity rules (i.e. below or above 2 litres for example).
Other key improvements over the TR3 included a wider track front and rear, slightly larger standard engine displacement, full synchromesh on all forward gears, and rack and pinion steering. In addition, the optional Laycock de Normanville electrically operated overdrive could now be selected for second and third gears as well as fourth, effectively providing the TR4 with a seven-speed manual close ratio gearbox.
The TR4 was originally fitted with 15x4.5" disc wheels. Optional 48-lace wire wheels could be ordered painted the same colour as the car's bodywork (rare), stove-enamelled (matte silver with chrome spinners, most common) or in matte or polished chrome finishes (originally rare, but now more commonly fitted). The most typical tyres originally fitted were 590-15 bias ply or optional radial tyres. In the US at one point, American Racing alloy (magnesium and aluminium) wheels were offered as an option, in 15x5.5" or 15x6" size. Tyres were a problem for original owners who opted for 60-spoke wire wheels, as the correct size radial-ply tyre for the factory rims was 155-15, an odd-sized tyre at the time only available from Michelin at considerable expense. Some original TR4 sales literature says the original radial size was 165-15. The much more common 185-15 radials were too wide to be fitted safely. As a result, many owners had new and wider rims fitted and their wheels re-laced.
Sporting achievements:
The TR4 had a number of racing successes in America, primarily through the efforts of the Californian engineer Kas Kastner and his top driver, Bob Tullius. In 1961 The TR4 won first in class and thirtieth overall at Sebring. That car was driven by George Waltman and Nick Cone. The serial number of that TR4 is CT 7L. In 1962 the TR4 won the E production national championship, following which the SCCA reclassified the car to D production, and Tullius won that class title in 1963 and ’64. Soon after the TR4 was introduced Kastner along with Mike Cook, who was in the advertising department at Triumph in New York City, convinced the company to provide three new TR4s to race in the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 1963. Beginning in September 1962 the cars were prepared in California, where Kastner was service supervisor for Triumph. The cars were then flown to Florida for the endurance race in March 1963. These cars were driven by Mike Rothschild and Peter Bolton from England, Bob Tullius, Charlie Gates, Ed Deihl, Bob Cole, Bruce Kellner and Jim Spencer and finished overall 22nd, 24th, and 35th of 65 entries, and first, second and fourth in the 2.5 GT class. This was the beginning of the Triumph Competition Department Kastner headed for several years and used to publicize and market the TR4. The next year a privateer TR4 finished dead last in the 1964 running of the Sebring 12-hour race and Kas Kastner returned to Sebring in 1966 with four carefully prepared TR4As, three of which finished winning the class. In 1966 at Sebring, Tullius threw a piston in the most highly tuned car and did not finish. Perhaps the greatest racing victory for the TR4A was at Daytona, where a Kastner-prepared car driven by Charlie Gates won the 1965 SCCA D modified championship against Ferraris and other prepared race car exotics.
The TR4 continues to be raced in vintage sports car events and even won an SCCA class championship as late as 1991. In Australia the TR4 was a common sight at hill-climb events and various club rallies and circuit racing events. In 1964 the factory sponsored Team Triumph entered three TR4s in the Canadian Shell 4000 rally. These "works" cars were reportedly built with gussets on the chassis members and aluminium body panels to strengthen and lighten the car. After import, the engines were prepared by Kastner in New York, where they were also fitted with lightweight magnesium wheels. Although they did not place well in the rally, the surviving cars have become quite valuable, one of which is owned by Neil Revington, the proprietor of Revington TR in the UK. Indeed, the TR4 became a celebrated rally car in Europe and the UK during early to mid-sixties, and various replicas are still campaigned by privateers in vintage rally events throughout Europe.
The car offered here:
This 1963 Triumph TR4 is a former resident of New Mexico and has an incredibly dry, rust free body. It was restored at least 10 years ago. The work was quite well done and there are few signs of aging. Mechanically it starts and drives well, especially on the highway due to a ''hotter cam'' that was installed by the previous owner. Soft top is like new. This is a lot of bang for your buck! Beautiful lines, wire wheels... I don't think there is another early 60s convertible sports car in this condition at this price on the market.
Please call Robert at +1 (250) 532-6547 to have any additional questions answered or to see the car in person.
Terms & Conditions
Used vehicles are sold "as is", "where is" with no warranties either expressed or implied. We do not accept refunds. Winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours of the auction end, and make arrangements for payment at that time.
A $2000.00 deposit is due within 48 hours of end of auction.
The remainder is due within 7 days of auction end. If no contact is made within 24 hours, we reserve the right to re-list the vehicle, sell it to the next high bidder, or sell it otherwise.
The car is advertized elsewhere. We reserve the right to end the listing if the vehicle is no longer available for sale.
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Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. F.O.B. Blaine, WA, USA
We can assist buyer with export/import to Europe or other intercontinental destinations.
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