1963 Triumph TR4

This beautiful example was imported from the United States in late 2013 from the south-western American state of New Mexico where it had lived since at least the eighties. As such, it was a rust-free car and the ideal base for a high-end restoration.

After import, the bodywork was separated from the chassis, stripped to a bare shell and every mechanical component was removed, checked, cleaned and rebuilt or replaced, and then carefully reinstalled in the freshly painted car.

The vehicle was professionally converted to right-hand-drive at the same time using original parts, a common adaptation and one that adds to the drivability and usability of the car now it’s in the UK.

The car was resprayed in Triumph Racing Green paintwork, which was the original colour, a fact the owner was at pains to check with British Motor Heritage at Gaydon before work commenced. 

The quality of the work is evident from the photographic history (over 300 photos of the restoration are below) but if you still need convincing, just look inside the boot. Anyone who goes to this much trouble in a place that few will ever see hasn’t skimped on the rest of the job.

The chromework gleams, the windscreen is brand new (and fitted with a brand-new rubber seal), as is the hood. All the exterior lights are immaculate and feature upgraded halogen headlights; originality is all very well but it is over-prized in the case of the factory Prince-of-Darkness-lighting, an engineering faux paus that leaves the car practically unusable at night…  

The quality of a restoration is revealed through the details, and the details on this car are absolutely perfect.

The interior of the car is almost all new, with the exception of the seats, which are refurbished originals. 

As such, the interior is showroom fresh and an utterly delightful place to be.

The restoration included a full engine rebuild. The work, of course, included new pistons and liners but the engine capacity of 2198cc was retained. This was a shrewd move, maintaining the essential essence of the car’s originality although some modern, and very sensible, mechanical upgrades have been carefully installed. These include lead-free valve seats, an improved rear crankshaft seal (replacing the OE cork seal with a modern rubber version that stops the ever-present slow oil leak that is inevitable with the original design), and a spin-on oil filter. 

The TR4 comes complete with a full history file, including more than 300 photographs documenting its body-off, bare metal respray.

Interestingly, this TR4’s last American owner was in the U.S.A.F. and a copy of the title for the vehicle from that time is included with the car.

The online MOT history shows that the car has never failed a single MOT test, which has to be an independent vindication as to the quality of the restoration.

Given the quality of the restoration, and the fact that it has only covered 230 miles since the work was completed, this is as close to being a new TR4 as it is possible to get.

This is one of the very best TR4s in the country, and the price represents a fraction of what it would cost to buy and import a car yourself prior to having it restored to this quality. 

Viewing in South London is highly encouraged in order for you to fully appreciate what an opportunity this car offers the discerning collector or enthusiast.