1966 TRIUMPH TR4A IRS

This particular Triumph TR4A IRS was first registered in 1966 and is equipped with a 2138cc engine and had clocked just 96,000 miles since 1966. Overdrive is present in third and fourth gear.

The car has had 5 previous keepers, one of which was Anthony Hamilton, father of seven time F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton. The car comes with an extensive folder filled with paperwork that dates back to 1994 and extensively documents all the work completed by previous owners in that time. Unfortunately some of the paperwork has been lost.

The current vendor purchased the car from Morse Classics in Northampton in December 2019. The car was delivered to the vendor and it soon became apparent that it needed an extensive amount work to be completed. A local garage was able to carry out the following work which included; new coil packs and condenser, electronic ignition, new front brake pads, renewed driveshafts, alternator conversion kit and other various repairs. To add further, it was discovered that the engine was misfiring, with various leaks, so the vendor opted to have the engine completely rebuilt. No stone was left unturned with everything from the small end bearings to the head being skimmed. A large sum was spent, with photos and invoices documenting this process.

All work was completed by BRC restorations and to a very very high standard. It is apparent as soon as you look in the engine bay, it has been meticulously restored to a very high standard.

Two sets keys are present with the vehicle.

As you walk around this Triumph TR4A, it becomes very clear that a lot of time, attention and care has been taken to ensure that this car is presented at its absolute best. If you were none the wiser then you would think this car has literally just rolled off the production line. The red paintwork glistens beautifully in the sunlight with an incredibly deep and glossy shine. It looks nothing short of fantastic, especially when paired with the elegant curvaceous body lines and contrasting chrome accents placed meticulously around the vehicle. Even better is that we noticed very few paint imperfections. For a car of this age, that is certainly something to be proud of.

The front end is free from stone chips that we could see, and looks superb. The chrome cowling that surrounds the front bumper looks impeccable. It’s still bright and lustrous, with minimal to no pitting to report. This extends to the front grille and chrome work that surrounds the headlights and is atop of the front wings. Speaking of headlights, the lenses are clear and bright also, showing no signs of fading from sunlight or old age, something that is common on these older vehicles.

One of the more intricate parts of the Triumph and very possibly overlooked is the attention to detail on things such as the side indicators. Crafted beautifully and complimenting the lines of the bodywork, it’s easy to see why these cars have amassed such a cult following. It’s the small details that really make a car stand out from the rest.

The model designation badges look excellent and one would assume that given their positioning on the vehicle these are the first to fall victim to imperfections. This couldn’t further from the truth as these look virtually brand new. A testament to how well looked after this vehicle has been over the years.

The panel alignment throughout is good with no dinks or dents that we noticed.

The roof is original and looking well for its age. There are a few imperfections to be aware of with a handful of holes that we noticed but these have been rectified and filled and to our knowledge the roof is watertight. Although we highly doubt this is a car you’re going to take out in the rain.

The Triumph sits on 15" wire spoke wheels and these look fantastic. Often these can be slightly neglected as cleaning them can take an age, but the vendor has done a fantastic job in ensuring they are kept looking superb. The chrome work is showing no signs of pitting and all four wheels appear to be free from curb rash or corrosion. New tyres have been fitted to all four corners and even the spare wheel in the boot has benefitted from fresh rubber.

The overall condition of this Triumph is stunning and we would also go as far to say near showroom condition. When the Triumph is not being used, it is stored in a garage where it tucked away from the harsh weather, preserving its delicate bodywork, protected from dust and detritus by a car cover.

The interior continues the same theme as the exterior, in terms of condition. The door cards present excellently with the covering free from any degrading that we noticed. This is still tight and looks fantastic and has a lovely matte sheen to it. Opening the door to the TR4 and jumping into it is somewhat of a experience as you’re instantly taken back to a much simpler time, with fewer electronics and your focus shifted solely to the driving experience. It's an analogue and effortless design, that has aged excellently, like any great sports car should.

The front seats are presented in black leather with contrasting white piping. We saw no signs of cracks or marks on either the driver's or passenger seats. This extends to the cushions and bolsters. The rear bench looks to be in good condition with no imperfections that we saw.

Carpet throughout the vehicle looks plush and fluffy with no reports of damage or them going threadbare to report. Triumph branded floor mats protect the original carpet.

The instruments and dials within the cockpit are as you would expect from a car of this era. Switch knobs mounted on the dashboard control various things such as the wipers and choke. The switch knobs and dials show some signs of patina but we feel this adds character to the TR4.

Those of you with eagle eyes will of noticed that the steering wheel is not original. The vendor opted to replace the original wood rim Moto-Lita dished steering wheel with a leather Mota-Lita flat steering wheel. Fear not as the original wheel is included with the sale of the car, should the new owner wish to retain the Triumph's originality.

Given that these cars are notorious for corrosion, you will be pleased to hear that we saw no signs of that. It would appear that the car has been undersealed and all elements that are exposed to the ground have been painted or coated in a protective layer of underseal or similar, protecting it from road grime for many years to come.

Accompanying the vehicle is the V5C plus an extensive folder which includes photographs documenting the build, together with parts supply invoices. Furthermore there is an extensive photo album with screenshots and messages of work being carried out and a folder with approximately 500 images show the works being undertaken.

There are always a handful of Triumph TR4s for sale at any given time but we doubt that you will come across one that has been as comprehensively restored and looked after as this particular example. With a fresh engine rebuild, renewed electronics and wiring, this TR4 has been given a new lease of life and is ready to undertake many more miles.

We suspect that whoever is fortunate enough to end up with this Triumph will be grinning from ear to ear every single time they turn the key and hear the engine burst into life.

57 years on, it’s a truly fabulous example of a popular quirky British sports car and one that continues to turn heads and provokes positive comments, wherever you go. We are confident to offer it with an estimate of £25,000-£30,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Broadstairs, Kent. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.