1966 Triumph TR4A Sports

Finished in British Racing Green, it’s the originality of this Triumph TR4A that makes it pop out from the crowd. Formerly in concours condition some years ago, it was acquired by the vendor from a friend whose partner had passed away. He took the time to sort out a few age-related issues, as well as have it serviced, tuned up and treated to a thorough valeting. Although there is extensive paperwork (more on that later), it’s not clear if the car has ever been restored; according to the seller, the paint does look like it could be original. That there’s so much information in its history file, but nothing that seems to chronicle a major restoration, suggests it could well be just extremely original.

What has been done is general improvement, to keep the car up to scratch. So the soft-top has been replaced, as have items such as the carpets and whatever other work - mechanical or cosmetic - the car has required over the years. “It has no issues,” reports its current owner. “If you wanted to just drive a classic to the south of France, this would be the one to take. It must be one of the most rust-free TRs around.” While it might not walk through a concours event with quite the same ease as it might have done during its 1990s heyday, it’s definitely not too far away from such judge-friendly condition. The vendor honestly rates it as a “9.5 out of 10.”

There’s no reserve on this Triumph, although for a car such as this, we’d expect between £20,000 and £30,000 to be a realistic guide. Oh, and that includes the very desirable ‘1967 TR’ numberplate as well, worth a lot of money in its own right.  

It seems almost de rigueur now that any Triumph TR eventually acquires wire wheels. That this example is wearing steel wheels with chrome hub caps is refreshing to see, especially as they look so good in British Racing Green. There’s obviously been a lot of effort and attention taken to make sure it stayed largely true to factory spec. The tyres are 165 HR15 86H Vredestein Sprint Classics - a quality brand - with plenty of tread left. The wheels they envelop are free from any damage or scuffing, while the chrome hubcaps are sparkling, with no wear to the centre Triumph globe logos.

Everything above the wheels matches the same high standard. The paint is in very good condition - if it is the same as the car wore it emerged from Triumph’s Coventry factory during the 1960s, then its survival is remarkable. Even if, as might be the case, it was redone at some unrecorded point during the 20th century, it’s still holding up extremely well. There are some age-related marks here and there, but no corrosion, and very little that detracts from what is a beautiful looking vehicle.

All the brightwork looks splendid, as does the hood. As noted earlier, the latter has been replaced in recent years and still looks like new. The plastic windows, which often go cloudy or develop scratches, are free from any such issues.

Panel fit can be problematic on these Triumphs, and while the gaps are straight and tight throughout most of this TR4A, the passenger door isn’t quite as close-fitting as it could be. “If I could wave a magic wand, that’s the one thing I would put right,” says the vendor – a man very knowledgeable with classic cars.  

The interior is in very good nick, although does show a few more signs of age. You won’t find any wear on the carpets, which were replaced in 2011. The seats - black with white piping - also look like they were redone around the same point and have yet to exhibit any issues whatsoever. They look like they could have just been put in last week.

The wooden dashboard does look to be original, and although there are a few spots where the veneer has deteriorated slightly, around the edges, it’s still very tidy indeed. The same is true of the switchgear and gauges. A period Motorola radio is in the centre console, which looks ideal occupying the usual spot under the centre of the fascia. A bonus is that an iPod lead has been fitted, which emerges in the glovebox. It is an older 30-pin connector, so won’t fit current models, but you can buy converters that will mean it should work with any current Lightning slot-equipped kit. There’s paperwork that also suggests the radio has been converted to FM reception. Not a trivial conversion.

Although the exterior hood was replaced, it appears that the original lining was retained, along with the hood frame. There is, inevitably, some mottling to the lining, and the frame displays some surface corrosion, although to our mind, the patina is much less than you would ordinarily expect from a car of this age. Especially given that it’s a convertible and, therefore, rather more exposed to the elements than a tin-top would be.

The boot shows more signs of its decades than the rest of the car, and looks largely untouched, so there are marks in the paintwork and on the hardboard lining, plus a bit more surface corrosion. There’s also the original jack, which has a light coating of rust, but still looks perfectly usable should it be called upon for duty. Rather specially, you’ll also find the original tonneau and half-cover cover in the boot, and there’s an external boot rack that comes as part of the sale too. It looks to be of the type specifically designed for the model, so mounts to the hinges and the upper holes for the registration plate, thus meaning there’s no need to drill any other holes. Which would just be wrong on such an original example like this.

The passenger door shut has a few touches of cosmetic rust around the bottom weather-strip, presumably where water has pooled in the past. It can be seen in our photos, and is minimal at the moment, but is one of the very few jobs that the new owner may want to resolve soon after purchase, before the winter months.  

Comprehensive undersealing has been carried out beneath the car, although it was obviously done a few years back - a check through the history seems to suggest a date of around 2008. And although there are some areas where it has cracked and other spots where surface rust has appeared, everything appears to be structurally sound. That’s backed up by the MoT certificates; no body or chassis work to rectify corrosion has been required at least as far back as 2006. We cannot see any reason why this won’t remain the case for years to come.

There’s evidence of Waxoyling inside panels and cavities; a car from the 1960s doesn’t look this good after so many years without it having been carried out very conscientiously over the years.

The engine bay is clean and tidy, and hasn’t appear to have seen DIY or amateur-ish attempts at repairs or upgrades, although as our History Highlights section clarifies, there have been some sympathetic modifications. However, as you’d expect from a car that has been on the concours circuit, it still looks largely stock under the bonnet, even down to the standard twin-carb air filter set-up. Show this bay off at any show, and you’ll have true Triumph aficionados crowding around. No fluid leaks are apparent.

One sensible departure from norm is that a Kenlowe electric fan has been fitted, but its installation has been professionally carried out, with the temperature control knob mounted quite unobtrusively on the offside inner wing. Heat-resistant lagging has also been wrapped around the exhaust manifold - which looks much better than the usual rust-coloured finish that inevitably affects this component with age.

Mechanically, everything behaves as it should; this is a car that starts first time and drives just as beautifully as its appearance suggests it should, with no rattles or other worrying noises. The paperwork chronicles a vehicle that appears to have received any attention it needed, when it needed it. And at considerable cost if necessary.  

While not all of this car’s 86,200 miles and 54 years are covered, there is a heck of a lot of history to digest, dating back to the 1980s. Handwritten notes attest to an unleaded cylinder head conversion being fitted at 61,270 miles, along with vented front discs, electronic ignition, silicon hoses, polyurethane suspension bushes, a high torque starter and Lucas C40 alternator conversion. At 75,000 miles, there was an upgraded clutch, rebuilt gearbox and a Kent camshaft. The file includes invoices from reputable firms such Revington TR and Moss Europe.

You’ll also find the original owner’s handbook which is now a little fragile, so there’s a second copy as well, in better nick. An older Haynes workshop guide is also part of the collection, as is an official workshop manual.

The list of spares that will come with the car include a car cover, new fuel pump assembly, various gaskets, engine ancillaries and carburettors, radiator, original dynamo and assorted service parts. Check out our photo section for a more detailed list.

Although there’s no need for a vehicle of this age to have an MoT, reassuringly it has been put through one, which expires on 18 June 2021.  

It’s the authenticity and purity of this car that impresses most of all. It has had work done, and in more recent times some sensible modifications and upgrades have been carried out, which don’t impact on the original character and charm. But it remains very honest, and still very much the TR4A experience as Triumph always intended it to be. The bills reach back to the 1980s, with many thousands spent - it’s been cosseted for a long time. Recent work includes a full service and MoT, meaning that it’s good to go now - what an ideal way to spend the rest of the summer.

Our estimate of between £20,000 and £30,000 represents how desirable Triumph TR4As are at the moment, and that this example is up there with the best of them - and with (almost) the perfect numberplate too. The owner has all the confidence in the car to offer it to you for no reserve. It should appeal to any marque enthusiast who appreciates a TR that hasn’t had so much work done on it that much of the original flavour has gone. The owner says that the condition of this car, and the way it drives, is so good that it’s the kind of car he would gladly sell to a friend. Get in first before any decide to take him up on the offer.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.