The Triumph TR4A is a sports car built by the Triumph Motor Company at its Coventry factory in the United Kingdom from 1965 to 1967.[2] It is an evolution of the Giovanni Michelotti styled TR4, with the TR4's Hotchkiss drive replaced by an independent rear suspension, indicated by an "IRS" badge attached to the car's rear.
The TR4A's rear suspension is a semi-trailing arm system with coil springs and lever-arm shocks. It more closely resembles that of the Triumph 2000 than the swing axle systems used in the Herald or Spitfire. The chassis was redesigned to accommodate the new suspension, with extensive changes to the side members and cross-bracing. After the redesign, reviewers noted the car's better ride comfort, although some felt that handling had not improved.[3]
The chassis revisions resulted in a car roughly 22 mm (0.87 in) wider than the TR4, although length and height were unaffected. The wheelbase is 3 mm (0.12 in) shorter. The front track is unchanged, while the rear track grew by 13 mm (0.51 in) with the IRS. The car is heavier by 50 kg (110 lb).
Although consideration was given to both an enlarged 2.5 litre four-cylinder or a six-cylinder engine, the TR4A used the same long-stroke, high-torque Standard four-cylinder wet-sleeve engine as the TR4. While the bore, stroke, and displacement remained the same, changes to the cylinder head and manifolds raised net power to 104 bhp (78 kW), an increase of 4%, and torque to 132 lb⋅ft (179 N⋅m), an increase of 10%.
Apart from the increase in width and the IRS badge on the rear of the car, other changes include a revised grille and new bonnet badge. There is also a new piece of chrome trim on the side, starting near the rear edge of the door and ending at the front of the car with integrated signal/marker lights, which were moved from their earlier position in the corners of the grille. New smaller front bumpers and a convertible top patterned after the one from the Herald complete the exterior differences. On the interior the fly-off handbrake lever is moved to the transmission tunnel between two revised seats, the gearshift lever is shortened, and Fascias in all cars are covered with walnut, which had been optional in the TR4.
This 1967 Triumph TR4A was registered in North Carolina before it was disassembled and refurbished in Triumph Racing Green over black leather upholstery in the early 2000s. Work following the current owner’s acquisition in 2019 included an overhaul of the 2,138cc inline-four, a Toyota five-speed manual transmission conversion, and fitting dual SU HS6 carburetors, an Offenhauser valve cover, an electric cooling fan, a spin-on oil filter adaptor, and solid steering rack mounts.
. This example was finished in Triumph Racing Green (25) from the factory, and the previous owner was informed that the body was removed from the frame during the aforementioned refurbishment. There are minor chips and blemishes in the paint. The 15″ Panasport-style center-lock wheels feature machined lips and are mounted with 165-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires that were installed in 2021. The seller notes that brake and suspension refurbishments included rebuilding the rear shock absorbers and front spring perches along with replacing the rear axle U-bolts, springs, front brake pads, rear brake shoes, and rear wheel cylinders. The hydraulic fluid in the brake and clutch systems was most recently changed in 2020. The reclining TR6-specification bucket seats are trimmed in black leather with perforated inserts and white piping, and additional appointments include a custom book-matched oak veneer dashboard insert, an inflatable driver-side lumbar support, a push-button British Leyland radio, a locking glovebox, a cabin heater, seat belts, and replacement door panels, carpeting, and interior trim. A leather wrap by WheelSkins protects the banjo-style steering wheel, and Jaeger instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer and a 6k-rpm tachometer, while gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level are located at the center of the dash alongside a Lucas ammeter. The five-digit odometer has rolled over and now shows 257 miles,the 2,138cc inline-four was overhauled in 2020 with 87mm pistons and replacement liners as well as a re-ground camshaft by Iskenderian. During the build, the block was line-bored, the crankshaft was balanced, a “Mad Marx” Viton rear main seal and hardened valve seats were fitted, and the timing chain, oil pump, tappets, and valve guides were replaced. Additional modifications include an Offenhauser aluminum valve cover, draft-tube-style crankcase ventilation, a spin-on oil filter adaptor, a billet aluminum water pump, a GM alternator, a high-torque starter, a narrow fan belt conversion, a revised heater valve, a Revotec electric cooling fan, and dual SU HS6 carburetors. The distributor was rebuilt and re-curved in 2020 by British Vacuum Unit of West Milford, New Jersey. The Toyota W58 five-speed manual transmission was rebuilt by Quantum Mechanics Ltd of Oxford, Connecticut, before it was installed with an HVDA conversion kit, a lightweight flywheel, and a custom driveshaft. A replacement clutch and rear axle bearings were fitted, and the seller notes that the live-axle housing was aligned and the tubes were welded. The car has been fitted with a stainless-steel exhaust system. The BMIHT certificate lists colors, serial numbers, options, and a build date of 10 April 1967. An owner’s manual and a collection of spare parts are included in the sale along with workshop manuals and refurbishment invoices.
This vehicle is very nice and drives extremely well. This is as nice a vehicle as you would want without spending a fortune on a concours 100-point car. This vehicle has very minor blemishes and needs nothing but someone that wants to have fun. It can be seen locally here at MMG and is part of the owner's personal collection. No dealer calls please. Only serious inquiries as the dealer enjoys his car.
