Vehicle Description
In the early '60s, American horsepower was taking off and Triumph
(indeed, all of the British sports car industry) needed to
modernize. Triumph, with limited resources, masterfully updated the
TR3, using an all-new body shell and numerous creature comfort
improvements to transform the TR4 into a car that could
realistically be used every day. And as a result, cars like this
1963 TR4 became iconic in their own right.
The dark green paint isn't quite British Racing Green, but it's
quite attractive on the tidy little roadster bodywork. Actually,
this car is a lot more substantial than the car it replaces and it
might just be the most attractive 2-door sports car under $20,000
anywhere. The hooded headlights, lightly rounded fenders, and the
power bulge on the hood, which is necessity not just styling, as it
leaves room for the air cleaner on the dual carburetors, all of it
makes the TR4 look a lot more expensive than it is. Finish quality
is pretty good and the base stock was surely in great shape,
because it fits together better than a lot of these cars that were
abused and neglected. There are signs of use that are completely
understandable, because this really is a daily-driver sports car
that you can use regularly. Just imagine finishing a hard day at
work and coming out to the parking lot to find this cheerful little
roadster! You can get a better idea of the car's overall condition
by looking at the chrome, which is probably original and still in
good shape.
There's little doubt that the tan leather interior on this TR4 is
almost entirely original. For that reason alone, it's pretty cool,
but don't expect perfection. Instead, think of it as broken-in, not
worn out, with cool bucket seats with round lower cushions that
make a really interesting design. Carpets, door panels, and the
dash are likewise showing their age, but I don't know if I would be
in a rush to replace any of it. The Jaeger instruments are still in
good shape and the basic switchgear still manages all the secondary
controls. No radio, no A/C, but that's why you buy a British sports
car, right? What you do get is a beautifully crisp 4-speed shifter
with a wooden knob and communicative steering that lets you clip
apexes with ease. Plus, all the stuff inside this car is available
from the aftermarket and it's all very inexpensive, so you can
upgrade it over time and really add some value. The top frame stows
neatly in the rear package area and there's a fair-sized trunk with
full-sized spare.
The 2138 cc inline-4 features dual carburetors and about 90
horsepower, so it's got a decent power-to-weight ratio. The engine
is a bit grumpy when it's cold, but get those dual side-draft carbs
warmed up properly and it runs through the rev range with gusto.
It's been maintained rather than rebuilt or restored, and these are
tough little engines, so go out and have some fun without worrying
about it. The 4-speed shifts nicely and clutch take-up is crisp and
the ripping exhaust note is what makes these cars so much fun on
the open road. It's original underneath but not structurally
compromised, just some surface rust, so it still works the way the
designers intended and won't scare you with big issues later.
Braking is confident for such a light car and it sits on painted
steel wheels and Goodyear blackwalls that have an
industrial-strength look.
These cars are quickly finding new owners and prices are on their
way up, so use this as an opportunity to own a traditional British
sports car for not a lot of cash, one in which you can invest some
sweat equity and have it pay off later. Call now!
