Triumph TR4 - 1962 - SURREY TOP - Original

1962 Triumph Other Surrey Top Additional Info:

This is a preserved original factory TR4 Early Hardtop that would have been rolling off the line along with Triumph Works Rally Cars which were done in Triumph Powder Blue. Only about 50 Hardtop Powder Blues were made with the aluminum hardtop. Very few of these have survived.

This car will be appreciated by anyone wanting an authentic and original car of the type that was rallied and raced by Triumph Works in the early 1960's.

This car has all matching numbers and nearly all original parts. It has its original engine and overdrive transmission in working order giving it 7 speeds. This was a frame off restoration with the intention of preservation. Painted inside and out with CONCEPT® (DCC) Acrylic Urethane 2k, color sanded and polished. Inside rockers, doors completely redone and treated with 3M rust prevention, underbody zinc primed, all new seam sealer. Every effort was made to preserve the original look with spot welds, stretch marks, correct fasteners, undercoating, burlap, horesehair, gauges, oil filter... This car makes a very good reference point for anyone interested in originality as opposed to one having all new reproduction parts. This car carries its original factory undercoating in the wheel wells. The powder blue paint in those areas was perfect and left untouched. The car has its original spare tire cover with its snap straps. Some of its original tools remain. All chrome is original with its patina. Just the windscreen cap was replaced because the old one was scratched.

The prior owner rebuilt the suspension, and installed the new high port cylinder head, along with a Mallory dual point distributor. The engine is strong with good compression (170psi all cylinders) and very good oil pressure. 70 psi running, 50 at idle. Acceleration is strong and will spin the tires with its 87mm pistons. Steering is straight and light. Braking is superb with just a light pressure. No leaks and doesn't use oil. New Stainless Steel Moss exhaust system, rebuilt overdrive transmission (all new synchros, layshaft, bearings and seals).

All rubber seals were replaced (except for the trunk seal and the front hardtop seal which were better than the new parts) The glass is all perfect with new seals. The upholstery, sun visors and carpet are all new from TRF and as close to original as it gets. The headliner and trim on the hardtop is all new. The car comes with a new black canvas surrey top, and original chrome bumpers. The glove box button, ignition switch, door and boot handles are all original with their original tumblers.

This car was sold to a customer in the Los Angeles area around Christmas 1962. The car carries its original CA plate with the Torrance CA, Whittlesey dealer name. This owner must have garaged the car because it was very well preserved with no rust. It looks like it was last registered in 1982, I found it in Santa Barbara in 2015.

The hub caps are original with the globe medallions, the wipers work very well. The heater is very good and with the Hardtop keeps the car very warm even when it's 15-20 degrees out.

The car comes with several manuals of the period, including Triumph Competition Tune, and a dealer brochure that was in the glove compartment.

For a detailed look at the preservation take a look at the blog that chronicles the tear down and rebuild. https://triumphtr4reborn.weebly.com/