1966 Triumph TR4A

Surrey Top Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

66CT68746L

Gasoline

Presenting this original owner, 1966 Triumph TR4A In Outstanding Overall Condition With NO RESERVE PRICE!!! Featuring: · Original Surrey Top · Overdrive · Original Wire Wheels · Completely Reupholstered Interior · One Mature Owner · Lots of Spare Parts · Refurbished both Mechanically and Cosmetically · Original Triumph TR4A Owners Handbook · Custom Car Cover · Much More! Look at the detailed photos of this car and you’ll feel as though you were transported back in time, viewing a newer, Triumph TR4 from the good-old-days. Go ahead…scroll down and see for yourself… With continued care, owning this car will make you feel that way every time you see and drive it. Code named "Zest" during development, the TR4 evolved from the TR3 with a more powerful 2138cc engine, synchromesh transmission and rack & pinion steering. Its wider, Michelotti styled body with roll-up windows has a more rugged, "hairy-chested" image than its tamer predecessor. Later improvements culminated in this 4-speed (non-IRS) TR4 "A” model. Over forty years since the last TR4 left the manufacturing plant in Abingdon, finding a wonderfully preserved example is a rare occurrence, indeed. The British Racing Green Roadster for auction here is the epitome of Britishness: It oozes character and displays a patina that is irreplaceable. This TR4 has certainly led a charmed life. Since new, the car was owned by a mature gentleman in Sunny, Southern California where he kept it garaged, covered and meticulously maintained. Upon the owner’s passing, the president of his local Triumph club (SCTOA) referred his surviving wife to Cars2K for the sole purpose of assisting her in listing the car on eBay Motors with No Reserve. It should be noted that we are not making any representations as to the car’s fitness or originality. We have simply photographed and described it to the best of our ability. For this reason, pre-bid inspections are encouraged. Post bid inspections ARE NOT! With the average car's lifespan being about a dozen years and the attrition rate often accelerated by careless, second-hand owners, it'd be a nice surprise to find an example of the species that, despite being 45 years old, still shines and sparkles like a late-model. The most likely place to unearth such a rare gem would be Southern California, with its mild climate and large number of open-air enthusiasts. The wonderful 1966 TR4A presented here is a true survivor. It appears to have never suffered from neglect and looks as original as one could ever hope for. Let's have a closer look now. Exterior: After more than four decades on the road, the immaculate body, undercarriage and trim speaks volumes about the loving care this TR appears to have received and underscores the car's Southern California provenance. One of the special features of this TR is the rare Surrey Top, originally advertised as the TR4 “Hard Top”. For those unfamiliar with this option, the center section is easily removable, making an open top similar to a Porsche Targa. (Dr. Porsche must have liked the idea because they soon copied it). To quote the 1964 Triumph TR4 sales brochure: “This is the Hard Top model with detachable roof section. With top aluminum center section removed and windows up, you get an exhilarating sun-drenched, draft-free ride.” This surrey top assembly is in outstanding original condition. Also included is a correct supporting frame and vinyl insert which replaces the roof section for traveling purposes. (Please see photo of vinyl insert next to a box of extra parts) The Surrey hard top assembly was the option that every dyed-in-the-wool sports car enthusiast would have checked on the Triumph order form, if it wasn't for the exorbitant price. Every diamond has its flaws: The body's mellow finish has its share of chips, cracks, scuffs and scratches. Many have been carefully touched-up. (see detailed photos). Note: Close-up photos are something rarely seen in eBay presentations. Most cars look great from 10 feet away. We are including many close-up shots here so you can see EVERY flaw in order to make an intelligent, stress free buying decision. There is a minor (attempted) body repair by the left tail light. (see detailed photos). Frame, sills and floorboards appear SOLID and there is NO evidence of major corrosion, collision repair or any other mishap that would cause the enthusiast sleepless nights. The optional wire wheels painted in stove-enameled, matte silver with chrome spinners are wonderfully preserved with factory correct tires. They look spectacular and lend the car that incomparable British charisma. Certainly among the most appreciated option today on almost any period sports car. Equally pleasant to observe is the TR's undercarriage. The sheet metal and frame appear dry and healthy, without any signs of cancer or rot anywhere. If you know just how rust-prone these completely unprotected TRs are, you will highly appreciate this marvelous specimen! ALL GLASS is clear and you won’t find any dried-out or cracked rubber seals or weather stripping. Surveying the car's coachwork today, we marvel at how well preserved it really is. In fact, with little preparation, this fine example of the marque could be proudly displayed a local car show or Concours d'Elegance. Engine & Mechanical: The TR4A is powered by a rock-solid, 2138cc pushrod engine that has earned its reputation of being unbreakable. It may come as a revelation to many, but all you may ever need to keep this strong 4-banger going is a screw-driver, a hammer, a set of pliers, and maybe a little wire. For anybody who's paying his own bills, it surely provides peace of mind to know there are no black boxes, injectors, electronics, and fancy stuff like that. The TR4 is a minimalist car designed to deliver maximum fun! The car's engine compartment appears factory-correct, down to the decals and markings. This four-cylinder power plant inhales through dual SU carburetors. Once warm, it sounds crisp and runs smoothly with superb oil pressure, cold or hot. Surprisingly perhaps, the wiring looks fantastic and the car always runs cool. Beyond routine tune-ups & oil changes, countless hours and thousands of dollars were invested into preventative maintenance, mainly to the engine, its ancillaries, suspension and braking systems. Over the years, no wear item on the engine was left unattended; as a result, this TR4 is mechanically as strong as it is cosmetically. Note in these photos, the engine is actually running. Speaking of cosmetics, let us stress how immaculate the body is, how sparkling the chrome, how glossy the paint: if you wouldn't know differently, you'd think to be looking at a 4-year old, not a 40+year old car. This one is that clean! We'll inspect the interior next, shall we? Completely reupholstered, the black bucket seats with white piping and removable head rests look great; as do the door panels, cut pile carpeting, dash and full instrumentation. The switch for the overdrive transmission can be seen on the far-left side of the below photo. It is located just behind the turn signal switch. It is quite a nice feature, giving 7 forward speeds, and makes for very relaxed highway cruising. A true British Roadster must have a wooden dashboard, and the TR4 is no exception. The fascinating array of beautifully preserved JAEGER gauges all work flawlessly with nearly perfect silk screening of the instrument dials. An upgraded stereo system with power amp in the trunk guarantees pleasurable audio, even when traveling topless at speeds well above the double nickel. There is no substitute for originality, and this "4” proves the point. Sitting in this vintage interior, one is transported back in time. The tactile pleasures are markedly increased by the knowledge that everything actually works. The windows actually roll-up in the newer TR4's. No side curtains like the earlier TR3's. How modern! The carpeted trunk is surprisingly large and very clean. Some very useful spare parts are shown. Matching wheel with original tire resides in a separate compartment below a carpeted wooden partition. typical A TR4 weak spot would be the trunk floor. Out of sight and deeply recessed, it is usually the first place where corrosion develops. Things are different here! With only minor surface imperfections, the paint inside is still 100% factory original. A picture says more than a thousand words: this--all original--trunk is clean! In short, everything looks and operates as if the car was delivered yesterday, not 45 years ago. Drivability: Invigorating is the word that best describes this TR4 experience. This Roadster begs to be driven! Set the choke, turn the key and the motor comes to life almost instantly. With sport mufflers, a healthy exhaust note alerts the senses. Select first gear, release the clutch, and off you go. Though over 40 years old, this TR4 still maneuvers comfortably in today's bustling traffic. The wind-in-the-hair fun quotient is tremendous, to say the least! Dogs bark, kids point, and girls swoon wherever you go, and a brisk drive in the Roadster is not only a feast for all senses, but also instant relaxation for the mind. You feel what you drive. It's almost as if you are a part of the machine. In any climate, the powerful 4-cylinder engine starts every time, idles, revs and pulls effortlessly without unusual noises or hesitation and accelerates strong and smooth leaving no smoke in your rear-view mirror. Warmed up, the oil pressure ranges from about 55 lbs. at idle to a reassuring 75 lbs. at speed. Coolant temperature remains absolutely stable, with no hint of overheating even after extended runs at high speeds. The fully synchronized, 4-speed transmission shifts very smooth and precise; however in our short test drive, we found upon deceleration, it occasionally jumped-out of second gear. This could be due to the fact that the car has not been driven for 6 months and has developed a minor case of the “crusties”. The new owner may find that after a few extended road trips, drivability improves significantly. Aided by front disk brakes and radial tires, handling and braking are simple and superb with no rattles, shakes, shimmies or pulls. All in all, this Triumph is a thoroughly convincing performer and a joy to drive! So here it is: a rust-free, Southern California, disc-brake TR4A in outstanding working order with Surrey Top and Wire wheels. Almost impossible to match in the sum of its traits, this motorcar also possesses something only few others can lay claim to: a soul! An irreplaceable artifact straight out of the past, it is a reminder of the merry old days. It will put a smile on your face every time you look at it, make you a happier person every time you sit in it, and will fill you with joy every time you drive it! There's but one stumbling block on the way to TR4 heaven: Immaculate, rust free, one owner examples are getting very hard to find. All the more reason to watch this one closely; Presently, we have a clear, California Title. CA license tags expired August, 2010. A planned, Certificate of Non Operation was filed at DMV so no penalties are currently due. Title transfer here in CA will require local sales tax, DMV License renewal and transfer fees. All questions must be answered and all inspections must be completed PRIOR TO BIDDING. Proof of insurance will be required for a test drive. Because this is over a 40-year-old car, it is being sold in AS-IS CONDITION and comes with absolutely NO WARRANTIES EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. We are proud to have 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK. Bid with confidence, knowing everything represented in this auction is accurate. BIDDERS WITH ZERO OR NEGETIVE FEEDBACK MUST EMAIL US FOR APPROVAL PRIOR TO BIDDING OR THEIR BID WILL BE CANCELED. This Triumph TR4’s present condition and buying terms have been described as accurately as possible. If you have ANY questions or want to bring a mechanic to inspect, please email us. You will receive a prompt response. This is certainly one of the finest Triumphs in the nation. Appreciating daily, the car is offered here with No Reserve. What a great opportunity to purchase a prime surviving example of one of the World's most acclaimed fun Roadster, the immortal TR4A which is sure to remain an outstanding investment for the winning bidder and a joy to drive for many years to come. Thank you, good luck and HAPPY BIDDING!