1966 Triumph GTR4 Dove

Perhaps the rarest production TR4 model is the Dove GTR4 (and GTR4A) – a TR4 rebuilt as a coupé by a specialist coachbuilder for L F Dove Ltd, Triumph agents in Wimbledon. Only 55 GTR4s are believed to have been built were produced with the conversions carried out by Harrington Motor Bodyworks, best known for the construction of the Harrington Alpine, a similarly modified Sunbeam Alpine. Although most were based on the TR4 model, the sales brochure pictures a TR4A version of these cars but it’s believed that only 6 TR4As were converted.

The engines were fitted with such period extras as a heater in the water jackets to assist early morning starts and gas-flowed and fully balanced engines (by Jack Brabham Motors or Laystall Engineering in London) were offered as an option in the sales catalogue. Two jump seats were placed behind the driver's seat using identical materials to the originally equipped standard TR4. A wood-rimmed wheel with riveted perimeter was fitted to some models along with auxiliary lamps under the front bumper bars. The side window glasses were specially shaped with a flat top edge to fit the new roofline and tinted, swing-down, see-through acrylic sun visors were custom fitted. As well as the fastback roof, the Dove also featured a 15-gallon fuel tank, fold-down 2+2 rear seating and an opening rear hatch, making it an exceptionally practical long-distance tourer. Each Dove was an individual order and, naturally, each one was slightly different.

Our vendor, well known in TR circles and a Dove enthusiast, wanted to continue this part of TR history and produce the next episode as it were. With that in mind he has created what he sees as being a possible continuation, the GTR5, based around a Triumph TR 250.

In his own words:

"When an old friend of mine passed away, his widow sold his Dove on to someone who had it converted back to a roadster. The unique body parts were about to thrown away when I heard they were available and I shot down to Oxfordshire to rescue them. Having now obtained all of the parts, I sourced a TR250 from America to make what would have been the GTR5. TR Enterprises, a well known TR specialist, was commissioned to build the car up from a bare frame and shell. (Photographs of the strip down and rebuild are available.) The aim was to build a car that could be used every day, a proper Grand Tourer and for this reason the car was fitted with telescopic suspension all round, a three-speed Clayton Heater and other refinements like an electrically heated windscreen, two 12v charging points and inertia-reel seat belts.

Internally, the car has been trimmed to a high standard by Dave Haden (a former Jaguar man) in deep burgundy leather with matching wool carpets. The headlining is grey West of England cloth and Burr Walnut door caps complement the dash board. Mechanically, the car has a Peter Cox ‘A’ type overdrive gearbox which is fitted with stronger Triumph Stag internals. A new clutch and release bearing have also been fitted. The car also benefits from uprated half-shafts while the engine was carefully assembled with a pinned rear oil seal. A stainless steel exhaust is fitted together with a tubular six-branch manifold. The inlet manifold sports three SU carbs in place of the regular fuel injection to give the car a more period look and better economy."

The build was finished some years ago and used as intended since, however, the paintwork has recently been refreshed (Aston Martin Silver Birch) and a new set of chrome wire wheels and tyres fitted around 800 miles ago.

This is a good looking car and obviously rare. A TR250 worthy of rebuilding would surely be £15,000 today and to recreate this car would be at least an additional £70 - £80k making today's guide seem very sensible. The current registration number, GTR 4A, is included with the sale, as too is a set of fitted luggage. Your inspection of this fabulous TR is welcomed and encouraged.