1967 Triumph TR4A Surrey Top

Standard Triumph tasked Italian stylist Michelotti with re-styling its ageing TR range, and the resulting design went into production in 1961 as the TR4. A wonderful mix of British brawn and Italian style, the pretty roadster was powered by a torquey 2,138cc four-cylinder twin carb engine mated to an all-synchro four-speed gearbox.

The new TR4 body style did away with the classical cutaway door design of the previous TRs to allow for wind-down windows while the crisp rear end styling allowed a boot with considerable capacity for a sports car. It also handled much better thanks to a wider track, front and rear, and precise rack-and-pinion steering.

The TR4 proved very successful and was popular as a competition car, being very strong mechanically it was ideal for tuning and indeed, some cars were supercharged and could produce in excess of 200bhp at the flywheel.

In 1965 the car sat on a new chassis design with more sophisticated independent rear suspension (in place of the old live axle), resulting in more predictable handling and an improved ride, and these models were designated TR4A. By the time production ceased in 1968, some 28,450 4As had been sold, the vast majority to the American market.

As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this particular TR4A is an original UK market car that has had seven owners to date, the sixth of whom kept it for 28 years. When acquired in June 2014 it was in rather a sorry state, and being a retired race engineer, the then owner decided to treat it to a total nut and bolt restoration resulting in the magnificent specimen you see today. Because the original chassis is prone to rot dangerously around the rear suspension, a brand new chassis was sourced from CTM Engineering at a cost of some £3,000 which formed the starting point for this meticulous rebuild with some £20,000 eventually spent on parts alone. All this expenditure is itemised in the history file along with a photographic record of the build process.

The red bodywork is superb and has been thoroughly protected with rust proofing and anti-stone chip coatings to keep it looking good for years to come. New chrome work and a fabulous Surrey top (with hard and soft panels for the centre section) complete the dazzling exterior, while the interior has been retrimmed to better than new with a glossy walnut dash, brown carpets, retrimmed beige leather seats and a chunky wood rim sports steering wheel.

The engine has been stripped and reconditioned as required, as has the gearbox and overdrive unit and a new clutch fitted. Sensible upgrades include a RevoTec electric cooling fan, uprated water pump, thin belt conversion, an alloy front pulley and damper, electric fuel pump, K&N filters and an alloy rocker cover. A peek into the engine bay suggests that a huge amount of time has been spent on detailing, as everything under the bonnet gleams.

The braking system is completely new throughout and gains servo assistance, while the all new suspension includes adjustable Gaz shock absorbers all round. A new steering rack and wiring loom have also been fitted along with a stainless steel exhaust system, new wire wheels and five new tyres.

With a valid MOT until mid-February 2016, this car is said to drive beautifully with notably light and direct steering, excellent oil pressure and temperature and performs well all round. Undoubtedly, this is one the best TR4As one is ever likely to see and must surely be as good an example of this lovely little Triumph as you could realistically hope to find. Ready to be enjoyed and cherished as it deserves...