<<I'm a long-time 6 owner who is presently looking at a 65 TR4. Needs work
but
not a total restore. Aside from the stylish Michelotti body, does anyone out
there speak strongly for this model? Some call it a "transition", and there
isn't much difference mechanically from the TR3's, is there? The 4 cylinder
is nice and simple, but speed and acceleration don't measure up to previous
and later models, according to what I've read. Can one squeeze more
compression from the block? Can it be made into a lively little car? Any
comments? John>>
John
I highly recommend the TR4. The major body change with rollup windows and 4
inches width added, and the 'rack and pinion steering' seem to be the big
changes from the TR3.
I bought the first Triumph in my family twenty five years ago and soon my
three brothers followed with a GT6+, a TR250, and a TR6, (and then another
TR6 years later).
All the Triumphs are gone now except my '64 TR4 (I guess I really got
attached when I rebuilt it). I've driven all my brothers cars and if indeed
they had more 'net power' it wasn't that well appreciated (by me) as other
aspects detracted from that benefit...TR6s too heavy and soft - and that snap
clutch - seemed out of sync with the weightiness of the car - what a pain.
The TR250 never seemed to 'sit' right and tore through plenty of diferential
mounts with that problematic IRS and the modified front suspension (from TR4
version) was easily worn out (trunnions specifically). The GT6+ had a great
motor and 'flew' like a little Jag if you could get into it as a tall guy.
Probably the most dangerous Triumph for other drivers 'not to see'. It had
it's share of tranny and rearend probs but the engine was great.
The TR4 on the other hand seems well matched in the 'body/frame to
engine/drive train' aspect. Remember that the TR3 was highly proven over
quite a few years and the TR4 got most of those proven design elements. I
feel the TR4 has excellent integrity between motor and body. The four banger
says 'roadster' as soon as you start it up. I can chug up a very steep hill
in third gear with such torque that I feel like I'm climbing up into the sky
in a bi-plane. The body construction is plenty rugged and matched for this
type of engine. And yet this engine can be as smooth and quite as a mouse at
idle ... (mice 'round here get pretty big!)
You can increase the 100+ horsepower (go from 86mm to 87mm liner/pistons)
but I've never felt underpowered in my 4 compared to 6s - just different.
In the end it's probably just a matter of taste - you may find the 4 too
rugged after the smoothness of the 6's but for me I already got plenty of
smoothcar ride in my daily drivers - when I get into the four - I want all
roadster baby! If I had my choice I would want my car to be a '65 TR4 even
though all the major upgrades were done by my CT number, ie; rear suspension
recieved 3 inch anti-roll blocks and recambered leaf springs, engine head was
tweaked for last time, but having a later TR4 could have it's benefits - just
not sure what they might be!
The TR4A doesn't appeal to me as much aesthetically with the 'moved' parking
lights on front and mechanically with the IRS rearend .. as one car writer
said about it way back when ..."American roads are smooth - not full of
potholes"! I do like the refined grill a little better than the anodized
aluminum one and the molded stick shift console but have heard the seats got
too fat and provide less legroom...
Anyway .. that's my angle! Good Luck with your decision!
Carl
'64 TR4 since '74
|