This months edition of CM (formerly "British car") features a repeat of the
'66 Car and Driver article comparing 6 top down cars. The TR4A came in dead
last back in the 60's. This time the TR did only marginally better. Having
been fortunate enough to participate in the event this time I learned a bit
about why the TR got dogged so hard then... and why its position at the bottom
of the list is still true to today.
The questions assembled by Car and Driver were intended to determine which of
the subjects rides were the "best car". Strangely they couldn't figure out why
the TR scored so low??? Similarly this time editor Gary asked a similar set of
questions about the cars. I was there and filled out the evaluations and had
to give the other cars better scores myself. Questions like: Starting, Brake
feel, Ride, Comfort, etc. The survey judges the cars like consumer reports
would judge any appliance. Turns out by those measures the TR4A is a lousy
car.
Having been passionate about my car for over 20 yrs I know it is a wonderful
drive however. Personally I like the bumpy ride, rumbley exhaust note, torquey
acceleration, mechanical simplicity. I've even come to like the squeaks, leaks
and smells too! The fact that my wife hates the car helps me understand that
this experience is not for everyone. I figure if anyone can understand the
irrational love for the old TR it's this list. Lets face it, we don't toil
over them because we think they make better appliances than a modern car, do
we?
So what is it then?
Rich Scotti
BRG '66 TR4A IRS w/ Surrey
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