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Need a Reality Check

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No, Harry, I didn't buy it, but the owner did try to buy mine. My wife got a kick out of that.

Actually the car is very solid. The paint is new and a pretty nice job, there is no evidence of major bondo or body issues. The engine sounds really good and starts instantly with a very smooth idle. It has the usual leaks and needs detailed, but I'm anal about that stuff, so take it for what it's worth. Interior is nice and the tires (not top of the line, but good for a few years) are brand new. It does have TR6 wheels on it, which isn't all bad.

I could not see the frame, but I'm sure that they would allow an inspection. They told me who the mechanic was that services the car and he is terrific with British cars. They did not hedge on one question or try to hide anything. I think that this is a money maker for them, so why not.

They did tell me that they've recently sold other cars including an MGA and a Spitfire, so there was no secret there. The neighborhood is upscale with very nice, large new homes, so it was definitely not a trip to Sanford and Son.

If it doesn't go into crazy land with the bidding, it could be made into a really nice car. The car is complete with all chrome in good to decent condition. If the frame would check out good and I needed a rare Triumph, I would buy it. It needs a good deal of TLC to be a winner, but a lot less than most TR250's that I've seen.

There is a great deal of potential here if the frame is what he says it is.
 
Glad you noticed it was wearing TR6 Wheels, trim rings and 'late' TR6 hub covers (gray instead of black). Noticed it right off from the photo. Threw an immediate red flag in regard to an 'unmolested/unmodified' example.
 
Shawn,

The key is that all of the parts are there, with the exception of the radiator shroud and e-brake cover, which is a nothing replacement.

If I had another garage, I'd check the frame and if it was good, I'd probably buy it.
 
So it has the correct wheels with the hub cap 'nubs' and the hubcaps?

I actually liked the look of the older body with the newer wheels and centers. Looked sharp. Just would have made me look very closely at the car if it was advertised as 100% original and was wearing the wrong shoes.
 
No, no, my fault. I'm confusing things. The shoes are TR6, but all of the other parts are on the car.
 
There is a nice looking red, non-IRS '65 TR4A in the VTR classifieds. It has disc wheels, was restored in 2002 and has 7K miles since. Price is $9K. The car is located in Indianapolis. Anyone near there?

According to my PC Automap the TR250 is a 2000 mile drive for me. Too far I'm afraid. I could handle Indiana if the car is as advertised. This one sounds too good to be true.

Best,
SS
 
sorry...just my 2cents...the reality check comes due when anyone contemplates driving home a site-unseen classic collector...it usually turns out to be the story beer was made for..hopefully you were just meaning too far to just look at!..GOOD LUCK
 
Yup, did that last year. Only made it 100 miles down the road before the rear brakes locked up, but fortunately another 1000 miles before the front brakes followed suit. Starter had already quit working, so had to leave the engine running while fixing the front brakes ...
 
SeldomSeen said:
...The car is located in Indianapolis. Anyone near there?...
Click to expand...

I do not recall any TR owners from Indy on the forum but Tom Beaver (sometimes prez of the Indy TR club) frequents the TR list and I likely have his email. At the very least he might be familiar with the car.

Driving a car home the 1000 or so miles is great if you are looking for an adventure (and have the parts, tools & knowledge to deal with what happens). Could be a real bonding experience for you and your new machine.

But if you put a pencil to it and add up gas, meals, motels etc you are likely to find the cheapest way to get it home is by carrier.

Every used car I've bought needed some sorting out to make it a reliable driver -- something that is usually easist to accomplish in your own garage.
 
SeldomSeen said:
There is a nice looking red, non-IRS '65 TR4A in the VTR classifieds. It has disc wheels, was restored in 2002 and has 7K miles since. Price is $9K. The car is located in Indianapolis. Anyone near there?

According to my PC Automap the TR250 is a 2000 mile drive for me. Too far I'm afraid. I could handle Indiana if the car is as advertised. This one sounds too good to be true.

Best,
SS
Click to expand...

9K is a good deal for a restored solid axle 4A. It must be a home restoration rather than a shop. Looks like it could be good deal.

Good luck and be patient. You will find your car out there. Have you joined your local Triumph club?
 
The seller of the Indy TR4A sent me some good info and extra photos but none were close up. I think the best advice I've gotten on this subject was to get the best car you can afford. This one is probably not the one.

There is a stunning red 1964 TR4 on the Craig List for Fort Collins, CO with only 45K miles on it. It looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. A dealer is selling it for $22,988. That's more than I want to spend.

The British Motoring Club of Northern Colorado in Fort Collins may be a good idea. My wife just got a brand new MINI Cooper S so we now have two Brit cars. The English Car Conclave (Denver) is coming up in September. About 400 Brit cars show up and we'll display the MGB. I'll be sure to talk with the Triumph owners.
 
Shawn is in Fort Collins and I'll bet that he can find out about the car if you PM him. I'm sure that he knows people in that club as well.

He's a great guy. Don't be afraid to ask for the help of a local who is a very good contributor on this forum.
 
Thanks for the kind words Paul!

I just checked Craigslist.com for Fort Collins and didn't see the 1964 TR4. There is a really good chance that I know the car. What dealer is selling it. Most mechanics in town shove "old British cars" torwards the Motorway Ltd. (one of the local Brit car shops).

The British Motoring Club of Northern Colorado is a wonderful multi/marque club that is VERY social. Most events center around driving somewhere to eat. I'm actually one of the original members of the club. My membership number is #6. Our menebership is made up of people primarily from Fort Collins but also includes regular and active members from Windsor, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park. We even have a few from Southeasten Wyoming (Laramie and Cheyenne) We do all sorts of fun things and often get participants from all over Northern Colorado including Denver. We usually have a large club turnout at the Colorado Conclave and even have a "Tea & Knitting Tent" so stop by for a cup of Earl Gray.

If I can help in anyway, let me know. I would be happy to!
 
Shawn:

The car can be found at: https://denver.craigslist.org/car/378265077.html
I'm very tempted to at least go look at it. It is being sold by Highline Motors in Fort Collins as a "one owner car." I looked at their website and their inventory is fairly generic with no other old sports cars.

I sent in my registration to the Colorado Conclave yesterday and will stop by the BMCNC tent with my wife. We live in the foothills between Lyons and Estes Park.

Best,
SS
 
Certainly looks nice in those hard-to-get-a-good-look pics.

I'll nit-pick since you are thinking of looking at it and (as I recall) are not intimately familiar with the TR4s:

Seats appear to be non-original for a '64 (or any TR4 or 4A).

Looks like the (white) sun visors are missing.

Air cleaners are not original (those would have been the metal encased ACs) but they do at least have the connections for the valve cover vent hoses.

Turn signals are amber rather than the original clear.

Bonnet latch was usually painted body color rather than unpainted.

Of course it could be a 'continental' car which would account for the amber lenses and maybe some other variations.

I'm not saying it isn't a very nice car (can't tell much from these pics) just trying to give you some walkin-around knowledge &/or leverage if you go to look at it.
 
I might know that car personally. I will have to stop by and see to know for sure. I'll try to just that in the next few days. They do a lot of 'Sports' cars, but mostly newer. Corvettes, BMW's, MINI, Acura, Infiniti etc... They also move a lot of European machinery, Mercedes, Volvo, SAAB as well as the previously mentioned makes. Owners name is Pepe. Fairly nice and reasonable guy. He is a car dealer though and does want to make a profit.
 
I do know that car. More than just personally, you could say I know it intimately! I completely disassembled that car and helped put it back together. It has had a VERY complete body off restoration.

The original air cleaners disappeared during an engine/carb fire prior to it going into storage for 15 years. Don't know about the signal lenses. The seats have been recovered, they were velour when I last saw it, and the owner insisted that they stay that way!

Somewhere I have pictures of my TR6 going back together and in some of them the freshly painted body (only) for this TR4 is sitting right next to my rolling TR6 chassis and body.

As I recall that car might not be a one owner, but if its not, the second owner has/had owned it since it was just over a year old so it might as well be a one owner. I also recall that his wife hated that car. Even more after it was restored and driveable again. She flat out refused to ride in it and constantly complained about the way it made the garage smell of gasoline and that the color clashed with her Lexus SUV. Go figure...
 
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