Hi again,
Oh yeah! TR4s use separate rubber and trim seals. Later cars use the one-piece design. I'd forgotten that change.
I was referring to just the trim seal, normally a "fuzzy" on TR4s I believe. But, possibly non-fuzzy on some. I notice J.C. Whitney offers a "universal" plastic trim seal that looks very similar to what is on my car. Don't know if they have the right color, though, especially since their weekly catalogs are largely printed in black and white on recycled newsprint. I'll look on their website, but it's not usually a great deal more helpful.
Mark, I've asked aroudn and never gotten a solid answer. TR4s in general seemed to all have fuzzies. The Midnight Blue interior might or it might not explain the odd, non-fuzzy trim on my car. Geo, I've confirmed through the BMIHT certificate that this car was originally built with Spa White exterior paint over Midnight Blue leather interior. I plan to return it to the original colors. (Currently signal red/assorted primers and black vinyl interior).
Back to the original theme here, I agree that TRF is generally a very good source of quality materials.
For me, the best comparison of TRF parts with others came by chance. I found I had three complete sets of rear axle bolt locking plates on hand, still sealed in original packages, one from each of the "big three". The ones from TRF were zinc plated, nice and shiney. The ones from both VB and Moss were plain stamped steel and arrived pre-rusted. All were perfectly usable and would do the job, but the TRF items obviously got a little more quality control attention. John Swauger and others at TRF clearly appreciate feedback on any problem items and will try to improve on items whenever possible.
Now, if they could just resolve some of their backorder issues!
I'm currently awaiting some parts ordered in early January. Easily two thirds of the items on the initial order were backordered. Items have been straggling in one at a time for 3+ months. (Watch out, separate shipping charges add up, although the original order was large enough to earn free shipping.)
On another order in February, the single most important and urgent item was confirmed as in stock on the phone at the time the order was placed. But, it too ended up backordered and has yet to arrive.
But their "Guiness world record" with me came when they sent a note last October, a part had finally arrived but my credit card info was out of date, from a 1999 order! Fortunately, it wasn't a critical item.
Patience is a virtue, right?
Cheers!
Alan