TR4/4A Pics of the new TR4a & a plan is hatched...

[tdskip]

First the pictures (which were requested mind you) :laugh:

She's a solid axle with O/D, which as supposedly been rebuilt. Nice to score a black plate car;

She has some bumps and bruises for sure, like front fender here

Fender is creased and the door skin is toast;

This side is pretty straight;

Need to adjust the door fit some;

Dash and gauges look OK - floors are solid but whole interior will need to be retrimmed at some point but not a priority any time soon;

OK - now for the kicker. The engine was removed but the work due on it was never completed. I know the water pump went out but have a sense it was more major than that. She sat like this since 2008, and one of the plugs was out, so I'm assuming a full rebuild is needed at this point. The engine was kind of just dropped back in, so pulling it was easy.

Engine bay is obviously dirty but will clean up OK - didn't notice any creasing on the fenders or frame so I think she's straight.

 

[tdskip]

So now for the plan part - I have another solid axle car that has a good engine, but needs welding and had a bum gearbox which I already pulled. I'm thinking about pulling the good engine from that car and dropping it the one above. Rather than spending time on trying to restore the donor I think I'm going to just sell it one for whatever is a fair price and focus on this one.

So Drew et al, no net change in the car count but I pick up a car that should be a solid driver for a lot less work that can be enjoyed late summer and fall.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Matching numbers all around? Original paint, perhaps (save for the hood, which -- judging by the earlier TR4 badge -- might be a replacement)?

Too bad about the LH door and front fender; almost looks like a day with rubbing compound, polish and wax would do wonders for the car!

 

[tdskip]

Hi Andy - she's actually been repainted already, she was green originally but the patina on the red respray is kind cool. I think you are right, it might have some life in it still.

 

[mrv8q]

Wow, Tom, that's a great looking car. I'm with Andy, just hit it w/ some rubbing compound/ polish to begin with.... I love that "old garage" patina. So where did you find it? How many of these cars are out there? I'm sure there's a good story to be told....

 

[HerronScott]

Tom,

Another solid looking car. I've got the same question as Kevin. How many cars like this are out there?

Scott

 

[tdskip]

I've got the same question as Kevin. How many cars like this are out there?

More than you'd think - and certainly more than I ever imagined. There are a handful of dealers down here that do nothing but deal in garage/barn finds and they always have new stock coming in. It is amazing, you'd think that all the cars like this would have been grabbed already.

I think between the cars being special and the climate here more have survived than I ever would have expected.

If you really want to blow you mind, do a Craigslist search for Datsun Roadsters/Fairlady's in California. Datsun restoration projects seem to grown on trees...

 

[mrv8q]

If you really want to blow your mind, do a Craigslist search for Datsun Roadsters/Fairlady's in California. Datsun restoration projects seem to grown on trees...

I'll have to do that.... In my youth, I owned a 1600, and 2 2000s. Nice cars, w/ 5 speeds; the new 240Z would eventually take all the production assembly time.

 

[tdskip]

Under 4k will put you into a decent driver - pretty compelling actually.

 

[vagt6]

Looks like a good project. Hard to tell from the photos but the sills look fairly straight, too.

I just love to see someone adopt these lovely TRs and rehab them. Really beautiful cars, and obviously, there's NOTHING like 'em today.

Skip, please keep us updated and post lotsa photos.

Good luck with your resto! :thumbsup:

 

[drooartz]

That's a good looking project, Tom. One in, one out. That's a reasonable plan.

 

[AngliaGT]

Tom,
Looks like a good deal all the way around,plus it's
an A.You'll have to drive it up here when you're done & show
it to me.

- Doug

 

[tdskip]

I'd love to do a roadtrip to say hi Doug!

Started in on dealing with the surface rust on the rear frame today, one side was bone dry and clean already. The other was coated in 40 years of engine oil and dusty. Guess which side had the leaking seal?

I should have the differential off for new seals tomorrow and then start in on cleaning the trailing arms and getting Richard Goods adjustable kit on there...