TR4/4A RE: `65 TR4 Numbers Game

[toysrrus]

RE: `65 TR4 Numbers Game

Well Folks,

Its not enough that I have the `57TR3 Small Mouth under restoration; Yesterday, I bought a `65 TR4 Solid Axle, No Overdrive, Wire Wheels & Wood Dash project! Its actually not too bad & Inherited a "TON" of parts.

I`m not really too concerned about the VIN & Engine #s matching but I`m just curious. (VIN # is: CT52559L / Engine # is: CT3869E):

Reading thur "Piggott" book; The VIN would be a `65TR4A Solid Axle & the Engine # (I have no clue).

What can you folks tell me about the car based on the above info?

Thanx Much,

Russ

I`ll post some pics when I pick her up Thursday.

 

[LBCs_since_1988]

Yep. Sounds like a '65 solid axle. My '66 is a CT64XXX. My engine # is 63XXX, much closer than yours but that doesn't mean yours is not the original engine. They never "matched" like you see on lots of British Motorcycles.

You could always get a BMIHT Certificate. -not much else I can pull from the #.

Regards,

 

[Andrew Mace]

I`m not really too concerned about the VIN & Engine #s matching but I`m just curious. (VIN # is: CT52559L / Engine # is: CT3869E):

Reading thur "Piggott" book; The VIN would be a `65TR4A Solid Axle & the Engine # (I have no clue).

Engine would be a fairly early TR4 engine, approximately 1962. That's really no big deal, as it would be almost the same as a TR4A engine regardless.

 

[toysrrus]

Howdy Folks,

This is the int. part. It has all the correct bumpers, over-riders etc etc for a "TR4" but yet; The "CT52559L" would designate a "TR4A"; Correct?

Question; Did "ALL" the TR4A have the side marker lights? Mine does not as should be on a "TR4".

Thanx Again,

Russ

 

[Andrew Mace]

Hmmm...two obvious questions come to mind:

1. What is the body number?
2. What does the chassis frame look like? Is it TR2/3/4-style, or is it the "Bell-shaped" chassis frame of the TR4A?

Answers to either question above could point to another question:

3. Is the only thing that appears to be "TR4A" on this car the commission number plate? :shocked:

 

[HerronScott]

Russ,

Yes, all TR4A's should have the side marker lights and side moldings (front fender and door) and an extruded aluminim grille too.

Other difference:

- The wooden dash would indicate TR4A although they've been retrofitted to TR4's.
- The TR4A should have world badge on the front hood and an A letter added to the trunk lid.
- The center console on a TR4A surrounds the gearshift.
- Different seats on a TR4A.

The front fenders and engine number sound like a TR4 with a TR4A commission plate but the frame would be most telling as Andrew indicated.

Scott

 

[3798j]

Other difference:
- The wooden dash would indicate TR4A although they've been retrofitted to TR4's.
Scott

In the high school parking lot (class of '67), I would park my '61 TR3 next to my buddy's '64 wooden dash TR4. VTR indicates they may have started installing the wood dash as early as late '63.

 

[HerronScott]

Jay,

Interesting, the TR books that I have referenced the wooden dash being new for the TR4A and my only real experience with a TR4 was a college friend who had a very early one (short-bubble hood) and his was metal. I don't have the Piggott Collector's Originality Guide but I just looked through it on Amazon and it does mention the wooden dash being special order for LHD from the autumn of 1963 and possibly standard on the last few month's of the TR4.

Learn something new all the time!

Scott

 

[toysrrus]

Hmmm...two obvious questions come to mind:

1. What is the body number?
2. What does the chassis frame look like? Is it TR2/3/4-style, or is it the "Bell-shaped" chassis frame of the TR4A?

Answers to either question above could point to another question:

3. Is the only thing that appears to be "TR4A" on this car the commission number plate? :shocked:

Howdy Andrew,

I`ll know the "Body No" today when I pick her up (Yep; I bought it regardless - Its that "LBC Sickness Bug" got me again!

I never thought about the Chassis Frame. I`ll know today & that "For Sure" will tell me.

The only thing that does`nt add up is the VIN #. All else (Ext & Int) are "TR4".

Thanx Folks; I`ll have more detail late in the day.

Regards, Russ

 

[toysrrus]

Howdy Folks,

Well the "TR4" (For Sure) is comfy, cozy in my garage.

She does sport the TR2/3/4 Chassis. Has the "Squared Off" seats, The console support is flat (Does not cover the gear shift lever). All the guages, knobs etc appear to be Orig.

I`ve inherited a ton of parts to include a complete Block. I wonder what that Engine # has to say? I`m picking up the "Some" of the spares today & continue to pick-up tomorrow.

There just may be a "FIRE SALE" in the near future! Watch the Classifieds in a few weeks. Appears all the spares are of a Mechanical nature ex: Engine parts, Brake parts etc. No body parts etc.

I`ll post some pics later in the day or tomorrow.

Thanx for Your Input,

Russ