TR4/4A TR4/4A hybrids

[Geo Hahn]

It's not so much that the "change point is a bit vague"; rather, it's a matter of North American market cars v. those built for other markets.

In the case of my car at least it does seem to be vague. Based on the chassis number (29272CT) the body was built in February 1964 and thus would have the small lights. based on the Commission number (CT36536L) the build was completed in September of 1964 and would have the large lights. These are also the BMIHT numbers.

Not sure what happened on that 7 month production line (the engine is also from February) but I figure I have some flexibility as a result.

 

[glemon]

I am coming in a little late to this party, no it isn't right, but when these things were just used cars, and often bought by poor young gents like myself, when something broke or was smashed the cheapest locally available option that fit was often used, so you have TR3s with TR4 motors, TR4s with 4A grills, at some point in the late 60s or early seventies they raised (or maybe lowered don't remember for sure) the height of the turn signal housing on the front fenders of MG midgets and Austin Healey Sprites, after seeing a couple cars this way, scratching heads and saying something just doesn't quite look right we figured this out, sometimes even if you were getting factory parts from the dealer all they would have would be the later parts number. The restorer of the car in question may have cobbled it up from whatever bits he could find, but he could have also purchased it that way and put it back together with the same parts not knowing any better.

 

[TR3driver]

no it isn't right,

I still say, "It's your car, it should please you."

A friend of mine wants a small mouth apron on his TR3A. He likes it that way, so more power to him. My current TR3 came to me with a big mouth apron but that rubbed me the wrong way so it's back to being a small mouth as well. My preference. It's also painted colors that the factory never offered, because I like it that way.

To put it another way, it should be fun. If you are having fun, then you're doing it right.

 

[charleyf]

Do you think that we aren't still putting TR 4 engines in TR 3's? With the internet now available misc. parts are available if one lives near other TR owners. But some of us prefer to use what we have that "kind of fit".
but we still love our TR's.
Charley

 

[TR3driver]

Do you think that we aren't still putting TR 4 engines in TR 3's?

Not to mention 215s and 302s ...

 

[Geo Hahn]

I've posted it before, but why not again? I'm not a huge fan of major mods, but this one is so elegantly executed that I have to say I really like it:

 

[glemon]

I still say, "It's your car, it should please you."

A friend of mine wants a small mouth apron on his TR3A. He likes it that way, so more power to him. My current TR3 came to me with a big mouth apron but that rubbed me the wrong way so it's back to being a small mouth as well. My preference. It's also painted colors that the factory never offered, because I like it that way.

To put it another way, it should be fun. If you are having fun, then you're doing it right.

I should have said "it may not be correct" as I mentioned in the rest of my post I did it back in the day and come to think of it still do it now (I have TR4 carbs on my TR250, and a later TR6 clutch master for a lighter clutch). In my opinion people shouldn't misrepresent a car as correct and original if such changes have been made, but I agree, if you want to do it, more power to you

 

[TR3driver]

In my opinion people shouldn't misrepresent a car as correct and original if such changes have been made,

Oh absolutely. Unfortunately, there are a lot of sellers around that either don't know the difference or don't care.


"What's that yellow paint doing on that car? Did it used to be a taxi?"

"No ma'am; that's yellow primer."

- from the movie "Used Cars" starring Kurt Russell