General TR TR4 vs. TR250

[HerronScott]

A bit late now and kind of trival, but the statement about there being fewer IRS 4As than 250s, just doesn't seem right. The 250 was only produced for one year and according to the comm. numbers 8594 was built. The TR4A was made from Jan. 65 to Aug. 67 with over 28,000 made. The vast majority I have seen are IRS cars, which was about a $160 option when new.

I was going to make the same comment. Approximately 25% were estimated to have been live axle so roughly 7,000 live axle and 21,000 IRS so there should be far more TR4A IRS than TR250's.

Scott

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Scott
You got me, I meant to say fewer IRS TR4A's built in 1967 than 250's built in 68 according to one of the books.

Marv

 

[tomshobby]

I've noticed that during our club runs on mildly interesting roads (eg Santa Monica Mountains, Mulholland Highway, etc), it seems to be the IRS drivers that complain the pace is too fast, while the solid axles want to go faster

I've even had a TR6 owner comment that there was no way he could keep up with me, when I was trying to catch up with the rest of the group.

I completely agree with Randall, In early 65 I purchased a new 64 TR4 that was actually built in early 65. I often ran Gymkhanas and routinely beat the times of the 427 Vettes. It cornered far better than the 76 TR6 I have now. The TR4 seemed to pretty much match the performance of the TR6. That is until I made some changes in the TR6 engine.

 

[FordFiesta]

For a very long time now, my "Dream TR" has been a circa-1965 late TR4 (full ladder frame), with the wood dash, and a hot-rodded TR6 engine. For me it would be the best of all (non-sidescreen) worlds.

 

[TexasPaladin]

Is anyone familiar with this car or have any opinion? Any obvious issues that jump out at you? Looks to me like the crossmember took a hit sometime but looks pretty decent otherwise.

I noticed that the license plate lights are missing and the owner says that he has them and will put them back on.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/triumph/tr4a/1651690.html

Thanks for any help,

 

[RJS]

Looks very similar to mine. No doubt, it presents well and I see no obvious issues. What is nice is that it appears completely stock. I don't see any modifications, just a few minor items which are not correct (but which can easily be corrected). No overdrive which is definitely a nice feature to have if you plan to cruise on the highway at all. I hope the "negotiable" is for real though. For this kind of money I would be looking for a frame off restoration with rebuilt motor, rebuilt trans, rebuilt diff. I would expect the engine bay to be much better detailed.

Hagerty has a nice valuation tool here: https://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch
Well, now that I look at the tool, they suggest this car in Condition 3 (which it appears to be) is valued at $22,000. Much higher than I expected!
Definitely read the definitions of Condition 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the left hand side

Good luck

Bob

 

[glemon]

As cool as the Hagerty valuation tool is, the more I compare it to what as see for results on E-bay and local sales the more I think the numbers are generally a little high. Maybe they get most of their numbers from high end auctions and dealers?

 

[Marvin Gruber]

If I could get Hagerty prices for all my cars, I would sell out and go to the beach. Nah, I'd just start over again. Will keep what I have.

Marv

 

[pdplot]

IRS was supposed to be a handling improvement over a solid rear axle but the TR6 IRS was some sort of compromise and on a rough, narrow back Connecticut road - the only kind we have around here - the rear end bounces and skitters all over the place, severely limiting your cornering ability. Although its been many years since my TR3, I don't recall how it rode on those roads except it had a narrow track and was also pretty bouncy. If I was driving in Florida, the TR6 would be great on those smooth roads but up here, my 2002 V6 Accord would run away from it on a rough road - and the Accord is no sports car. Both my son's old Fiat Spider, my dad's old Lancia Appia coupe and all Alfas handled and rode better than any LBC I've driven - and they all had solid axles. The secret was plenty of spring travel, soft but well-damped. Enjoy these cars for what they are - simple, somewhat crude relics of a bygone era, built to a price, easy to work on and despite their reputation, reliable if well-cared for.