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TR4/4A TR4A commission number

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Marvin Gruber

Marvin Gruber

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Found a TR4A with strange commission number. Its 1CTC 59908 L0, I actually remember seeing one like that years ago. What does the 1 before the CTC mean. Car is a solid axle, late model 4A from what I can tell. Aren't those a low production number car.

Marv
 
I think solid axle 4A's had only the letters "CT", while those with IRS were "CTC".
 
The TR4A began in January of 1965 with the numerical 50001 and ended with 78684 in July of 1967. As earlier stated the Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) had a prefix CTC with the solid axle a CT. I would guess the 59908 sequence number would be about an October 1965 production. That guess is based on my 4A IRS (CTC64139L) has a BMIHT birth date of December 30, 1965. Interesting to note that Triumph built over half of the total 4A production in 1965 which is further proof that by 1967 the ole tractor engine was at its end.

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
 
Where is the commission number located please?
 
Commission # on 4 & 4A is on the left firewall shelf by the wiper motor. Body number is on opposite side.
 
Cabrioman,

You are back to getting the hood/bonnet open!

Scott
 
This car has the later IRS type frame but with solid axle and leaf springs. Also has the double lead exhaust manifold. Engine number is CT 78XXX E, looks to be the big valve high port head engine.

Interesting the 1 means a Belgium assembled car. Guess I should buy it.

Marv
 
Marvin,

Really interesting on the commission number being CTC but with a solid axle. Is the commission plate the original?

Regarding the double lead exhaust manifold, as far as I know all TR4A's had those.

Scott
 
Scott,
Your question about the commission number being correct, that could be the telltale to the car. I believe it has been changed. Pop pivets holding the plate do look different. I believe (from some other resource material) that the car is a late 67 car. According to VTR, SU HS6's were installed in 66 and the engine has a 78k number puts it as a late 67. I read somehwere else that the solid axle was done in a limited run for folks who didn't want the IRS. Car looks rough but has good floors and rockers. If I buy it, I could send engine number off and get a BHMT cert on it.

Marv
 
Marv,

Looking at the TR4A's registered in the TR Registry, there were solid axles throughout the life of the TR4A. The last TR4A registered is a solid axle (CT78657L) in fact. I think I've seen some references that use 25% as a rough number that were produced with solid axles versus IRS and it was for the US market to please distributors here which felt they could sell them better with a cheaper price.

Both of my TR4A's have SU carbs and it sounds like the one has had a later engine installed since the engine and body number should be close to the commission number. My 1967 TR4A is original and has the following:

Commmission number: CTC 72159LO
Body number: 71922CT
Engine number: 72497E

It's possible you have a car that was put together from 2 separate cars - 1 IRS and 1 solid axle and they titled it under the IRS commission number but used the solid axle frame/suspension/body.

Good rocker panels and floors always sound good though! What's the rest of the car like?

Scott
 
Scott,

This is an Alabama car, no paperwork other than bill of sale required. I am headed out to look the car over again. Will report findings.

Just to clarify in my head, any solid axle TR4a will will only have CT (instead of CTC)for the commission number? I do remember reading that the extra "C" meant that the car was IRS but also had it in my head that all TR4As were CTC.

Marv
 
"...any solid axle TR4a will will only have CT (instead of CTC) for the commission number? <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Yes!</span></span> I do remember reading that the extra "C" meant that the car was IRS <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">Yes!</span></span> but also had it in my head that all TR4As were CTC <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">No!</span></span>."
 
From Triumph TR by Piggott.
 

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Andrew Mace said:
CinneaghTR said:
I'll add to clarify that the frames are the same for either IRS or solid axle car. The suspension and diff/axle bits are different.
Click to expand...
Doesn't the "live axle" frame lack the bridge piece for the diff. mount, etc.?
Click to expand...

I've never seen a solid axle TR4A frame but that was my understanding as well. You would certainly need the mounting posts for the IRS differential out of the way.

Scott
 
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