1966 Triumph TR4A Survivor with original Surrey Top

1966 Triumph Other Description

Up for sale is my 1966 Triumph TR4A with an Over Drive transmission (which functions flawlessly), a rare solid axle, and dealer installed Surrey top and dealer installed luggage rack. This extraordinary care is a fantastic example of a survivor. My father purchased it 30 years ago after the prior owner drove it into his garage, pulled the motor and dissembled it. This ruse free car sat in my father’s climate controlled basement for the duration of his ownership, remaining out of the elements and staying very well preserved. Once I got the car from him, a little over a year ago, I started the meticulous process of refurbishing/restoring it with every intent on maintaining the cars originality and patina. I wanted a Triumph that was as original as possible while being able to drive it without any worries.

The first item on my list was to order a Heritage Certificate to verify the numbers on the block and the features of the car. Indeed, this is a “numbers matching” TR4A. Numbers matching being in quotes because they never really matched. The BHC verified that the motor was the one that came with the car, as well as the OD transmission. It was originally Royal Blue with Midnight Blue Hyde (leather) interior, a white soft top and white tonneau cover, both of which were replaced at the dealer with a surrey top which had white headliner. Somewhere along the way, the seat covers and carpet were replace with black, and the panels and headliner were painted black as well.

Keeping to the goal of the restoration, I decided to go back to the original blue leather interior with white piping and white headliner. After removing the old wood dash, I went through all of the original gauges to clean and verify functionality. As this time, I also verified the heater motor and wiper motor functioned as well. I had to replace the turn signal and headlight switches as well as replace some missing switches, such as the heater switch. I installed a new walnut dash and pads with a plastic glove box insert for durability. I also installed the white headliner in the surrey top at this point as well. After this was done, I put the interior on hold and moved to the motor.

Due to the motor sitting in pieces for so long, I had to replace some of the major components due to rust and pitting. This includes the pistons, liners, cam, and tappets. The crank was in perfect shape and was turned only one-thou. Everything was inspected and machined at the shop where needed. For assembly, I turned to a local Triumph mechanic and assisted him at his shop for the assembly. The cam was replaced with a mild street cam and the rear oil seal was upgraded to a much more modern version. Coupling the new cam with the 40ish year old Abarth exhaust gives this TR4A a pretty throaty sound. The build also included new rings, bearings, oil pump, water pump, distributor, all new bolts, and a spin on oil adapter. The starter was also rebuilt.

In addition to the major motor work, the SU Carburetors were professionally rebuilt and the radiator was re-cored. For stopping power, the car got new (correct): master and wheel cylinders, calipers, pads, shoes, drums and stainless steel braided hoses. The new clutch also received a new master and slave cylinder, steel braided hose, and the entire fork assembly was rebuilt in the bell housing.

Once the motor was back in the car on new motor mounts, the interior was put in. This includes a plastic transmission and propeller shaft tunnel, correct blue carpet, blue panels and blue leather seats. I also painted the seat frames a dark blue color.

To improve the reliability and enjoyability of the TR4A, I upgraded the generator to an alternator which utilizes the stock generator pulley to maintain the use of the original belt. The fan was also removed and a water temperature controlled electric fan was installed.

There are still a few items that need attention. First is the heater blower motor. It was working when I tested it, but has since stopped working. Secondly, the wipers wipe in the wrong direction. It seems that at some point in the cars life, the wheelbox for the wipers have been rotated 180 degrees, which causes this.

The list of new parts put into this Triumph are far too many list, but the total spent on the refurbishment is nearly $14000 and the labor spans over a year in time. There are very few survivors like this remaining! This is a very unique opportunity to own a car like this! Clear title in hand.

Out for a drive

Exhaust note

Factory details of the car:

• Wire Wheels
• Over Drive Transmission
• Solid Axle
• Heater
• Royal Blue paint
• Midnight Blue Leather interior
• Build Date: 22 Sept 1966

• Completely rebuilt motor
• All new, correct interior
• All original chrome (except the front bumper over-riders)
• All original gauges
• “Numbers Matching”
• Paint is 40 years old and was cleaned.
• All body panels are original to the car
• Original wire wheels with new tubes and tires
• Dealer installed luggage rack (Rare)
• Dealer installed Surrey Top (Rare)