Bob's Vintage Cars

1962 Triumph TR4

 

I owned a 1971 Triumph TR6 back in the 1980s and started getting the itch for another British sportscar in 2007. My search ended at Merit Cars in College Park, NY where I found a great nearly rust free restorable 1962 Triumph TR4 that I bought on 18 March 2008.

 

Yes, the original color of this TR4 was green over red.

 

The car was running, but the brakes were questionable. The only item missing was the carpeting, which made it easy to check the floors.  It appreared to be mostly original except the engine number.  The car had a paint respray of the original BRG years ago.  The steering wheel was replaced, but the original was in the trunk.

 

The transmission tunnel cover and coil were replaced and the generator had been replaced with an alternator, but I found an original Lucas C40-1 generator.  

 

The first thing I did before beginning the restoration was to photograph everything.  I also made a log of everything as I began disassembling the car.  Each entry was numbered with the idea of reassembling in the reverse order.  Every small part was put in a Glade food bag and labeled.

 

I restored as many of the smaller parts as possible as they came off the car, then stored them in a room above my garage.  This step has payed off, since I got the car completely disassembled in 9 months with numerous parts restored during the process.

 

The restored car is now registered with an origin 1962 Pennsylvania license plate

 

I have acquired an original workshop manual, parts manuals, sales brochures, and other restoration literature since buying this car.