A very appealing and sale-worthy example of the desirable Triumph TR4A IRS, finished in New White over a Black leather interior detailed with White piping, and accompanied by a Black soft top. This is a lovely, honest car with the all-important independent rear suspension specification, presenting as a well-sorted and highly usable classic British sports car.
Purchased by the current keeper in 2016 for £21,164, the car has clearly been the subject of careful ownership and significant expenditure. Now showing 5,687 miles (not correct) and recording 6 owners, it is evident from the history and supporting paperwork that the car has been well looked after, having covered approximately just 1,300 miles in the last 10 years.
This TR4A benefits from extensive mechanical restoration and recommissioning, with a rebuild carried out in 2016 by RACE Garage in Surrey. The works included the fitment of a new chassis, stainless steel exhaust system and fuel tank, together with a rebuilt gearbox and overdrive fitted by Hardy Engineering. Rebuild and repair invoices from RACE Garage in 2016 total £12,638.00, while the new chassis itself cost £2,000 in 2016. Further recent maintenance includes new brakes and an electric fan fitted in 2024, along with new brake calipers and pistons. Documentation for the works carried out is included within the history file.
A previous sale listing described the car as having been bought by the current owner in 2016 and used for only a few weeks before the chassis was found to require replacement. The body was subsequently lifted from the old chassis and placed onto a brand-new rolling chassis, with the running gear overhauled and the gearbox and overdrive rebuilt. At that time, invoices were said to total more than £20,000 since 2016, placing the car onto a new chassis and overhauling the running gear. The same listing described the body as very original, in good but used condition, with a tidy engine bay. It also noted that the 4-speed gearbox with overdrive was smooth and direct, and that the car was good fun to drive. In summary, it was described as a rare example of a TR4A which had been mechanically restored with no expense spared while retaining a very original body.
The history file is particularly strong and includes a photographic record of the rebuild, invoices for restoration and major works, old V5 documents, magazine clippings and flyers from the Bill Rawles Classic Car Group.
A sale summary from before the current keeper records that the car had one owner from 1982 to 2014, totalling 32 years. It also stated that, in 2016, the mileage was believed to be approximately 104,390 miles, based on an MOT mileage of 87,788 in 1977 and the odometer reading 4,390 in May 2016. That summary noted the car had only covered approximately 17,200 miles during that 32-year ownership period. At the time of that earlier sale summary, the car was said to have formed part of a full nut-and-bolt rebuild before being dry stored in a private collection. It was also noted as retaining its original interior, original inner body panels, engine compartment, boot and floor panels. However, it had also received a new soft top, 5 new chrome wire wheels and tyres, a new petrol tank, all new brakes, a stainless steel exhaust and renewed chrome work.
The Triumph TR4A was produced by the Triumph Motor Company at its Coventry factory between 1965 and 1967. Developed from the Giovanni Michelotti-styled TR4, the TR4A introduced independent rear suspension, denoted by the “IRS” badge fitted to the rear of the car.
The IRS system used semi-trailing arms, coil springs and lever-arm dampers, giving the TR4A a more refined ride than its predecessor. The chassis was redesigned to accommodate the new suspension arrangement, with extensive changes made to the side members and cross-bracing. Externally, the TR4A can be distinguished by its revised grille, new bonnet badge, side chrome trim with integrated signal and marker lights, smaller front bumpers and revised convertible top. Inside, the model gained revised seats, a shortened gear lever, a fly-off handbrake repositioned to the transmission tunnel and a walnut-covered fascia.
In 1965, the TR4A IRS sold in the UK for approximately £968, with optional extras including wire wheels at £36, overdrive at £51, a heater at £13 and seat belts at £4 each.
This is a highly attractive opportunity to acquire a desirable TR4A IRS with major restorative expenditure already completed. The combination of New White coachwork, Black leather interior, overdrive gearbox, new chassis, rebuilt gearbox and overdrive, stainless steel exhaust, renewed braking components and extensive documentation makes this a particularly saleable example.
With photographs of the rebuild, invoices documenting substantial investment and evidence of long-term careful ownership, this TR4A should appeal strongly to buyers looking for a usable, mechanically well-prepared classic Triumph that retains an honest and original character.
