1965 Triumph TR4A Zero rust (ever) Original Paint Survivor One Owner - 53 Years

1965 Triumph TR4A Description

Further cleanout of surplus vintage cars and parts: This is a low reserve auction and the TR4A will be sold regardless of price, on or off auction.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY:

Am 76 and it's time to let go of my British car collection. Started collecting cars about 50 years ago and the main objective was to buy one owner, original paint, rust free cars for pleasure and investment. Hard task. Most were junk or so called "restored" cars. Good true original survivors have disappeared and the majority of the leftovers are either "weekend restored" cars, rusty beaters, money pits or overpriced trailer queens with a dubious history. An unrestored original survivor, even though it may have some faults, gives you an accurate assessment of it's overall REAL condition along with plenty of character (or the nauseating word "patina"). This Triumph TR4A is one of those cars. Just try to find one like it. A ZERO rust one owner original paint matching numbers authentic original survivor that has been garaged all it's life and has never had even a hint of surface dusting of rust anywhere. (I am technically the 2nd owner) I have known this car and it's original owner since it was special ordered at the dealership in Huntsville Alabama in 1965 and have been trying to buy it since 1984 (34 years) when the owner died. His widow would not sell it and put it in storage in 84. I called on and off since then trying to buy it and a few months ago she finally agreed to sell it to me because her husband and I were friends. (now that I'm ready to croak myself, I don't really need the car). It was never driven in the wet and was garaged in the owners climate controlled building. It is just a pleasure to look at and admire. The lines and gaps on the car are as straight and perfect as new. The best original Triumph I have ever seen. I will answer all email questions.

As of this writing Hagertys classic car values the 1965 Triumph TR4A at $12,300 fair, $20,100 good, $32,500 excellent and $47,800 concours. The condition of this Triumph is at least excellent and more than likely better than excellent. It is also a good investment, as unlike most cars, the value will probably increase over time. In the last couple of weeks I have seen 2 TR4A's very similar to this one sell on Bring a Trailers auction - one was a "restored" car that the rust was "fixed" in and the other was a "restored" car with no rust repair mentioned (it probably had rust at one time) - both British racing green and both nice looking cars, neither of which were anywhere near as good as this car. One brought almost $30,000 and the other almost $40,000.

ENGINE:

Excellent original matching numbers engine. Starts easily with the key and runs on it's own original fuel tank. Runs very smooth and quiet. Idles perfectly. The oil is clean and clear. Well above average oil pressure, even when warm on idle. No smoke, knocking or other noises. Original carburetors have been cleaned and adjusted. Original AC fuel pump was cleaned and rebuilt. Excellent original radiator. Most water hoses are 50 year old originals and may need replacing - hard to imagine they still look good, don't leak and the engine runs at a perfect cool temperature even on a prolonged idle in 90 degree weather. Alternator works well. Engine number is CT50714E.

TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH:

Original matching numbers TR4A all syncro 4 speed transmission, non overdrive. Shifts excellent through all of the gears, exactly like these transmissions should function. Clutch master and slave cylinders are brand new. I have overdrive transmissions available for purchase if anyone is interested in overdrive.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

Showroom condition. Solid and straight. No rust, no damage. New battery. Everything is stock factory original. All serial, engine and body plates are intact. Everything works.

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

Solid, excellent and straight with no rust or damage. Correct 60 spoke original spare wire wheel. Spare tire is a new old stock 1:65 X 15.

SHEET METAL BODY PANELS:

Die straight, damage and rust free original throughout. Not a hint of even surface rust anywhere - inside or outside. I removed the original door panels to check the inside of the doors and their bottoms - they are both like brand spanking new. The door panels had never been off - all the clips and screws are original. The clear plastic barrier inside of the doors was still untouched and intact from 1965. they open and shut perfectly with no sagging. Just a beautiful sight. The door bottoms are solid and shiny factory original paint as new. The inner rockers are solid as new. Fender bottoms are solid as new. I also removed and replaced all four fenders for inspection just to confirm that there was never any hidden rust anywhere in the car. With all four fenders off the insides of the fenders and the inner fenders/chassis are sparkling new. The body/chassis underneath all of the fenders is like brand new - not even any dusting of surface rust anywhere. Outer rockers are solid as new. ZERO rust. Original floors. Never saw any Triumph this clean and rust free. There are some very minor dings on the hood - not very visible and not really worth mentioning.

EXTERIOR BODY PARTS:

Everything is original and in beautiful condition. Bumpers, bumper guards, bumper brackets, tail lights, grille, headlight assemblys and all the other trim is still original, straight excellent condition. Nothing bent or dinged. For 52 years old all of the trim is simply amazing.

GLASS:

The side windows are perfect original with no damage and roll up and down like new. The windshield is original and excellent except for some very minor wiper blade marks. The convertible top rear window is a zip out model.

CHASSIS:

The frame and chassis are in excellent, straight, undamaged, unrotted, unrusted condition as shown.

INTERIOR/Upholstery:

The interior is in close to new condition. All soft, supple and vibrant - no hardening. Original door panels, fender well upholstery, fuel tank firewall, side B pillar upholstery are original as new. The floor carpeting is not glued down. Seat frames are excellent as new.

DASH AREA:

Dash board is the excellent original with a few minor surface stress cracks in the varnish. Working: Speedometer (shows 39158 miles and would assume that is close to correct), odometer, trip meter, tachometer, lights, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge, ammeter, carburetor choke, bonnet release handle, fresh air center vent, turn signals, windshield wipers, horns, heater fan. Has the original Triumph AM pushbutton radio that was working and now is not - may be something simple. May not.

TOP:

The original top frame is excellent, undamaged and unrusted in the correct tan color. The car came with a brand new old stock convertible top in the original box which I correctly installed in the hot sun a couple of weeks ago. The original top had one small 3" tear in it.

PAINT:

Original factory paint - Triumph racing green. The original paint has a few minor worn spots as shown on the drivers door top (where ones arm/elbow would be hanging out), left rear fender and carburetor clearance bulge (from polishing over the years). Has a beautiful bright, deep shine to it. No rust, no body filler.

AIR CONDITIONING:

None. Aftermarket air conditioners can be installed if need be - the new units are excellent, compact and very efficient.

TIRES & WHEELS:

The five 60 spoke wire wheels are in excellent condition. All 5 tires are new old stock 1:65 X 15's.

EXHAUST:

Good stock dual exhaust system - has the proper sports car sound - nice and throaty, not too loud.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:

All original suspension and braking mechanisms are intact. Nothing missing. The brakes are new. New master cylinder and new wheel cylinders. Emergency brake assembly is intact and works fine.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Car starts, runs, drives and stops. Steers easily. It has not been taken on the road due to no insurance/license plates for a shakedown cruise and may need some minor adjustments. May not. It has been driven up and down my driveway, which is about 1/10th mile long and drives excellent but should be properly exercised because it has not been on the road since 1984.

PAPERWORK:

Includes the original Triumph TR4A Owners manual and Service record book. As indicated on the British Motor Industry Heritage certificate, which is included, the car was built on March 2nd, 1965 and shipped on March 23rd, 1965 to Standard Triumph Motor Inc, Jacksonville, Florida. Shipped from the Queen Alexandra Dock, Cardiff aboard the vessel Brynje. THERE IS NO TITLE but I do have a current Georgia State registration in my name which is usually sufficient to obtain a title in most States - if you really want or need one. Alabama or Georgia never issued titles on these old cars years ago and a title is not required to register, license and drive a classic car in these and most other States and they have reciprocal agreements between States for classic cars. Check your local regulations - they do vary. Also, if you really want a title (to hang up on the wall) most States will issue a title upon having the local police inspect the VIN on the car.

FACTORY ID PLATES: The Vehicle identification ID plate, body plate and engine number are intact and correct. The vehicle serial number is CT51696L.

REVIEW: A beautiful survivor like this comes along "once in a blue moon". I would keep it if I was younger.

INSPECTION OF CAR: It is difficult at best to describe something as complex as a vehicle and it is highly recommended that you personally inspect the car or have a 3rd party inspect it for you. I can accomodate anyone to show them the car. If you elect not to do this you will have one of three outcomes after purchasing the car. #1. The car will be exactly as you thought it would be from the auction description and photos and you will be happy. #2. The car will be less than you thought it would be and you will be unhappy. #3. The car will be more than you thought it would be and you will be more than happy, and I will be the same in each case. It is described to the best of my ability along with many good photos but it is the bidders ultimate responsibility to ensure that what he thinks he is getting is indeed one in the same and something he will be happy with. I have purchased and sold roughly 25 autos through ebay over the past 18 years and also many more over the telephone and have always had excellent results and complete satisfaction from the buyers but I do my due diligence and suggest you do the same.

SHIPPING: I have shipped many cars to all parts of the world over the years and can assist the buyer with transport or completely arrange transport. The car is in a secure place at my home. You can collect the car there. I can assist with loading. The car can stay here for up to 30 days from the close of the auction.

PAYMENT & BIDDING: Contact me if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid WILL be cancelled. A $1000 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 5 days via priority or overnight mail with a bank cashiers check or cash. No Paypal for the balance. Payment is to be made IN ADVANCE of collecting the car. IN ADVANCE, BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE CAR - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Full payment is due BEFORE the car is collected. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like it - if that is your intention, please do not bid on the car. If you cannot trust me, my reputation, the description and the extensive photos then it is your responsibility to inspect the car yourself or have a third party inspect it for you. When the auction is over, it is your car and payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. I have sold approximately 25 cars and motorcycles on ebay and they all have been a bargain. This one certainly is. No Paypal for the balance.

SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE VINTAGE CAR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES