My 1962 Triumph TR4

Posts Tagged ‘body’

Well, I thought that the hood, or bonnet as it would be called in the UK, was wrong because of the bulge. Early TR4s had a bulge that ended several inches short of the trailing edge while later TR4s, TR4As, and even TR250s/5s, had a bulge that went all the way to the trailing edge.

Turns out that, according to Roger Williams’ TR4 restoration book, the switch from short bulge to long bulge took place at car CT6435. That means the switch took place 34 cars before mine. So, great news in that the hood is the correct type for the car. I know, not that much to get excited about, and my wife gave me a very long suffering look. But, not only does this mean I don’t need to start looking for an “original” hood, but it also helps alleviate worries I was having that some damage had been done to the car that necessitated the hood swap.

Yes, sometimes it doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Figured this site is as good as anywhere to document some of the random notes I need to make.

I went to the storage unit and did some more assessment of the condition of the car and what might be present or missing. Also, just for curiosity’s sake, I used some polish on parts of the body to see how the paint would react. It did come up some and cleaned it up a bit, but no great miracle as to appearance. While there I also sprayed all the hinges and moving parts down with PB-Blaster (like WD40 on steroids but better) to start loosening things up.

And now the notes…

• Convertible top that was on the car, though long since shredded, was white.
• Hood, though from a later TR4, is solid along the front lip. Only one real rust spot and that is easily repairable.
• Carburetors and all linkages are intact and move well.
• Original air-cleaners were in the car, but have rusted and are not worth repairing.
• Tires still hold holding air after being pumped up when moved a week ago.
• All gauges are intact and look good.
• Ignition switch turn with key properly including spring return.
• Fuel pump “feels” good with priming lever.
• Tachometer drive intact.
• Water bottles intact.
• Grill looks good and not bent.
• Non-original scissor-jack in trunk.
• Spare wheel has at least one bent spoke.
• Dash padding cracked and metal dash needs total strip and repaint.
• Glove box works but interior cardboard box is shot.
• Floorpans need to be replaced.
• All lenses seem intact.
• Driver’s sun visor is transparent Plexiglas, there is none on passenger’s side.
• Inner door pulls and out handles intact. Door mechanisms not releasing.
• Window winder mechanisms are stuck, but seem intact. Window cranks missing end piece.
• Seat hardware intact, but seats need repair and re-upholstery.

That is all for now. Hope to be posting some more pictures or a video soon.