We had a visit today from a TR enthusiast who Mr Q met on a gig. He restores them and has made a pretty good job of his own, though I would have preferred it if he had kept it original. Like the unusual Jasmine colour.







Mr Q bought his TR4 new in 1962. He loved driving it then but is not really interested in driving anything now, though he likes the thought of Saz and her brother and me taking to the road in it. It has languished in our potting shed for the past twenty years. He bought new panels with the thought of restoring it himself just before it was laid up but pressure of business precluded that.



The panels have been kept undercover but have rusted. Anybody know whether they are useable? We have been told that they can be sandblasted with walnut shells.

He can’t make his mind up what to do about the car. He has been told that as it stands it is only worth about £1,500 and to restore it would cost £20,000 and once done it would not be worth any more than the cost of restoration. He loves it enough to have kept it but not enough to have cherished it. (Poor Mr Dent was nearly in tears about the state of it and its panels.)

Thoughts please.

 

If he loves it, and you have the money available then I'd go for it! Just make sure that you'd be able to get the money back for it if you wanted to sell it one day.

 

there are restorations and restorations

£20K is at the top end

I'd be amazed if Mr Q's car couldn't be put back on the road in a perfectly acceptable state for half that

 

Can you post pics of the original car in the current state?

 

It is certainly a suitable case for treatment.





The number plate must be worth something to a farmer?

 

you cant get the plate off without an MOT
but it may be worth part of the restoration costs?

never had a car restored but i guess if a good one is worth £20k and it costs you £20k to get it there then it's got the sentimental value so why not?

 

My understanding is that the TR4 is only a re-shelled TR3A/B and is valued less than the TR4A and hugely less than the TR5. Details such as the handbrake positioning and early style domed glass to the instrument dials were retained.
Wires and overdrive are a must, although steel wheels with centre badged nave plates are rare but make the car look a bit basic.
The targa roof version appeals to many and can be retro fitted.
Best model for rallying because off the simpler tractor technology suspension.
Unless the car has a rallying history or restored to concours condition it would never be worth £20k.

 

Bozwell is going to get excited about this thread

 

Beautiful car, I have a soft spot for early Triumphs as my first car was a Herald 13/60 convertible. Unfortunately rust is a real problem and restorations can be expensive, but what an amazing project if you go ahead.

 

Excellent, looks a great restoration job and a really nice classic Triumph.

Yup Bozwell will knock one out over this thread.