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Triumph TR4 in (historic) test - tough but hearty

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Created on August 20, 1962

Text:

Olaf von Fersen

Photos:

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Spirited roadster in its fourth generation - The Triumph TR4 offers good driving performance, but can be a bit of a rut in unfavorable weather conditions. This photo is from a sales brochure from 1962.

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Triumph TR4 (1962) - for man, woman and dog - illustration in the German-language sales brochure from 1962

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Triumph TR4 (1961) - Presentation at the IAA Frankfurt 1961

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Triumph TR 4 (1964) - with light-colored hardtop whose middle section could be removed

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The optional overdrive, including reverse gear, provides eight driving speeds.

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Triumph TR 4 (1964) - Promotional photo

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Triumph TR 4 (1962) - official press photo

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Triumph TR 4 (1961) - outstandingly successful by Michelotti

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Triumph TR 4 (1961) - side view of the press car with closed roof

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Triumph TR 4 (1961) - front view of the press car

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The optional hardtop did not restrict all-round visibility too much and, thanks to the removable center section, also offered the option of open-top driving.

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Triumph TR 4 (1962) - plenty of room for wife and dog - from the sales brochure

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The Automobil-Illustrierte had hardly anything negative to say about the equipment, only the seats were not entirely convincing.

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Triumph TR 4 (1961) - on the early models, the dashboard was always bright, regardless of the exterior color

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Triumph TR 4 (1961) - the 2.2-liter engine with two SU carburettors

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A look at the left front axle suspension. The Girling disc brakes decelerate with confidence and were marketed accordingly.

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There are no revolutionary new features under the Michelotti hood, the steering is familiar from the Herald and its gear ratio suits the nature of the agile Briton well.

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Triumph TR 4 (1961) - Chassis and engine seen from the front

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Also successful on the world's rally tracks - the Triumph TR4.

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The predecessor TR3A clearly demonstrates the stylistic progress of the TR-4 body.

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The acceleration time and top speed communicated on this display could not quite be achieved, but the TR4 nevertheless delivered what its manufacturer promised.

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Triumph TR 4 (1962) - Advertising in the USA in 1962

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Summary

The TR series had already been offering rustic roadster driving fun for almost a decade when the TR4 appeared in 1961. In comparison to its predecessor, the swiftly curved TR3A, the sports car designed by Michelotti was much more angular and practical. Despite its more modern look, however, the TR4 could not deny its roots, and the Brit liked to dance on uneven surfaces. Was it forgiven for its character flaws in the test at the time? This article quotes an original test report from the late summer of 1962 and shows the open Triumph in extensive historical images and sales material.

This article contains the following chapters

Touring car variant
Seven forward gears
Precise steering, firm suspension
Riding characteristics
Reliable brakes
Practical bodywork
Expensive or cheap!

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

As we all know, there are sports cars and "sports cars", whereby the latter are usually unable to deliver the performance promised by their dashing exterior. The Triumph TR4 belongs to the first category: it does not pretend to be anything that it could not later deliver. Its predecessors in the TR series represented an anachronism. They technically continued a line that had been interrupted in 1938/39 and thus appealed, among other things, to a feeling that should actually belong to the past with regard to automobiles. Not that the sports car driver of 1962 was a sybarite who would necessarily prefer the comfort of a limousine to the wind swirling around his neck in an open-top sports car. However, the coupé is aerodynamically more favorable and therefore almost always faster with the same engine power. On a long drive, the physical and acoustic force of the airstream is not an additional fatigue factor.

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