The time has finally come to start the restoration of my TR4. As a refresher
of what I have, about six months ago I bought what was advertised as a 1964
TR4A. With a little research, I came to the conclusion that it is a 63 TR4
with a 65 TR4A engine in it. The last time the car ran, which was about five
years ago, it caught on fire. It looks like the wiring from the foot dimmer
switch shorted out, melting the insulation, then proceeded up thru the
firewall and igniting the gas line. The fire than proceeded to burn all of
the rubber bushing and hoses in the area of the left front suspension. It
took the paint off the hood, door, fender, wheel arch and part of the
scuttle. The engine itself is nearly untouched. The bare metal has been
primed but not before rust started in. Mostly surface rust. The frame is
another matter. The part of the frame that goes up at an angle to the top of
the front suspension (excuse my lack of terminology) has rusted thru and
needs to be repaired. Also the rubber body mounting pads have burned off.
Aside from that, the rest of the body and frame seen solid with no rust. Also
the engine turns. All of hydraulics and lines have dried out and need to be
rebuilt or replaced as well as any rubber seals.
The DPO's (more than one) started to take the car apart. What I found is a
lot of the parts have been removed and then replaced with what are sometimes
the wrong parts. As an example, the gas tank was just set in the car and not
attached. When I tried to put in place, it didn't fit. On closer examination,
it looks like a Spitfire tank and won't work. The boot (both of them, as in
two) are from different TRs and rusted on the lower lip. The windshield frame
is from a different TR and unusable because one of the studs is broken off.
In the last six months I have been lurking in the back ground of the list
gleaming useful bits of information, some relevant and some not so relevant.
I have bought both the Bentley's and Haynes manuals. I already had the
Chilton's for what it's worth from when I owned my GT6+ about 27 years ago. I
also got Bill Piggott's Original TR4/4A/5/6. I have been trying to assemble
parts that I will need in the rebuild. I have received the Moss, TRF and
Vicky Britt catalogs. I have been talked to other owners and assembled some
of the tools I will need, such as a chain hoist to lift the body. This list
is the best tool that I could have for my Triumph. I have plenty of questions
to ask.
I plan to do a frame off restoration. The body should come off this next
week. First I plan on striping the interior, remove the doors, bonnet and
front wings. Now my problem is, should I take off the rear wings? The reason
why I am hesitant is they have been attached without any seams. The seams
have all been filled. There are no chrome beading strips between the fender
and body. I have been told this is bad because it is probably bondo. I kind
of like the look and the rest of the rear seems solid. Should I leave the
rear wings on or see what is underneath?
If you have read this far, thanks for the time. I will keep you updated.
Peter Schoppelry
64 TR4 CT24422
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