Triumph TR4 Roadster

The TR4 of 1961–65, the first TR with Michelotti's body and wind-up windows, on a widened TR3A frame with a live rear axle throughout. American advertising wrote it TR-4; it is also called the TR4 roadster or convertible.

A red TR4 with its black hood up and chrome hubcaps, at the Warwick Classic Car Show in August 2019.Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

The TR4 was the TR3A rebodied and refined. Triumph kept the older car's frame, widened and stiffened, and its live rear axle, and gave it rack-and-pinion steering, an all-synchromesh gearbox (transmission) and, as standard, the bigger of the TR3A's engines, under a new body by Giovanni Michelotti with wind-up windows, face-level vents and a bigger boot (trunk). CT1, the first, was completed at Canley on 18 July 1961, six weeks before the car's announcement on 1 September 1961, and Motor Sport found that month that it had "all the life and toughness expected of a sports Triumph". The last TR4, CT40304, was built on 6 January 1965. The production readings give the total built, with the split between home and export.⁠source 1source 2source 3source 4source 5

What changed from the TR3A, and why

A red TR4 in profile at the Nationaal Oldtimer Festival, Zandvoort, in September 2009: wind-up windows, an outside door handle and no side strip.Alf van Beem, CC0

The brief was to keep the TR3A's chassis and mechanical parts and give them a modern body, with wind-up windows, better heating and ventilation, and more room for people and luggage. Under it, Dennis May of Car and Driver found only four engineering changes when he reported in October 1961: the tracks were wider, the frame stiffer and its dampers softer, the steering was rack and pinion, and first gear had synchromesh. May found the new body "purposeful and aggressive rather than pretty".

The frame was the TR3A's, widened at the front and stiffened there. The sources describe the stiffening differently, as an extra wall inside the side members, a channel welded along each front rail or extra members beside them, and agree that the front end was the part strengthened. The tracks grew to 124 cm (49 in) at the front and 122 cm (48 in) at the rear on disc wheels, and 2.5 cm (1 in) wider on wire wheels; by how much the rear track grew over the TR3A's, the sources disagree.

The engine was bored out to the size that had been an option on the TR3A since 1959, the engine that, Motor Sport said, had been developed for the Alpine Rally, and its compression was raised a little. Car and Driver reported: "Everything else they left as it was …" Its peak power came lower in the rev range than the TR3's, and its torque rose; the specification gives both. The TR3A's 2-litre engine stayed available to special order, for racing, as TR4 vs TR4A explains.

The gearbox kept the TR3's design with synchromesh added to first gear, in a longer aluminium case with its bellhousing cast in, and Motor Trend reported the maker's claim that the TR4 was the first British car in quantity production with synchromesh on all four forward speeds. A TR3A gearbox cannot be converted, the TR Drivers' Club notes, because its casing is different.

The body was steel, with both pairs of wings (fenders) bolted on, and Car and Driver reported that it supplied 34% of the car's torsional stiffness. It was wider and longer than the TR3A's, and heavier, though the sources disagree by how much: about 13 kg (28 lb) dry, by Car and Driver's account; about 32 kg (70 lb), by the Vintage Triumph Register's; and about 35 kg (78 lb) by the factory's figures, as Ate Up With Motor gives them. The hood (soft top) now kept its frame in the car, but it was still fiddly: Autosport counted 29 press-on fasteners.

The ride is more comfortable than on the TR-3, and at the same time the car holds its course better on the straight and seems to have lost the peculiar tail-end twitch in the corners.

Gordon Wilkins, Motor Trend, December 1961⁠2647895110

Contents

Running changes, by commission number

The TR4 changed as it was built, and the change points come mainly from three sources that differ in places: Revington TR's list, the TR Drivers' Club's article and the German TR Register's guide. Their common ancestor, Bill Piggott's originality guide, has not been read. The table gives each change with the number its source gives.

Change	From	Source
New front suspension geometry, with smaller, lighter Girling 16P calipers	CT4388 (disc wheels), CT4690 (wire wheels)	TR Drivers' Club
Sliding unit in place of the boot-lid stay	Body 5643CT	Revington TR
Frame extension bracket deleted; longer body mountings at the door pillars	CT5898	Revington TR
Revised trunnions and top wishbones, with more castor	CT6344 (disc wheels), CT6390 (wire wheels)	Revington TR
Longer bulge on the bonnet (hood)	CT6429	Revington TR
Radiator extension neck deleted	CT9953	Revington TR
Flat-glass instruments in place of domed	CT11308	Revington TR
The definitive TR4 seats, with a new frame and flatter cushions	Body 15076CT, winter 1962–63	TR Drivers' Club; German TR Register
Steering rack mounted level	CT16350 (disc wheels), CT16463 (wire wheels)	Revington TR
Zenith-Stromberg carburettors in place of SUs	A first batch of engines from CT16801; regular from CT23594	TR Drivers' Club
Frame altered for the level rack	CT20063 (left-hand drive), CT20265 (right-hand drive)	Revington TR
Deep-dish rear springs with aluminium spacers	CT23383	Revington TR
Paint and trim codes on the commission plate	During 1963	Vintage Triumph Register
The last TR4	CT40304, 6 January 1965	Rimmer; Vintage Triumph Register

Two changes have more than one reading. For the front suspension, the TR Drivers' Club gives CT4388 and CT4690 for new geometry and smaller calipers, and Revington TR gives CT6344 and CT6390 for new trunnions and top wishbones; they may be two separate changes. The Vintage Triumph Register says only that the front discs and calipers were modified in 1962, and Ate Up With Motor that the front discs became slightly smaller.

The carburettors changed during 1963. Revington TR has the Strombergs from CT16801, the German guide from engine CT21471E, and the Drivers' Club, which fits both, a first batch from CT16801 and regular fitting from CT23594; Autocar noted in June 1963 that Triumph had changed "from S.U. to Stromberg" in recent months. The reason was commercial. Webster said, according to Ate Up With Motor, that Standard had paid a premium for SU carburettors since BMC bought their maker, and the Drivers' Club adds that power and torque did not change.⁠source 11source 7source 8source 2source 6source 12source 1

Looking down into a Triumph TR4 engine bay: twin Stromberg carburettors with mesh air filters beside a chrome rocker cover, white inner wings. — Twin Strombergs from above, on a car its owner calls a late TR4, Saratoga, California, 2018.Jflinney, CC BY-SA 4.0

Contents

Identification points

A TR4 has no chrome strip along its sides and no IRS badge, both marks of the TR4A. Its sidelamps and indicators sit in the grille, and it carries TR4 badges on the bonnet and the boot. Early cars have a short bulge on the bonnet and later ones, from CT6429, a long one. Early cars have a painted dashboard; walnut became common later, and many early cars have been given walnut since.

The commission plate carries a number with the prefix CT, and suffixes that mark the car's specification: L for left-hand drive and, the Vintage Triumph Register adds, O for overdrive. The body number is written number first, as 15076CT, and the engine number has the prefix CT and ends in E; the three seldom match. Identification explains how to read them.⁠source 2source 13source 11source 14

Close-up of a red Triumph TR4's nose: the TR4 shield badge, the chrome TRIUMPH letters and the top of the grille. — The TR4 shield on the bonnet above the TRIUMPH letters and the stamped grille, Oldtimermuseum Nottuln, Germany, 2021.Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

A red Triumph TR4 roadster with its hood down, seen from the rear three-quarter on a sunlit car park, its boot badge visible. — The TR4 script on the boot lid of a red TR4 at Zandvoort in September 2009.Alf van Beem, CC0

Contents

Wheels and tyres

The standard wheels were pressed-steel discs with small hubcaps. Wire wheels were optional: the Vintage Triumph Register says the first had 48 spokes and narrow rims, which it calls "barely adequate", and the later ones 60 spokes, while the TR Drivers' Club describes 48-spoke wheels in three finishes. Germany and some other export markets had octagonal "safety" spinners, and the Register cites a Standard-Triumph service bulletin for some later wheels finished in body colour or white in place of silver.

The cars left the factory on cross-ply tyres, with radials an option, and Ate Up With Motor notes that the standard cross-plies were not rated for the TR4's top speed. The TR Register's guide gives a smaller tyre size than every period test does; the specification gives the size the tests agree on.⁠source 15source 2source 6source 16source 17

A red Triumph TR4 with its hood down and pale steel disc wheels with small chrome hubcaps, at a village show on dry grass. — A TR4 on its standard pressed-steel disc wheels with small chrome hubcaps, at the Four Colnes Show, Earls Colne, Essex, in August 2025.kitmasterbloke, CC BY 4.0

A close-up of a chromed wire wheel and its knock-off hub nut marked 'Right side' and 'Undo'. — A wire wheel's knock-off nut, marked for the right side, on a TR4 at the Oldtimermuseum Nottuln in 2021; eared spinners were also fitted.Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

Contents

Options at launch

Car and Driver's report of October 1961 listed the extras. The two-piece hardtop and its vinyl Surrey insert came first, and a soft top could be had for a hardtop car; then Laycock overdrive, working on second, third and top, and wire wheels. Below them came a fresh-air heater, racing screens, a tonneau cover, two-speed wipers, a radio, an aluminium sump, competition front springs and rear dampers, a suitcase made to fit the boot, leather in place of the standard PVC leathercloth, Dunlop or Michelin tyres in place of the standard ones, a starting handle and cushions for the space behind the seats.

For poor fuel there was a low-compression cylinder head, and for racing the 2-litre engine. A lower axle ratio could be had with overdrive, though overdrive did not bring it: the TR4 and the Dové road-tested with overdrive in 1963 both kept the standard ratio.⁠source 4source 5source 18source 19source 6source 16source 12

A red Triumph TR4 with the hardtop's rear section fitted and the roof open, front three-quarter view on a show lawn. — Hoghton Tower, Lancashire, June 2014: a TR4's optional two-piece hardtop, with its roof panel out.SG2012, CC BY 2.0

Contents

Colours

No factory colour list for the TR4 has been read. The Vintage Triumph Register gives the TR4's colours as "shades of White, Black, Blue, Green and Red", and the American launch colours, as the importer's owners' newsletter listed them in September 1961, were Spa White, Signal Red, Black, Powder Blue, Cream and British Racing Green. From 1963, the Register notes, the paint and trim codes are stamped on the commission plate. The works rally cars were powder blue.⁠source 2source 19source 20source 21

A pale blue Triumph TR4 with its black hood up, seen from the front right on a gravel yard beside vintage buses. — A pale blue TR4 at the Autumn Transport Rally, Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington, in October 2025: the colour as it looks today, not a factory name.Aethonatic, CC0

Contents

Calendar years and commission numbers

Rimmer's parts catalogue dates the TR4's commission numbers by the calendar year in which the cars were built, from January to December, and gives each year a model-year label: the cars built in 1961, for instance, carry the label 1962. The table gives its first and last numbers for each year. Each range counts numbers issued, not cars built. CT1 to CT40304 runs to 51 more than the total built, and the German TR Register says some numbers in the run were never issued.

Year of build	Commission numbers
1961	CT1 to CT2648
1962	CT2649 to CT18604
1963	CT18605 to CT28708
1964	CT28709 to CT40192
1965	CT40193 to CT40304, built from 1 to 6 January

The Vintage Triumph Register prints yearly output figures taken from Piggott, but it calls them approximate, and those for 1964 and 1965 are larger than the numbers issued in those years. No source read gives a reliable count of the TR4s built in each year. In America a TR4 was titled in the year it was sold, so a car called a 1965 TR4 may have been built in 1964.

Contents

Specification

Production

Sources for Production, TR4

Price new: Several figures in print.Gregor Grant, "The Triumph TR4", Autosport, 14 Sep 1962, pp. 359–362⁠source 10; Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012⁠source 6; Motor Sport, "Matters Of Moment, November 1962", Nov 1962, p. 9⁠source 22; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; Graham Robson, "One Design, Many Derivatives", Moss Motoring, 26 Oct 2022⁠source 23; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24
Built: Several figures in print.Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1; Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register⁠source 2; Ian Nicholls, "The Rover-Triumph story": "1960: expansion" and "1961: Leyland's takeover", AROnline, 7 Jul 2019⁠source 3; Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012⁠source 6; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17
Designers: One good source.Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1
Built at: Several figures in print.TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17; Revington TR, "TR4"⁠source 25

Production
Price new	£750 basic; over £1,000 with tax (by £32 5s 3d) Price new, TR4 Several figures in print. £750 basic; over £1,000 with tax (by £32 5s 3d)Good sources agree: Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012, UK at launch; £51 over the TR3A⁠source 6 £750 basic; £1,032 5s 3d with purchase taxGood sources agree: Gregor Grant, "The Triumph TR4", Autosport, 14 Sep 1962, pp. 359–362, open car, UK, 1961-62⁠source 10 £1,032Good sources agree: Motor Sport, "Matters Of Moment, November 1962", Nov 1962, p. 9, UK, November 1962, with purchase tax⁠source 22 £906 16s 3d open; £949 2s hardtop, with purchase taxOne good source: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, UK, January 1963⁠source 16 $2,849 POEGood sources agree: Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012, US⁠source 6; Graham Robson, "One Design, Many Derivatives", Moss Motoring, 26 Oct 2022, US, 1963⁠source 23 $2,999 POE New YorkOne good source: Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), US, 1964, Car and Driver data⁠source 24
Built	18 Jul 1961 (CT1, first car built) Built, TR4 Several figures in print. 18 Jul 1961 (CT1, first car built)Good sources agree: Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1, commission number CT1⁠source 1; Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register, commission number CT1⁠source 2 6 Jan 1965 (CT40304, last car)Good sources agree: Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1, commission number CT40304⁠source 1; Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register, commission number CT40304⁠source 2 1 Sep 1961 (announced)Good sources agree: Ian Nicholls, "The Rover-Triumph story": "1960: expansion" and "1961: Leyland's takeover", AROnline, 7 Jul 2019, "Then the next day 'Zest' was announced as the TR4" (after 31 August)⁠source 3 Sep 1961 (public debut)Good sources agree: Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012⁠source 6 Aug 1961 to Jan 1965 (manufactured)One good source: TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide", series production, not the first car⁠source 17
Designers	Michelotti (body)
Built at	Speke, Liverpool (body shells) Built at, TR4 Several figures in print. Speke, Liverpool (body shells)Good sources agree: TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17 body shells from SpekeGood sources agree: Revington TR, "TR4"⁠source 25

Engine

Sources for Engine, TR4

Capacity: Several figures in print.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1
Engine position: One good source.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4
Block: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Cylinder head: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Valve gear: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Bore × stroke: Several figures in print.Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16
Compression ratio: Several figures in print.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16
Fuel system: One good source.The January 1963 test car. Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16
Carburettors: Several figures in print.TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; TR Drivers Club, "Triumph TR4"⁠source 7; Revington TR, "TR4: Technical Specification Change Points"⁠source 11
Cooling: One good source.Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1
Cylinder layout: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Cylinders: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Fuel: One good source.The Dové GTR4 test car, mechanically a TR4. Autocar, "Dové GTR4 2,138 c.c." (Road Test No. 1926), 7 Jun 1963, pp. 993–997⁠source 12
Ignition: One good source.TR4 and TR4A. Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1
Cycle: One good source.TR4 and TR4A. Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1
Lubrication: One good source.TR4 and TR4A. Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1

Engine
Capacity	2138 cc Capacity, TR4 Several figures in print. 2138 ccGood sources agree: Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, 86 mm bore⁠source 4; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5 1991 ccGood sources agree: Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1, to special order; "very few such cars were ever built"⁠source 1; Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, option for racing under the FIA's Appendix C⁠source 4
Engine position	Front
Block	Cast iron
Cylinder head	Cast iron
Valve gear	OHV, two valves per cylinder
Bore × stroke	86/92 mm Bore × stroke, TR4 Several figures in print. 86/92 mmGood sources agree: Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5 86 x 92 mmGood sources agree: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, data panel (the text's "86 x 96" is a misprint)⁠source 16
Compression ratio	9.0:1 Compression ratio, TR4 Several figures in print. 9.0:1Good sources agree: Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, standard⁠source 4; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16 7:1One good source: Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, low-compression option for poor fuel⁠source 4
Fuel system	Carburetor
Carburettors	Twin 1¾" SU Carbs Carburettors, TR4 Several figures in print. Twin 1¾" SU CarbsGood sources agree: TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17 twin H6 S.U.Good sources agree: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, the January 1963 test car⁠source 16 twin Zenith-Stromberg 175 CDGood sources agree: TR Drivers Club, "Triumph TR4", from 1962-63: first engines CT16801-16900, regular from CT23594⁠source 7 StrombergGood sources agree: Revington TR, "TR4: Technical Specification Change Points", "Stromberg carburettors introduced as a preference over SU" from CT16801⁠source 11
Cooling	Water-cooled
Cylinder layout	Inline
Cylinders	4
Fuel	premium-grade petrol (97 octane RM)
Ignition	Coil and distributor
Cycle	Four-stroke
Lubrication	Wet Sump

Performance

Sources for Performance, TR4

Power: Several figures in print.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4"⁠source 15
Torque: Several figures in print.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17; Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24
Top speed: Several figures in print.Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17; G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017⁠source 18
0–60 mph: Several figures in print.Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register⁠source 2; Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17; G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017⁠source 18
Standing start: Several figures in print.Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register⁠source 2; Autocar, "Dové GTR4 2,138 c.c." (Road Test No. 1926), 7 Jun 1963, pp. 993–997⁠source 12; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5

Performance
Power	100 bhp Power, TR4 Several figures in print. 100 bhpGood sources agree: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, net, at 4,600 rpm⁠source 9; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17, at 4,600 rpm, rating not stated⁠source 5; Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, net, at 4,600 rpm⁠source 4; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide", at 4,600 rpm⁠source 17 105 bhpGood sources agree: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, gross, at 4,750 rpm⁠source 9; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, gross, at 4,750 rpm (data panel; the text gives 100 net)⁠source 16; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), SAE, at 4,750 rpm (Car and Driver data)⁠source 24; TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4", at 4,600 rpm, rating not stated⁠source 15
Torque	127 lb ft Torque, TR4 Several figures in print. 127 lb ftGood sources agree: Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, at 3,350 rpm⁠source 4; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide", at 3,350 rpm⁠source 17 126.6 lb ftOne good source: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, at 3,350 rpm⁠source 9 128 lb ftOne good source: Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), at 3,350 rpm (Car and Driver data)⁠source 24
Top speed	110 mph Top speed, TR4 Several figures in print. 110 mphOne good source: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, hardtop test car with overdrive; gear not stated: "an absolute top speed of 110 m.p.h."⁠source 16; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17, makers' claim⁠source 5 111.1 mphOne good source: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, one way, pre-production open car, overdrive top⁠source 9 102 mphOne good source: Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), direct top; 105 mph in overdrive top (Car and Driver data)⁠source 24; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide", no test named (printed under a "TR2 PERFORMANCE DATA" heading); probably Autocar, 5 Jan 1962⁠source 17; G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017, "the first TR4", no test named⁠source 18
0–60 mph	10.1 s 0–60 mph, TR4 Several figures in print. 10.1 sOne good source: Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register, Road & Track test, 1962, as the VTR reports it⁠source 2 10.2 sOne good source: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, approximately; pre-production car⁠source 9 10.5 sOne good source: Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), Car and Driver data⁠source 24 11 sOne good source: Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17, makers' claim⁠source 5 10.9 sNot yet confirmed: TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide", no test named⁠source 17; G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017, "the first TR4", no test named⁠source 18
Standing start	17.5 s Standing start, TR4 Several figures in print. 17.5 sOne good source: Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register, standing quarter-mile, at 77.2 mph; Road & Track 1962 as the VTR reports it⁠source 2; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17, standing quarter-mile, makers' claim⁠source 5 17.8 sOne good source: Autocar, "Dové GTR4 2,138 c.c." (Road Test No. 1926), 7 Jun 1963, pp. 993–997, standing quarter-mile; the open TR4 Autocar tested on 5 Jan 1962, as quoted in 1963⁠source 12

Running gear

Sources for Running gear, TR4

Steering: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8; Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9
Gearbox: One good source.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4
Gears: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Overdrive: Several figures in print.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Layout: One good source.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9
Front brakes: Good sources agree.Car and Driver data. Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017⁠source 18
Rear brakes: Good sources agree.Car and Driver data. Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Front suspension: Several figures in print.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Rear suspension: One good source.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4
Tyres: Several figures in print.Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4"⁠source 15
Wheels: Several figures in print.Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4"⁠source 15; Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register⁠source 2
Final drive: One good source.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9
Clutch: One good source.Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8

Running gear
Steering	rack and pinion
Gearbox	Manual
Gears	4
Overdrive	Laycock de Normanville, on 2nd, 3rd and top Overdrive, TR4 Several figures in print. Laycock de Normanville, on 2nd, 3rd and topGood sources agree: Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, optional⁠source 4 optional, 0.82:1; usually A-type, on 2nd, 3rd and 4thGood sources agree: Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Layout	RWD
Front brakes	11 in discs
Rear brakes	9 in drums
Front suspension	unequal-length double wishbones and coil springs at the front Front suspension, TR4 Several figures in print. unequal-length double wishbones and coil springs at the frontOne good source: Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8 wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers at the frontOne good source: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9 anti-roll barOne good source: Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), Car and Driver data⁠source 24
Rear suspension	live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, lever-arm dampers
Tyres	5.90 x 15 Tyres, TR4 Several figures in print. 5.90 x 15Good sources agree: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, Dunlop Road Speed RS5, test car⁠source 16 590-15 cross ply or optional radialGood sources agree: TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4"⁠source 15
Wheels	15 x 4½ disc Wheels, TR4 Several figures in print. 15 x 4½ discGood sources agree: TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4", standard⁠source 15 bolt-on steel disc wheelsGood sources agree: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, test car⁠source 16 wire wheels, 48-spoke 4 in, later 60-spoke 4½ in, knock-onOne good source: Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register, option⁠source 2
Final drive	Shaft
Clutch	single dry plate, hydraulic

Body and chassis

Sources for Body and chassis, TR4

Body: One good source.Autocar, "Dové GTR4 2,138 c.c." (Road Test No. 1926), 7 Jun 1963, pp. 993–997⁠source 12
Body material: One good source.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4
Seats: One good source.Autocar, "Dové GTR4 2,138 c.c." (Road Test No. 1926), 7 Jun 1963, pp. 993–997⁠source 12
Chassis material: One good source.Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23⁠source 4

Body and chassis
Body	Roadster
Body material	Steel
Seats	2
Chassis material	Steel

Dimensions and weight

Sources for Dimensions and weight, TR4

Length: Several figures in print.Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012⁠source 6; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9
Width: Several figures in print.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16
Height: Several figures in print.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16
Kerb weight: Several figures in print.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10⁠source 16; Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4)⁠source 24; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Wheelbase: Several figures in print.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8
Ground clearance: One good source.Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9
Fuel tank: Several figures in print.Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5; Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1
Dry weight: One good source.Dry, factory figure (OCR). Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, September 1961 (TR-4 special issue), Sep 1961 (vol. VII no. 9)⁠source 19; G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017⁠source 18

Dimensions and weight
Length	153.6 in Length, TR4 Several figures in print. 153.6 inOne good source: Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012, factory figure; Ate Up With Motor presumes the tests' 13 ft "includes the bumper guards"⁠source 6 391.0 cmOne good source: Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF), TR4 and TR4A⁠source 8 13 ftGood sources agree: Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5 156 inGood sources agree: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, overall length⁠source 9
Width	57.5 in Width, TR4 Several figures in print. 57.5 inGood sources agree: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8 4 ft 10½ inNot yet confirmed: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, hardtop test car⁠source 16
Height	50 in Height, TR4 Several figures in print. 50 inGood sources agree: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8 4 ft 3 inOne good source: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, hardtop⁠source 16
Kerb weight	2240 lb Kerb weight, TR4 Several figures in print. 2240 lbOne good source: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, with fuel, oil and water⁠source 9 19.5 cwtOne good source: Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, kerb, hardtop⁠source 16 2245 lbOne good source: Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), Car and Driver data; 50.5/49.5% front/rear⁠source 24 1015 kgOne good source: Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF), kerb⁠source 8
Wheelbase	88 in Wheelbase, TR4 Several figures in print. 88 inGood sources agree: Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66⁠source 9; Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF)⁠source 8 7 ft 4 inGood sources agree: Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5
Ground clearance	6 in
Fuel tank	11.75 gal Fuel tank, TR4 Several figures in print. 11.75 galGood sources agree: Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17⁠source 5 53.5 LGood sources agree: Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1, "11.75 Gall (53.5L)"⁠source 1
Dry weight	2128 lb

Contents

Production

Production: how far the sources agree

40253, home 2,592; export 37,661: One good source.

40253home 2,592; export 37,661
Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1⁠source 1; TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide"⁠source 17

Contents

Sources

Every source the site cites is on the sources page.

Primarymade at the time, by the maker or by people who were there
Referenceserious later work: clubs, specialists, magazines, books

Graham Robson (essay "15 Years of Evolution"), Triumph TR2 – TR3/3A, TR4/4A – TR5, TR250 1953–1968 Parts & Accessories Catalogue, Rimmer Bros, edn 2.1 (source code TR2512), Part 1, p. 5, Robson's essay; p. 7, CT1 18 July 1961 and CT40304 6 January 1965; p. 5, the larger engine optional on the TR3A; p. 7, CT40304; p. 7, the dated number list, by calendar year with model-year labels; p. 7, "Vehicle Identification"; p. 5, Robson, "15 Years of Evolution"; p. 8, "Service Information"; p. 6, "TR Production Figures: 1953 to 1968". rimmerbros.com/images/PDFs/TR2-5_Part1.pdf Reference
Arthur Kelly (the VTR's TR4 consultant), "TR4": "A Historical Overview of the TR4" and the TR4 commission-number page, Vintage Triumph Register, production history; the brief; a channel on each front rail; about 70 lb heavier; 1962 brake change; paint and trim codes on the plate in 1963; identification: prefix, suffixes, body and engine numbers; badges; the dash; 48-spoke and 60-spoke wire wheels; octagonal spinners; wheel colours (Service Bulletin S-62-48); "TR4 colors were shades of White, Black, Blue, Green and Red"; codes on the plate from 1963; production table; approximate yearly figures; CT40304 6 January 1965; titling by year of sale; "43,000"; "A Historical Overview of the TR4", text; commission-number table; TR4 page, performance; TR4 page, Brakes/Wheels tab. vintagetriumphregister.org/tr4 Reference
Ian Nicholls, "The Rover-Triumph story": "1960: expansion" and "1961: Leyland's takeover", AROnline, 7 Jul 2019, 1961 page: announced the day after 31 August; "1961: Leyland's takeover". aronline.co.uk/history/the-rover-triumph-story/1960-expansion Reference
Dennis May, "Technical Report" on the TR-4 (cover story), Car and Driver, Oct 1961, pp. 19–23, pp. 19–23; pp. 19–22: the four changes; the engine, "Everything else they left as it was"; the gearbox; the tracks; the body's 34%; 28 lb dry; "Purposeful and aggressive rather than pretty"; the hood; p. 23, the list of extras; pp. 19-23, "Technical Report"; p. 21; pp. 19-23, options; p. 22. Primary
Bill Boddy ("W. B."), "The new Triumph TR4", Motor Sport, Sep 1961, p. 17, p. 17, "all the life and toughness"; p. 17, the engine "developed originally for the Alpine Rally"; p. 17, overdrive and the hardtop; p. 17. motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1961/17/the-new-triumph-tr4 Primary
Aaron Severson, "Grandfather's Ax: The Many Evolutions of the Triumph TR4, Part 1: TR4 and TR4A", Ate Up With Motor, 22 Oct 2012, "The Triumph TR4": the brief; 78 lb by factory figures; smaller front discs; Webster on the cost of SUs; the cross-plies' speed rating; the optional axle with overdrive; "The Triumph TR4"; photo caption. ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/triumph-tr4-tr4a/view-all Reference
TR Drivers Club, "Triumph TR4", the front of the frame; the tracks; the gearbox casing; CT4388/CT4690; body 15076CT; Strombergs from CT16801–16900 and CT23594; SU patents; Stromberg change. trdrivers.com/articles21/triumphtr4.html Reference
Bruno Dwinger, "Geschichte, Typenkunde und Kaufberatung: Standard-Triumph TR4, TR5/TR250 – 'die Michelotti Autos'", TR-Register Deutschland, 2009, 13 pp. (PDF), pp. 2–3, the frame's extra members; seats from body 15076CT; Strombergs from engine CT21471E; numbers not issued; pp. 3-4; p. 4; pp. 4, 11. tr-register.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kaufberatung-TR4-und-TR5-und-TR250.pdf Reference
Gordon Wilkins, "Report: New Triumph TR-4", Motor Trend, Dec 1961, pp. 64–66, pp. 64–66: the frame strengthened at the front; synchromesh on all four speeds; the ride; p. 65, specifications; p. 65, performance; p. 65; p. 65, dimensions. Primary
Gregor Grant, "The Triumph TR4", Autosport, 14 Sep 1962, pp. 359–362, the hood's press-on fasteners; pp. 359-362 (OCR). porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/1962/AS1962.09.14.pdf Primary
Revington TR, "TR4: Technical Specification Change Points", body 5643CT; CT5898, CT6344/CT6390, CT6429, CT9953, CT11308, CT16350/CT16463, CT16801, CT20063/CT20265, CT23383; CT6429, the longer bonnet bulge; "October 1965"; change-point list. revingtontr.com/the-tr-series/tr4/technical-specification-change-points Reference
Autocar, "Dové GTR4 2,138 c.c." (Road Test No. 1926), 7 Jun 1963, pp. 993–997, the change from SU to Stromberg "in recent months"; data panel, final drive with overdrive; p. 994, data panel; p. 993, text. Primary
TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4A", the TR4A features a TR4 lacks. trdrivers.com/earlycars/tr4A.html Reference
Goodwood Classic Solutions, "Buyer's guide: Triumph TR4", 1 Nov 2024, the L suffix; mismatched numbers; painted dashboards. insurance.goodwood.com/buyers-guide/triumph-tr4-2 Reference
TR Drivers Club, "Early Cars: The TR4", disc wheels; 48-spoke wire wheels in three finishes; cross-ply or radial tyres; TR4 data; TR4 page. trdrivers.com/earlycars/tr4.html Reference
Motor Sport, "The Triumph TR4: a rugged British sports car", with the data panel "The Triumph TR4 hard-top", Jan 1963, pp. 9–10, data panel, the test car's tyres; data panel, overdrive on the standard axle; pp. 9-10, text and data panel; p. 10, data panel; p. 9, text. motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-1963/9/the-triumpth-tr4 Primary
TR Register, "Triumph TR4 / TR4A Buyers Guide", the tyre size it gives; TR4 model summary; TR4 data; TR4 page, performance table. tr-register.co.uk/resources/buyers-guide/triumph-tr4-4a Reference
G. William Krause, The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars, CarTech, 2017, p. 53, the options; ch. 3, p. 53; ch. 3, p. 52. static.summitracing.com/global/images/technicalarticles/sad-ct596.pdf Reference
Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, September 1961 (TR-4 special issue), Sep 1961 (vol. VII no. 9), the 4.1 axle only with overdrive; the American launch colours; TR4 special issue, specification. vintagetriumphregister.org/tsoa/TSOASep61.pdf Primary
Rimmer Bros, "Triumph Paint & Trim Identification Codes", the code system. rimmerbros.com/c/Triumph-Paint-Information Reference
Julian Balme, "TR4: Triumph's rally underdog", Classic & Sports Car, 4 Aug 2021, the works cars' powder blue. classicandsportscar.com/features/tr4-triumphs-rally-underdog Reference
Motor Sport, "Matters Of Moment, November 1962", Nov 1962, p. 9, p. 9. motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-1962/9/matters-of-moment-november-1962 Primary
Graham Robson, "One Design, Many Derivatives", Moss Motoring, 26 Oct 2022, Robson, "One Design, Many Derivatives", prices. mossmotoring.com Reference
Triumph Sports Owners Association, Triumph Sports Owners Association Newsletter, April 1964, Apr 1964 (vol. 10 no. 4), p. 2, data panel. vintagetriumphregister.org/tsoa/TSOA0464.pdf Primary
Revington TR, "TR4", TR4 page. revingtontr.com/the-tr-series/tr4 Reference

Contents