TR4a restoration

[Ernest]

I am currently involved in the restoration of a 4A (EWS 104C) and the garage undertaking the work (who I am buying the restored car from when completed) have given me CT56710 as the vin number and yet all TR books I can find suggest that only 4s have CT as prefix, running from CT1 - CT40304. 4As are noted as having CTC as prefix and running from CTC50001- CTC78684. We have checked the registration document and this also notes CT56710 so something of a mystery. To add to this, the registration doc. (confirmed by search on DVLA web-site) has the car as first registered on 1st January 1965 and yet if it was the 6710th made then being registered on 1st Jan in the first year 4As were made seem odd.

Can anyone shed any light on this matter please? Or any advice on how I might follow this upwould be appreciated.

 

The restoration does seem to be going along very well; the car looks lovely as it is now (2 months since we started) coming together nicely - red, surrey top, wires, o/d etc. has not been taxed since 1993 so nice to be involved in getting it back in use.

 

Thanks

 

Ernest

[stuart]

That CT chassis number refers to a solid axle USA market TR4a. Have a look at the rear of the chassis! I have one also which is CT 559** and is a 65 registered car. The 1st of January reg date is more than likely an admin anomaly and is the default date used on import docs for any car registered in that year.

Stuart.

[Geko]

To hook on Stuart's comment, check out this: http://trregistry.com/start/registry/html/TR4/index.htm . Select "List Entries" on top left of the page, scroll down to 1965 and you'll find plenty of early 4As with CT number, mostly outside the UK

Edited November 1, 2014 by Geko

[stuart]

On the registry list you will also note the date anomalies of 65/66 on sequential chassis numbers as well. Some US states registered cars from around the middle of the year as the next years model which doesnt help either.

Stuart.

[Ernest]

Dear Stuart and Geko

 

The idea of it's being a US market 4A make some sense but please see chassis in attached picture and this is clearly 4A and I think is the original chassis.

And if exported to US why would it be noted as being UK registered on Jan. 1st 1965?

If I assume it was originally a US spec. 4a would this affect value - I don't intend selling but when paying as much as I am for the restoration I would like to be sure that I could sell on without some problem arising from its past history.

 

Thanks again

 

Ernest

 

[Geko]

Yours is a 4A IRS. For the US market, 4As were available in both live axle and IRS versions. Actually 75% of the US-delivered 4As were IRS after "acceptance" of the US market. If yours is an original RHD it is also possible that it was intended for export to other parts of the world i.e. Commonwealth countries like my 4A exported new to Malaysia. You might try to find out if it is an original RHD or if it has been converted from LHD

Possibly an admin trick for the reg date...Value won't be affected negatively though original RHD tend to be more valuable in the UK

But first get an Heritage Certificate from the BMIHT

 

PS: those tires are too wide for the wheels

Edited November 1, 2014 by Geko

[Ernest]

Dear Stuart and Geko

 

Thank very much for this really useful information - it helps to put together the probable history of the car.

 

Best Wishes

Ernest.

[BrianC]

I have forwarded a link to this thread to Jon Marshall (TR4/4A Registrar) for comment.

[Ernest]

Thank Brian - That's a very helpful action. Hopefully I can learn more about this TR

 

Best Wishes

Ernest

[Ernest]

Dear Geko

 

Just noticed your P.S. re. tyres being 'too wide'. Can you please enlarge on this observation - I have been rather in the hands of the garage undertaking the restoration ('Classic _ Marks') and they have fitted these tyres/wheels.

 

Best Wishes

Ernest

[Geko]

Nothing worrisome it might be the shooting angle but the tire walls seems quite bulky. If the wheels are 5.5 inches, 165-185 tire width is OK, 195 acceptable but they seem to be on the higher end of the range if they are 5.5, out of range if less than 5.5.

 

Edit: Coming back to the original inquiry, 4 things:

- The dealer seems to be a TR specialist and should be able to advise in tracing the history of the car;

- The Heritage Certificate (especially the extended version) is drawn from the original factory record and should provide loads of information about the vehicle;

- Assuming that they are original, engine and gearbox numbers could provide some indications as to the approximate built date though you should not bet on sequences to follow the chassis number;

- You could check the number on that little aluminium plate (pic) located on the RH side of the bulkhead near the brake and clutch master cylinders. This is the factory body number with the suffix "CT" and is unrelated to the commission number. You might find something interesting there.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Geko

[Ernest]

Dear Geko

 

Thanks very much for taking so much trouble to advise on my queries.

 

PG 1311 looks like a stunning example of the marque!!

 

Best Wishes

Ernest