AndyR100 Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Evening All, I have been keeping an eye out for cars offered for sale to gauge price/condition etc. these two caught my eye, and I wondered if anyone had any knowledge of, or thoughts about them: Red 4a with Surrey top in the Wirral: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361077329619 and a powder blue 4 in Heathfield: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181530164583 Thanks in advance...... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saggy Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 I'm not the one to ask really and you can't tell without using Mk 1 eye ball but... Red one has advantage of surrey with soft and hardtops (probably rusted edges) but does seem to have been 'tarted' with wheels, steering wheel, oil cooler (not sure I'd want one) and fuel filter in odd place/horizontal etc Blue one is just ragtop - don't have a problem with that and overall looks more original which has more appeal to many. Red car has leather seats and (sorry about the next bit) doesn't give you a sticky sweaty crotch like the blue plastic seats - that was according to my previous girlfriend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted December 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Thanks for taking the time to have a look..... the ad for the Red one does mention some localised bubbling ..... worried that it could well be hiding something bigger. I f it is still around in the New Year I may well take a drive over to look at the blue one - i'll keep the sweat-situation in mind as well! ....... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Andy, The seats in the Red one are TR4 seats, not sure if this bothers you. The Blue one looks nicer but as Saggy says you can't beat the MK1 eyeball. Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Ashworth Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 So, Minilites are now a symbol of bad taste I note, Saggy. Well each to his own, but I'm sure that should get a few people going. . There are not many TRs that are not hiding something somewhere as they are all 50 years old or more and it is a rare beast that hasn't had anything done to it at some point. As a rule of thumb, I reckon my TR4 (and Spitfire before that) needed some paint touch up about every three years. it needs it this coming year again. If you keep them in a heated garage, then they will be fine, but if you use them and give them a good thrashing, which is what they were designed for, then they need constant fixing. It's just wear and tear, so be prepared to do some stuff to it and you won't go far wrong. The better value car is the red one in my view, but it depends how you value things. (And I don't particularly like red) All the very best. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Both are 4As and the red looks way better value (Surrey !) than the blue which is Wedgewood blue, not powder. I wouldn't lift the little finger for the blue. And good luck to find an older restoration without bubbling paint Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Cannot see any mention of overdrive in either case, although both cars appear to have two levers to the right of the steering column. A TR without overdrive is not quite a TR! And overdrive gearboxes - even ones which are not perfect but could be re-built - are not easy to find nowadays Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Hi Andy, Both have OD (the red one says so and the blue one has the switch). The red has TR4 seats because it is an early 4A. The surrey top is definitely a plus even if you don't like it (take it off and you instantly have £2000 in your pocket form ebay). The red car admits to rust/bubbles in the paintwork, the blue doen't - both will have underlying rust unless the blue one has been recently rebuilt. It is easy to remove the wings and sort properly. Both are 4A's as mentioned by Stef. I don't like red personally but I like pale blue even less - that's me. The money you save on the red one you can put towards cleaning it up. Roger PS - the blue one has not been advertised very well. Too many omissions. Edited December 15, 2014 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I can see clearly that the panels on the red one have been repaired and filled. This does not matter much but sooner or later these will need fixing again. What is important on both of these is the state of the chassis. Sellers hardly ever photograph this. The rust areas on these cars are well known and more or less always the same. Get someone who knows to look or show you where to look. The photos of the blue one show nothing clearly. Can't see its worth more than the red one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 To me this looks a better proposition http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C563488 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Hi everyone, Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on these two.... It is really helpful for me to gauge the views of people far more experienced in TR's. Completely agree that these cars are all likely to hide something unexpected under the skin, I very-much have my eyes open on that score - good point about the chassis being an important watch-point. I had spotted the White one in Nottingham advertised, and it doesnt look a bad proposition. I'll keep looking out for good ones Cheers, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAHTR4 Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Andy, Re: the White TR4. At some point this car appears to have had bit of a body re-build as both of the front inner wings have been replaced with the later TR6 type. The original type of inner wing had small straight sided box-outs over the front suspension and on top of those another box-out onto which the horns were bolted. Only detrimental if you are seeking pure originality. Regards, Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Another expensive problem is the plenum chamber. These often get bodged up and are hard to check. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Another expensive problem is the plenum chamber. These often get bodged up and are hard to check. At least 4`s and 4a`s dont suffer so bad in this respect due to airflow and if they do they are much easier to repair with the large opening at each end for the vent, not overly difficult to check as at least they have less pipe work in the way than a 5 or 6. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Thanks again for the feedback..... Useful info about the wings, I would never have known that! I'm not overly precious about originality, but always helpful to have pointers for the areas I would have missed! ...... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) Thanks again for the feedback..... Useful info about the wings, I would never have known that! I'm not overly precious about originality, but always helpful to have pointers for the areas I would have missed! ...... Andy What about this one, not tarted with a surrey goldmine already fitted, If you can do a bit yourself it might be a better car?? A good think to look at on any post sidescreen car, is the swage line down both sides of the body, they should both be uniform, and doors should meet all wings smoothly. Beware gap at rear of doors, this is an easy fix for the unscrupulous so check the chassis carefully. (amazing what you can do with a forklift truck!) http://www.trbitz.com/detail?vid=115477 Edited December 16, 2014 by pfenlon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 So, Minilites are now a symbol of bad taste I note, Saggy. Well each to his own, but I'm sure that should get a few people going. . There are not many TRs that are not hiding something somewhere as they are all 50 years old or more and it is a rare beast that hasn't had anything done to it at some point. As a rule of thumb, I reckon my TR4 (and Spitfire before that) needed some paint touch up about every three years. it needs it this coming year again. If you keep them in a heated garage, then they will be fine, but if you use them and give them a good thrashing, which is what they were designed for, then they need constant fixing. It's just wear and tear, so be prepared to do some stuff to it and you won't go far wrong. The better value car is the red one in my view, but it depends how you value things. (And I don't particularly like red) All the very best. Dave OK Ashworth, thats enough, whats up with RED then, your now barred from my Southern garage in the front garden. I could understand if it were brown or Maroon but, its Red or dead for us Scarlet owners, (I never did understand what Red or dead meant?) The red ones are always faster too, thats obvious, and show up much better on the white salts of Bonneville! also Percy the Panter says your not Havin a ride now, you've blown it! All could be forgiven for a 6 pack of anything that makes one fall down after 15 of em, merry crimbo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Come on our Pete, there's nothing wrong with red except it's the Italian national racing colour, and that evokes visions of the world's fastest cars . . . . in reverse. It could be worse though, it could be yellow . . . . if there's one colour a TR, any TR, doesn't need it's meller yeller. 15 to fall over ? What's that then, shandy ? Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Oi! My Tommy was Saffron so I resemble that comment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Come on our Pete, there's nothing wrong with red except it's the Italian national racing colour, and that evokes visions of the world's fastest cars . . . . in reverse. It could be worse though, it could be yellow . . . . if there's one colour a TR, any TR, doesn't need it's meller yeller. 15 to fall over ? What's that then, shandy ? Cheers Alec Being the owner of a proper Italian job, with an engine with a camshaft not made of toffee, I have to like Red, it comes with the Territory. CTY392 was made red at the factory too. I also can't sup 15 of anything these days, I do remember a pub trip to Blackpool though..........................it was a while ago and none of the lads were arrested. I bet the V8 lady wouldn't say no to a go in a red flyer, so there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dykins Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 (I never did understand what Red or dead meant?). In modern day parlance, it is the name of a British fashion brand started by Wayne Hemingway in the 80s Not that you'd know that you old codger, as they tend not to stock it in Greenwoods! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks Peter, I thought Hemingway was a decent writer. and Wayne was a sort of footballing trend. ( why do they all fall about on the floor in celebration when they have achieved what they are paid for???) I have to admit though, that in Greenwoods I haven't come across Robin Hood yet. Or the fair maid come to that. I shall visit Red or dead for my vests in future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 OK Ashworth, (I never did understand what Red or dead meant?) Translated from an old Chinese saying, borrowed from the Russians. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cotswold Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 I like Wedgie the blue on for a visit. The interior I'd an expensive area and the seats dashboard carpets trim and hood all add up to many thousands if you had them new and fitted it also has a period radio Motorola I think. The ad says it's fully restored and I would suggest an inspection on a ramp. If the chassis is sound and brakes and wiring loom have been replaced this could be a very attractive proposition, the wires look painted but all together I would say take a look. It would at least be a benchmark for price. Charles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted December 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 Hi All, I am currently on holiday but still checking for cars! ..... I just saw this one appear which, looks rather nice: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C570960 Does anyone have any knowledge or thoughts on it? Many thanks in advance, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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