tomfpurves Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 A friend of mine wants to buy a TR4A and intends to do some classic( mostly road) rallies. Would he be better off with a TR4?My thoughts were prompted by the memory of a rally I did last year in my 3A ,and a TR6 suffered rear suspension failure.I know the factory did not rally TR4As but that may just have been because they wanted to promote Spitfires and 2500PIs at the time.Or maybe the rigid axle is hust more robust. Any thoughts, advice or comments appreciated. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graze Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Tom I bought a 4 as I wanted a track/ road car and from what I could gather from readings and discussions they are better suited to the track (and I presume rally) use than the 4a not only because of the robust rear axle setup but also due to the fact they can be setup on stiffer suspension using a pan hard rod system or similar than the 4a So far been very happy with the handling and must say it is much more 'direct' and go-cart like than my standard TR6 and therefore just what I was after. My car has unrated lever arm rear shocks, pan hard rod, and larger front sway bar, poly bushed suspension Soon to have updated front axles and rear hubs too Be interested in others views Graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Cart springs think about it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Tom, Give me a call or drop me a pm. Will happily talk you through the pros and cons Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Tom, Give me a call or drop me a pm. Will happily talk you through the pros and cons Tom Tom With respect stop advertising on here foc . There are more than me getting pi!! off about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I'm not advertising on here thanks. I know tom purves so was offering my FREE advice. Nothing more, nothing less. As normal..... And the others??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Tom You are end of chat and you know it . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Nope, thanks! Didn't realise you could answer for me??! Do you have any other 'gifts' we all should know about?? Still awaiting the list of others.... I know you know how to send a pm Anyway..... Tom, if you wish to hear my opinion over the models again please get in touch ???? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Royal Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Tom With respect stop advertising on here foc . There are more than me getting pi!! off about it. Plus one. Guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Good There are also those that have the same opinion with IC selling Rev. the best way is to live and learn the hard way as your boss did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Tom, A TR4A can be set up for fast road and rally use just as well as a TR4. The benefits of the live axle are well documented, but the ride of a 4A is better over long distances and was extremely well received in period. If your mate wants to to be really competitive then the car will need to be thoroughly strengthened all over, and specialist advice will indeed be required. Bear in mind that almost any TR set up properly with modern components would thrash the arse off a completely original TR rally car - the game has moved on massively. There are plenty of people to take his money. As always, budget and intended use should be carefully matched. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Any club officer who has an employment 'in the trade', or is associated with a particular supplier as a personal friend as well as customer, is always going to be potentially open to criticism. As a policy, I'd prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to declarations of interest, but that's a personal view - not everyone has to agree, and over the years a number of old friends have regarded my attitudes as perhaps puritanical or over-zealous. No problem, we're not going to fall out about it ! Stuart Edwards is our Technical Editor, and he makes his TR business involvement abundantly clear in his profile accompanying every post. That's a good principle the way I see it, he's an old pal of mine and I'm happy that he takes such an upfront attitude. I'm regularly asked for supplier recommendations, and for any given specialty I might well offer one of several alternatives, largely dependent on geography - and I do try and explain to an individual enquirer precisely why I'd recommend soandso, and also whether or not I have any personal relationship with them. There are specialists of whom I'm not fond on a personal basis, but nevertheless I wholeheartedly recommend their services . . . . . and in contrast, there are other specialists who are old personal friends, socially, but I wouldn't recommend them in a business context. There are not, and can not be, any hard and fast rules on these aspects. The Chairman and the Company Secretary are the officers who determine what is and is not appropriate. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomfpurves Posted May 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Graze and Paul Many thanks for this information.The car will be more touring than rally so great strengthening is probably not on the cards. The ride quality will be important. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Hi Guys Did about 10 years road rallying in a 4A Th main differences are the rear axle and the 4A scores because it has much greater suspension travel that the 4 The front suspension is more adjustable to get negative camber The car needs to be in good condition: that is the chassis has to be together (lots of little fillets - called repairs to make it stronger) the bodywork has to be together - all the angles around the A and B posts and around the area of the rear "seat" need to be strong and preferably seam welded I have rallied both 4A and 4, the latter with a full roll cage I think everybody looks at the blue Works cars and assumes that it is the car to go rallying in. The suspension advantages of the 4A are not to be underestimated Hope this helps Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 If the ride quality is required for touring then yes go for a 4a with all the available modern suspension improvements and proper chassis strengthening. You would need to decide what class of rallies you would be entering as rules and regs may dictate what you can or cant use for a start. It would also depend on your friends driving style as well. I have always favoured rigid axle cars so I have the US 4a which has the frilly bits of a 4a and the improved front suspension but is still a solid axle car and is "chuckable" in a more controlled way and also has better ground clearance for the rough bits. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lynchpin Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Hi I read a quote before about this which I thought was very good "With a 4 the rear wheels will always be upright, not always on the ground but upright" Phil.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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