Fredell1977 Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) Dear all. I am looking for a 1965 tr4a. Any ideas from where to start? I looked at most of the popular websites but found nothing decent. Since I live in Malta it is difficult for me to view personally so I need to be very careful from where to purchase. Also due to tax registration issues it has to be a 1965 model. Also, should I look for a car with a surrey top? Will a car with a surrey top have a normal soft top? Thanks Edited August 15, 2015 by Fredell1977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graze Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Fred Good luck with your search Perhaps talk to Mark at Classic Marks cars who regularly trades cars and is well respected - he may be able to source one for you A surrey car will not have a normal soft top Graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Thanks graze. So if I understood correctly it will not have the soft top and frame correct? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Thanks graze. So if I understood correctly it will not have the soft top and frame correct? yes, it's one or the other. You should not be in a hurry and anyway wait for autumn and winter when prices drop like leaves from the trees. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 +1 for Mark at Classic Marks cars. Has an excellent reputation for fair trading and finding the right car for you. No connection, just reviewing the forum members who have used him. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Do you want Left-hand or Right-hand drive? Sorry, I should know this really! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superaquarama Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Malta's rhd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Rhd thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Dear all what do u think about this car? http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C645628 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 When the metal lid is removed from the Surrey, protection against rain is provided by a folding steel frame and a small soft-top. These items are sufficiently small to fit in the boot or behind the seats, whereas the metal lid is too large to carry other than fitted to the car with its 4 bolts (or are they screws? years since I removed mine). Ian Cornish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thanks Ian.would it be possible to remove the back glass panel? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) The rear Surrey top arrangement combines three units. 1)The windscreen unit which always stays on the car whether using a Surrey top or a soft top,(it can be removed for refurbishment). 2)The rear backlight unit (like the windscreen but pointing the other way) which is an integral part of the Surrey top arrangement and always stays fitted to the car (the glass can be removed for replacement, and the frame removed for painting etc). From your question to Ian I guess you anticipate being able to remove the rear glass like a zip out rear window on some other models ? that is not possible on a Surrey top, they are sealed in place by the rear screen rubber seal. 3)The centre roof section of the Surrey top is removable for open air driving and covers the area between the front windscreen and the rear backlight. This roof section can be a hard panel (either in alloy (they dent very easily) or steel). Neither of these hard and unbendable panels will fit in the boot, or behind the seats, so normally they are fitted or left at home. When the car is to be used as an open top car to prevent the occupants becoming wet in rainy conditions the actual correctly named Surrey top is used. This is a small folding frame and a loose clip on material panel (it can be Mohair, Double Duck or one of the useful PVC rubbery like materials) which easily transports behind the seats or in the boot. Hope that helps. Mick Richards Edited August 16, 2015 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Hi mick. Thanks so much. So basically it is a sort of targa top. I am undecided which version to buy. It seems that the surrey version is the most desirable but I am not sure on whether this is the nicest option. Thanks to all P.S. I appreciate any comments on the car in the link I sent in my previous posts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 The surrey top is the nicest option I think. As for the car, you are best getting someone who knows the pitfalls to inspect likely candidates. So someone like Classic Marks, or another well-known dealer is the way to go. regards Dave === Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thanks dave. Have anyone heard of classic gas restorations in Durham darlington? The car in the link is at this dealer. Does anyone live close ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Hi mick. Thanks so much. So basically it is a sort of targa top. I am undecided which version to buy. It seems that the surrey version is the most desirable but I am not sure on whether this is the nicest option. Thanks to all P.S. I appreciate any comments on the car in the link I sent in my previous posts No. wrong way round. The Surrey top came first so the Targa is a Surrey. Mick Richards Edited August 16, 2015 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 No. wrong way round. The Surrey top came first so the Targa is a Surrey.Mick Richards Yes indeed, Porsche thought they invented the Targa! British not German invention! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graze Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Thanks dave. Have anyone heard of classic gas restorations in Durham darlington? The car in the link is at this dealer. Does anyone live close ? Fred car looks very tidy from the photos You need someone to look at it in person Graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red 6 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Have a look in buy sell trade. The ad I just posted is for a 1965 car with a soft top. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) Hi mick. Thanks so much. So basically it is a sort of targa top. I am undecided which version to buy. It seems that the surrey version is the most desirable but I am not sure on whether this is the nicest option. Thanks to all P.S. I appreciate any comments on the car in the link I sent in my previous posts The Surrey with hardtop is the nicest version both for the look and the driving experience (windbreaker). The "targa" top wasn't well designed and has the nasty tendency to flap and then fly off unexpectedly. Better look for a 4A with the original Surrey that is with the alloy backlight and either alloy (rare) or steel lid. If bought separatly they will cost you a bomb at current market rate (about 2,5 K) though there are aftermarket fiberglass Surreys and hardtop available on the cheap http://www.honeybournemouldings.co.uk/triumph.htm .Anyway check if this is an original alloy/steel or a fiberglass as this will reflect on the value of the car. Edited August 19, 2015 by Geko Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 If the fabric Surrey top is properly fitted it will stay in place at speed and look as good as the hard top when in place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 I enquired about this car when i as looking.... the details shared with me said the Surrey top was fibreglass. ...... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fredell1977 Posted August 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) Thank you all. I contacted classic Marques. Let's see. Please let me know if anyone knows of a decent tr4a. Apart from the surrey top ( that it should be original or else fiberglass will effect value) are there any other tips or issues I should look at which can effect the value? Edited August 19, 2015 by Fredell1977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PaulAnderson Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 That Classic Gas Restorations in Darlington seem to have a quite limited web site at http://cgrestorations.co.uk/ I've not personally heard of them myself and maybe one of the Cleveland group members may know of them and might take a look for you. If not, you could perhaps ask a local garages if they would take a look at it for you, at a fee. For instance http://www.heritageclassics-teesside.co.uk/ or http://www.willowtriumph.com/ both know their Triumphs, with the latter being on the outskirts of Darlington. Can't say they will but you can always ask. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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