gerry40
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Bought my TR4 in October 1989, body off restoration which took just over 2 years, first owner in 1961 was the then Director of Standard Triumph Donald Stokes, later to become Lord Stokes the British Leyland supremo. Very early TR4 ( 286th built ) it has the shorter bonnet bulge and aluminium surrey top, this was added sometime later as originally was a soft top.
I also have a 1966 Austin A35 van which I've had for 20 years and my daily runner is a 2004 Nissan 350Z which I've had for 3 years which is definitely a keeper as well.
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Hi Kevin
I obtained a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Trace Certificate in 1991 from Archivist Anders Ditlev Clausanger.
It shows the date built as 9th October 1961, Chassis number CT/286-O and also the destination ( dealer ) as Mr Donald Stokes ( Director of Standard Triumph ). RHD home market with Engine & Body numbers, the equipment listed is 48 spoke wire wheels, Overdrive, Heater, Windscreen washer & 5.90-15 Michelin X Tyres.
The registration Mark 6181 RW dated to 17th October 1961 was issued in Coventry.
I wrote to Lord Stokes in April 1991 and received a reply in June thanking me for the letter regarding the TR4 and that he enjoyed driving the car very much indeed and used it to teach his son to drive. He said that it also gave him completely reliable and enjoyable motoring.
I guess from that he must have had the car for a little while, I wrote to the DVLA who gave me records of previous owners but could only go back to 1974. I know it was used as a press vehicle by Triumph and loaned to a company called Microplas who were developing a fibreglass hard top ( I have press cuttings of this with the registration clearly visible ).
My A35 van has the original 848cc engine and has covered nearly 64K which is genuine, again I obtained an Heritage Trace and list of previous owners. To be fair it creates a lot of interest wherever it goes.
Cheers Gerry
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