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Buying advice pls


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Hi All, I’m a new member , I recently introduced myself on the tr6 forum, I’d like some advice on a tr4a that’s advertised on eBay. The car is shown as a ‘runner’, and solid. Maybe suitable for me as an entry point into ownership, I’m thinking of it as a runner that I can gradually improve over time, maybe eventually going for a full restore. 
All advice would be appreciated, thank you

49F176C4-CC22-460C-82E9-66A7350A72B8.png

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Hi Glen,

although the asking price is not big money there is obviously a lot to spend money on.

Bumpers £800, Dash £300, interior £XXXX, engine £xxx bay, no overdrive £2000   Pax door/car respray :o etc etc.

More significantly is what you can;t see.  There has been a big poor quality repair to the chassis on the rear near side chassis rail.

You really need to go and see it in the flesh and just get set in your mind how big the task will be.

However being EX USA it may actually be rust free(ish) and thus make it worth rebuilding.

Take the rose tinted specs off and go and see.

 

Good luck

 

Roger

 

 

 

Edited by RogerH
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Hi Glen

As Roger says you need to go see and bear in mind what you end up buying there will always be something you find that you didn't see first time round 

but don't despair its all part of the joy of owning a TR and there's so many good people here to advise and help

good luck

Chris 

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Hi Glen ~

I'd strongly advise you to try and take a member of the Register with you who knows about TR's. Please don't go in 'blind'.

I'd have reservations about the plated chassis in particular. 

Another mystery ~ if it's an American TR how come it's right hand drive??

Tom.

Edited by Fireman049
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Thank you all , very quick replies there ! So much superb experienced advice , exactly what I was hoping for! I’m not in a huge hurry, it’s really all about acquiring a car for the ‘long term’ , a car such as this ( a solid runner) may be the way to start and certainly a good hands-on way to learn about them? 

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Hi Glen,

While there's plenty of unseen things that could be a problem with this car as other people have commented, the overall impression I have is that its a pretty solid car The body shell looks overall good - it also seems that the floors arent't rusted out which is a bonus compared to many UK cars at that price, so it's potentially a good starter car which may not need major body restoration.

I sugest you contact the Group Leader of your local group and see if he/she could arrange for someone to go with you to see it. Personally, I think you could be on to a winner.

All the best,

JeffR

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Glenn having read the full advert, it looks a pretty solid tub to me.

Chassis isn't,t horrendous, and most of the issues you can see.

I,m with Jeff above, it might just fit your bill of a rolling, "Spread the Cost" Type of restoration, I would not buy without seeing, but it is hard to label expensive from this cursory veiw.

Absolute key, whatever you are looking at, take one, two or three other pairs of eyes with you if poss.

as an example I looked at two TR4 A in the past fortnight, for a new club member, both good looking on top, one chassis was horrendous the worst patch welding I ha ve ever seen, and was condemned in minutes, the other a not perfect but good car and was bought.

John.

PM if ever you want a natter.

 

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If you are prepared to spend another 20K plus, then buy it.

Seems to me that he seller bought the car from the USA thinking it was going to be a minor rebuild, but soon realised that a complete restoration was required, and that is big money.

I would not buy the car at that price.

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3 hours ago, stillp said:

I'd be worried about that chassis. Not just the repairs, but the not-yet-repaired parts with visible rust damage. It's a strange mixture of TR4 and TR4A too, like mine.

Pete

Not so strange - its a TR4A with solid rear axle (SRA). They were sold only in the North American market, unknown most anywhere else.

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Good for you Glen, wise not to rush in..... I’m fully aligned with all the valid concerns around the chassis ‘repairs’ and condition..

 

Just for info, if you are not already aware, the 4 and 4A have the same shape = superb Michelotti styling..... However, the 4 has a much, much more robust chassis.

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18 hours ago, Andy303 said:

Not so strange - its a TR4A with solid rear axle (SRA). They were sold only in the North American market, unknown most anywhere else.

Yes, I know that, I was thinking of the missing stainless door trim, and the advert title (although he correctly calls it a live axle 4A in the description), and there was something else that I've forgotten!

We do see some live axle TR4As over here, but as far as I know they're all repatriated from the US.

Pete

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23 minutes ago, stillp said:

!

We do see some live axle TR4As over here, but as far as I know they're all repatriated from the US.

Pete

They are as they were US market only. Mine came back from New Jersey.

Stuart.

 

IMG_4695.jpg

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Glen decide what you want. Are you looking for near concours, a rollling restorationt hat you can improve as time goes on or a restoration project? Some times what looks good may need a great deal of work particularly if its been off the road for a while. I recently bought an ex states tr4a irs rhd, it needs some cosmetic work and a great deal of mechanical eg brakes steering ect, this I can do myself and its not going to break the bank, cosmetic work tend to be more specialist and expensive.

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Hi Glen

My advice would be to join the Register and attend local meetings and get to know your group. My experience in Cumbria has been fantastic. So much experience to call on, and very friendly too (unlike some car clubs which can be a bit snooty). Make a few friends in your local group and they will help you choose the right car for your budget and skills.

I rushed in but was relatively lucky. I could easily have bought a lemon. Mine is a running restoration and it is proving loads of fun to drive. I wanted a car that I could drive straight away and am not interested in perfection for the showfield. I'd rather arrive with the car covered in mud after a great drive! Everyone has there own agenda

Good luck with your search

Andy

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