Barn Car, 60's something -2 seater

vettestr · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:30 AM

I drove over to see a car described as a 60's something little car with 2 seats and no top parked for 10 to 12 years ++ but kids are older and do not play in it anymore, do you want to buy it?
After moving 1/2 his collection of stuff and plywood sheets covering a car with a tarp that fell apart when touched I found.....
A 1964 Triumph TR4 rag top. BONE STOCK Engine was rebuilt with new jugs,pistons, rings, brgs etc.... but after rebuild the tranny started to become hard to shift into any gear if running so bought my wife a new car to get to work in. Cause I DO NOT WORK ON TRANNY'S and have a new top and carpet kit and seat covers in a box. Honey were are those boxes of stuff/ in the shed were you put-em--- OK.
Paint is all but powdered and chaulky but sheetmetel is straught. Interior is roached and top is in pieces the size of a postage stamp well the big ones are.
Car is 2 owner car bought from a relative who bought new. NOT A COBRA damnit but pretty cool little car for somebody. Any ideas of value out there?

marcocsx3121 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:42 AM

TR4s, even in pristine shape, are not highly valued collector pieces. It sounds like this one would take a lot of money (or sweat if you have the skills) to get back on the road. I'd say a grand at most.

mr0077 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:48 AM

Jeff, I almost bought a fairly nice redone TR4 a couple of years ago, we were talking in the $3500+ range, new top/interior/tires, webers, minilite mags, fresh paint...in researching it, there's a bunch of Triumph maniacs out there (like us!) and the price of good restored examples could go for $7000+. The cars are an absolute hoot, and will keep you off the street fixing oil leaks and other (Lucas) items. For the condition you describe, maybe $750 if he wants to let it go, $1000 if you want it badder than he does, depending on whether the top and interior are still useable. Could be a painless resto or a nightmare, but if it is in AZ I'd bet on a piece of cake. Lots of parts availability on them too.
Who nose, maybe the tranny problem is 'cause the clutch is out of adjustment?

vettestr · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 08:02 AM

Thanks Guys,
The original interior and top are toast but he bought new parts before parking so all new stuff in boxes to replace the toast. To even get out of yard I would have to pull out a bush.... BIG BUSH but owner said it is OK and my Cummins in low would not even build boost to pull it out of ground (the bush is now 5 feet tall with a 6 inch trunk).
I think it would be a hoot with a small block and a tubbed rear!

daltondavid · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 09:25 AM

I think it would be a Hoot to leave it where it sits!!

vettestr · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 10:53 AM

David .. GO TO YOUR ROOM !
all this nagativeness--- and stay in there until you have nicer thoughts young man.
If ya think about it , it and things like this keep me off the streets so not all bad.

mrmustang · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 12:07 PM

Jeff,

Rust free and at least running, without brakes frozen, interior/top in relative decent shape. In need of paint and the clutch/transmission work. Figure in the $2,200-$2,500 range. I'm interested if nobody in your area is. My wife loves TR's......

Bill S.

JWheaton · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 12:20 PM

...

Would the shed fall down if the car is pulled out?

daltondavid · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 03:46 PM

Sell it to Mr. MUstang!! Thats a great thought!! Can I come out Now?????????????

vettestr · #10 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 06:59 PM

OK you can come out now David!
BillS, I have had a few emails but I don't know what it would take to get running. Engine was rebuilt by shop prior to parking with all new goodies but she has been parked for several years. A fluid change, battery and fuel may just do it after knocking off the cobwebs.
Interior and top are toast but body is clean rust free and owner has new top and interior he never had installed in boxes. I will get a few photos in the next couple of days and post soon.

mrmustang · #11 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:05 PM

David,

Just remember, I know where you live .

Bill S.

Quote:

Originally posted by daltondavid

Sell it to Mr. MUstang!! Thats a great thought!! Can I come out Now?????????????

Excaliber · #12 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:16 PM

Take the tops off the carbs and clean up. It's likely the "piston" in there is frozen in place. It might start that way, but will run like hell.

mrmustang · #13 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 07:23 PM

Probably SU's, remove the air cleaner, remove the screw on top and remove the plunger assembly, top off the plunger hole on top of the carb with some 30 weight oil, reinstall the plunger and screw the top back on. Next, stick your finger into the carb opening located on the side of it (where the air cleaner was bolted on) and see if you can work the piston up and down. if so, then as long as you have spark, a shot of ether might get the beast to fire up. if not, replace the basics, plugs, wire, cap, rotor, points and try it again. Most Triumph engines like a strong spark........But then again, you are dealing with Lucas electrics......

Bill S.

Quote:

Originally posted by Excaliber

Take the tops off the carbs and clean up. It's likely the "piston" in there is frozen in place. It might start that way, but will run like hell.

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 08:34 PM

Solid advice Bill, yeah I'd check that piston first by removing the air filter. Gotta be SU's I would guess.

After my Healey sat for a long while for some reason I couldn't get the gas from the electric fuel pump to fill up the carbs. I taped gently on the fuel bowl area, checked for gas in the tank (about 6 times, arrrggghhhh). Finally I dribled a small amount of fuel down each carb mouth and got it to fire and run a few times, then suddenly the fuel got through to the carbs! Stuck float or needle I guess! Would have used ether if I had some.

In the Honolulu Advertiser right now:
'62 TR4, Excellent condition, low miles, clean, runs great. $7K\OBO

Not a "great buy" but sometimes when the military guys ship out there are some KILLER car deals out this way! I've been known to make a few bucks here and there.

lineslinger · #15 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 08:56 PM

I found my first restoration project (a Healy 3000) in a guys leaking garage, it had been sitting that way for about 9 years. Paid $1500 for a complete car. Three YEARS later had it on the road again, after a ground up resto.
Those funny "pistons" you guys refer to are known as "dashpots", oil filled slightly in the center chamber to help smooth acceleration and deceleration.
If you decide to take on that Triumph may the force be with you, and may the Lucas gremlins smile upon you.
I never got to see them, just the fuses they liked to blow, a lot of them.

vettestr · #16 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 09:59 PM

Can he say that on this forum ??

Lineslinger, I think Lucas is the reason Painless got started.

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 10:38 PM

Well, he's right you know, they DO "blow".

lineslinger · #18 (**permalink**) 02-10-2005, 04:20 AM

The main reason the Brits drink warm beer is because Lucas builds their refrigerators, and those blow all the time too.

mrmustang · #19 (**permalink**) 02-10-2005, 06:18 AM

Need I say anything more.

vettestr · #20 (**permalink**) 02-10-2005, 07:29 AM

I can tell you talk from experience. I have also chased LUCAS and their gremlins for far too many hours. After a full days work finding and fixing an intermitent open circut I proudly patted myself on the back but smelled that strange smell. I watched the bundle of wire running right next to that days nightmare start to smoke and then actually BURN.
I install Painless wiring in any of these babts or do not even let them in my shop fearing they will INFECT other cars that get to close.