Triumph TR4

The Triumph TR4—including the 1965 models—sits at a really interesting point in British automotive history. It blends old-school sports car engineering with more modern styling and comfort, and its story is tied closely to both post-war Britain and the evolution of affordable performance cars.

Origins of the TR4

The TR4 was introduced in 1961 by the British company Triumph Motor Company, replacing the older TR3 series. While earlier TRs had a more classic, pre-war look, the TR4 marked a big shift.

It was styled by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti

Featured a clean, squared-off body instead of rounded fenders

Introduced modern touches like wind-up windows and improved interior comfort

This was Triumph’s attempt to stay competitive against rivals like MG B.

Engineering & Performance

Despite its updated look, the TR4 retained a lot of traditional engineering:

2.1L inline-4 engine (derived from earlier models)

Around 100–105 horsepower

0–60 mph in ~10–11 seconds (respectable for the time)

Top speed around 110 mph (177 km/h)

It also introduced a clever feature:

The “Surrey Top” — a removable hardtop system that let drivers switch between coupe and open-air driving.

The 1965 Model Year

By 1965, the TR4 was nearing the end of its production run (it would be replaced by the TR4A later that year). A 1965 TR4 represents:

The most refined version of the original TR4

Improvements in reliability and build quality

Strong export demand—especially in the United States, which was the car’s biggest market

At this time, British sports cars were hugely popular abroad due to:

• Affordable pricing
• Simple mechanics (easy to repair)
• Classic roadster appeal

This 1965 Triumph TR4 having just completed a complete restoration is in excellent condition and ready to use.

Live rear axle and four speed gearbox outstanding exanple.

The car is Austrian registered.