Triumph TR4
By 1960, Triumph was firmly established as a maker of fast, quality sports cars, with the emphasis on performance. They began the new decade with the fast, but dated looking, TR3A. For the 60s a sharp new body, designed by Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti, graced the new TR4, launched at the 1961 motor show. The new car had windup windows - luxury for a sports car of that age and an enlarged version of the TR3A's engine with a capacity of 2138cc.
For its price of £1138, no other sports car could match its performance. The top speed approached 110mph and the TR4 could accelerate from 0-50mph in 7.9 seconds. Corresponding figures for the rival MGA 1600 Mk II were 101mph and 9.7 seconds and even the twin cam MGA could not match the 0-50mph time.
However, performance was not the whole story. The Triumph TR4's handling and ride came in for some criticism from the motoring press. Motor was naturally impressed with the performance and found the ride comfortable and predictable on flat smooth surfaces. However, they were less than happy with the car's handling on poor road surfaces. Motor's overall verdict was that the TR4 might have a wider appeal outside of diehard Triumph enthusiasts if the ride and handling matched the car's performance.
Motoring Which?'s testers were even less impressed. They found the TR4 'bumpy' even on ordinary roads and overall they thought the car was 'uncomfortable and tiring' to drive. In spite of the Triumph's better performance, Motoring Which? had little difficulty in awarding top marks to the MGB when they did their test in 1965. On price the MGB was also cheaper: £870 as opposed to £921 for the TR4.
Triumph TR4A
In answer to some of the criticisms of the TR4, the TR4A replaced it in March 1965. This car had a new, independent rear suspension system and a revised chassis compared to the original TR4. Externally the body was similar, although the grill was revised and the new car had chrome strips running down the side terminating in new style indicator lamps.
Motor was impressed with the changes made to the TR4A. Motoring Which? still did not like the Triumph TR4A, which they tested rather late in the car's production run in January 1968. They once again criticised the ride, which seemed to transfer all the bumps on the road surface to the driver. The chief tester commented that 'never for many years have we suffered so much physical hardship'. I wonder if they had a bad car to test?
Triumph TR5
The TR5, launched in 1968, was the first British car to be fitted with fuel injection. The TR5 had a new 2498cc 6 cylinder engine derived from that fitted to the Triumph 2000 saloon. It had a top speed of 117mph and 0-60mph time of 8.1 seconds. These performance figures put the Triumph TR5 well ahead of the MGB, although it was a considerably more expensive car.
Add your comments
Warning: If a blank email appears in your mail client, the information has not been sent to us. Please email directly to steven@retrowow.co.uk
We reserve the right not to publish any submissions we regard as unsuitable. We may also edit any text submitted.