'64 Triumph TR4

[Hoffman]

Work in progress, long term project. Small block Chevy, Camaro 5-speed, narrowed XKE rear suspension, modifed TR6 front suspension, custom tube chassis, fiberglass front clip, rear fenders, trunk lid, aluminum top. Wheelbase stretched 5", from 88" to 93". I've played with this photo a bit to show with bumpers, headlights and exhaust in place. It's getting there......

[Safire6]

Wow! I'd love to see that when it's done! I've seen a stretched, 4 door TR6 but never a stretched TR4. 

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice custom car based on a TR4..but

[Hoffman]

On 12/12/2023 at 9:17 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

Nice custom car based on a TR4..but

But what?

[Bugatti Fan]

'But will be interested to see what colour it will be when finished.'

Thanks for the nudge.

Must have had to save and break away from my previous post for some reason and forgot to get back and complete it.

[Hoffman]

No worries! Thank you, Noel. ? I was afraid you were going to say, ".....but I HATE it!", which would be perfectly alright, but I'd hoped that wasn't the case.

I see some similarities between a Surrey topped TR4 and the Ferrari 250 GT Boano coupe. Many of them feature a contrasting color on the top, including the B pillar and wrapping around the rear window. I really like that treatment. I'm partial to maroon or dark red with a black top. I've modified a photo to show what that could look like on my car when finished. There is a Triumph factory  color they called 'Damson' that's pretty close to the maroon I had in mind. They used it on TR250's, the GT6 and TR6. Jaguar 'Regency Red' is pretty nice too.

[Hoffman]

[Bugatti Fan]

The choice of colour you made looks good on the car with the black hard top. Gives it quite a subtle more classy look than a bright colour. My personal preference would be to see chrome wire wheels fitted, but then I have always had a soft spot for wire wheels on sports cars anyway!

The stock TR4 is a nice looking sports car in its own right and I prefer its looks over the MGB. (Reminds me I must look out for that old Airfix 1/32nd scale kit!)

Not that I dislike the MGB (in its old chrome bumper form that is). Those MGB's were made to look hideous trying to conform to US regulations with the rubber bumpers and higher ground clearance.

Edited January 6, 2024 by Bugatti Fan

[Hoffman]

Chrome wires would be really nice, agreed! I've toyed with that idea as well. If I were to go that route, I'd probably use 72 spoke TR6 wires on the front and center laced 289 Cobra style wheels on the rear. So they'd be 15x5.5 on the front and 15x7 on the back. The aluminum wheels I have now are those same dimensions. 

Regarding model TR's, I did break down and purchase a 1/25th scale TR4 from Tapani Rauramo of Airtrax fame. It is slightly undersized, very crude, and will take much work. On the other hand, it's the only 1/25th TR4 model ever made, and I'm very grateful that he cast one for me, was patient with my frequent nagging, and shipped it all the way to California. I've got a Saico TR3 donor chassis I'll be using. Those diecasts have a pretty accurate engine and chassis. Their TR3 bodies aren't that great, but I found a deal on a box of 8 of them on ebay. I'm using them in conjunction with two Gunze Sangyo curbside TR3's, two Entex/Hubley TR3's and the resin TR4 to build better models.

Regarding MGB's, I couldn't agree more- the rubber bumper cars are truly a pity. I've got a couple of the Aoshima chrome bumper versions from a dealer in Japan. They're quite nice. I'm debating whether or not to pick up one of the MGB GT conversion bodies. That would be nice to have and build. I've got so many projects in the works already though.......?

[Bugatti Fan]

A UK company named C1 Models make a resin MGB trans kit to convert the Aoshims kit into the coupe. It may possibly be the one you may have in mind. From all accounts it is very good and certainly looks good on their website. I am not aware of any one else making one.I

The Aoshima MGB went out under the Revell banner too under licence for a while.

They also make a Sebring MGC kit that looks really good. Matt Bacon has put his build of it on the Britmodeller website I think or possibly on here. It makes up into a really nice model going.by his build.

They also have some really tasty Land Rover conversion stuff and the James Bond 'Spectre' Land Rovers. Saw one built up one at IPMS UK's  Scale Modelworld show recently. Really impressive.

On the BMC model front I think Pyro made a Triumph GT6 kit ages ago back in the 60's of 70's. Don't know if it was good, had of indifferent.

Someone did a white metal Triumph Spitfire in 1/24th scale but maker unknown to me.

There is a company named Abingdon Classics that make numerous British sports car kits in 1/43rd scale and a few odd kits in 1/24th scale.  Another UK company South Eastern Finecast made 1/24th scale MGB kits that were fully detailed. A UK company named Squires has acquired the South Eastern Finecast and the Autokits ranges that are 1/24th scale white metal kits.

Edited January 7, 2024 by Bugatti Fan

[Roy L Frost III]

great TR4, my first car was 68 TR250 my dad had to drive it home from the dealer, could not drive a stick at that time. Loved that car cool looking fast as anything 

[Bugatti Fan]

Interesting comment about the stick shift Roy.

I get the impression that most Americans learn to drive in automatics that look to be the predominate type in America. Over here in England and Europe manual cars with clutch, brake and accelerators probably account for about 90% of cars sold. With the advent of more and more Electric cars I would guess that they would be driven like an automatic

[Safire6]

I learned to drive my dad's stick-shift Ford Pinto for the simple reason it was easy to parallel park during the driver's exam. Alternately I would have had to learn to parallel park a BIG automatic 1965 Ford Galaxie!  50 years later I still prefer small manual shift cars which is why I have two Triumphs.

[Safire6]

On 1/7/2024 at 3:56 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

A UK company named C1 Models make a resin MGB trans kit to convert the Aoshims kit into the coupe. It may possibly be the one you may have in mind. From all accounts it is very good and certainly looks good on their website. I am not aware of any one else making one.I

The Aoshima MGB went out under the Revell banner too under licence for a while.

They also make a Sebring MGC kit that looks really good. Matt Bacon has put his build of it on the Britmodeller website I think or possibly on here. It makes up into a really nice model going.by his build.

They also have some really tasty Land Rover conversion stuff and the James Bond 'Spectre' Land Rovers. Saw one built up one at IPMS UK's  Scale Modelworld show recently. Really impressive.

On the BMC model front I think Pyro made a Triumph GT6 kit ages ago back in the 60's of 70's. Don't know if it was good, had of indifferent.

Someone did a white metal Triumph Spitfire in 1/24th scale but maker unknown to me.

There is a company named Abingdon Classics that make numerous British sports car kits in 1/43rd scale and a few odd kits in 1/24th scale.  Another UK company South Eastern Finecast made 1/24th scale MGB kits that were fully detailed. A UK company named Squires has acquired the South Eastern Finecast and the Autokits ranges that are 1/24th scale white metal kits.

A few years ago I built a 1/25 scale Lindberg Triumph GT6+ model. I originally built the GT6 with some "aftermarket" wide wheels and tires. After a while I thought it looked ridiculous and put the original kit wheels on it. Not an easy kit to build and many parts did not fit well.

[Bugatti Fan]

Steve, you have made a good job of that very old kit.

Looking at your model it appears that Lindberg did a re pop of that old Pyro kit. 

[Safire6]

10 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Steve, you have made a good job of that very old kit.

Looking at your model it appears that Lindberg did a re pop of that old Pyro kit. 

Thanks Bugatti Fan, it was definitely one of the most challenging builds I've done so far.

[Bugatti Fan]

From what I can remember the body was not a one piece moulding on that kit.

[Safire6]

On 1/19/2024 at 3:21 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

From what I can remember the body was not a one piece moulding on that kit.

You are correct, it was 4 pieces-left side, center, right side and the bulkhead.