Distinctive Features

The TR2 featured a minimalist look with frogeye headlights, a gaping hole for a grille and almost non-existent cutaway doors. These doors later came to be known as long doors.

The new TR4 body style did away with the classical cutaway door design of the previous TRs to allow for roll-up windows (in place of side-curtains), and an angular rear trunk with considerable capacity for a sports car. Advanced features included the use of adjustable fascia ventilation, and the option of a unique hard top that consisted of a fixed glass rear window

The TR 4 engine was continued from the earlier TR2/3 models, but the displacement was increased from 1991cc to 2138 cc by increasing bore size. Gradual improvements in the manifolds and cylinder head allowed for some improvements culminating in the TR4A model.

Other key improvements included a wider track front and rear, full synchromesh on all forward gears and rack and pinion steering. An optional electrically operated overdrive could now be selected for 2nd and 3rd gear as well as 4th, effectively providing the TR4 with a seven-speed manual close ratio gearbox.

The TR4 was originally fitted with 15x4.5" disc wheels. Optional 48 spoke wire wheels could be also be ordered.

TR4A

The Triumph TR4A was built between 1965 and 1968.

The TR4A was an evolution of the TR4, updated with a new chassis. It was hoped the new, complex independent rear suspension would address the buying public's desire for more comfortable riding sports cars. This version has an "IRS" badge on the rear. It has been estimated that 75 percent of TR4A were built with IRS. However, in response to dealer requests, about 25 percent of TR4As were produced with a solid rear axle option (also called a live axle), similar to the earlier TR4. The TR4A was the first vehicle to offer an option for axle type.