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1961

Triumph TR4

A tough Coventry roadster in a sharp Italian suit.

TRF 461
Triumph TR4
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

Under the new Michelotti body were the rugged mechanical parts of the earlier TR3, including an engine related to a tractor unit. It was quick, strong and popular in America, where most of them went.

Inside

Interior of the Triumph TR4
Photo: Akela NDE (talk), CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons

The first TR with wind-up windows and face-level air vents. Dials sit in a white-painted, later walnut, dash.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Signal Red
Did you know?

Its optional Surrey top had a lift-out roof panel, years before Porsche called the idea a Targa.

Meanwhile, in 1961

Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, and Tottenham Hotspur won the league and cup double.

Best-selling single of 1961: Wooden Heart by Elvis Presley

Buying and running

Before you buy a 1960s car

  • Check the sills, floorpans, wheel arches and the bottom of the doors for rust.
  • Ask for any old MOT certificates, service records and bills.
  • Parts for popular cars are often available from specialists, but trim and body panels can be hard to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

MG MGB1962 · 103 mphCompare
Sunbeam Tiger1964 · 120 mphCompare

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.

Flat out 020406080100120 MPH
103 mph
First builtSeptember 1961
Age today65 years since launch
Built atCanley, Coventry
On sale1961–1965
Years in production4 years
Number madeAbout 40,000
Kerb weight850 kg (approx.)
Fuel economy27 mpg combined (approx.)
Engine2.1-litre four
Power100 bhp
Top speed103 mph
Speed rankingJoint 122nd fastest of 164
0–60 mph10.9 seconds
Price when new£1,095
In today's moneyAbout £31,500
Designed byGiovanni Michelotti

Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.