Driving gloves! hahahaha!😂 I say old chap, what was that thunderous blur that just overtook us? I’m not sure, Percy, perhaps, it was a, 1966, Hemi, Belvedere! I say, that chap is quite mad!😂 He blew the rust completely off the undercarriage of my fine British sports car! Look out Percy, here comes a GT40, dear God, Thurston! I spilled my tea!😮

Sunday noon in germany... watching a british car upside down, resting in America... can't make that up!

I was born in Kingston upon THAMES. Luckily my parents brought me to the greatest country in the world, the United States of America! God bless Steve

My next door neighbor had a '67 TR4-A, and was going to sell it to me (for $100!!) to pay for a Kawasaki 500 2-stoke triple motorcycle. It was 1974 and I was about to get my license, and I really wanted that car. Right before I was to buy it the hood was up in the driveway and he told me I better come take a look. The plugs were out and when he cranked it water came flying out one of the cylinders. "Sorry Tom, I'm just gonna junk it. It's too far gone". Just like that it was gone and I was heartbroken. Looking back it was a blessing in disguise as I ended up with a '70 Plum Crazy 383 4-speed Super Bee a few months later. I can still smell that Triumph leather interior though...

TR250 was 1 year only, 1968. US got twin carbs, about 110 hp, the Brits got fuel injection and 150hp and called it the TR5.

I love the comment about British steel not being very resistant to rust. As an Englishman I know EXACTLY what you mean! Probably only the Italian and early japanese imports did a better job of rust non prevention!

All joking aside, I grew up with, British ,and Italian, sports cars! MG midgets, MGB’s, Austin Healey’s, Triumph TR’s, Jaguars! Alfa Romeo’s ! They were loads of fun on curves, and Who doesn’t love the growl of the TR6? The Austin Healey was a incredible car! My mother dated a man that had one! He took me for a ride in it, I was just seven years old , it left an indelible impression on me! I’ve always wanted to try the, TR8, but have never seen one in the wild! Anyway, great video, as Always Steve!

This is a very interesting, engaging, and addictive video concept. I love these videos. The juxtaposition of all the magazines and models from when the car was brand new from the factory to the corpse that lies in front of us at the junkyard, rotting back into the earth is like poetry.

I never owned a Triumph but I did own an Austin/Healey. I drove it to high school from my freshman year to graduation. Lol along with a Yamaha 175 and a 74 duster 🤣 I've been a gear head since I was little 😁. That Healey was absolutely the funnest car I've ever driven in my life and it's that one car that I certainly regret selling. I've recently acquired a first gen Miata that reminds me of driving my old Austin/Healey, but it just doesn't have that thing... The British thing. I can't explain it and you won't get it unless you've owned a Brit car.

I had a friend in high school that was heavily into British cars. So much so, his brother and dad all got into them back in the day. My friend had a TR7 and a few TR6s. I haven't spoken to him in a number of years, but I believe he still has them. To say they (the cars at least) were quirky was an understatement.... The TR4-A was made at Triumph's Coventry, England facility. British Leyland (as Triumph would merge into later on) was a sordid organization with a spotty labor history and quality record. Many times, changes would be made on the fly and parts were hard to figure out for them. They would have "approximate" date breaks for changes of parts and you almost had to physically match things to be sure at times. The TR4-A was offered from 1965 to 1967. Yes, there were usually stickers on the car that read, "Caution: Positive Earth". The British have a way with words, especially on warning labels or "workshop" manuals. The foreword in their parts books reads like a preamble: "Whilst every effort has been made to ensure an effective parts catalogue, BL reserves the right to make changes at any juncture in time". Wrenches are spanners. Swarf is debris. Gasoline is petrol. Ground is earth. Oil pans are sumps. Removing is withdrawing the part. Service parts are spares. A dealer is a garage. I once helped a lady from England with a Trans Am. She was an older lady, very proper and it was odd that would drive a 1979 Trans Am, but she found the car's acceleration quite "smashing" as she put it. She would say, "Dear, forgive me. I know the terms used in America are different." I'd joke her, "Nah, we ruined the language". She'd have a laugh at it. Back then, a VIN was called a "Commission Number" by the British. Eventually, it was standardized as time went on. But, no VIN can't win, but would be something like CTC for Triumph TR4-A and then the production sequence. An "L" after the sequence denotes a left hand drive vehicle and an "O" denotes an overdrive transmission. The lack of the "L" is for right hand drive or what the British call a "home market" vehicle. No tag, can't brag, but possibly (originally) code 97066 White exterior paint. The closest yellow is code 34 Jasmine Yellow, but that doesn't appear to be available on a TR4-A originally, but who knows. The British have been known to go "rogue" at times.

Morning Steve You're not going to believe this but when I was in high school 11th or 12th grade My older brother had a TR4 he bought brand new and God bless him rest his soul he let me borrow that car I would go out and beat the hell out of it drag racing doing all kinds of stuff Man older brothers are great May he rest in peace

Watching from England and loving all the British meme comments! You guys think that rust is bad, in England it wouldn't be far off that by 10 years old! Anyway, I'm off for some tea from a china tea set, with crumpets, while the national anthem plays. Toodlepip.

'The parts falling off of this motorcar are of the finest British manufacture' - bumper sticker I saw on a Jaguar. 'Nuff said.

Another car that had a crank start in the event of a battery or starter failure was the Citroen DS. I had one in college in Rochester New York, and after a snow it would disappear. The car was red and black and because I was in college the battery was always dead, and I used the crank to get it started. After a lot of work, the engine would come to life, and that black roof and red car would reappear as it would rise up out of the snow. It was such a sight. I hope you’re getting better, Steve. We really miss you out here in Internet world!

TR frames were prone to rust failure, especially the rear lateral rail which mounted rear suspension arms. When they failed you got wheel interference with frame and rapid tire failure.

Hard to imagine that pile as a shiny new sports car back in '65. Thx for the vid Steve.

I always welcome Steve doing the crawl with imports too. As far as a comparison to the Hemi Cuda - It is more fun to drive a slow car fast, then a fast car slow. How many places on the street could you drive the Cuda to it's full potential?

I had heard that the "A" was a special model for the Canadian market.

I recently moved to upstate NY. I've seen more Triumphs on the rd in the last 12 months than I've seen in 30 years in NC

I like that , 3rd gear in the hemi Cudi. Keep on crawling😊

Great video, wow look at the rust that had a rough life

Last Sunday I went to a local British car show, segmented by make. (While I’m not a “British car guy” I do appreciate almost all cars). As I walked around the TR 4, 4A, and 250s I had to stop and remind myself of the differences. Good mental exercise dusting off the old memories. Thank you as always, glad to confirm my memory hadn’t failed me. ~ Chuck

Poor old TR....! Looks like it had the standard contemporary "upgrade" to Saffron paint in order to appear more like the TR6 on the street....Steve, I feel that car may have come with Strombergs - Standard-Triumph were never happy paying the royalties to rival BMC-owned SU for their carbs. Also, I'm sure it was a slip of the tongue but the TR5/TR250 didn't arrive until 1967. I also believe I'm right in saying that live axle TR4s continued to be available for some time in the States, just as the TR3B model was continued for traditionalists in America after 1961, using the 2138cc unit. As always, a great video!

we miss U Steve

Standard Triumph gave Jaguar it's production tooling, and Saab it's 1850 engine. And the world, the Ferrari and De Tomaso and Pinto Cam Gears rack and pinion steering. And the Lucas Fuel Injection. The chronic problem...No Financial Contest against burgeoning Nader style consumerism. They had all the plant, labor and materials, but couldn't fund making cars the achieved or exceeded crash safety , emissions and dealer assistance. That car with a Daimler Hemi 2.5 or 4.5 liter V8, would have propelled Triumph into continued growth and sales. 🥝✔️

If that was a 288 Cobra it would be hauled outta there in heartbeat and restored.

I had a friend who had one, the way I would describe it as a go cart .

Mr. B. Here ! Morning Mags , ☕️☕️🍩 Steve many of the comments are right on ! Dealer I work for years age sold TR 6’s . Have a good day !

When I was in College there was a guy driving his BRG MGB top down windows up driving down RT 114 in Middleton MA in the dead of winter driving happily along.

A friend went from a Vette to a Camero to a TR4 A IRS. Where we lived it was a good move. Another friend had a TR 250 that was quick. V8's ruled the realm. Thank goodness!

Steve , I beg to differ on one thing and that is light to light. My Triumph stock GT6+ would put Camaros, Firebirds ,MG B’s to bed. What a road car for those old two lane mountain roads. Fun, fun, fun , until, some one runs a red light and destroys your ride. Yes, I and my friend were not hurt.👍🙏🏽🇺🇸✌🏻😎

Love those little British sports cars!

Great video, Steve. Also appreciate the hilarious Sunday-commentary on the British car enthusiasts enjoying their sedate rides until the brash hemi-cues or Vette blows by them or smokes them when the light turns green. Prototypical American culture!

Nice! Love the variety of stuff you cover.

I have owned a Triumph TR4A since 1971 and have always loved it. Mine is Wedgwood Blue, which I think really suits it, and is fitted with the optional wire wheels and overdrive. It has had some restoration and new panels but has never been allowed to deteriorate to anything resembling the wreck in your video. It is now not used in the winter, but I still enjoy driving it on a good day. Of the 28,465 built only 3,075 remained in Britain, most of the exports went to the US although some have returned here in later years. Top speed with overdrive is quoted as 109mph and 0-60 about 11 seconds but the engine is quite easily tunable and these figures can by improved on.

Steve, you threw this feller for a loop with "positive ground." If you could elaborate on that with a short video, many of us will learn something. You are a true automotive encyclopedia.

Intill the light turns green! Hahahaha! Great Video!!!

So that's what a TR4 looks like it rough shape. I had a customer that had a light blue one he owned it since new. He calls it his run around beater .

Get well soon Steve!

I barn found a triumph tr6 but couldn't get in contact with the actual owner to offer, it was so cool the car and building are long gone now

Love to see a British sports car. Fords had a crank hole until 1948, maybe later but I haven’t looked.

It's amazing what Steve can do with a hand full of junk

I had a 1968 Triumph TR250 convertible with that body style. The TR250 was basically a TR4 or TR4A with a 6 banger. The hood (or bonnet) hinges were in the front so it opened opposite of most vehicles but that was changed for the 1969 model, as the whole body style changed and became the TR6. The power to weight ratio made that car a little screamer. My TR250 had a foot pedal that operated the wipers, presumably so both hands could remain on the steering wheel when driving it hard, which I did until I slid into a curb while doing doughnuts in the rain, and it was never the same again. That was around the time I enlisted in the military and I just called to have it junked. The tow truck driver decided to buy it for himself and offered me more than the junkyard was going to pay for it so I accepted. He hooked it up and then said the frame broke. He still wanted it though. I guess the Michigan winters and road salt wasn’t very kind to the underside, which was deceptive considering everything else was flawless. Ah, to be 17 again. Great memories. Later I bought a Triumph Spitfire and the 4 banger power was disappointing, even after milling the heads. It was yet another vehicle where the hood (or bonnet) opened from the windshield forward. I’ve also had a MG midget, which was under-powered as well. I had a Triumph TR7 about a year before the TR8 came out but by then I moved on to the dependability of a Toyota Corona and then a Cressida before moving back to the American muscle of an orange ‘67 Stang with a 390, tube headers, an aluminum high rise intake, a Holley double-pumper carb, a Mallory dual-point distributor, a Hurst competition plus shifter, traction bars, and someone said the engine lobe indicated a race cam but I can’t say for sure. Someone removed the entire trunk floor pan and all that remained was a rear-mounted starting battery. That’s the way I bought it from the backlot of a new car dealer on Telegraph Rd in Michigan. I presume it was a trade-in. It didn’t matter if I followed the rules of the road or not, that orange ‘Stang was a cop magnet. But I couldn’t help but oblige whenever challenged. I won every race except one and that was against another ‘67 Mustang, but it was the smaller coupe. We were neck to neck until he started pulling away. I didn’t know the guy but we were both pulled over to receive our tickets and I was shocked to discover he had a smaller 289 hi-po with about the same mods my car had. Anyway, I nearly lost my license from so many tickets so I sold it. Anyway, that Mustang gave me a similar experience of the TR250, except the Triumph didn’t attract as much attention. Aside from my personal useless stuff I’m running on about, I’m sure the tidbits about the frame rusting out (as in your review) or the floor-mounted wiper pedal on a TR250 is enough to add enough value to post here.

Thank you Steve

Yess we miss you A LOT

For Steve’s next video, he’ll be dredging the Connecticut River.

Good to hear Steve getting less bitter about C&D. Steve, you doing ok for yourself. We love you, man. 😍👌

Didn’t get the tax reference until the end. Haha.

I had an aunt that bought one of those TR-4 cars brand new. Less than a year later, she was involved in a two-car wreck. It completely destroyed that Triumph. And she broke her back. She was never physically the same after that.

Man those where cool fun little cars to drive! A friend had one of those way back in the mid 80s. Even though it wasn’t fast! It was fun to drive, and not bad looking!

One of the cars that you hate to see in this condition but as the old saying goes Rust never sleeps.

Morning Steve... buddy owns a sort of similar tr6, beautiful car but extremely finicky a often breaking down during cruises.

The Fergy tractor engine has bags of torque,, as did the Vanguard engine. Which is what these are. The TR4 and later TR6 are quite good looking cars. However the front and rear suspensions seldom ever seem to be connected. A very loose thing. Triumphs MGs Jag all had the bolt on adapter like that. Getting rid of the wire flywheels and those adapters is the best thing you can ever do. Fit alloy wheels and halve the unsprung weight.

Until the light turned green lol 🤣

Thanks Steve.

Had to wait 10 more years for the TR7 "the shape of things to come" and now gone.

Had a buddy in high school back in 88 that had a TR6 spitfire he put a 429 Ford in it

Wow, that frame is definitely toast!!! I had a 1976 TR6 and we did a frame swap on the car because the passenger side rear trailing arm mounting area of the frame was totally shot and someone had used fiberglass to "repair" it. I knew this when I bought the car, I was 18 years old and naive. I got a parts car with a nice frame for 600 bucks and we did the swap. The TR4 and TR6 used the same frame if I recall correctly. Fun cars but definitely prone to rust issues.

Outstanding A+

Steve, I think there are 2 more [right side up] by the old Jeeps and the Frazer Vagabond , maybe a good follow up!

The ~1948 International KB-1 was made in America, and was also positive ground… Guess how I know? :p 😅

A trumpet with the Lucas wiring. The prince of darkness wiring

Side curtains! Yeah baby!

I've always wanted a 2 seat sport car.

i was expecting a thames van !!

Had a friend who had a TR-3. He was always wrenching on it, now I understand why. lol

"...pass you in 3rd gear, rippling the tires." Steve's poetic gems, sprinkled about, triggering a mid-sixties memory of a drive from Salt Lake City to Twin Falls, Idaho in Ken Self's TR-4. Top down all the way. On a different subject, the topmost image at 5:37 may have been the inspiration for Brent Lynch's painting titled "Coastal Drive." It's a theory.

I had a Triumph Herald. Fun little gutless car.

Interesting. Very similar to the 68-91 Mercedes "diagonal swing arm" suspension.

6cylinder Triumph from 68, good TR4 IRS in the UK $35/45,000

May of 65, the year and month I was born!

Morning, boys - woke up from a dream about Phoebe Cates and decided I needed a quick Diet Coke from the frig before grabbing another couple hours of shut eye. Next thing you know, I pick up the iPad and notice Junkyard has already dropped - going to try not to go down the KZfaq rathole at this early hour but I’m not liking my odds…….😂 Was planning on taking my Ranger out for a backroad cruise today but right now the weather forecast doesn’t look too promising - might have to put that on the back burner for another day……..🌧

That poor triumph had been winter driven to death.

Oh krikey! That rust!!!

Autocross raced a 66 TR4 back in the early 70s.... the live axle was superior to the IRS hands down..... powered mine up with the 88mm and did some head work....and a cam.... all that on what was essential a Standard tractor engine.... probably got it up to 140hp.... totally the easiest car to ever work on..... btw..... changed out the Lucas electric for Delco

The Triumph like the MG or Austin Healy etc suffered from the same design issues. They put so much emphasis on style and design and handling yet stuck with under powered asthmatic OHV engines. Those cars with a larger OHC engine wouldnt need the piggy back carb set up for slightly more dismal power. My Opel Kadett 1.1 with dual carbs was the same way although it produced 60 Hp from 60 ci which was impressive but still nothing like the OHC 1.9 which was twice as fun.

esas llantas 😭

Lucas the Prince of Darkness

I worked for a fellow had a TR/6 convertible, or soft top as he called it. I drove it once, really good road handling, but no guts for North American roads. Sitting 6 inches off the road didn’t help either. Not for me 🇨🇦👍

Mechanisms that raise and lower the door glass is called a regulator for cars. Called operators for house window opending and closing.

Car and driver's junkyard treasures . 😊

Steve, you may have made an overly broad statement when you said all British sports cars had painted spokes on their wire wheels. Maybe the cheaper ones do, but our 68 Jaguar XKE definitely had chrome. Of course, it was a much more expensive car.

From TR4 to TR Forgotten

Steve, you are running out of cars up there 😅

You start welding 😂

Only Steve can take a bucket, or sheet pan, of rust and teach something interesting. Good job! BTW, what's the story behind the plastic dog? I see it pop up in other videos.

I'm in Canada I had a TR4 eh

The person that would drive this when it was new is not somebody I would want to know.

Cool!

Born to Rust would still be on the road if it was aluminum frame.

That car has an underslung frame meaning the axles are above the frame and not below.

Enjoy this

That frame will fall apart if its ever moved again.

miss junkyard gold

Always thought the TR was a cool car. But being 6 foot 3 I am to tall to fit comfortable.

Thanks Steve, another great video! Hope you got your tetanus shot!

Can’t speak for the early ones but hated them TR 7’s 🤮 buddies bro got one he wouldn’t stfu about it and his bro, thought it was the greatest thing since oil came n qts! 🤦‍♂️ I mentally kicked hm in the nuts so many times!!! 😳😂

@ 2:22 Is that yellow car behind you a '73 Cutlass Supreme?

Having never handled knock-off wheels myself, I have always wondered if they were right and left hand threaded for each side? Anyone know?

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