1966 Triumph TR4 IRS | Classic Car Restoration

1966 Triumph TR4 IRS

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The Project

This 1966 Triumph TR4 IRS arrived at our Bishop Auckland workshop in August 2025 for a full restoration.

Updates

15th August 2025: Planned restoration works include bodywork repairs, engine, electrical, interior works and full respray.

> More updates to follow.

History

The Triumph TR4 was a British sports car produced by Standard-Triumph (a division of the Leyland Motors group) from 1961 to 1965, with some models registered into 1966 and early 1967. Designed by Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti, the TR4 was a significant evolution of the earlier TR2/TR3 series.

The IRS in “TR4 IRS” refers to the Independent Rear Suspension, introduced in 1965 with the TR4A variant. This model replaced the earlier live rear axle setup with a more refined independent rear suspension system, improving ride comfort and handling. The full designation was TR4A IRS, though not all TR4As came with IRS – some lower-cost versions retained the solid rear axle, especially for certain export markets.

Key Features of the 1966 Triumph TR4 IRS:

Engine: 2.1L (2138 cc) inline-4, producing around 105 hp
Transmission: 4-speed manual (optional overdrive available)
Suspension: Independent rear suspension (IRS) with coil springs (for IRS versions)
Brakes: Front disc brakes, rear drums
Body: Steel body with aluminium bonnet and boot lid
Interior: Minimalist but sporty, with wood dash and classic Smiths gauges

Notable Innovations:

First in the TR series with roll-up windows (previous models had side curtains)
Optional Surrey Top, a hard rear window with removable centre panel (a precursor to modern T-tops)
Improved comfort and handling compared to its predecessor

Production Info:

Approx. 28,465 TR4As produced (1965–1967)
Around 75% were IRS models
1966 was a peak production year, making the 1966 TR4A IRS one of the most common variants

The TR4A IRS has since become a sought-after classic, valued for its blend of 1960s British style, Michelotti’s timeless design, and improved drivability due to the independent rear suspension.

Friendly, helpful, extremely knowledgeable, patient enough to explain the processes and reasons for doing things and highlighted even more how approachable the team are. They tried to accommodate our needs and requests to get our beloved old riley back on the road as soon as possible despite the ups and downs that were thrown our way and into the teams path! We could not have wished to deal with a more personable company after encountering some other teams that really made a botch of stuff, seemed uncommitted and were not professional at all. Carrosserie as a team were totally the opposite . . would we recommend them ? ABSOLUTELY !!! We would not go anywhere else now, THANK YOU TO Steve, Neil, Graham and Nicola . . Oh and Karen who spilled the beans about the the birthday surprised to my partner (whose car it is ) . but made the experience all the more special when a bottle of wine was presented as well as a treat to Simon for his birthday AND made it all the more worth dealing with the team ! THANK YOU AGAIN !!!

My car was the subject of some body and paint repairs here in Spring 2024, to address corrosion plus some substandard paintwork. An annual service was also carried out. There was good responsive communications, advice, and attention to detail throughout, to ensure a high quality, durable result, with the final paintwork being indistinguishable from factory finish, and easily better than any franchised dealership repairs. If you are invested in your classic car, want to make it last, with an exemplary finish to be proud of, then you need look no further.

I can't recommend Carrosserie highly enough, the service was exemplary from start to finish and the workmanship is second to none. I highly recommend giving the team a call for any work you need doing to your classic car, no matter what it is, you will not be disappointed!