1962 Triumph TR4 Rally Car
Registration no. 885 XUT
Chassis no. CT86530
Engine no. CT10901E

First step in the TR's transition from uncomplicated, rugged sports car to something altogether more refined, the TR4 had been introduced in 1961. Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti's new bodyshell brought the styling bang up to date while beneath the skin there numerous chassis changes. Rack-and-pinion steering, widened front and rear track, and an all-synchromesh gearbox contributed to improved driveability, while wind-up windows were a big advance on the preceding TR3's primitive side screens. The standard engine was the 2,138cc four-cylinder overhead-valve unit first offered on the TR3A, and when equipped with the optional overdrive the TR4 was good for a top speed of almost 110mph, as was its successor, the TR4A. Today, the four-cylinder TRs are among the easiest of post-war classic sports cars to own and maintain, being supported by a multitude of component suppliers and other specialists.

Between 1962 and 1964 the TR4 was one of the models used in the factory's rallying programme, though having to compete with the larger-engined Austin-Healey 3000 meant that outright successes were hard to come by in period. Nevertheless, that apparent handicap did not deter previous owner Robert Leech, who restored and converted this example for historic rallying in the mid-1990s. First registered '668 GBL', the Triumph was owned by Robert Leech's brother Donald from 1984 onwards and passed into Robert's ownership in 1994. In Robert's hands the TR won the Scottish Historic Championship in 1996, '97 and '98; the Scottish Historic Road Championship in 1998; the Jim Clark Memorial Trophy in 1997 and 2000; and the Berwick Classic in 2003. Its most recent result was a class win in the Belgian Tulpen Rally in 2008.

The car's next owner, Alan Pettit, acquired it in 2008 (the registration changing to '885 XUT') and carried out further restoration. Recent works include a full suspension rebuild, Salisbury differential service, new ammeter, new carpets and new trim items. The car is described as in generally good condition, the engine showing good oil pressure and with no cooling issues, while there are no gear selection problems and the overdrive works on all gears. Accompanying paperwork consists of an old-style logbook, all expired MoT certificates, historic rally documents, sundry restoration invoices, and old/current V5/V5C registration documents.