After reading the last few entries in the ACCYWriGtY topic I'm curious what our CMS experts think of a TR4 or 4a as a dd? Too rare/rough/small/underpowered/etc? Please throw in the two cents on the TR 250, I did not ask because they are kinda rare. Thanks.
When I was younger I used a Spridget as a daily driver for years. By comparison, a TR4 is pure luxury.
A 4 is certainly not underpowered, but it is sort of rough. And with parts not available at your local FLAPS I'd think you'd want a backup car handy in case something broke... and you'd need time to fix it... and you don't want to drive it anywhere on salted roads ("classic car dissolver")...but then that's the case with most classic daily drivers.
A solid axle TR4 would make for a simple, easy to work on daily driver. As others have posted, I have no love lost for the IRS (how Triumph managed to limit axle travel and increase unsprung weight over a solid axle took some serious engineering!!).
My beef with the TR250/TR6 is that they added a lot of weight up front (engine weighs nearly the same as a Ford 302) but with the same power as the wonderful TR4 engine (in the US anyway). I find the handling ponderous as a result and would much much rather have a TR4 of either variety.... though the 6 makes a wonderful noise.
I'm currently daily driving a '67 MB 250SE as a daily driver... but once the salt flies it goes to sleep.
Bill (maintains wife '71 TR6....)
As a Daily Driver? A bit old, rough and not exactly watertight, but doable if your hardcore enough.
They're not particularly rare, they're not really any smaller than, say, a Miata, and they've still got adequate power to keep up. Make sure it's in good shape and all the bolts are tight, factor in for down time--same as with any 40+ year old DD, and it's certainly capable of doing the job.
Personally a 4 or 250 tops my Triumph wish list. I think my biggest fear would be oblivious drivers dinging it.
I used a TR4A as a daily driver when I was in college in the early '80's, and I have to say probably not. It was totally rebuilt mechanically, and it still only ran sporadically. It was also the only car I've ever owned that I had to do a nut and bolt weekly as thing would simply "fall off". I would carry things like a head gasket in the trunk, along with several voltage regulators, generator parts, hoses, electrical components, etc., and yes, I even had to do a head gasket roadside in order to get home one day.
It was not slow, and was a total blast to drive, in that way only a vintage Triumph can provide. It flexed so much the doors would open if you cornered too fast (fixed with a little chassis reinforcement), and it needed totally rewired twice in my ownership, both times due mainly to a fault with the way the ignition switch is mounted. The splines on the wire wheels all failed at one time or another, as did the IRS diff mount, a very exciting time when the car is moving. Also the lower A-arm failed when it's mounting point ripped out of the frame under braking, and even with a new top, was never what you'd call weatherproof, and don't even get me started on the heater.
Now to the good stuff, the sound of the 4 is awesome, and I would seek out tunnels just to hear it. And it drove OK, just don't expect it to be a modern car. Mine with a few mods would "almost" run with a 240Z, and would certaily see off a stock TR6, and the interior was pretty nice for the day.
I'd love to have another, but as my Dad used to say, "there's not enough money in the world to keep running on a daily basis." I had an absolute fortune in that car, but I loved every minute. One day I'll get another, but never again as a daily driver, that's what Miatas are for.
I think it depends on where you live and your commute. I could use one as a daily driver down here in Florida, but I have a short commute and wear shorts to work. Not sure I'd want to drive a TR4 through Miami summer traffic while wearing a suit, however.
Carl recently did an excellent story about using classics for daily drivers. The TR would totally fit that bill.
I drove a TR4A as a DD for many years. I also drove a 66 Mustang for 10 years as a DD. Both were fine for the short (15 mile) commutes I was doing. I would not hesitate to do it again. Even today I still drive the Locost to work occasionally.
But there are some issues you have to deal with. First of all is the weather. In spite of what you might imagine, summer in Central FL is NOT convertible weather. It is a HOT, HUMID, RAINY season and the top stays UP most days. Driving a non-AC vehicle in a 90 degree downpour without AC is not fun.
Second is safety. You as the driver are the biggest contributor to safety, but any time you share roads with cell-phone-texting soccer moms driving a 3-ton off-road capable Hummer, you have to be careful. You really can't understate the implications of three point harnesses, air bags, side impact beams, third brake lights, etc.... A TR4 doesn't stand much of a chance in a collision with one of those, so be forewarned.
Finally, maintenance. If you pull out the original owners manual you'll find a regime of 1500 mile oil changes, 3000 mile chassis lubes, 5000 mile tuneups....basically intervals that are a lot shorter than a modern car. Newer lubes can mitigate some of those, like the oil changes and maybe the lubes. An electronic ignition conversion extends the time between tuneups. But the bottom line remains that any vintage vehicle is, by design, going to require more frequent maintenance.
Other than that, the upside is the pleasure of driving something few people can even imaging driving. Have fun!
I frequently drive the TR-6 to work, but as David mentioned, the commute is short, and I live in FLA. I'd think using a TR-4 as a DD would be reasonable if the trip was short, and the weather friendly. I'd make sure to have a backup machine at the ready in case of the occasional downtime that any old car will need for repair.
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