Friday, December 19, 2014

Triumph Dové GTR4 / GTR4A Coupé (1963-65)

The Triumph TR4 is a British sports car which was produced by the Triumph Motor Company from 1961 to 1965. It was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the previous TR sports cars, but with a modern Michelotti styled body. It was powered by a 2138 cc inline-4 engine. Top Speed could reach 110 mph (180 km/h). 0-60 mph (97 km/h) took 10.7 seconds. In 1965, the TR4A with IRS or independent rear suspension superseded the TR4. Apart from the rear suspension, which used trailing arms and a differential bolted to the redesigned chassis frame and a number of small styling changes and refinements, the two models appear nearly identical.

Perhaps the rarest production TR4 model is the Dové GTR4 (and GTR4A) – a TR4 rebuilt as a coupé by a specialist coachbuilder for the Dové dealership in Wimbledon, London as their attempt to fill the GT category for Europe. Only 43 were produced. The conversions were by Harrington Motor Bodyworks, mostly known for construction of the Harrington Alpine, a similarly converted Sunbeam Alpine.

Two jump seats were placed behind the driver's seat using identical materials to the originally equipped standard TR4. A wood-rimmed wheel with riveted perimeter was fitted to some models along with auxiliary lamps under the front bumper bars. A metallised identifying sticker with "Dové" on it was fitted to the glovebox lid. On the rear deck to the left below the lid, was another identifying badge with the Dové logo. The side window glasses were specially shaped with a flat top edge to fit the new roof line. Each Dové was an individual order and some variation occurred in each car.

The aerodynamics of the Dové gave it good acceleration from 80 mph (130 km/h) to 100 mph (160 km/h) in comparison with the standard version of the car. The cars were priced at £1250, almost as much as a Jaguar E-Type. Up to a dozen of the cars are known to still exist. (wikipedia)






































Factory Version of the Triumph TR4 Roadster (1961-67)










(Photos from stevemckelvie.wordpress.com & flickr.com)