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Craig P. Della Penna
Agawam MA 01001

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1965 Triumph TR4

In the 1970s, I've had many old British sports cars (2 Austin Healy 3000 MKIIIs, Series 1 E-Type Jaguar, Sunbeam Alpine, and 3 TR 4s). The TRs were always my most favorite cars. Flashing ahead to 1998, I started searching for my dream car. A TR4 with surrey top, electric OD, and chrome wire wheels. The dream car had to be within 500 miles or so from New England and most important, it must not have much rust. After many months of searching for a good car with those prerequisites, I found one, (CT36653 L O), on the VTR web site in VA about 1.5 hours west of Richmond. I flew down on a Friday, and on a crisp fall Saturday I was driving it around the VA country side, touring the route of Lee's retreat from Peterburg to Appomattox. I made a deal with the owner and a couple of weeks later my friend and I showed up with his new F-350 and trailered it back to WMass (20 hour marathon round trip). The car ran good, but the blue paint was in atrocious condition. (car was repainted Royal blue by some owner in the 1970s). I intend this car to be a daily driver and did not want to do an off-frame restoration, but I did want to arrest any rust quickly.  Thus I had my body shop remove every body panel looking for rust. After inspection they had to replace one rocker and one front fender. They repainted the car in true Triumph Racing Green (from an original recipe found on the VTR site). Finally they then replaced all the chrome, and every rubber seal. The interior and mechanical will be done later. The car has an interesting history. It was purchased by a fellow from NYC in the fall of 1964 and he took delivery in England and toured the continent with it for 3-4 months. He then shipped it back to the U.S. and registered it as a 1965. All subsequent owners have registered it that way since even though it is a 1964. Interestingly, the car's true original color was the Triumph Racing Green and all components including the wheels, engine and trans are original and have never been rebuilt as far as I can tell. BTW, when I take it to car shows, I include a sign which says "FEEL FREE TO TOUCH OR EVEN SIT IN"