Description

1963 Triumph Dove GTR4

Rare 2+2 Coupe version of the TR4 by Harrington for Dove of Wimbledon; from long term ownership; older restoration; lots of restoration history; running and driving to use and improve

This interesting version of the TR4 was introduced by Harrington, a firm more used to providing bus and coach bodies. Their expertise in glass-fibre, and contacts within the Rootes group led to the Harrington Alpine, so a similar treatment to the TR4 was a natural progression.

Sold through L F Dove of Wimbledon, Standard Triumh dealers, some 50 or so are thought to have been produced before Rootes started to stamp their feet, making it a particularly rare version of the evergreen TR.

The document file for 200 LWC tells us that it started life as a white TR4 with a Surrey top. Our vendor commissioned a complete body-off restoration, incorporating the main 'assets' from a donor GTR4 Dove in 1988.

Classic Car Restoration and Repair, Salisbury undertook the job, while its owner worked overseas in the forces. Detailed bills outline all of the work done, which appears to be a complete strip and rebuild, incorporating the original Dove hardtop which came on a part-complete rolling chassis.

The 'end game' was to have a reliable, comfortable and fast GT for use everyday - the full Dove hardtop providing just that after the work had been completed in late 1988.

Since then, the car has been in regular use, the restoration mellowing to the point where there are some areas which could be improved with some tlc. It has been starting and running around onsite but clearly has not done a great deal over the past few years.

The file includes a full workshop manual, spare parts book, Haynes manual and an Autofolio book on the marque. There is however no current V5C so the new owner will need to apply for a copy in the usual manner.

Well worth a close inspection, you won't find another anytime soon.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com