Category Archives: Aluminum Top

Aluminum top for a Triumph TR4

Alumakini on the TR4 – Part II

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Last post listed the new modified “Surrey” top on my cousin Jim’s TR4.  Perhaps it is more of an “alumakini” but either way you look at it, it is a quick way to get the sun off your head and make the car a little more enjoyable while still being unique.  Granted, this is not everyone’s cup-of-tea, but if you are looking for “original” then you are in the wrong website.

The following pictures show the “wing” section now fully welded on.  Not only does it look trick, it is fully functional.  The new alumakini provides not only some needed shade but it has made the driving experience much enjoyable:  not as much buffeting and to boost a little downforce provided by the lip.  Nice.

Note the interior in the picture above.  The seats are not “original” Triumph issue.  These have been made from scratch, they are all aluminium.  A local upholstery shop made the covers.  That shop also made the door panels.

The following are closeups of the spoiler.  Sure the top has not been fully finished but you get the idea.  Since this is aluminium, it will need to be etched and then a couple of coats of sanding primer followed by paint.  I’ll have updates when they become available…

Comments?  Drop a line and let us know what you think.

 

Triumph TR4 Surrey Top – modified –

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Well – here’s a new one for you…

There is the concept of a Surrey top for a TR4/250.  OK – they are nice but they are hard to find.  They have glass and they are heavy.  They do offer a removable centre section and yes, they are pretty cool.  But here is a variation on the theme…

My cousin Jim’s TR4 has been an awesome car so far.  The ECOTEC has been magnificent providing plenty of power and lots of fun.  However summer is upon us and it gets a little hot to go topless the whole time.  What to do?  Order a canvas top and look like any other TR4?  Nah.  How about this:

Jim’s TR4 has a rollbar bolted to the bespoke frame on special mounts.  Off the hoop, there are two tabs offering a way to mount the hand-made aluminium “bikini top” shown on the picture at left.  The three “ribs” have been formed on a Pullmax machine.  All total this top is not heavy at all, maybe a couple of pounds.  Not exactly “stock” or “original”, but what the hell.  Jim is a master craftsman and this car is indeed unique.

Here is another shot of the new top.  It shows the mounts on the rollbar.  The front attaches to the factory mounts on the windshield frame.  Two bolts will hold that in place.  Jim has made this in such a way that the side glass can be rolled up and it will be perfectly aligned with the edge of the new “top” – and by doing so, the car could be driven with light drizzle and this would prevent one from getting soaked.  This is the inspiration to the new “top”.  Granted, this is not everyone’s cup of tea but what the hell.  It certainly looks trick!

I realize the top looks a little “crude” – it was only made today and has not been totally finished yet.  We were kicking around the idea of fully polishing this top – after all it is aluminium.  The idea would be to make it as shiny as chrome.  Then again, it might just get painted either body colour or some other contrasting shade.  We were also kicking around the idea of covering it with some convertible top canvas to give it a faux look.  One thing we can be certain of:  take a look at the following picture:

Check out the little tab…  That is a small proof-of-concept:  yes, the top is going to have a mild NASCAR “wing” on it.  This will not only look good, it will provide some downforce at high sped.  And believe me:  the TR4 needs it.  With the extra pop of the ECOTEC, the car certainly can use a few free pounds of downforce.  After all, all the pressure would be transmitted to the rollbar, mounted directly to the frame right above the rear axle…  Pretty cool, huh?