Car: Triumph TR4 ( Car shown at Dragone Classic Motorcars )

Year: 1962

What makes it special: The TR4 is a sports car produced by the Triumph Motor Company from 1961 to 1965. Code named “Zest” during development, it was the successor to the TR3A. The car was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the previous TR sports cars, but with a modern body designed by Michelotti. The TR4 proved to be very successful. The TR4 was originally fitted with 15×4.5″ disc wheels. Optional 48-lace wire wheels could be ordered painted the same color as the car’s bodywork, matte silver with chrome spinners, or in matte or polished chrome finishes.

What made it famous: The new TR4 body style did away with the cutaway door design of the previous TRs to allow for roll-up windows in place of less convenient side-curtains. The angular rear allowed a trunk with considerable capacity for a sports car. Advanced features included the use of adjustable fascia ventilation, and the option of a unique hard top that consisted of a fixed glass rear window called a backlight with an integral rollbar and a detachable, steel centre panel, aluminium for the first 500 units. This was the first such roof system on a production car and preceded by five years the Porsche 911/912 Targa, which has since become a generic name for this style of top. The TR4 engine was continued from the earlier TR2/3 models, but the displacement was increased from 1991cc to 2138 cc in the TR4 by increasing bore size. Gradual improvements in the manifolds and cylinder head allowed for some improvements culminating in the TR4A model. Some cars were fitted with vane-type superchargers, as the three main bearing engine was prone to crankshaft failure if revved beyond 6,500 rpm; superchargers allowed a TR4 to produce much more horsepower and torque at relatively modest revolutions. The standard engine produced 105 bhp SAE but, supercharged and otherwise performance-tuned, a 2.2-litre I4 version could produce in excess of 200 bhp at the flywheel. 

Why I would want one: I’ve recently become intrigued with the British Sports Car scene, and the Triumph TR4 is an iconic model with handsome styling.

Fun fact: The TR4 had a number of racing successes in America, primarily through the efforts of the Californian engineer Kas Kastner and his top driver, Bob Tullius. In 1961 the TR4 won first in class and thirtieth overall at Sebring. That car was driven by George Waltman and Nick Cone. 

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Car: AMC Hornet S/C 360

Year: 1971

What makes it special: The 1971 AMC Hornet SC/360 was a muscle car that reflected changing times. Even a year earlier in 1970, when muscle cars were at their pinnacle, the signs were there for those who chose to look. Federal safety watchdogs, state and national emissions regulators, insurance companies and a changing social climate all took aim at the high-performance car. For ’71, compression ratios retreated to accommodate regular-grade fuel, gross horsepower ratings began to fall to tamer-sounding net figures, and public relations-conscious automakers backpedaled. Into this upheaval stepped the 1971 AMC Hornet SC/360. Hornet was the company’s newest compact, and the two-door sedan was a reasonable basis for a low-profile muscle car. 

What made it famous: Original plans called for both an SC/360 and an SC/401, but when AMC discovered that a 401 cid Hornet probably wouldn’t provide much of an insurance edge, the 360 cid V8 alone was borrowed from the Javelin AMX. In standard form, it had a 2-barrel carb and a modest 245 bhp. The $199 “Go” package included a 4-barrel and a ram air setup for a more satisfying 285 bhp. These were gross ratings. Optional in place of the standard 3-speed was a Hurst-shifted 4-speed or an automatic. Polyglas D70Xl4s were standard, with upgrades running to the handling package and the Twin-Grip diff with 3.54:1 or 3.90:1 gears. It combined respectable quickness with a taut suspension, big tires, and modest size for a package praised by Motor Trend magazine.

Why I would want one: It’s my favorite formula: Take a base, economy car and stuff a big V8 in it. Love!

Fun fact: The SC/360 turned out to be a sleeper in more ways than one. It made up only a fraction of the 75,000 Hornets built for ’71. The SC/360 died after just one year as one of the muscle car era’s better-kept secrets.
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