Did the British invent the sports car? Probably not, but they certainly perfected a specific breed of lightweight 2-seater with torquey engines and classic styling. The MG might be the most well-known, but it was inevitable that bigger, more substantial cars would be in demand, and that’s where Triumph comes in. With their TR-series, Triumph perfected the breed, a balance between performance and affordability, minimalism and comfort, style and function. Introduced in 1961, the TR4 was an evolution of the TR3, using a similar chassis and powertrain, but with an all-new, beautifully styled body that was instantly contemporary.

This 1965 Triumph TR4 is a lifetime California car that was brought back to Ohio by a pair of brothers with an appreciation for British motoring in the traditional style. It’s never been restored, but rather maintained and updated as necessary, so it’s ideal for driving. The Robin’s Egg Blue paint is indeed the car’s original color and it’s a great contrast to all the red and BRG TRs you see out there, giving this particular car a grown-up attitude. The bodywork is remarkably straight, which is what you’d expect from a west coast car, and there’s no evidence of accident damage or rust repairs in its past. The repaint is a few years old and it looks decent, not perfect but great for running down your favorite country road at speed without worries. Things like the chrome and stainless trim are in good original condition, with a great grille and the most beautifully rendered Triumph globe emblem on the hood. In back you get a chrome luggage rack that adds useful carrying capacity should you wish to use your TR for touring. The only notable issues on the chrome is some peeling on the rear bumper guards around the license plate lights and we’re pretty sure the side mirrors aren’t original equipment.

Seeing as the car is owned by a professional upholsterer, it should be no surprise that the interior is neatly trimmed in black with white piping. The low-back bucket seats are supportive and firm with a great traditional look and the door panels have been upholstered to match, including a useful map pocket in each one. New carpets help control noise and heat and the rear package shelf can’t quite be called a back seat but it’s neatly finished with matching pleated upholstery. Burled walnut on the dash is a traditional British sports car look and all the Smiths gauges are fully functional, although there’s a crack in the speedometer’s face glass. The steering wheel is showing some age but it’s still easy to grab and connects you to some wonderfully direct steering. A 4-speed manual gearbox was standard equipment and the clutch is light and shift action is direct, making this feel like a more expensive car than it is. The chrome roll bar isn’t factory-issue, of course, but it looks great and would be easy enough to remove if it’s not your thing. For weather protection, there’s a brand new collapsible top that’s never been installed as well as a full tonneau cover for the passenger compartment, a traditional part of British motoring for a century. TR4s were noted for their larger, more useful trunk and this one is neatly finished with new black carpets and a full-sized spare.

The 2138 cc inline-four under the forward-tilting hood delivers the kind of hairy-chested performance for which Triumphs were famous. There was more power on tap than in the TR3 without a notable increase in weight, so performance is lively. This one starts remarkably quickly and easily and idles well even when cold. Put both Stromberg carburetors into action and the car feels energetic on the road, with plenty of torque and a fantastic engine note. The engine bay isn’t detailed for show (that’s original paint on the fenders and firewall) but the shiny chrome valve cover and twin air cleaners look great and there’s plenty of evidence of regular maintenance throughout. The battery tray is a bit crusty but that’s not surprising, but the rest is in good shape. The generator makes plenty of electricity, there’s good oil pressure even at idle, and it stays cool out on the road.

The undercarriage shows off clean California living, which is particularly critical because British sports cars seem to rust in the most demonic ways possible. There’s surface scale on the floorboards, but no structural rot or perforation and again, there’s plenty of evidence of proper maintenance over the years. Rack-and-pinion steering was a big upgrade on the TR4 and it gives this little roadster fantastic agility. Front disc brakes were also standard equipment while the 48-spoke wire wheels were optional, but what would a British sports car be without wire wheels? They’ve been fitted with recent 165R15 Kumho radials, which are appropriately tall and skinny for the right look but offer improved handling and a modern ride.

Documented with a file full of receipts for recent service work and several manuals, this handsome TR4 is a very affordable way to own a traditional roadster that isn’t an MG. TR4 prices are moving faster than almost any other early British roadster, and the great look and friendly road manners are the reasons why. A very clean little car, this is a great driver that could be enjoyed as-is or easily be upgraded over time.