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Owners of the Triumph TR4 and 4A models are all aware of the ridiculousness of the so-called choke cable. I do remember, back in the mid 60s when my TR4 was my everyday car, pulling out the choke on winter mornings, giving it a twist, and it actually stayed in place. Eventually, I guess through wear and tear, it would simply slide back into the dash. The only way to use the choke was to hold it with the right hand while manipulating the other controls for getting the car in motion with the left hand. Once parts became readily available through places like The Roadster Factory, Moss Motors and Victoria British (deceased), I purchased a new choke cable. Whoever remanufactured these must have modelled them after a sample taken from a car since the new cables behaved just like one in my car – pull, twist, release, and watch the cable slide back into the dash.

Since those days, I have acquired two TR4 parts cars, a restored TR4, and a TR4A which I have restored; and all have disappearing choke cables. Even my wife’s TR6 had a choke cable that mimicked this behaviour. My friend John Macartney, author and former Standard Triumph employee, provided me with a Service Tool (WACP 001 with modification kit POS 001) he had assembled. 

I think John assembled the kit as a source of humour, but it actually does work.

John’s instructions with the Service Tool were as follows:

This ‘Service Tool’ was officially recognised by the Standard Triumph Service Divisions at Coventry and Western Avenue in London.

It is intended for use on choke controls of the “pull-and twist to lock” type when the ‘twist to lock’ aspect was worn and failed to work – which was quite often!

If your choke control is of the ‘failed’ variety, just open the clothes peg and slide it as far as it will go to grip the choke cable on the instrument panel, between the knob and bezel. In some cases, a generous application of insulating tape (of the old rubber on linen type) on the inner faces of the peg, greatly improves authenticity, grip – and fast idle!

Maybe you’d like to make your peg into a ‘de-luxe’ version? Just drill a small hole at the top of one side piece. This will allow you to thread a piece of string through the hole and knot it. Your Service Tool can then be hung from the choke control for instant and effective use! This will make your Triumph truly authentic – and you can tell all your friends that at some stage in its past life, your car really was (ahem) ‘serviced’ by the manufacturer. This tool is now NLS (NO LONGER SERVICED) by any replacement parts specialist and John Macartney has commandeered all surplus stock for true Triumph enthusiasts – and posterity!

WARNING – carbon monoxide poisoning

Do not allow your engine to run in a closed garage with this tool in operating mode

Since those days, I have acquired two TR4 parts cars, a restored TR4, and a TR4A which I have restored; and all have disappearing choke cables. Even my wife’s TR6 had a choke cable that mimicked this behaviour. My friend John Macartney, author and former Standard Triumph employee, provided me with a Service Tool (WACP 001 with modification kit POS 001) he had assembled.