Cold starting

[colina]

My brother and I once had a TR4A that developed a similar problem some time after restoration. After the choke cable started smoking I discovered the problem - I had forgotten to fit the crankcase to chassis strap and therefore the current return was via the outer of the choke cable where it went through the bulkhead as it was also missing the rubber grommet! It worked ok for a while until the choke cable was fully cooked!

So definitely check the battery cables and, as has been said, check ignition voltage whilst cranking.