1980 Triumph TR7

It could have been oh so different if BL had actually mass produced the TR8 as the natural successor to the TR6.

It was a typical 70s bl balls up, the body is pretty innovative for the time and the concept was as good as anything the germans or japanese were producing at the time but they screwed it up using parts which weren't up to the job (marina gearboxes and axles) used a asthmatic rough engine when they had both the dolomite sprint and RV8 available then didn't iron out all the niggles before launching it. Finally they gave it to a plant who weren't really interested in producing it and where the relations with the workforce were diabolical (to a large part caused by years of inept management and political interference ). The later ones where much better, they fitted the sd1 derived axles and gearboxes, sorted out most of the minor gremlins and at least made the engine a bit more reliable.
I have had mine 25 years and 100,000 miles, after 3 4 pots ( the last one I bought as a stop gap was actually the best one which I sold for what I had paid) I fitted the V8 10 years ago which transformed the car, making all he brackets etc as I went. Its even still on the 2.0 radiator and never gets warm.

I think the wheels that came with it are mgf wheels but not keen on them myself, was looking at 15s to go on there due to the tyre situation but these will do for now until the new year when bigger plans start to take shape

I actually got to do some work on it today, removing the awful carpet (which looks like normal house carpet) and seats which are in dire need of repair, though I may put some bucket seats in the car instead





this is what happened the carpet 😄



with the carpet removed and some further investigation we found the connection for the lights and a remote to change the colour



here is the 'disco mode' 😄

imgur.com/a/lPJHce9


then in the boot after removing more of the house carpet I discovered that the spare wheel well has been covered over (badly) as well as wires dangling about



also discovered some bodged repairs, these holes were covered by mastic



and finally for tonight's post, the v8 is in the engine bay

Neat I do love a TR7. There's one with a V8 in BL works livery that I see over the Ashdown Forest every now and again. Awesome looking thing.

I've always thought they're a car that doesn't look great in standard form, but with just a little tweaking really shines. Beefier wheels and/or arches seems to be the key.

As for missed opportunities, the TR7's main flaw wasn't really anything to do with the mechanical spec or looks or anything like that. People tend to compare it to the full-fat early PI TR6 (which was 150 gross bhp, 141 net) and find it comes up short. They forget that the car it replaced was actually making 124bhp (net). And even that was the hotter European version. The Americans (who the TR7 was targeted toward as they were one of the few countries where sports cars were still a growth segment) had been getting by with a wheezy carbed version that coughed out 106bhp (net) at the best of times. Next to that, the 105bhp TR7 seems pretty reasonable. I think I remember reading a statistic that they sold more TR7s than any other TR combined, but don't quote me on that yet.

No, it was timing that put paid to the TR7. Released right before the death of Triumph meaning there were already conversations going on about Triumph's future. The planned 16v and V8 versions either didn't get out of the starting blocks at all, or barely made it before the shutters came down. A more widespread factory V8 version would probably have done wonders for the TR's image. Realistically it probably would have gone from 'ugly and slow' to 'ugly, but a bit of a bruiser for the late 70s'.

Still, its public perception keeps the prices around the range I can afford so I shouldn't witter on too much

Looking forward to seeing this one come together

picked up the bucket seats tonight, £50 for the pair which seems like a bargain considering they are in great condition, never heard of mamba seats before but they'll do to get the car on the road asap whilst I keep an eye out for some better ones 

I've still got them lying around the workshop, do you know where to source new foam and covers?

Robsport sell it all as well.