1981 Triumph TR7 - **Mmm... Compomotive ML's**

wow, I used to have a Silver 81 FHC, same blue interior as yours, such a fun car too own , rust can be a real killer with these though, they seem to go everyehere . I wish you luck.


Looks like Robsports workshop.

Engine is Triumphs' own 2.0 slant four OHC on twin SU's - an overbored 1850 Dolly engine, or an 8 valve version of the Dolly Sprint engine, if you like. That'll be staying, along with it's 5 speed box, though I may look into the feasibility of incorporating a few choice Saab 99 Turbo parts . Unless of course a Rover V8 comes along at the right price...

Not decided exactly which way I'm gonna go with this one yet though:

Option 1.
'MG' it. I've always liked the idea of turning a TR7 into an MG rather than a Triumph, so a few carefully chosen items from the MG parts bin, a badge here and a badge there, and 'An MG Is Born'. But leaving it fairly stock looking, if you get my drift.

Option 2.
Essentially stock, but improved, with a mild lowering job, uprated suspension and brakes, MGF 'Minilite style' 15" 8 spokes, etc. Turn it into a proper sportscar.

Option 3.
On its *rse, with stupidly wide 13" wheels and a BL shopping list on the doors, p*sstake driftin' 1970's-West Midlands-style.

Option 4.
Every possible option I can find (this would be the way I'd gone if I'd ended up with a gold or brown one) - bootrack full of tat, mismatched wheels, etc - a Birmingham Sewer Rat.

Option 3 for me aswell!

Option 2 for me.

Well, it's home

A couple of minor issues to be attended to:

1. A slight misfire under acceleration developed after about 30 miles. I reckon it could be the condenser, but to be honest, the plugs, leads, coil, dizzy cap, etc, don't appear to be in the first flush of youth, so I think I'll buy replacements at the Triumph show at Stoneleigh in a couple of weeks.

2. Flash the lights, and they both pop up and go down again, but turn the lights on at the main switch and the offside pops up only halfway and the nearside pops up fully. Turn them off, and the offside light stays where it is for a while, whilst the nearside light pops up and down like a yoyo until the offside lights finally drops! ;D Think that needs looking at then...

A few of my own pics for you (practicing with my new Canon EOS 450D):

Looks very clean,nice find.I recognise where you took those photos,only round the corner from me!!

Looks to be in really sound condition!

Service sounds like a great idea - check the ignition timing too, as well as replacing all the consumables, air filters and checking the carb movements and dashpot fluid.

Easily release 10BHP on a slightly sick engine

Woohoo! Lights fixed, so they pop up as they should. Heater blower's given up the ghost now though - I think it's the speed/resistor/whatever it's called, rather than the blower itself though.
And the misfire is no more - all new ignition parts, etc.
Need to resurface and reseal the thermostat housing tomorrow - a little bit of enthusiastic driving/drifting around roundabouts has highlighted a rather large leak that acts like a pressure washer

And boy does this thing drift easy . It's not a skill I even realised I had, but I'm getting better with each roundabout (on private ground officer!) ;D ;D .

Dale

Good work. Plenty of roundabouts to practice on! Did you go to Stoneleigh? I did keep an eye out for you but didn't spot you.