Wedge TR7 production question

I just looked at a TR7 coupe for sale that had a build date of May 77. It was an ACW car with a five speed, sliding roof, ac, vermilian red paint and red/black check interior. The car has that cool little map light and a big gas cap. My question is when exactly did they switch to the small gas cap? (month) I was under the impression that it was after they came back off of strike. I know there were not many cars made in 77. That is why there aren't many 1978 ACN TR8 pre-production coupes. When was the five speed first offered, and when could you first get the deluxe checked interiors?

Hi, Todd -

The smaller gas cap came along with the convertibles, as there wasn't room for the top with the larger cap. I think convertible production started in '78, but not sure exactly when.

The five-speed first appeared as an option with the beginning of the '77 model year.

Red or green tartan plaid were introduced in March of '77, and the later blue and tan plaids came out with the introduction of the '80 models.

This was all gleaned from Bill Piggott's book, Original Triumph TR7 & TR8.

Mickey

I just spent some time looking thru a Rimmers catalog. It seems to confirm what I thought about the small gas cap. That is they began using them in June 77 commencing with VIN ACW30001. That is also when they started to install those swivel door lights, and went to the two pocket parcel tray. The catalog also says that the check interiors were available on 75 and 76 cars, but I have never seen them on any car earlier than Jan 77. That is when my ACN8UA TR8 coupe was built. It came with the big cap and red and black check interior. I was really hoping that this car would have the small cap. I need a new body shell for one of my TR8 coupe race cars. It's beat to crap and I would like to return it to a street car, but I don't want to have to deal with a used up body.