Wedge Looking to buy TR7 - opinions please.

I remember the TR7's back when I was in high school, and always thought it would be neat to have one. I'd forgotten all about them, however just recently they have been imprinted in my mind again. I'm looking seriously into buying one, and I thought where better to get opions on them, then by people that own and have owned them.

I'm curious and would like to know, How many of you, knowing everything you do about them, good and bad, would do the same over again?

Is there anything specific, good or bad, to look for in a prospective car.

What would you consider a good price range for one in excellent condition?, good condition?, needs a lot of work?

Any comments and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Oh, boy, what a loaded question! I must admit that I'm one who jumped on the bandwagon late in becoming a shameless fan of the TR-7. After a Spitfire, 2 MGB's and a Fiat Spider, I returned to Triumphs via my '78 Spitfire 1500. I bought it in '88 and kept it for 10 years. An MGB followed but when I saw my '80 TR-7 Spider at a British show in Stowe, VT, I was hooked. I bought it within a year.

I have always believed in driving sports cars, often and year-round, even in northern New England where I live. The car had 48,000 miles when purchased and now, 2 1/2 years later, has over 75,000 miles. Here's the list of replacement items I've bought because of daily running:

Starter motor
Alternator
Front bearings
Front hub and spindle [1]
Rear brake cylinders and shoes
Front disc pads
Distributor cap
Throttle cable
4 tires
Clutch plate set and clutch fork

Also, the rear window on the convertible top collapsed at the zipper. Because of the tight rear fit of the top, it was cheaper to replace the entire top rather than just the window.

Much of this was "once in a lifetime" replacement. The car left me stranded twice but repairs were affordable. Most engine parts, maintenance parts, and some body parts are available through the major distributors in the US [Moss, Vic Brit, Roadster Factory] and there are two fantastic wedge specialists: Wedgeparts in TN and The Wedge Shop in MA. Both owners have bags of knowledge and lots of critical parts.

To drive the 5-speed [Land Rover transmission and rear end] is a joy; the engine matches the tranny wonderfully. You can cruise for hours on a highway at 70-75 with no strain on the engine. The car's design means that top down driving is comfortable and invigorating; if it rains, the top can be erected easily. If you have a passenger, he or she will be comfortable in the spacious seats. While there's no shelf behind the seats, there's a fine trunk, big enough for tools and luggage.

The TR-7 also handles quite well; it's not light like the Spitfire and the steering feels heavy. However, it really clings to the road, feels more nimble than it looks with its width, and makes you want to drive all the time.

Problems in general: head gasket leakage, water pump replacement, Leyland switches and buzzy plastic interior, massive '70's styled dashboard. You should like plaid, too, because if the seats haven't been recovered, you'll see lots of it.

Mine cost the same as a comparable Spitfire, around half of a great shape TR-6, and about 1/3 of a great shape TR-3 or TR-4. I know I'm going on too long, so e-mail me if you want more information.

Jeff

i own two tr7's. the timing chain presents problems in some. i like the way is sticks to the road at high speeds and seems invisible to head on radar. the interior is much more comfortable on long road trips than spitties or midgets. i've figured out how to sleep in the car at rest stops comfortably.

I agree with the above comments.

Upside: It's the most comfortable TR by far (I've owned two TR3s and a TR-250, and driven a bunch of TR4s and TR6s.) It also handles better than any other TR (with the exception of a TR8, which weighs the same, but has more torque to pull out of corners.) It just feels fun. Great ventilation

The downsides: Horrible switches, gauges and relays. They are prone to shorting out. Like a Miata, at certain points you'll say to yourself "this car could use 20 more horsepower." It lacks the low-end torque of previous TRs, so it might seem slower, but it's just as quick as a TR6.


TR7s feel like a poor-man's Lotus.

There are always TR7s for sale. If you look hard, you can actually get a good driver for $2,000 or less. Truly excellent cars can range up to $4500, but at that point, I would strongly suggest looking for a decent TR8. (I missed out on a $4200 TR8 in great condition a couple months ago! I was just lazy, and waited a two weeks to call. The day I called, the car had sold that morning.)

My personal fav TR7 is a TR7 Spider, which was only offered in black with reddish emblems, and the car was fuel injected. (ObiRichKanobi has a picture of his fantastic Spider in his signature.) These are a little more expensive, but I saw one last year for sale out here for $2200 in good driver condition. (Another one I should have bought!)

First, stay away from 1975-76. The brakes were reworked in 1977, and provided a much better braking experience. The Rover 5 speed is definitely a big improvement over the 4 speed transmission.

Personally, I like the Fuel Injection. Once it's set up and running correctly, it's pretty bulletproof. Parts are readily available for it, as it's a Bosch Jetronics system that was used on millions of cars in the 80s. TR7s with F/I were 1980 models marketed in CA, Spider models (although a few Spiders got carbed) and 1981 models. Here in Utah, we have to get emissions inspections even on classics, and my Spider burns cleaner than my 2000 DeVille with the Northstar.

Performance wise, the "off the line" accelleration is a little weak. But once you get up to 20 mph or so, they get rather peppy. With the 5 speed, in 5th gear on the freeway doing about 70, you'll be turning around 3200-3500 rpms...right in the top of the power band. Nice to put the pedal down and go faster...

As far as handling, mine does very well (ok...it has Koni adjustables all the way around, and shortened springs). But at out local Brit Field day, they set up a very tight slalom course...the midgets, spits, and minis eat it up. I'm no pro driver, but can come within 2 seconds or so of their times on a 30 second or so course.

Pricewise, you can get a really nice driver for $2K-$3K. I bought my Spider 3 years ago for $2000 (had to put a little over that into it to make it roadworthy), but for the past year have invested in nothing but gas and oil changes. They are bigger than a Spit, more comfortable, and have a boot big enough for a weekend's worth of luggage for 2.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. And thanks for the kind comments Sammy...and glad you finally got yours on the road. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Hmmmm. Should we be telling people about how good these cars really are? Better handling than any TR before it, more nimble than any MG of the era and as advanced as many a modern car -- all for half the price of a comparable LBC.

Shhhhhh.

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Should we be telling people about how good these cars really are?

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Heck yes! Would be nice if my car was worth (value-wise) what I had to put into it to turn it into a reliable driver. And Spiders are the rarest of the main TR lines...only about 1200 were made back in 1980. Even more rare than TR8s (about 2800 made).

[ QUOTE ]
Upside: It's the most comfortable TR by far . . . It also handles better than any other TR (with the exception of a TR8, which weighs the same, but has more torque to pull out of corners.) . . . Truly excellent cars can range up to $4500, but at that point, I would strongly suggest looking for a decent TR8. (I missed out on a $4200 TR8 in great condition a couple months ago!

[/ QUOTE ] Welcome to the forum--if you haven't posted some info about yourself, please do.

I agree with Sammy and Rich about the comfort and other good points of the TR7/TR8 twins. I bought my TR8 last year for those very reasons--a comfortable, long-distance weekend touring car that handles well, has A/C, power steering, disc brakes (though front only), and sufficient torque to enter traffic on freeways and pass cars on 2-lane roads with ease. Something my wife doesn't mind riding in for more than a mile or two--unlike my MGA. In fact, she even drove it to work shortly after I drove it home from the dealer in Texas to show it to her co-workers (in 19 years, she has never driven the MGA).

Last fall when the aspen were changing, we took the TR8 on a tour as part of the Colorado English Motoring Conclave. We drove continuously for 4 hours on a route consisting of paved, but extremely winding, mountain highways. The top was down, the sun was shining brightly, and the exhaust note was superb but we never felt tired or wind-blown, just exhilarated. On one set of hairpins, we even blew by some young guys riding those crotch-rocket motorcycles! It was a fun day and we can't wait to do it much more of it this summer.

Since I am the only one plugging the TR8, my advice would be: don't leave out the potential for buying a TR8 while you are searching for a TR7. As Sammy said, they are out there for a reasonable price if you are alert and careful. And, in my humble opinion and speaking very generally, the relative rarity of the TR8 means that many owners have taken better care of them than is the case with many of the TR7s rusting away in backyards across the country. Good luck!/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Steve is absolutely right...plus there are many go-fast parts available for the TR8 -- much more than the TR7.

TR7s have a bad reputation, but now that Cobras and V8 cars are the dream-cars du jour, the TR8 is considered more like a Sunbeam Tiger than a TR7. And it's hard to overlook that the actual V8 in the TR8 weighs less than the TR7's four-banger!

But there's at least a $2K difference...although a good TR8 purchase will yield profits if you ever decide to sell a few years down the road.

All you TR8 owners - can you answer a question? I had a new 81 TR8 (injected) that I dearly loved until children made it impossible to keep. I occasionally look longingly at them, but I'm restrained by my memories of the car. Fabulous motor, but the car was hugely under-braked and especially under-tyred. 185/70x13 IIRC. Can you get better rubber under them these days? Any options for upgrading the brakes?

Thanks in advance!

Much better rubber is available for stock wheels, including Yokohama Avid T4s (still just $42 per tire!) 185/60s allow for Sumitomo HTR High Performance tires ($35) all which are better than the junk radials offered in the early 80s.

You can also switch to other rims, and a whole host of new options are available.

As for brakes, the TR7 and TR8 will never have great stock brakes, but performance options are available, including pads.

Ok, I concede. If I had the opportunity to get a TR8 in as good a shape as my Spider is now, and only have it cost me about $2K more, I'd jump in a heartbeat. My mentor has a really nice TR8, and what the TR7 lacks in power the TR8 makes up. Unfortunately, I only have money and garage space for 1 toy...and the Spider is it. Besides, there were fewer Spiders made than TR8s (about 1200 Spiders vs. 2800 TR8s). I had to say that...otherwise my car would get jealous and break something for me to have to fix/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for the info, any and all is appreciated. In the past, I have been mainly into muscle cars, as my first car was a 70 Challenger. I've also had a few motorcyles. I've never owned a convertible, and thought this would be as much fun in the summer as a motorcyle, yet a bit safer. A few years ago I bought a 65 Dart GT convertible as a project, but I haven't been too motivated by it yet. It could be that it is more of a project than I wanted, and it has some bad history. Non-the-less, for some reason I went to Ebay and searched for TR8's and found a really nice one for about $6000.00 back east, this was about 1-2 months ago. Since then, both the TR7 and the TR8 have been on my mind. I would like the 8, however finances right now, limit me to under $3000.00, which pretty much puts it out of reach.

I'm not looking for anything perfect, but I would like to find the best deal for my money. I am mechanically inclined, so I am sure I could work on them, though I don't have any desire to break the engine down.

As far as brakes are concerned, they are utterly deplorable. Rimmers makes a caliper upgrade kit which is a bit pricey. I forget exactly which year Volvo but the late 70's early 80's 240 has 4 piston calipers that will fit the TR7. Combine those with some drilled rotors and you can actually stop the car.

I don't remember much about the 7 engine as I pulled it out of my first one back in 89 and tossed it off a cliff.

Handling, as others have said, is respectable but the electrical can be a pain.

Look closely for rust in the floorboards and under the car at the rear where the trailing arms for the differential mount to the body and inside the trunk under the spare tire.

Since you have been into muscle cars, I can't see how you would be happy with the power, or lack of, in a TR7. Since you are mechanically inclined, why not search for a TR8 that has been a bit neglected. This way, you can get the car cheaper and, over time, get her into shape.

Here ya go Wedgie

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...038149&rd=1

Re: Here ya go Wedgie

Took a quick look...this was a Calif spec non/FI one. Single carb. Fewer ponies than a dual carbed or FI TR7. Also, advertised as a Spider, but can't tell for sure without the VIN.

Re: Here ya go Wedgie

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Took a quick look...this was a Calif spec non/FI one. Single carb. Fewer ponies than a dual carbed or FI TR7.

[/ QUOTE ]Also shows "8 cylinders" in the description, which obviously it is not. With that single carb engine, this one might be a good candidate for a 3.9-liter Rover V-8 engine swap if it is rust-free. There are some drivable late '80s-early '90s Range Rovers on eBay for $1K-$2K. That gives you a larger-displacement aluminum V-8 and newer throttle body FI to boot. Check with Wedgeparts and https://lotus.www.50megs.com/DDFab.htm for conversion kits and upgrades for the TR7. Only problem is that the Range Rovers shown are all automatics.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif One question: would the disc brakes from a Range Rover fit the TR7/TR8 if larger diameter wheels were used? I believe the ones from a Rover 3500 SD1 will fit and I have seen TR7-V8 conversions with wheels as large as 16".

Wedgie, your story is "very" similar (scary similar) to mine. When I read your previous article, I thought that I was reading something I had written about myself. My first car was a Challenger (red, 72'). Fun, but a gas guzzzzzler. I just got done restoring (with my cousin and dad)a 1964 Dodge Dart GT for my uncle (not perfect, but very nice). He bought it new in 64' and had it sitting in storage. It was a big surprise. Now, I'm in the process of restoring a 1980 TR8. This is something that I always wanted. A british sports car with a V8. Whatever you decide, you'll have fun with either (whether your driving it [preferred] or fixing it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif).

Just cuz I wanna throw out another opinion with the TR7 bunch.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I definitely recommend a TR7; it's quite a fun car. I'm finishing up an engine rebuild on mine right now and have been dying to drive it since the day I parked it. I had to change the clutch and decided that with 80k on the clock, I might as well rebuild it while I've got the engine out. And of course I decided to do a few tweaks as well.

The TR7 handles very well in my opinion, although I'm no expert for sure. It's relatively quick and smooth on the freeway. It turns a lot of heads and is comfortable to sit in as well. I much prefer the dropheads to the fixedheads, but that's just opinion.

After my engine is done, my TR7 will become my daily driver. I'm replacing my 1968 Ford Falcon with the TR7.

Hope that helps!

[ QUOTE ]
Hmmmm. Should we be telling people about how good these cars really are? Better handling than any TR before it, more nimble than any MG of the era and as advanced as many a modern car -- all for half the price of a comparable LBC.

Shhhhhh.

[/ QUOTE ]

As I've been sitting in my daily 100 mile drive this spring I've gone over and over in my head what would be a cheap fun daily driver that would make my commute a little more exciting. And regardless of what my co-workers at Suzuki say, I'm not getting a bike. I may be crazy enough to want to keep a TR running but I'm not THAT crazy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I keep coming back to a TR7 convertable or TR8. I just don't want to beat the TR3 every day like that. I've had MG's in the past and they are well....gutless. Spridgets are a blast but not what I'd want to be battling the "white truck and SUV brigade" with on the freeway. A TR6 would be awesome but drivers seem to be going in the 4-5K range which would never fly with the wife. So in the under 2K range I'm left with spitfires and wedges. But unless I can find a spitfire with an O.D. I don't think I'd be that comfortable on the rare occaision that the freeway is actually up to speed.

Wedges keep coming to mind as the best bang for the buck.

And I don't think we need to keep it too much of a secret. Nobody but us knows what they are or how fun they are.

My question is...

What kind of gas mileage do you get in a TR8?