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Wedge "TR7 End of an Era" Hemmings article

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GTP1960

GTP1960

Jedi Knight
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Just saw this very thorough write up on the last years of Triumph glory:

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hsx/2015/09/End-of-an-Era/3748926.html?refer=hsxweekly

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I had one of the early ones, a 1975, which I got cheap a few years after, sans engine. Don't know what what happened to it but found a replacement engine (that cost more than the car) and got everything working.
In those days not a collector car er even an additional one but my only car for quite a few years. Had the usual issues, leaky head gasket, (fixed by re-torque), finicky headlight mechanism, and jumped timing but still fondly remembered. It had a degree of comfort drive-ability not found in my previous cars.
I wonder why I don't now have one, perhaps will check the Hemmings ads.
Tom
 
As I've said before, I loved the TR8 I had. If it weren't for buying the GT from Tony Barnhill's estate, I'd still have the TR8. Paul Rego (Brosky), a member here who's not posted in quite a while, bought it from me.
 
TR8 is on my bucket list.
i think Triumph had worked the bugs out of the Wedge by 1980 & the extra power of the Rover V-8 is impressive.
plus like the author, Mr. McCourt, points out these cars can still be had at a bargain price.

BTW: Mickey, I'm curious how you would compare the B-GT to the 8? & why you made the swap?
 
GTP1960 said:
TR8 is on my bucket list.
i think Triumph had worked the bugs out of the Wedge by 1980 & the extra power of the Rover V-8 is impressive.
plus like the author, Mr. McCourt, points out these cars can still be had at a bargain price.

BTW: Mickey, I'm curious how you would compare the B-GT to the 8? & why you made the swap?
Click to expand...

No real comparison; the TR8 is much quicker (though I've fixed that with the V6 conversion), front seats are roomier, ride is more comfortable.

Part of the reason for the purchase was emotional; Tony and Jerri and Janet and I had built a great friendship, traveled together, and were planning more trips before his death. Plus, I wanted a closed body vehicle with A/C to make longer trips, and to be able to enjoy in all weather situations, and thought it pretty neat to have both MGB body styles. If there were any way financially possible, though, I definitely would've kept the TR8.
 
I sure miss Paul. Hope all is well with him.
 
mrv8q said:
I sure miss Paul. Hope all is well with him.
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Yeah, he (I assume you mean "Brosky") has been off the forum for a while. I think Don (DNK) keeps up with him. And I have seen on his website that he apparently still has the 8.
 
Mickey Richaud said:
Yeah, he (I assume you mean "Brosky") has been off the forum for a while. I think Don (DNK) keeps up with him. And I have seen on his website that he apparently still has the 8.
Click to expand...

still posting on 6-Pack although less frequently...

Cheers
Tush
 
Good to hear avout Paul, thanks, gents! He was very helpful to me in my TR6 owning days.

My TR7 story. Moving into my first apartment, I had a '76 2002, and a neighbor had a '77 TR7. We parked next to each other in the lot, and knew each other as car enthusiasts. He loved that TR7.

Over the the next couple of years, I jumped his battery more than a few times, due to a constant electrical drain. There was a Triumph dealer still around then he took the car to.

He never had to jump the 2002...
 
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In 1980, My wife and I left Florence, OR in our 76 TR7 on the way to San Francisco for our first vacation in many years. 100 miles south, on US 101 North of Gold Beach, as I pulled out from getting a speeding ticket cruising thru the curves, the car illuminated the oil pressure warning light, made a horrible noise, and quit. Long story short, it had split the #1 main bearing length wise down the oil channel, spit the bearing half into the timing chain, and lunched the engine. Ever heard of that before? None the less, I had 2 more 7's and three 8's over the years because I thought it was a great "modern" Triumph. 16 years later my youngest son and I drove a hastily restored TR8 that hadn't run in 5 years 44 hours, non stop straight from Michigan to Oregon and back 2 weeks later with no problems at all. Montana speed limits were un restricted at the time and we cruised thru Montana for hours at 115/120. Now, another son has just purchased a rust free 1980 in Eugene, OR for $800 and just sent me a a CL listing for a rust free 1980 with a Buick v6 that sold for $450. As some of you might know, I'm into a 10 restoration on my 57 Small Mouth, have had 6 or 7 TR3's, a couple of 4's , and 2 TR6's along with 2 XKE's a few MGB's etc etc. But you know, I would love to have another 7 or 8.
 
bnw said:
As some of you might know, I'm into a 10 restoration on my 57 Small Mouth, have had 6 or 7 TR3's, a couple of 4's , and 2 TR6's along with 2 XKE's a few MGB's etc etc. But you know, I would love to have another 7 or 8.
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Dang, bnw, you're living my dream life! i had trouble juggling just the TR3 and the TR6 in the same garage!
Good on ya!:encouragement:
 
My Tr7 has been in the family since 88. The boys drove it to HS and latter college.
we all learned lessons, like never drive with a ruptured hose even on a cold day!!
many years later it got converted to a chump car and given new life on the race track
We call it the Triata since it has the heart of a 96 Miata in it now .Finished 4th in class
at Hallette in Oct after 16 hrs of racing.
MD
 
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