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It's An Outrage!

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U

urchin

Jedi Trainee
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Did anyone else receive a complimentary copy of Classic Motorsports? In their January 2005 issue, they've identified the "Top 50 Sports Cars." Predictably, they've omitted the TR-7/TR-8 while including such dogs as three different Mustangs and the Camaro Z-28.

Hello?!

Has anyone on their staff ever driven one? The main criteria can't include performance because the MGB was listed as #1. They can't include build quality because they included the Lotus Europa, the delectable, appealing, frustrating car for which the phrase "good riddance" was coined originally. It can't be longevity because the Datsun 240-Z made the list, too.

It's time for all good readers of the magazine to come to the aid of the Wedge. Let's deluge them with letters of outrage that force them to add a 51rst to the list.

Jeff
 
I get the mag by subscription and have it here. The list of the top fifty reflect what the READERS have decided. No reasoning other then how the people felt about the cars. To quote part of the introductory blab..."They may not be the the fastest or best-looking cars ever. They're certainly not the most reliable, or even the most comfortable. But, to you, they are the best." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

The whole thing was done with an on-line poll. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Besides, my beloved TR3 came in at number 8, and the TR4,TR250,TR6 cars came in at number 17. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif
 
Look at it this way. If you meet up with a Mustang or Z in your TR8, they'll never know what hit em. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
I've come to the realization that no "Top X Cars" list ever makes sense.

Although, I must be honest...If I were doing a top 50 sports cars list, neither the TR7 or TR8 would be on it.

The Europa probably wouldn't either...mostly due to looks, build quality and ...umm...looks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'll have to put together my top 50 and get back to you!
 
Again, this was a readers' poll - I'm sure not at all scientific, but more a popularity contest based on those who contributed to the poll. However, my two cars, the TR3 and the MGB made the top ten (MGB #1), so I can't complain!

Lots of other interesting choices in there, though.

Mickey
 
I don't have the magazine here, but I think the Triumph TR-3 and Spitfire made the list (were there other Triumphs?).

Two Triumphs out of 50 ain't a bad showing, especially considering that Triumph's been out of business for 25 years!
 
The TR4/250/6 also made the list - somewhere in the top twenty, I think.

Mickey
 
It was a readers online poll, so of course the MGB is going to be #1. When they do greatest rock groups, expect to see the Monkeys #1, with the rubber bumper Monkeys somewhere in the top 10.
 
I never read that magazine anymore so don't have the list in front of me. But if it's a readers poll it will be skewed and not all that statistically accurate (like we're caring...) and will also reflect where in the world the majority of respondents live. Thus some fine sports cars - unfamiliar to North Americans - may get omitted from the list.

And as much I respect the Camaro and Mustang in their own way they aren't true sports cars. 99% of sports car built have come out of either Britain or Europe.
 
And as much I respect the Camaro and Mustang in their own way they aren't true sports cars. 99% of sports car built have come out of either Britain or Europe.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most of the ones I like are from England, Italy, or Germany. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/canpatriot.GIF
 
"...either Britain or Europe."

Is that like when Beavis thought Seattle wasn't part of the United States?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Look at it this way. If you meet up with a Mustang or Z in your TR8, they'll never know what hit em. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I've got something for your V8 TR7s/8s /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif . Seriously, our TR6 is a fun little car even with the 2.5L. I can't imagine how much of a blast some of these V8 conversions must be! This kind of internet polling is always going to be too subjective to make everyone happy. Don't take it as an insult. Just realize that the other owners turned out in greater numbers. It was a popularity contest, not a vehicle evaluation.
 
I don't think it should be outrageous. I wouldn't have included either the 7 or 8 in the top 50 list. On the bright side though three of my now four cars were in the top 15 on the list, my two Spitfires, and my 2002 BMW. I personally would have omited many of the cars they listed. But once again it was a reader poll.
 
I think the root of the problem is that the 75 till 78 tr7's were made at an old plant,with labor problems.The 79 till 81 tr7& 8's were much better cars, made at a modern plant, with a better workforce.But the name stuck like sin and you can still find the tr7 listed in the top 10 of WORST cars ever sold(no kidding!!) Guilt by association. Like the 77 Vega was dammed by its early models for no good reason.
MD(mad dog)
 
Is this list available online anywhere?
 
"...either Britain or Europe."

I've been told (by people from Great Britain) that they don't like being called European or being referred to as being from Europe... even though they are part of the region called Europe.

Am I correct with this? I know some of you would know...
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gifPersonally, I own 4 Triumphs, so there is some owner loyalty here. I drove 2 TR7's before I bought my first Spit. I can easily say I was not impressed. Sorry, but these cars suffer from evertthing else bad about that era that American cars do. I like the styling/looks of them but they drive like a Chevette. Sorry, my opinion. If it makes you feel better, my favorite German "lawn art", the 924-944 didn't make the list as well!(yeah, jam a V8 in one of those! https://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/The-Nightmare-Begins , I frickin' hate 'em! Wanna buy mine?) But then again, the Spit was 15th, that made me happy! The Beetle, no, the Opal's heck no. I think the Mustang GT350-500 and that particular model Z-28 deseverd mention as well. They're high $$$ classics now, and I'll never want one anyway. Just to add insult to injury, I completely murdered a TR7 in my totally stock Kia Rio at the $2004 Challenge! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I really like the idea of a TR7 although admitly I've never driven one. The only thing I'm not thrilled with would be the engine so a nice V6 or V8 transplant would be in order. Of course if I could get my hands on a genuine 5spd/FHC TR8 that would be perfect.
 
I was sitting in a barber chair in a small town and talk turned to cars. He was an enthusiast through much given to American Iron and Nascar sensibilties. I mentioned the TR7 and he recounted at length how the car had doomed the British sportscar industry through bad build, labour unrest and poor performance. When I pointed to my Java Green wedge outside the window, he squinted and said, "Oh I thought that was some sort of Miata ..."

He'd never seen a TR7 outside a car mag, much less driven one. With such common knowledge taken root in car buffs, I'm not surprised that the list left off my car.

The truth is all such lists are filtered through a brew of nostalgia, frustrated aspirations and pub talk. It's true the wedge suffered from poor build and mediocre performance. What's funny is how memory faded the fact that the TR6 topped the Lemon lists in its time and the cherished MGB performed like a truck the last decade of its life. Whenever people trash talk the TR7, I like to slip in the stat that the car handily outsold any TR before it. Go figure.

Lists aren't meant to be 'factual' they are meant to reflect the collective unconscious of sportcar lovers. It did that very well.

BTW -- I hear the bicyle was voted the top British technical innovation of all time, topping things like electricity for example /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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