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Wedge So it spreads... Hello, looking at TR7s

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Wow, thanks for all the advice! Quite a bit to digest, but I appreciate the comments. Especially interesting are the various personal experiences and your mention of car shows near Va., Todd. There was one I went to with my father out in Middleburg--the Hunt Country Classic show. I remember seeing many Triumphs there, but at the time I didn't know that much about TR7s or 8s. (Besides, I was mostly distracted by a black MG with an extremely well done Rover V8 conversion and a really nice bumper kit, if I remember correctly.)

High on my list of things to do is find a TR7 or 8 nearby (or at a show) and see how it feels. What I've seen so far agrees with the comments here: LBC owners are happy to talk to other LBC owners, and I think people like seeing that someone young is interested in this previous generation of cars.
 
100DashSix said:
(Besides, I was mostly distracted by a black MG with an extremely well done Rover V8 conversion and a really nice bumper kit, if I remember correctly.)
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Chris Hughes' car. Quite an impressive car!

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Interesting. I have a friend who started out with the idea of putting a Rover V8 into an MGB and ended up buying a TR8. He later bought a TR7 coupe that had been converted to the GM version. Autocross car.

He really likes Chris' MGB V8.
 
Hi,

Here's a link to a nice TR8 for sale. See the bottom of the page. The price is in Canadian $.

TR8 For Sale

These guys have a good reputation, and I don't have any affiliation with them whatsoever.

Cheers.
 
Nice cars AND prices...

I LIKE this color...may the beatings begin...
 

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Hmmm...can someone explain the decals on the hood and trunk? Specifically, I want to make sure that the cars I'm looking at are actually the late model Triumphs, as I've heard that sometimes the owners list them falsely but don't change the logos.

Correct me if I'm wrong: there's the "TR7" on the back for the early cars, the circular, raised logo on the bonnet for middle, and the golden text "Triumph" on the bonnet for late.

YankeeTR, your TR7 (looks good, by the way--nice interior color) has that raised logo; what year is it?
 
Only coupes were available from 75 to 79. 75 thru mid 77 they only came in four speeds. I'd stay away from those unless it is an ultra clean car. A few of those have popped up recently. In 79, the convertible became available with a black dash board, the early interior colors, and a single bulge hood. They were all 79s, but some were titled as 80s. The 79's started their VIN with TCT.... The 1980 cars adopted the TR8's double bulge hood and recieved the tan and blue paid interiors. They also got the grey dash, and most got the moto lita steering wheel. Some also got the TR8 alloy wheels(13X5.5). In 1980 the TR7 Spider(black paint, red stripes, and grey interior) was a limited edition. The 80's VIN started TPVD.... The 81's got a pleated interior, new paint colors, fuel injection, and different door and trunk locks. Those are the one's with the plastic badges on the nose. The 81's VIN started SAT.... Most of the early converts are in funky colors like yellow, sky blue, orange, maroon, white, dark green, and brown. Most of the 80's are the same as the TR8s, and came mostly in the TR8 metalic colors of aqua blue, green, gold, and silver. There were also some that still came in the earlier 70's stlye colors. The 81's had the best colors of all. There are not too many of these cars around. A really clean 81 fuel injected convertible may take years to find here on the East coast. If you are looking for a particular color, you may never find it. If I ever see cavalry blue or an aran beige one come up for sale, I would find the money some how to buy it.
 
100DashSix said:
Hmmm...can someone explain the decals on the hood and trunk? Specifically, I want to make sure that the cars I'm looking at are actually the late model Triumphs, as I've heard that sometimes the owners list them falsely but don't change the logos.

Correct me if I'm wrong: there's the "TR7" on the back for the early cars, the circular, raised logo on the bonnet for middle, and the golden text "Triumph" on the bonnet for late.

YankeeTR, your TR7 (looks good, by the way--nice interior color) has that raised logo; what year is it?
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The TR7's are badged as such on the trunk lid, as are the TR8's. Early 7's had either "TR7" or "TRIMPH TR7" on the right-hand side. Later 7's and all 8's had "TRIUMPH" on the left, and either "TR7" or "TR8" on the right. On the front, between the headlights, up until '81, when the Canley factory closed, and they moved production to Solihull, the TR7's had a laurel wreath decal, and the 8's had a large version of the TR8 decal. Cars built in Solihull had a small Triumph badge. Colors of the decals were either black, gold, or silver. Also, on the TR8's, there were two decals behind the front wheels - the Triumph laurel wreath above one that said "3.5 LITRE".

Mickey
 
After having owned serveral British cars and enduring their (ahem) "personalities", I swore I'd never own another. Then I had a chance encounter with a TR8 and I knew I was back (see my sig). The TR7/TR8 is a complete departure, in my opinion from traditional LBC design, some of it good, some of it not so good.
On the good side...#1, at least for the TR8, it actually has some grunt to it. The poor TR7 is unfortunately cursed with an anemic, troublesome 2L four, but these are quite readily changed out for the Rover V-8 or a more spirited four. Also on the good side is that they are actually quite comfortable, not to Lexus standards but they have a ride that British car guys just never expect.

However, in my opinion, this comfort comes at the cost of handling. My TR8 handles like a '57 Buick, but with some common suspension upgrades (uprated springs & shocks, urethane bushings) it'll handle much better without compromising the ride too much. One thing everybody loves about the car is the steering, very tight and responsive without requiring Popeye arms.

Downside...#1, electrical by Lucas, you'd think they'd have learned by the '80's. Some of the detail workmanship and materials are low quality, but these are mostly cosmetic things and, for the most part, things you're probably going to redo anyway unless you get a completely original ready-to-drive car.

I can't say the wedges have made a true believer out of me, but they were good enough to actually give a TR another chance, and from a guy who swore he'd never have another that says quite a bit.

Not that you should look to these cars as an investment as your first priority, but I think they are undervalued. I just gave an almost running '81 TR7 with 25,000 miles away (for a friend) and it broke my heart, but these things are going to go up in value as they become older and more rare, especially the 8's. I agree, you almost have to happen onto an 8 these days but keep your eyes open and they'll pop up once in awhile. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Tom
 
100DashSix said:
Hmmm...can someone explain the decals on the hood and trunk? Specifically, I want to make sure that the cars I'm looking at are actually the late model Triumphs, as I've heard that sometimes the owners list them falsely but don't change the logos.

Correct me if I'm wrong: there's the "TR7" on the back for the early cars, the circular, raised logo on the bonnet for middle, and the golden text "Triumph" on the bonnet for late.

YankeeTR, your TR7 (looks good, by the way--nice interior color) has that raised logo; what year is it?
Click to expand...
'81 with fuel injection and a five speed.
 
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