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Wedge Some TR7 Questions

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kyreb1862

kyreb1862

Jedi Knight
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I looked at an 80 model TR7 this weekend that I thought about for a project. The car had a decent looking body except for rust in the passenger foot weel. It was also missing the fresh air intake, need the breather, needed a new ignition switch, a new top and had a leaky fuel tank. On the plus side it did have a factory air set up. The fellow who owned it wanted $1300. I thought this was a bit much. I think $500 would be a bit more realistic. Opinions please.

Regards John
 
I'd look at it different...how much is it going to cost you to get it roadworthy?

1. The fuel tank may be salvable, but if not, you're looking at a decent chunk of change to replace it, especially if the car is fuel injected (personal experience).

2. How rusted are the floorpans, and will they need replacing soon? Another good chunk of change.

3. The car might have an A/C system, but does it work? If not, and you want to get it working, that could be several more hundreds of dallars (R16 recharges by themselves are expensive).

4. New top...about $300 or so...if you do it yourself.

5. The rest of the items are relatively minor and cheap.

So...add up the needed repairs, and subtract that from what you think a good shape drivable car should cost, and that should result in what you think would be a fair price.

If there's rust in the floor pans, check the front strut towers, the rockers, where the rear suspension attaches, and the bottom of the trunk well for rust too.
 
Sounds like you're nearly ready to come over to the dark side! Go with it! :smile:
It does sound a little steep for a project, rewarding as it will surely be. The footwell rust may well be a harbinger of rust elsewhere. Check the wheel wells and especially the inner panels that can't be readily seen as well as the rocker panels. Access to the fuel tank is by removing the rear axle which may be part of the resto plan anyway. As you are probably aware the mechanicals are the relatively easier and cheaper part of the project, but the 7 can be a booger in the cylinder head dept. A compression check may be illuminating as well as a check for coolant in the oil. If it runs, watch the oil pressure light closely at night. I wiped out a crank by ignoring a dim OP light, at idle on a hot engine. Could have gotten by with rods and mains, which can be done with the engine in, if I had done it right away. I paid $750.00 for my 81 with a salvage title in 2001. Good Luck
BTW The fresh air scoops used to be considered unobtainable and went for close to $100 when they'ed turn up on E-bay, but they seem to be holding a steady supply and go now for less. There have always been fiberglass replicas available also.
 
Grab it, John...

...then pop a Rover V8 in it! Talk about the DARK side! :devilgrin:

These cars never cease to amaze me. They are so undervalued, which is a great thing for us. Never mind the poor popular opinion. Once the several "infirmities" are corrected, Wedgies are fantastic fun, and very comfortable.
 
About 8 years ago I had a TR7. It was DHC with an automatic transmission. The problem with that car (besides thye fact that it was an auto)was it had gone theough to many DPO's and the wiring was a chopped up nightmare. Does anyone have any recommendations for good parts sources for these cars?

Regards John
 
Victoria British over here. Rimmer Bros. over there.

Moss and The Roadster Factory have some stuff, but fairly limited.

The Wedge Shop and TSI are smaller, specialty shops.

And then eBay, of course...
 
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