Someone Talk Me Out of This

[AngliaGT]

Cars are dropping like flies around here -
- I keep coming back to a '77 Tr7 that's been for sale
for some time (FHC).5 speed,excellent interior.
Asking price is down to $1295.Stop me before I do
something stupid.

- Doug

 

[100DashSix]

It sounds like you guys out west always get the good deals...and your cars are so rust free.

 

[JamesWilson]

Stop me before I do
something stupid.

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Like not buying it?

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

 

[NickMorgan]

You've come to the wrong place. Buy it, buy it!!!

 

[Tinkerman]

He who hesitates fails to have a fun car to drive. BUY IT!!!

 

[stever_sl]

Talk you out of it? Okay, fair enough. The 77 was Speke-built. Their quality problems are legendary. If anyone's interested I can run through the receipts I had during my first 6 months of ownership when mine was new in late 1976, it's quite a list. They have sluggish acceleration compared to other 2-seaters, most especially if the one you're looking at (being in California) has the single-carburetor setup that was mandated for your state back then. Some of the parts are becoming hard to find (whatever you do, don't smash the right rear quarter panel!) and you may find yourself shunned at your local Brit car club because a lot of people still don't consider Wedges, most especially non-convertibles, to be "real" British sport cars. They're prone to rust from the inside out, so by the time you see the first bubbles in the paint you have a major emergency on your hands. The headlights are troublesome; the ignition generally gets replaced with modern electronics because of computer problems. The cars are notorious for overheating. The trunk is a joke.

But if you don't buy this car you'll kick yourself forever. It's still stylish by today's standards, 30+ years after its introduction. It has oceans of room inside. It's comfortable to drive and lots of fun to throw around curves. It's very adaptable to engine conversions if you decide you need more power. It's easy to work on, compared to anything being sold today.

I still have my 76 Speke-built TR7 and I can't imagine being without it. It's outlasted 2 wives and 3 jobs. It's seen my daughters be born, grow up and move out. It's been a garage queen for a long, long time but someday I'm going to find the money to get its body and mechanical work done so it can be on the road again. It's part of the family.

Buy the car!!!

- Steve Richardson
St Louis MO
76 TR7 (original owner)

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Talk you out of it? Okay, fair enough. The 77 was Speke-built. Their quality problems are legendary. If anyone's interested I can run through the receipts I had during my first 6 months of ownership when mine was new in late 1976, it's quite a list. They have sluggish acceleration compared to other 2-seaters, most especially if the one you're looking at (being in California) has the single-carburetor setup that was mandated for your state back then. Some of the parts are becoming hard to find (whatever you do, don't smash the right rear quarter panel!) and you may find yourself shunned at your local Brit car club because a lot of people still don't consider Wedges, most especially non-convertibles, to be "real" British sport cars. They're prone to rust from the inside out, so by the time you see the first bubbles in the paint you have a major emergency on your hands. The headlights are troublesome; the ignition generally gets replaced with modern electronics because of computer problems. The cars are notorious for overheating. The trunk is a joke.

But if you don't buy this car you'll kick yourself forever. It's still stylish by today's standards, 30+ years after its introduction. It has oceans of room inside. It's comfortable to drive and lots of fun to throw around curves. It's very adaptable to engine conversions if you decide you need more power. It's easy to work on, compared to anything being sold today.

I still have my 76 Speke-built TR7 and I can't imagine being without it. It's outlasted 2 wives and 3 jobs. It's seen my daughters be born, grow up and move out. It's been a garage queen for a long, long time but someday I'm going to find the money to get its body and mechanical work done so it can be on the road again. It's part of the family.

Buy the car!!!

- Steve Richardson
St Louis MO
76 TR7 (original owner)

Now, WHO can argue with <span style='font-size: 26pt'> THAT??!! </span>

DO IT!!!

 

[Guest]

So Doug, what Steve is trying to say is...Wives may come and go, children will be born raised and go off on their own...but even a badly built Speke plant TR7 is a friend for life.

 

[stever_sl]

Now, WHO can argue with <span style='font-size: 26pt'> THAT??!! </span>

DO IT!!!

Hey, your tag says "Clarksville TN"... There's a blue TR8 on eBay right now from Clarksville -- any connection????

- Steve Richardson

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Now, WHO can argue with <span style='font-size: 26pt'> THAT??!! </span>

DO IT!!!

Hey, your tag says "Clarksville TN"... There's a blue TR8 on eBay right now from Clarksville -- any connection????

- Steve Richardson

Sort of. That's Brad Wilson's car. Brad owns Wedgeparts, and has been a huge help to me in getting mine sorted out, as well as supplying parts. He sold one of his conversions to Forum member DNK, and has sold off several other projects. This one may be his last one, so I'm not sure what he's going to do if it sells.

 

[PATR8]

Does Brad still have the SD1 that was on his web site?

 

[tdskip]

Did someone say SD1!?!?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Does Brad still have the SD1 that was on his web site?

Yep - as far as I know. He was going to install another 3.9 (on ebay now), but I'm not sure what his plans are for it. Needs some cosmetic help, but otherwise not bad.

 

[AngliaGT]

This car is on a car lot.It was traded in on a pickup
(to move with).I've had this car in the back of my mind since I first looked at it.There's a stack of receipts with it.
The BIG deal is that this would be the daily driver.

- Doug

 

[Guest]

For $1295 if you really wanted it, it would be in your driveway by now. Don't buy it. You'll get buyers remorse soon after something goes wrong with it. You have already talked yourself out of it and are hoping somebody else will buy it so you wont have to make a decision.
DR. Phil

 

[DanNagy]

An LBC as a daily driver? To get to work? If you are on a time card you might consider some emergency form of transportation.... ummm... just in case.

 

[DanNagy]

P.S. I agree with Dr. Stirkle.

 

[Hasbeen]

It is over 8 years since I owned a daily driver other than a TR7, &/or a TR8. None of them have left me stuck, although dirty fuel in one of them did try.

My present car had been off the road for 3 years, when I bought it, 6 years ago. I spent 7 months doing it up, [its not "restored"], & its been my daily driver ever since.
It is the most pleasant long distance car I have ever owned.

Don't be a wimp! Live life on the wild, & dangerous side! Buy that car!
Life's too short to miss your chances, & you don't want to die wondering. Buy it tomorrow.

Phil.

 

[Guest]

Don't be a wimp! Live life on the wild, & dangerous side! Buy that car!
Life's too short to miss your chances, & you don't want to die wondering. Buy it tomorrow.

Phil.

I think it's more realistic to ask someone to talk you out of outbidding the high bidder or bidding up to the reserve on this.

TR6

 

[swift6]

An LBC as a daily driver? To get to work? If you are on a time card you might consider some emergency form of transportation.... ummm... just in case.

My TR8 has been my daily driver since I got it. It replaced my non-LBC daily driver that got totaled when I was rear ended while sitting at a stoplight. Even when I had a non-LBC as a daily driver, my TR6 still saw more use and mileage than my designated 'daily driver'. I used to put 8-10K a year on my TR6 and 3-4K on my non-LBC. Did that for nearly ten years. Now, I put 8-10K a year on my TR8 and 3-4K on my TR6. They are the only two cars that I own. All Triumph, all the time.

I do see the wisdom in eventually having another non-LBC. But for right now I am really enjoying my Triumphs. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif