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Wedge TR-7 coupe?

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SilentUnicorn

SilentUnicorn

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Sup all? I kinda slid over from the spridget forum...anywho

a gentleman just stopped by, and asked if i was interested in a tr7. He said it was not a convertable. it runs ad drives. i am going to go take a look at it tommorrow after work. My question is are they worth anything? What areas to look at as far as rust? i have no desire to own this car, so if any out there have an interest let me know.



mark
 
It's definatly worth 'something'.....how much depends on condition...Of all british sportscars this is proabably the least valuable...But some swear by them, and I wouldn't mind one as a DD.
 
TR7 are fun and reliable cars if you watch the temp guage. the 1976 had a 4 speed and is the least desired. Rust, look at the front strut towers and doors. The 7s are cheap, under 1500 for a fair one that runs.
 
thanks fellas.


mark
 
[ QUOTE ]
The 7s are cheap, under 1500 for a fair one that runs.

[/ QUOTE ]The only coupes really worth having came with a 3.5-liter V-8--they only built 150. They were the factory demonstrators for the TR-8 and I think each dealer got only one. If you can find one of those for $1500, BUY IT!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
If you find a TR7 with a V8 in it straight from the factory you would have a great deal for $8000.
 
this one kinda bustsed on me. Just got back from looking at it. 4 cl, twin carb 77, been sitting in the grass for "awhile" it wasnt seized and appears to all be there....but would have taken a bit of TLC to make it road worthy, i passed. Thanx all for the advice.




mark

PS i could have owned it for 50 bucks....
 
If you narrow it down a little I will let woody cooper know and he may scoop it up for his collection
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The 7s are cheap, under 1500 for a fair one that runs.

[/ QUOTE ]The only coupes really worth having came with a 3.5-liter V-8--they only built 150. They were the factory demonstrators for the TR-8 and I think each dealer got only one. If you can find one of those for $1500, BUY IT!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

While I agree with the statement, it doesn't seem to hold where the value of the car is concerned. The convertibles still bring more money and are generally thought to be more attractive. Though from a driving standpoint, the coupe is lighter and stiffer than the convertible. It is also, as are all 'wedges', extremely comfortable as a DD. Especially when it has functional factory A/C like mine does. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Most of the pre-production coupes were driven by BL employees/executives in Leonia New Jersey for testing purposes. Mike Cook has some fun stories about him having one. The pre-production coupes are known as 'ACN' cars as that is the first three letters of their chassis ID and Numbering scheme. (Triumph didn't switch to true 'VIN' numbers until mid 1979). The first 160 or so production TR8's were all coupes. These cars carry a prefix of TCN. MY TR8 was built in December of 1978 and is TCN150015, making it the 15th production TR8. I believe Ted Schumacher has both TCN150001 and TCN 150002. By early/mid 1979 when the convertible went into production, coupe production ceased. All remaining TR8's were convertibles. Somewhere between 300-400 TR8 coupes were made in total, including production, pre-production and early testing mules. Unfortunately the records are not too clear on this since production took place in three factories, Speke, Canley and Solihull.

BTW, to illustrate that the V8 car was intended from the beginning, there are photos of a four cylinder car and V8 car under going testing in Wales, side by side, in 1973.

The current issue of Classic and Sports Car has a large article on the three factory 'Wedge' variants. The four cylinder, the V8 and the truly rare, factory Sprint models that used the 16 valve Dolomite Sprint engine. Giving almost as much HP as the V8, but quite a bit less torque. I've read varying numbers on the production numbers of the TR7 Sprints. Though less than 50 is very safe to say.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
MY TR8 was built in December of 1978 and is TCN150015, making it the 15th production TR8.

[/ QUOTE ]
Shawn: I hope you bring your TR8 to the 23rd Annual Colorado English Motoring Conclave on September 17. We usually have 4 or 5 TR-8s. but all are convertibles.

If you park it with the BMCNC cars, I probably won't see it as I am on the Conclave organizing committee and usually have time to see only the cars parked near mine. However, I would really enjoy seeing your car in person (I saw the Web photos) and talking to you more about it. And, due to its rarity (and color!), I think you could easily get a first-place ribbon if you are in the TR7/8 class.

BTW, a Forum member who lives in Layton, Utah, has a Sprint. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
My TR8 is a coupe TCN 160133 built in November of 79 so some coupes were produced after early 79. Where did the UCF come from on the VINS? I am not sure any SPRINTS ever made it to the states. That was a great, informative post. It is always fun to find some one smart on 8s that can make us novices smarter
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
MY TR8 was built in December of 1978 and is TCN150015, making it the 15th production TR8.

[/ QUOTE ]
Shawn: I hope you bring your TR8 to the 23rd Annual Colorado English Motoring Conclave on September 17. We usually have 4 or 5 TR-8s. but all are convertibles.

If you park it with the BMCNC cars, I probably won't see it as I am on the Conclave organizing committee and usually have time to see only the cars parked near mine. However, I would really enjoy seeing your car in person (I saw the Web photos) and talking to you more about it. And, due to its rarity (and color!), I think you could easily get a first-place ribbon if you are in the TR7/8 class.

BTW, a Forum member who lives in Layton, Utah, has a Sprint. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been there every year since 1996 except 1999, I was in Yellowstone with my TR6 that year. Been pondering which car to take. If I take my TR6 I was thinking of putting it in the 'champion circle' area if that will be there again.

Last year I took my TR8. There were at least 8 wedges there at my last count and I think a few others showed up later. Interestingly enough, the majority of the wedges there were TR8's (just). There were two coupes though. While mine was the only TR8 coupe, the other coupe was a Sprint Clone, built and owned by Rocky Mountain Triumph Club member Bob Klie.

The last two years I've parked with the Triumphs. The BMCNCers are hollering at me to re-join their parking area on the field though. Oh the pressure of being pulled between two clubs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
My TR8 is a coupe TCN 160133 built in November of 79 so some coupes were produced after early 79. Where did the UCF come from on the VINS? I am not sure any SPRINTS ever made it to the states. That was a great, informative post. It is always fun to find some one smart on 8s that can make us novices smarter

[/ QUOTE ]

So many sources of info and so many disagreements. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Nothing like some first hand knowledge to try and correct the horrible state of records from the era. From what I gathered from all the different pieces of info, there is real confusion on some of the numbers. Supposedly there were only about 160 production coupes, TCN150001-TCN150160. The question is if all 160 were ever built or if they skipped a few numbers. Then there are all the time discrepancies as well. It would make for some entertaining sleuthing in the BMHIT Archives.

As for the UCF designation... That is for equipment codes and from what I have been able to put together through research and help from TR8CCA members, U=North American specification, C=California Emissions and F=Five Speed. Some of the sources say that Coupes were never destined for California for emissions reasons as all coupes were supposed to be carbed and California practically dictated the cars be Fuel Injected. However I have found mention of different mixture needles for California carbed cars. Again the exact history seems to be fuzzy. My title showed UCF but my car only showed UF. It took some doing but I was finally able to get my title corrected to match the car.

As far as smart on the 8... I've only had my TR8 for just over a year but when I get hooked on a car then I sort of go into overdrive in researching it. Luckily, I also have been blessed with a high comprehension and retention rate when I read. The books I've gathered, the period magazine articles that I have read etc... I've been able to piece together a reasonable knowledge of wedges. A knowledge that with any luck will continue to grow. Sometimes I call it fun, other times I want to rip my eyes out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Ted knows all, but I have been researching since I bought mine. There used to be a real nice site where you could post your car with vin. The guy with the site probably had the most complete collection of vins. There was very few Coupes but Ted verified mine and I was able to track down the original owner in rochseter NY. Ted used to be big on the engine serial numbers to track the cars from clones. It is funny that the Triumph guys screwed up thier records so badly no one can tell how many cars they even made
 
found one site that tracks some vins:
https://www.trdrivers.com/tr7___tr8_vin_numbers.htm#1978

Another difference is that, while different models of Speke-built cars each had their own distinctive series of Chassis numbers, it would appear (when comparing with the official production figures) that different models built at Canley shared one chassis number series, or else that there were large gaps in the number series which have yet to be discovered. For this reason, the possible production figures by chassis numbers have not been quoted below.

1. 'TCG', TR7 coupe for home market, Europe and Australia.

TCG 100001 to 114122 (Oct 78 to Oct 79)

2. 'TCW', TR7 coupe for North American markets.

TCW 100001 to 115604 (Oct 78 to Oct 79)

3. 'TCN', TR8 coupe for North American markets.


TCN
150001 to 150198 (78 model year)



160001 to 160142 (79 model year)


N.B. It is likely that most of these numbers were not used.



4. TCT', TR7 convertible for North American markets.


1979
m.y.: TCT 100001 to 105825 (Jan 79 to Jun 79)


1980
m.y.: TCT 110001 to 115897 (Jun 79 to Oct 79)


N.B.
It is questionable how many of these cars there were.



79 model year had their own Comm. number series



80 model year shared with Comm. number series with TCG and TCW.



5. 'TCV', TR8 convertible for the North American markets
 
See how confusing it can all be. Sort of fun at the same time. Even though there were '78 and '79 model years according to Triumph, the earliest TR8 according to the US gov't is 1980 as they weren't launched until late-mid '79 as 1980 models. Even though the state agreed to change my title to reflect the 'VIN' on the car, they refused to title it as a 1978, it had to be a 1980. When I've checked cross reference parts sources and such the earliest year listed for TR8s continue to be 1980. If you tell them you have a 1978 TR8 they tell you that it doesn't exist. It's easier to just say its an '80 most of the time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif

Regardless, true TR8 coupes are few and far between. The chap I bought mine from was the second owner and owned it from 1982. It was originally purchased in Denver and was originally registered in Granby and then in Castlerock from '82 until I bought it. So it's been a Colorado car since day one.

One of the guys in the TR8CCA has had a running list of VINs and showed only one other TR8 Coupe in Colorado and it was for sale on Ebay a few years ago. Not sure if it is still in the state or not.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
THe TR8CCA guys are good guys too, when I bought mine I realized how far over my head I was and joined. Been a memeber since. They have done a few VIN reports too. I remember seeing a TR8 for the first time. I was at FT benning and heard it come rumblng into the parking lot. All the battalion Commanders all had little project cars (The sporty Volvo was popular) but this commander took the cake when bought the 8.

I have seen at least one other Coupe here in Western PA but I am not sure if he is a real 8 or a clone. The owner is not paricularly frinedly so we have not really chatted much.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The last two years I've parked with the Triumphs. The BMCNCers are hollering at me to re-join their parking area on the field though. Oh the pressure of being pulled between two clubs.

[/ QUOTE ]
I guess I just didn't get back to the Triumph area soon enough to see your car last year. Mine was the first Triumph there as I had to work the parking lot and when I got back there, it was one of two wedges left. Oh well, I'll try to get an earlier break this year.

We are having the winner's circle again and you should have been contacted by now if you were a class winner last year. Hope to see you there! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

My first Conclave was 1986, the year I bought my MGA. But I missed a few in the 1990s. It is the best event going for British cars in Colorado, so I hope the weather is as cooperative as usual.
 
My TR8 hasn't won any awards. It looks better in the photos and not enough people like the coupes. I guess we all can't be perfect. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

Last year my TR8 was parked on the end of the wedge row right next to the main walkway. What color is your TR8?

My TR6 took First place in 2002, 3rd in 2003 and second in 2004. I also got a first place for early TR6 from the RMTC in 2004. The other places mentioned were all Conclave popular choice awards. The first and third both came while parked with the BMCNC. The year I got 3rd, the BMCNC was pushed all the way to the far east side of Memorial Park, even past the Kit Cars. Given that location I thought 3rd was still very respectable. In 2004, when I got 2nd, I was parked with the Triumphs. The TR6 competition was getting very good and it seemed that people were getting used to mine. I understand now why cars have to continually evolve to keep winning. I also recieved a first from RMTC that year and I think they finally started warming up to the triple strombergs and non factory color. There have also been many more modified TR6's showing up lately. Which doesn't bother me at all really.

Is the winners circle only for the previous years cars? Or any past class winner? I just recieved my Conclave info packet and registration stuff yesterday. Seemed a little late this year. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Shawn: The Conclave packets were about two weeks late getting out this year. The Winner's Circle is just for last year's first place cars in each category to give someone else a chance to win each class this year, It also pits all the best cars against each other, regardless of marque, something that no other class, except BMCNC, does. It was great to see Triumphs and MGs competing against big Healeys and Jaguars last year.

Yea, BMCNC got a bad spot that last year at Memorial Park, but that won't happen again as the city won't let any cars on the grass there now. Too bad since it was a great park--lots of shade, the creek, plenty of parking, and no complaining neighbors. However, this may be our last year at Oak Park too--the city is not happy with trucks towing trailers over the grass and sprinkler system there.

So, next year, we may have to move out of Arvada for the first time in 25 years. We are looking at parks belonging to several recreation districts in the Wheatridge/Golden area for next year--still north, but nearer I-70. Don't want you "almost Wyomingites" to have to drive any farther than you already drive!

BTW, my TR8 is a light steel-blue 1980 convertible with the wheels painted the body color. I had a 3rd place ribbon on it when I got back to it last year, but I am still not convinced that someone who didn't want to settle for 3rd didn't just take it off their windshield and stick it on mine! Or that maybe people voted for my windshield card giving info on the history of the TR8 and its engine, instead of the actual condition of the car.

I bought it 2 1/2 years ago from Sportscar Warehouse in Arlington, Texas, and everything except the radio, tires, and paint respray were still original. It apparently sat in a garage for some years before SW got it as the mileage was only 96,000 when I bought it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
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