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Wedge Why do people hate TR7s?

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Lou Metelko said:
...Most were sold based on the reputation of the models before it but reliability and the rust put most of the 7s in the grave well ahead of its time.
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Other than the reliability issue, one could easily make the same statement about the TR4/4A line, at least in the rust belt areas of the US!

Lou Metelko said:
Many, myself included, blame the TR7 for the demise of the grand old name....
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Maybe it's because I've long been a champion of "lesser" Triumphs (the family cars and such), but I won't blame the fall of the Triumph name on the Wedge, at least not based on those sales figures! :smile:
 
Mark,
The TR7 had a hard time right from the start. Traditional TRs had evolved from the first concept car right through to the TR6 with only changes to the body, chassis or running gear. There was a true lineage there that could easily be traced though their production.
Then the TR7 came along. No longer was there a separate chassis. The engine dropped from a six cylinder fuel injected smooth unit, with a great exhaust note, back to a four cylinder with twin carbs. Instead of a four-speed with overdrive it was just a four speed box. It returned to a solid rear axle and horror of horrors it didn't have a soft top.
Over time the quality of the car improved, it acquired a five speed transmission and a convertible became available.
Unfortunately the traditionalists had already made up their minds about the TR7.
However, the people who criticise them tend to be the people who haven't driven one. They handle much better than any other TR, they are not much less powerful and they are a lot more comfortable and they don't rattle. I think they look pretty cool, too. They are such a bargain that I would love one myself and I think I would go for the hard-top.
Nick
 
Couple things about the TR7, you guys have covered why there are all the haters out there, lets face it the appeal of older MGs and Triumphs is all wire wheels and charm and bluff good looks, a kind of 50-60s vintage nostalgia feel that the TR7 doesn't have, they are not performance cars in the pure numbers sense anymore unless you plunk some mods on them. The TR7 is pure 70s--so doesn't have that nostalgic feel.

Anyway, my brother bought a Roadster new in '79, he drove it for quite a few years with minimal problems, it was put to bed by an accident and shoddy repairs that led to rust.

There is a lot to be said for getting a convertible instead of a coupe. There were more coupes built, but they seem to pretty much be all gone now, rarely see one for sale, the later cars (convertibles) had better build quality.

The convertibles all have 5 speeds, the 4 speed was basically a spitfire box that was barely up to snuff for the spit.

But if you get a coupe and get it going you will probably have the only one at the local show.

I think the vast majority of the coupes have gone to the scrapper.
 
Strange no one seems to have mentioned that wonderful engine design; where just not changing the coolant regularly could easily result in a repair bill higher than the value of the car ... not to mention horrible build quality (and attendant problems) in the early years. BL literally had to close the plant, because they refused to build decent cars.

A friend of mine literally sold his TR7 just because of the horror stories about reliability and repair costs circulating at the time.
TR7 is Time Magazine's 26th out of 50 worst cars of all time

Dunno about non-US performance, but the US-spec models were definitely slower than a TR6 or even a TR3. And were a total joke compared to their competition from Ford & Nissan.

But a TR8, now, or even a TR7 ragtop with a 3.5 conversion ... that I'd love to have. Gonna have to sell a Stag or two first, though.
 
I wonder how many people who are so down on Wedges have actually DRIVEN one... Regarless of what engine is in 'em...

SHEESH!

It's OK, though, keep talking 'em down. Keeps them affordable, unlike other LBC's! :wink:
 
I own two, a convertible and a hardtop, plus a parts car. When I still had the four cylinder in the convertible I could bark the tires shifting 1-2, and top speed was something over 125mph.
 
I hated them to when they came out. Now you'll have to pry my fingers from the wheel.
 
...I own an 80 7 and an 80 8. I rarely drive the 7 anymore. This spring, I turned the key after it had sat out all winter....Vroooom. It is far more tossable than my stock 8. The engine pulls willingly to 5K+, try that in a 8. The 79 and later TR7 are quality cars for the money. I have owned most everything Triumph ever made. They are all sub par in handleing compared to the TR7.....and aint that why we own em verses muscle cars.
They are NOT ugly. I suggest you and you son get a convertable then shop around for an aftermarket hardtop on Ebay or such.
 

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Man, Box - that Spider looks fantastic! I almost had my 8 painted black.

How'd you get the top boot to sit so flat - is there a top under there?
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Boy, makes me glad I got my 7 Spyder for practically nothing! Can't wait to get it from the mechanic for its maiden voyage!!!
 
Several things...

As has been covered, most that don't like them have never driven one. I speak from experience on that point as I used to not like them too. Then I drove one!

It was the shape of things to come and IT DID! If you don't think that the wedge had any affect on styling that followed it take a closer look. The low in front, high in the rear basic shape of the wedge can still be seen today! Not only in sports cars but sedans as well.

When new, the TR7 and the FIAT X1/9 were directly compared. The FIAT did have better road holding, which shouldn't be suprising as they are overgrown go-carts (and a blast to drive), but the TR7 had over all better handlling. The TR7 also equaled the Porsche 924 in handling for about half the money.

In North America the TR7 had identical horspower ratings to the entire TR line before it. Just over 100hp. It was only underpowered compared to a TR5, TR6PI and the TR8.

Yes, there were early build problems, some believe from labor sabotage since the home market non-TR7 cars built at the same plant suffered no poor build problems, but the later cars proved to be extremely reliable.

The roadsters are very comfortable cars with the top up and down. The coupes are lighter, stiffer and are better as a year round car unless you live in San Diego or similar where the weather never changes.

Laslty (for now at least), in regards to the TR7 vs the TR8. There is a myth that seems to be perpetuated by TR7 owners about TR8s. That is the weight issue of the two cars. With 5-speed versions of the TR7 being practically identical to the TR8 except for front brake rotors and calipers. The only weight difference left is the engines. Yes, the V8 is heavier. But only by 20 pounds. Triumph took care of that weight balance issue by moving the TR8's battery to the boot. So stating that the TR7 is more "tossable" simply is IMHO not very accurate, though it may feel that way since the 7 has R&P vs the 8's power assisted R&P. TR8's were also more likely to have A/C, so that could change the weight balance back to favor the TR7. Though you are no longer comparing equally equipped cars unless the TR7 also had A/C which made it worse than the TR8 as the TR7's A/C equipment was heavier than the 8's.

Bah! Enough for now. :hammer:

To the OP! I think its a great idea! Go for it. Wedges are wonderful cars! Yes I am biased. :jester: :thirsty:
 
You may get some use from this buyers' guide in your search.

Having said that, I am seriously thinking about adding an 8 to the garage. But I will put aside enough extra cash to change out the plaid upholstery.
 

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alana said:
Nooo - the plaid is what makes it cool.
80's chic baby...
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INDEED! When it came time to redo the interior on the 8, there was no question but to go back to plaid. The wife wasn't pleased, but she has her OWN car - the MGB!

They don't look right without the plaid, to me!

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...swift6, I have heard that before about the handling, and its probably correct. I just know that when I take one or the other to the lake on the same very windy roads, the 7 seems lighter,more responsive. It may be the power difference in the 8. Maybe it scares me a bit more. I think almost all late TR7's had wind......that's 60's jive for AC.
 
BOXoROCKS said:
...swift6, I have heard that before about the handling, and its probably correct. I just know that when I take one or the other to the lake on the same very windy roads, the 7 seems lighter,more responsive. It may be the power difference in the 8. Maybe it scares me a bit more. I think almost all late TR7's had wind......that's 60's jive for AC.
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I know the straight R&P on the 7 does have better "feel". The steering on the 8 is responsive though and still "feels" good as long as the whole power system is in good nick. I haven't seen enough late TR7's still with A/C to know for sure, but I believe that the TR7's used a York style compressor (heavy) vs the more modern GM style rotary (lighter) compressor. As a result, a lot of TR7's had the A/C yanked.

The TR8 is much easier to throttle steer if need be than the TR7 too. Pretty easy way to counter that factory understeer. :wink:

Oh and as an FYI, my TR8 will spin the engine to 5k quite easily. Pulls well all the way up there to it as well. Torque peak is at 3200rpm but HP peak is right at 5k on a stock 3.5 litre. That's also with the stock carbs, stock airboxes and nearing 150k miles. :driving:
 
Oh, and just for the "Tartan" haters... :nopity:

here is another gratuitous plaid photo! Enjoy! :hammer:

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though I must admit to having 'seat savers' on my seats now that happen to be all black. :smirk:
 
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