Most people love the Triumph TR6. The same can’t be said for its younger brother, the TR7, though. Why is that? Period reviews praised it and it was a much more usable design. Maybe it was the wedge shape or perhaps it had lost some of that British charm. For whatever reason, the TR7 is the least coveted of the TR line. This particular example has been parked for 44 years and is claimed to have only covered 27k miles since new! Is that enough to convince you to take another look?
Some enthusiasts complain about classic cars being too expensive. That may be true, but having a classic car hierarchy is actually a good thing. It means there will always be more affordable cars like this TR7 around. And there will always be dream cars that we can all strive for. This only becomes a problem when we all want the same cars and won’t even give alternative projects a chance. If the seller’s story is true, this TR7 could be a great place to start. Parts are cheap and plentiful and these are easy to work on.
My favorite thing about the TR7 could be the comfy cockpit. If you have ever driven a TR6, you’ll know that their interiors are pretty narrow. There’s plenty of legroom but there’s also a good chance that your shoulder will be pinned against the door. The TR7 corrected that issue with a wider body. Handling and interior comfort were also improved. Say what you will about them, but the TR7 was Triumph’s top-selling sports car, with over 100k produced!
It may have looked futuristic on the outside, but Triumph actually wanted to keep the TR7 simple enough that anyone with a toolkit could work on it. The four-cylinder engine was still fitted with dual SU carbs, and there was even a solid axle out back. That’s a good thing, too, because this car’s engine has been disassembled for some reason. It’ll be a big project, but the $1,500 asking price here on Facebook does make this garage find tempting. Would you take it on?
Just crush it
I suspect the engine was disassembled because, uh, it needed work?
I have a friend that has a TR7 race car with an LS in it. It has a junkyard 5.3 and a powerglide. It made hundreds of runs in the low-10’s, the wheelbase was too short to run quicker. He stopped racing it when it came down from a wheel stand and crushed the oil pan, then had a stroke before he could repair it.
This car look like a good deal if someone wants a low dollar starter project, that used to count for something.
Steve R
The car that killed Triumph.
British Leyland’s mismanagement and fed up employees are what killed Triumph.
Great to see my car listed here! I found this TR7 in the garage of a house for sale. Story was the owner took the engine apart to “get more out of it”. Not sure what he was thinking of doing to it, but he had a complete set of manuals and parts to “squeeze more power out of it”. A V8 would have been a better route. The daughter remembers riding in the car up until that point in 1980 when it was decommissioned. Sat in the garage ever since. If nothing else, it has lots of great parts.
Thanks for posting a bit of its background. The story makes sense. Good luck with the sale.
Steve R
How can you go wrong for $1500? No rust, good interior, just re-assemble the motor and try it out.
If you go wedge, go TR8.
BL mis-management and labor strife killed Triumph not this car.
I had one in the late 80s just out of college. I really did like the car. It did have some issues, But generally a good car. Mine was a 1980 convertible, which had much better build quality than the early years. It was comfortable, and spacious, big trunk.
One correction, it had twin Zenith Stromberg carbs, not SUs. I think that is for all,
but absolutely true for the later cars. There was some FI late as well.
The engine is an evolution of the Dolomite engine. It’s biggest problem was
it has head studs that aren’t all parallel, which leads to blown head gaskets.
I bought one of these back in ’76. Loved it! I know they got a lot of stick for being a crap car. I’m pretty sure the 4 Spd trans was out of a 1500 cc Spitfire. Obviously a weak link (mine was fine) Mine handled great. Very comfortable. Not the fastest car in a straight line. At $1500 this thing is a steal. The big question is: What engine would you swap into it? I’d go for a Honda S2000 engine and trans
I wonder if the Rover V8/Buick 3.5 l would work. I mean the TR8 followed this model.
I think the TR8 has upgraded brakes & axel over the TR7.
If it isn’t rusty it is a good deal. The TR 7 was a much better car than it’s reputation.
NOPE! Owned one, never again.
Crying out for an engine swap!
Own a 80 tr7 convertible for 10 yrs now this would make a great parts car for $300 you don’t just throw a tr7 motor together and drive it! It’s quite a process to get one running correctly the earlier 7’s are big trouble to boot
Where is this car located? I am not on FB, and I will never be on FB.
Seattle,Washington.
I wish that the editors would always list the location
of their postings.
Thank you!
If someone in Florida buys this, I have a 1980 parts car, with complete, usable engine and 5-speed trans that they can have. I mean, like free! Wife wants it out of the driveway before code enforcement tickets me. I have another as my daily driver. Both are AC cars (not working).
Also have restored TR3A and project Herald Sport 1200. Did not get my LBC Flu shot so can’t resist them.