A classy event calls for a classy car. A retro ride fit for a tea party could be this wedge-shaped, scone looking 1981 Triumph TR7 Convertible. Located in Chester, Maryland with an asking price of $6,500, you can buy this British beauty and be a James Bond want to be. The mileage sits at 91,000 miles. It has no rust and is a two owner car, originally from Texas. This smells like a deliciously good deal. Thank you Rocco B. for the tip. You can view the listing on Craigslist.
Mechanically, this car has lots of parts that have been rebuilt. Some of those parts include the injectors, water pump, brakes, and suspension. The four-cylinder engine has had cylinder heads rebuilt with ARP head bolts. It is mated to a manual transmission. However, it does not specify if it is the standard 4-speed manual, or optional 5 speed. It does have factory air conditioning. All of these wonderful details are just like blueberries or better yet, chocolate chips in a scone.
There were 28,864 convertibles produced. In the beginning, it was looking like there wouldn’t be any produced. The United States was tossing around legislation regarding rollover regulations in 1975 and so Triumph held off making convertibles until 1979. That only left two years for any drop tops to be made because the production of the TR7 ended in 1981. The top is in great shape. This example has a wonderful interior and has had the seat cushions rebuilt.
The owner states the car gets 30 mpg and is comfortable for people six feet and over. They also say the original build sheet is with the car. Thus far, the ingredients baked have produced a scrumptious treat. This tan, quirky convertible is exactly the car to get noticed in. The TR7 does have some standout roles in British television. So, pull up to your next black tie event, toss the keys to a valet, and order a Ginger Beer and scones. Bond want to be, remember?
I’ve come to the realization that if a car has hidden headlights that revolve, flip up, or self disclose in some other fashion, I like it.
A CL post from 8 days ago. Somewhat surprised it’s still available.Possible the poster sold it and hasn’t taken the ad down. Looks like a fun ride ..it even has AC!
Buy a TR8 instead. The little 215 V8 can be a strong runner with a 4 Barrel, intake, cam, headers, and free flowing exhaust. Closet thing to a poor mans Sunbeam Tiger
Nice “matchbox” color. Reminds me of my little diecast cars when I was a kid.
I think it’s in great apparent condition but the price seems optomistic. The Triumph 4 was tweaked (different block casting) and used by Saab for it’s 99s and early 900s Solid little runners albeit with a few quirks…and it needed a turbo to wake it up. So now you know.
I had a TR7 coupe and recall that the engine would accept the 16-valve head from the Triumph Dolomite Sprint. With bigger carbs it reportedly produced 127 BHP.
Out of the TR7s, the injected ’81 ought to be the rarest and most desirable
I remember test driving a TR7 coupe in 1977 and was so disappointed with its lack of performance (the seats were nice, though) I ended up with the oft-mentioned Buick Skylark hatchback.
I’m will Falstaff, the TR8 would be a much better one to own.
I remember the television ads where they drove it into a wedge shaped garage. “The shape of things to come “ was the tag line. I always liked this look.
I remember seeing their ads in magazines,catch phrase was “The shape of things to come”. They got that right. I too would rather have a V8.
This has the wrong colour roof on this cat….they were all black coming out of the UK
That was the last year in the USA
They all ad a 5 speed in 81
Plus this is one with the Bosch fuel injection too….
Comfortable to cruise at 80mph all day long
I owned a 80 tr7 spider….just a beautiful car
I had one just like it but black in the early 90s. Even then, performance seemed underwhelming. Underpowered, way underbraked, suspension was lukewarm. Lots of quirks and leaks. But also kind of fun and surprisingly comfortable for a 6’4″ driver
This was the car that had British roadster lovers (me) crying in their warm beer. This is what replaced our beloved TR6? It was not well received. Blew Triumph out of the water for us Yanks. Even though it was too far out there ( it still had all the qualities of a British roadster) with all the odd designs that came after this car, it actually looks good today.
Your writer has had no personal experience with a TR7, otherwise he’d use the word “turd” not “scone” but this surely looks like a nicely polished turd.
And it goes without saying if it still runs that many, if not all, parts have been replaced, and no doubt will be again if it continues to be driven.
Look up “P.O.S.” in the dictionary and you will see in chronological order the Jensen Healey, the TR7 followed by the Yugo
I had six Triumphs ending at a TR6. I might go for a late TR8, but probably not. You can buy a nice XK8 for this money.
I had a TR7 coupe and recall that the engine would accept the 16-valve head from the Triumph Dolomite Sprint. With bigger carbs it reportedly produced 127 BHP.
I kind of like this car, except for the color! Other than that it looks like a pretty darn good deal!