The Triumph TR7 divides opinions. Some people appreciate the bold styling, while others feel cold. If you fall into the first category, you may be drawn to this 1976 example. It requires restoration, but it is a complete vehicle that is claimed to be rock-solid. However, the greatest attraction is its affordability, allowing someone to tackle a project build without spending a fortune. You will find the Triumph listed here on eBay in Mullins, South Carolina. It could be yours for $2,999.
There was much excitement in the automotive world in the early 1970s when Triumph announced it was developing a new two-seat sports car. Many people envisaged a drop-top as a worthy replacement for the TR6. There was significant disappointment when the TR7 appeared in Coupe form, but there was a reason for the company’s decision. It viewed North America as its primary market. With rumors persisting that new rollover regulations would spell the end to Convertibles, Triumph adopted a conservative approach to guarantee the new model’s viability. History shows that legislation never saw the light of day, and after initially releasing the TR7 in Coupe form in 1974, the Convertible followed in 1979. This TR7 rolled off the line in 1976, ordered by its first owner in Inca Yellow. It looks pretty tired and is an obvious candidate for a restoration. However, the panels are straight, and the car appears to be complete. Sadly, the TR7 developed a reputation for rust issues, and many of these classics crumbled to dust fairly quickly. However, this west coast beauty is an exception, with the seller stating that the underside is rock-solid. Therefore, the grinder and welder won’t get a heavy workout as the new owner whips this classic into shape.
Triumph offered the TR7 with the company’s 1,998cc four-cylinder engine under the hood. It released the TR8 in 1977, which was essentially the same body, but powered by Rover’s 3.5-liter V8. The lightweight eight made the car quite a beast, and tuners could extract far more than the factory-quoted 135hp fairly easily. Anyway, back to this TR7. The four-cylinder powerplant generated 86hp when the Triumph was shiny and new. While the listing indicates this car features an automatic transmission, the photos confirm that the first owner equipped this classic with a four-speed manual transmission. The seller states that this TR7 doesn’t run, but they haven’t investigated why. Therefore, it may require work before the motor roars back to life.
This TR7’s interior could be the car’s highlight. Trimmed in cloth and vinyl, it looks surprisingly good. The dashpad and other plastic components haven’t succumbed to age or UV exposure, and apart from a seam separation on the upper driver’s seat, the upholstered surfaces look pretty good. The carpet is tired, but a replacement set retails for under $200. For a new owner on a tight budget, new carpet and a set of slipcovers would transform the interior without breaking the bank.
Although I prefer my classics unmolested, I once saw a TR7 that was the focus of a custom build. The owner, a skilled metalworker, had spent hundreds of hours cutting and welding, eliminating the side creases that many people criticized. His focus entirely transformed the car’s appearance, and by color-matching the bumpers and most of the exterior plastic, it gave the Triumph a more modern appearance that was impossible to ignore. I am not suggesting that as the most appropriate path for the new owner of this 1976 example, but its lack of rust makes it a prime restoration candidate. If you fancy a DIY project, could this affordable British classic be a contender?
If the engine’s trashed a Racing Beat 13B and gearbox would be an interesting swap..
Cheese wedge on wheels. Had a drunk buddy lodge one under a mobile home. We all thought he expired waiting for the crane to show up to lift the trailer. He took a nap… He ended up with a few stitches in his head, and a broken ankle, which I assumed was from slamming on the brake…
I’ve owned several of the convertible TR-7’s and they were “fairly” good drivers if properly cared for but starting out with a non running “hard top” seems like a loosing proposition especially when you can pick up a driving convertible today for $3-5k and start enjoying spring weather immediately. This seems destined to be someone’s track car in the near future.
A convertible one available on FB Marketplace for $3500 with with 47k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1494604305080047/
Aren’t all TR7’s project cars?
Yep, from new😂😂
I count three pedals and see no rust! After checking for rotating mass damage I’d get rid of the Strombergs and put on SU’s- or a Weber-I’ll bet Pierce Manifolds can help. Change the fluids, add a Pertronix and a Flamethrower coil and plugs and new wires and you’re probably in gear, driving The Shape of Things To Come!
Complete… 3 pedals… rust free, nut and bolt restoration… won’t see yourself coming and going everyday.. all for $3k? What’s not to like. Yes, these early, Speke built ‘7s were a quality control nightmare… but who cares, its a toy. Not your daily. If this was down the street from me, it would already be in my driveway, and I’d be thumbing thru the Moss and BPNW catalogs…
I’d put in a small diesel engine, change the rear solid axle to a beefier unit, uprate the springs, add a hitch and use it to tow a lightweight teardrop camper.
When I was under age 12 there was a dealership on the corner of Hewitt avenue and Rucker avenue in downtown Everett that sold these and the MG new remember being driven by in moms car and telling myself when I get old enough to drive I’m going to get one then the dealership closed and I forgot all about them over the years I’ve learned they aren’t very dependable but when they do run they are fun to drive. Now day’s if I had this I would look to put a Toyota or Nissan drivetrain in it and do what I can to improve the suspension then just cruise it. I know that would detract from any value it has but that would be up to my kids to deal with after I’m gone
This Triumph cry’s out for a 2.3 Ford with a turbo.
The TR8 is what the TR7 should have been from the start.
In the days when i was a classic car dealer I bought and sold many sports cars bur I would NEVER buy a TR 7, the only reason I would have one on my floor was if it was taken in on consignment only! I could always get a very good price on any Triumph from the TR2 up to the TR 6, but the TR 7 couldn’t even draw half the money as the others. The biggest turn off with buyers, and myself, was the body design. It was terrible when it was new and they are still terrible.
It’s Lance’s car!!! Lance is one of the main characters from the OUTSTANDING TV show “The Detectorists” and he drives a beautifully restored Fly Yellow Triumph TR7. For those of you that haven’t seen the show, you owe it to yourself to watch it. It is also very “significant other” friendly. And yes, it is about a metal detecting club and, no, it is not as boring as it sounds. Just check it out…
Yes!! I watched the Detectorists a couple of years go. I highly recommend it. Not overly exciting but entertaining in a British sort of way. A perfect distraction from the current world chaos. It also stars Garett from The Office, UK version. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend the TR7 based on my past experience with a 76 TR7. True money pit. Too much $$$ for the experience of driving one that only ran 10% of the time.