Solid Project: 1976 Triumph TR7

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?