The TR7 was a sports car that is distinguishable by its wedge-shaped appearance. It was produced from 1975 to 1982 and its largest market was for buyers in the U.S. More than 143,000 copies were produced, with three-quarters being the coupe/hardtop like the seller’s car. This one had been in storage for 20 years, having moved out into the underbrush in the past 12 months. Located in Dundee, Michigan, the seller wants to see it saved from Mother Nature and has made it available here on Facebook Marketplace for just $500. Thanks for the woodland tip, JimA.
These British cars were a styling departure for Triumph (British Leyland) and were promoted with the slogan “the shape of things to come.” While a V8 version would come later (TR8), the TR7 was powered by a 2.0-liter, 8-valve, 4-cylinder engine that was usually rated at 92 hp in the U.S. (105 hp in the UK). While most of them came with a 4-speed manual transmission, an automatic was optional and one appears to be in the seller’s forlorn example. The front suspension is independent while the rear is a 4-link arrangement.
For reasons unknown, this 64,000-mile example went into a storage unit two decades ago. Perhaps that space was lost as it’s been sitting out in the thick of things for the last year. We’re told it’s “still a very clean car” but that’s hard to tell. The photos provided are portrait, so seeing all of the auto in one shot is difficult. Has corrosion set in? That would be likely, but the seller’s goal is to avoid having it rust away where it sits.
The bright lime green paint is an original color as I recall seeing several like this one back in the day. The interior may be intact but it’s hard to determine. You’re not going to get a title with the purchase, but $500 is a gamble at any rate. If you’ve already got a TR7 that needs parts, why not give it a chance? Or if you feel adventuresome, attempt a restoration.
$500 isn’t much of a gamble compared with 30-odd large for a hacked-about Corvette. Even if the underside’s rusty, it’ll be worth that in parts.
Love the color. If you’re into Triumph’s this is a solid take. $500 for the car, double that for getting it into your yard and have fun on the weekends.
An automatic TR7 in unknown condition that’s been sitting in a field for a year? $500 is still too way too much. In fact, he’d be lucky to find someone that he could pay $500 to tow it away.
I’ve currently owned a 1980 tr7 convertible for 9 yrs Do yourself a favor and run as fast as you can! LoL!
I’ve currently owned a 1980 tr7 convertible for 9 years run as fast as you can
Posted twice! Just talking about the car is a curse! It’s gone through 3 motors been hit by a tree had to buy a parts car! Triumph hell!
Run Lol!
just leave it to rot – one of the nails in British Leyland’s well deserved coffin!
Brits definitely have an ugly history. What county doesn’t? At some point we have to recognize the engineers and workers who made these fantastic machines, even when more fantastic machines came from elsewhere. The Japanese Imperial Army was part of the Nazi alliance, killing over a million defenseless Chinese farmers and villagers. Mostly at Nanjing. Formosa given as war reparations, and USA occupied Japan, recognizing that the supermajority of Japanese civilians were very good people living in fear and oppression. Those very excellent Japanese civilians happy to have DEMOCRACY put everything into making very excellent cars, motorcycles, cameras etc. Find the good. Even Brits have some good chaps among them. But no, Royal Monarchy is bad for humanity. If that is the root of your ire, I agree. It can’t be repaired hating the whole country, same with Russia or anyplace else. It’s just a car. A time capsule. Nothing to be angry about. But I do understand.
“Still a very clean car”? … speaking as an enthusiast who goes apoplectic if a bug commits suicide on my Vette … this is NOT a very clean car.
Probably then this wouldn’t be for you. In real car men talk, that’s a really clean project car. Doesn’t appear to be wrecked. And the British cars of the era tend to turn into rusty Swiss cheese left outside 3 winters. All things considered, that TR7 definitely worth much more than $500 easily. Easily.
To be honest if I’m blessed to be well off, I’d give $1200 as it sits. There are many projects the automatic transmission drivetrain would be useful for. Gut and strip it, rotisserie. Get a wrecked Prius or similar hybrid and retrofit. Prius wiring harness etc, that little car will fly …and get 50mpg. The color may be interesting, but probably myself many other color options since it’s an automatic complete restoration, the value only exists doing everything right. Restoring everything right to an automatic transmission probably never going to see a return.
What is that funny sprocket on the seat? Wait, methinks that’s the cam sprocket! Where’s the rest of the engine?
Given it had an automatic transmission, that had I believe vacuum solenoid shifting, you can rest assured the drivetrain needs to be pulled. Trying to fix little things on old cars oftentimes you seal the pressure leak here, the new boost in pressure gets the old gasket over there. So bite the bullet and pull it. Then you get access to see everything and make project decisions with more information.
Sale pending. Worth $500 in parts all day, any day.
The camshaft timing chain sprocket sitting on the front seat is a bad omen. I have owned a 1980 TR7 since new, 125,000 miles and runs wonderfully. But you have to take very good care of them or be disappointed, it is not a car you can neglect with impunity. Note this one for sale has an automatic tranny.
The TR7 was cursed from the beginning. My dad took the first two to Spain for a catalogue photo shoot to launch this new “Wedge looking” motor car. A red one and a white one. They drove them there and the red one got hit on the way down, driving through France.
A Spanish body shop and the right camera angles from the other side pulled it off and a good time was had by all! Should have known then!
My brother used to drag home literal JUNK snowmobiles, tractors and yes had the Ford pickup pile of rust that he was “restoring” for 10+ years and never moved an inch.
All these “great deals” were other peoples lawn ornaments.
Never realized he was paying to clean people’s property and saved them a trip to the junkyard.
Sounds like my ex-brother in law. He has a back hoe in front of his house in the country, which is why no one complained. Along with, numerous AMCs including an AMX. All pipe dreams. Probably out there still rusting away.
Indeed. I’m quite the hillbilly myself. But can identify junk from a diamond in the rough. And when I see these people paying over 10k for basically a VIN… Like wow you probably never even worked on a car let alone do a complete nut and bolt restoration.
A buddy had one of these with a 351 Windsor Ford engine under the hood. Instant tire smoke! Couldn’t get a big enough tire under it to keep it from spinning. He finally pulled the motor and junked the car.