Triumph TR7

[mr. norm]

have block/crank/reconditioned head/year unknown/for sale

[Flivverking]

I'll take it!

Tell me where it is and I'lI leave $250 cash in the hollowed out knot in the great oak ,at the 4 corners of the road.

Then send me the crankshaft someday.

Wink,Wink..

 

If you just have fallen off the turnip truck?,he also is pushing a Parkard crankshaft..

 

[padgett]

TR8 is much more better. Buick parts.

[CarlLaFong]

When I worked in the British car dealerships we called it The Flying Doorstop. We soon realized that was a misnomer as they rarely moved under their own power

[Steve_Mack_CT]

The car that killed Triumph. 🤨

[John Bloom]

In some statistically weird twilight zone vibe.....my little town in Indiana had several examples of the TR7 and the FIAT X19.......Both going with the wedge shape.  in my late teens I thought they were cool.   Looking back it's like they were in competition with each other to see who could build the worst car.  I'm trying to think of the last time I saw one of either model moving on it's own power on the road.  At least 10, maybe 20 years since I passed one being driven 

 

[zepher]

Here in So Cal there were a handful of TR7s and X19s that were running around and would regularly be seen out and about.

I always thought the TR7 was a huge letdown from the TR6.

And the X19 was a Fiat, so........

[mike6024]

I remember those advertisements

 

 

[Steve_Mack_CT]

A neighbor acquired an x19 some time ago locally from a ferrari guy in town who must have started with the little Fiat?  Anyway he didn't have the issues typical of the TR-7. 

IMO the TR-6 is bangers and mash, the 7, well spam I guess. 😁

 

And yes, it's fine to hijack a one time poster's post in the wrong section of the forum.. 

Edited May 15, 2021 by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)

[James-Wahl Motors]

Around 2004 I bought a TR7 convertible because I thought they were cool when I was kid, and I was down in Kansas City with an empty trailer. It was indeed a pretty awful car. It actually ran pretty good, but - I know this is going to sound cliche - it had some electrical problems. Mainly the alternator would occasionally not charge; a local rebuilder eventually figured it out - on the second try. My main issues with it were it was slow and handled poorly. I took it to an autocross; turned into the first corner and the car kept going straight. Had new tires on it.

 

I sold it on a Saturday morning in 2007 for about what I paid for it, hopped on a plane and drove home in an E-Type which I still have.

[1912Staver]

Like all British cars TR 7's require the right owner. Not great cars , even for British cars, but for the right person not really as bad as people generally think. and updating one to TR 8 spec is pretty easy. 

 They are a real cheap deal if you can find one that isn't a complete disaster. I actually like them better than Spitfires, but neither is a prize. I am surprised to hear of handling that bad. I have generally found them to handle reasonably well {worked as a mechanic in a British car shop back when they were popular, driven lots of them } . Sounds like a tire with a very hard compound , or seriously overinflated ?

[padgett]

Dual carb Spitfires can be fun, single carb not so (can say that about many British cars).

[1912Staver]

The later; U.S. market, single carb . cars have a 1500 vs the 1300 of the twin carb cars. Not a big job to switch the later cars to " rest of the world " spec. although if your State has annual emissions testing you might encounter problems. The later cars had improved rear suspension . but still a bit less than ideal.

 A few Spitfire / GT6 crossbreeds around here.  Take a GT 6 and switch the body tub to a Spitfire. The factory GT 6 convertible the factory never built.

[padgett]

Yup, restomods are fun.

[1912Staver]

I don't know if I would even call them restomods.  All garden variety Standard Triumph parts. Just bolted together differently than back at the factory. I have often wondered why Triumph didn't offer a factory version. Everything was right there in front of them, no unique parts needed.

Edited May 21, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[James-Wahl Motors]

On 5/20/2021 at 5:06 PM, 1912Staver said:

Like all British cars TR 7's require the right owner. Not great cars , even for British cars, but for the right person not really as bad as people generally think. and updating one to TR 8 spec is pretty easy. 

 They are a real cheap deal if you can find one that isn't a complete disaster. I actually like them better than Spitfires, but neither is a prize. I am surprised to hear of handling that bad. I have generally found them to handle reasonably well {worked as a mechanic in a British car shop back when they were popular, driven lots of them } . Sounds like a tire with a very hard compound , or seriously overinflated ?

The local Triumph club guys pushed back on me on this too. I wanted to like the car. I did find a contemporary road test of the TR7 that did mention the gross understeer, so I don’t think I’m crazy. If this continues to be a fruitful discussion/hijack I’ll see if I can dig that up.

 

My points of reference include another competitor: I took my drivers test in a fairly new 1982 Fiat Spider, which other than styling is a more appropriate competitor than the X1/9. I flogged that thing for most of its first 15K miles before my mom sold it (I owned one of my own later on.) A great handling car, and quicker and faster than the TR7.

 

Also, while I don’t claim to be a racing-level driver, I posses basic track skills. I’ve received a lot of track driving instruction and have had numerous track days around the country in many cars over the last 20 years in a professional capacity. 
 

So, yes, that was with newer cars, which that part might not be fair to the TR7, but I do work on my own stuff and like the way my E-Type drives! 🙂

 

 

[1912Staver]

I have to admit I have never Auto- X 'd a 7. Mainly reasonably quick road tests on customer cars. In that sort of use the TR7 felt fine to me. And a friend gave me use of his for 3 months when he went on a extended vacation. But nothing quite as extreme as Auto - X runs.  I expect some experimentation with tires and chassis set up would be required to get decent Auto - X handling . 

 I agree about Fiat 124's , very predictable handling . A great , willing twin cam.  Around here they lived up to their reputation for poor electrics , and rust. Not quite Alfa rust but a all too close second. In Southern climates , or for Summer use only , 124's would be a great option compared to most of the British sports cars.

 E- Types are great cars. But way beyond my reach. They have become so expensive I don't even really think about them any more. 

 If I thought I could use performance in the general " E-Type " range , I would do the Ford 5 Liter conversion on my TVR 2500 M.

 But it is quick enough with the 6. The V8 would just increase the chances of a very expensive law enforcement encounter.

Edited May 22, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[Pilgrim65]

1 hour ago, 1912Staver said:

I have to admit I have never Auto- X 'd a 7. Mainly reasonably quick road tests on customer cars. In that sort of use the TR7 felt fine to me. And a friend gave me use of his for 3 months when he went on a extended vacation. But nothing quite as extreme as Auto - X runs.  I expect some experimentation with tires and chassis set up would be required to get decent Auto - X handling . 

 I agree about Fiat 124's , very predictable handling . A great , willing twin cam.  Around here they lived up to their reputation for poor electrics , and rust. Not quite Alfa rust but a all too close second. In Southern climates , or for Summer use only , 124's would be a great option compared to most of the British sports cars.

 E- Types are great cars. But way beyond my reach. They have become so expensive I don't even really think about them any more. 

 If I thought I could use performance in the general " E-Type " range , I would do the Ford 5 Liter conversion on my TVR 2500 M.

 But it is quick enough with the 6. The V8 would just increase the chances of a very expensive law enforcement encounter.

Read your post with interest , Being British love our late 50s /early 60s sports cars , as you commented you like e types but I prefer the earlier XK s .personally dont like TR 7 much prefer the TR4 to TR6 real back to basics thrilling drive . I owned 1600 MGA , quite sporty feel , but prefer the one you didn’t mention Austin Healey 3000 which can be quite the authentic British sportscar  drive , pretty gutsy . I also have V8 stag  pretty hairy when driven by a pro , but more of a tourer when I drive .

Tvr s I love , but just becoming classic chimera very tasty , but the one for me is the Tuscan , affordable now in Uk , less than Griffin which is also very nice .

cheers 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Pilgrim65 (see edit history)

[1912Staver]

I also like big Healey's , but around here they come in two flavors, rusty problem cars for a lot of money . or nice cars for a whole lot of money. Since retirement $ have become scarce, and prices just keep going up. Western Canada in general , and British Columbia in particular are very isolated. By distance from most of Canada and by a international border and pretty limp currency from 85% of North America. 

 There was at one time a very healthy population of British Cars locally. But between rust attrition and sales to elsewhere over the last 3 decades , anything interesting and reasonably priced has become nearly non existent. 

Still some very nice indeed cars locally , but if you are not in at least the top 20% of incomes you are limited to being a spectator.

 The only way I have the couple of sports  cars I have today is that I bought them many years ago.  My Lola is the exception, I only bought it a couple of years ago, but it was a once in a lifetime deal and even then only possible because I had built up a large overtime bank over the last 5 years or so of work, and it had to be cashed out at retirement. It really should have gone into retirement savings or funding my shop building but I knew a deal like that was never going to turn up within my lifetime so I went for it. { A light project T492 really only needing a standard go through after sitting for about 15 years, all for less than $15,000.00 U.S. }

Edited May 22, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[Pilgrim65]

Your cars are specialist real racing enthusiasts cars , you say e type expensive , but your Lola is an expensive appreciating asset and good TVR 2500 m sell here for over 40 k stg, but I realise to you price is immaterial and I agree owning and driving such cars is the pleasure not the price. I really enjoy driving my stag , but would love to drive a Lola at full pelt on a banked track 😁

[1912Staver]

I agree , but my basic point is that for those of on a low budget the unrestored or project status ,entry cost cars are all but gone. I do all my own work, really there is no other way on a small budget. 

The Lola is in my world a expensive car, but even ready to race really only 1/3 of the typical price of an E Type these days. And by getting a very good deal on the initial purchase , and doing absolutely everything myself my overall cost will be something quite a bit less than 1/4 of an E Type. Plus they are a relatively inexpensive car to participate in racing with. A very basic " spec " Ford S.O.H.C. engine, not very much power by racing standards, but the car is quite light so the performance is great for an amateur racer.  And a car that is very easy on tires, a substantial expense on track cars.

  I thought the whole situation out for quite a few years and came up with a vintage Sports 2000 as being the best match for both my budget and my driving ability.  I looked at a few but could couldn't quite put a deal together, U.K. buyers kept buying the " cheap " category cars out from under me.  But the Lola suddenly popped up and I doubt I hesitated 10 seconds before I said I would buy it.

 I tend to buy very affordable cars and keep them for decades.  I have owned my MGA since 1978. The current TVR is the exception at only about 10 years since purchase. But I bought my first one in 1980 { 1972 Vixen }, only sold it to fund further schooling. Otherwise I would probably still own that one, not the 2500M.  Even the M took several years to find ; the right car at the right price, and in the decade since purchasing that one I have not found another that was the same sort of match of price vs condition except for a couple in the U.S. A very long way away. And the combination of the border, the $ and the distance would have doubled the price on those should I have made a move on them.

  All the British sports cars around here are very old. Almost nothing was imported after about 1980,  Any of the later generation TVR's were not offered on the North American market , so they exist over here in hand full numbers.

 The only option are things like Toyota Supra's , Datsun { Nissan } Z's and Sylvia's. RX7's and Miata's. And any of the cheap ones tend to have serious rust. Probably much the same as examples you see on the British market.

 I like British Fords a lot as well . But the same problem as the sports cars, very few on the North American market from the 1980's onward. A smattering of Merkur's made it here { North American version of the  Sierra } but now very rare . And really not much else since the days of the Cortina MK 3.

 

Edited May 23, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[Pilgrim65]

Makes me feel old when you mention cars that I bought nearly new cortina traded up from Capri 3.0s great car , apple green striped deck chair seats ( expensive now) sold my Mga last year to fund restoration of another but more thorough finish hope to finish this year , but as you know costs spiral and careful now selecting remaining  parts and a interior trim specialist . I bought leather and carpet wholesale cheap so looking for craftsman at right price , had quotes ranging from 1000 to 2500 . Been in lockdown so only starting now to plan final stages . Going to sandblast and paint wire wheels to match car and do spinners gloss black to see if ok otherwise will buy new .

The only experience I’ve had of racing is when I had a cobra replica about 20 years ago , they were affordable then , another car I shouldn’t have sold😁

I took it to a nascar track here called Rockingham , they let the cobra club race first , I accelerated to about 100mph down the straight but they raced past me and scared me the torque pull on the banking so admit I slowed and lapped at 80/90 still hairy though with at least 20 other cars flying past . I was a novice and think many other club members were experienced, my excuse 😊

cheers

[1912Staver]

Using a Cobra replica as a first track car is probably a bit of a mistake. People are best to start out with something much slower to avoid situations like you describe.  Cars like a Formula VEE are ideal. Most clubs will have a reasonably good number of FV cars so they usually run by themselves or sometimes with the slow group of early Formula Fords. That way there is not a huge difference in speeds between the fastest and slowest cars. And close racing really develops driving skill and awareness.  Even better yet is attending one of the racing school programs. Expensive , but generally well worth the cost. 

 Your Cobra probably felt fast for a street car, but most likely the chassis set up and tires were far from ideal for the track. It takes a lot of development to turn a street car into a track car.   A car such as your Cobra  almost certainly had too much HP and too little grip and chassis set up. A really good driver could probably have done alright with it but most of us are only fair drivers at best.

 

Edited May 24, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[Ronnie]

On 5/22/2021 at 11:23 AM, 1912Staver said:

... 124's would be a great option compared to most of the British sports cars.

 

I agree. I've owned a 124 Fiat Spider, '69 model I believe, and several AHs including a 3000. the 124 was a fun car to drive but it did have a few drawbacks for a big man. If I moved the seat back far enough to get comfortable with the pedals I had to lean forwarded to grab the steering wheel that was almost against the dash. I felt like I was driving stiff armed. And with my big feet I was constantly mashing the rubber ball on the left side of the foot well that would spray washer fluid on the windshield. Looking back it was kind of funny in a way.

 

My 124 motor mounts were too soft and made the car have a hopping feeling sometimes if you didn't shift it right. Cure for that was putting a nylon strap from the engine to the frame on the drivers side to control the engine movement better.

[1912Staver]

I agree about the driving position. I am 6'2" but somewhat short legs / long torso. So the fit in Italian cars is" O.K ".   Alfa's are much the same in my experience.

And luckily my feet are only size 10-11 depending on the shoe. But yes I am a tight fit in quite a few of the sports cars I like.

[mike6024]

The test driver for Alfa Romeo would grip the steering wheel near the bottom, and they were laid out to his liking. So that supposedly explains why they are a long reach to the steering wheel, because if you try to grab the wheel near the top, like the 10 and 2 positions, that is further away. You should be grabbing the lower part of the wheel which is closer.

 

[bryankazmer]

The "Italian driving position" only bothered me on longer trips.  Bend your knees and spread your legs a bit.

[Rusty_OToole]

So they were slow, evil handling, unreliable and prone to rusting out but at least they were ugly. No wonder Triumph went out of business.

[1912Staver]

Yet TR8's have a strong fan base. I wouldn't mind one myself.

[mike6024]

I think they made a really dumb looking convertible, very awkward. Hard top not so bad but it depended on what angle you were looking at it from.

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by mike6024 (see edit history)

[Ronnie]

I think this would be my choice of the British cars if I had one this nice. I made a point to look at this car every time I would go to the Cars & Coffee in Knoxville. Absolutely beautiful car.

 

[1912Staver]

28 minutes ago, mike6024 said:

I think they made a really dumb looking convertible, very awkward. Hard top not so bad but it depended on what angle you were looking at it from.

 

 

 

I am a huge TVR fan. But the wedges from about the same era as the TR7 have little appeal to me.  Mind you if I could find one close to todays average TR7 price range I would surely snap it up.  Visually they are perhaps even more unappealing than a TR7. But the chassis is far better.

Edited May 25, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)