Sorry for the click-bait title, but it’s true: when would you have ever given a Triumph TR7 any thought other than, “Whoa, haven’t seen one of those in forever”? I’ve only seen TR7s languishing in the same spot they died at or were dragged to and left after something crapped out on them. It’s easy to make jokes about the quality of British Leyland cars (hell, TopGear did an entire episode that boiled down to one-liners about the quality of what came out of the plants) but the kicker about the TR7 was that it sold well enough in the United States market that the UK market had to wait until demand died down before they got their hands on the home team’s sports car. The TR7 had the wedge look that took the 1970s by storm, had a punchy little four-banger (unless you were lucky enough to find a TR8 that was powered by the Rover V8) and was supposed to handle remarkably well. Then problems crept into focus…engines that died during press testing, electrical systems sent straight from Hell with a shiny bow, and rust issues that had Dodge Aspen owners feeling a lot better about their own situations tainted the TR7’s reputation for many.
Forget all of that. The last TR7 was produced in 1981, after British Leyland closed the Solihull plant. That’s getting on close to forty years on…and precious few cars of any make are going to be in top condition that far removed from the day of production. We’re guessing that this TR7’s engine was a problem because it was canned by the current owner in favor of Ford power with nitrous. First was a 302 that didn’t take to the spray, which was followed up with a 351 Windsor that was built to take the bottle. Except the car was never fully shaken down for racing. It’ll drive just fine, but occasionally runs hot and might need valve work, according to the Craigslist listing for this little doorstop, which is how it fits into the Rough Start category. This isn’t a first-timer’s car but instead, easy project car cannon fodder. Can you get a Ford small block to run cool? Can you adjust valvetrain? Want to stain your shorts every time you stab the throttle? You’re welcome…
What – no LS?
Some one actually has a brain – just junk the worst wheels ever to be fitted to a car and get rid of those hideous bumpers to make this a sweet ride indeed!
Geordie is correct !!!
There was a guy land racing one of these in Wilmington two years ago. The hood was painted “The Empire Strikes Back”.
Pretty cool car!
Where the hell has GHMG been lately?