Sad Junkyard Find (Triumph TR7)

[davew833]

While at the local self-service wrecking yard looking for a part for my Subaru Legacy this morning, I came across a very rare 1980 Triumph TR7 Spider Convertible. The Spider package was a 1980 only appearance package featuring special black paint with red striping and "Spider" logos, TR8 alloy wheels and steering wheel, and special upholstery. There were an estimated 1200-1400 built. The one I found was an even rarer California fuel-injected model of which about 400 were built. I had a '76 TR7 hardtop "garage queen" back in the late '80s and have entertained the thought of getting and restoring another one. Sadly, it won't likely be this one since the yard doesn't sell cars once they've been processed and placed in the yard.

[Sean486]

Sad is right, what a shame.

[benebob]

Naw, what's sad is how neglected the tr7 has been since it was introduced back in 75. It is nothing short of a great product considering it was a giant leap forward compared to the tr6. Sure it had some hick ups early on particularly engine head issues (if the head bolts weren't torqued as specified) but what other aluminum head engine of the vintage didn't have similar issues. Overall though they've aged well aside from standard british tin worm from the day.

[alia176]

This brings back some memories...back in college, I used to run around with some guys who had TR8s and TR7. I lusted after the TR6s myself but never did own one.

[SilverSpear]

A slow project Dave? com'on!
Very nice car indeed...

[SVX92-97]

I used to work with a guy back in the early 80's who had a red triumph convertible, and I always commented to him on what a neat looking and sounding little car it was. He always kept it in excellent condition. Too bad about the one in the junk yard, that is awful. Some people just dont care or know what they have. Good Luck bringing back those memories

[SURTEESS]

May I ask what the car is behind the TR7s front window is - it looks rathery boxy at the rear - most unusual shape.....

[dbarnblatt]

Originally Posted by SURTEESS

May I ask what the car is behind the TR7s front window is - it looks rathery boxy at the rear - most unusual shape.....

That's a Nissan Pulsar NX with the optional Sportback. Odd little car that actually had a user replaceable rear hatch...





I'm on the fence about the TR7... the TR6 was a much nicer looking car. The TR7, once the union and quality issues were sorted was a pretty good car, but the bad reputation had already taken hold.

I really wish they had made the Lynx version. that would have been a cool car:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...re,_Gaydon.jpg

[T.McCaw]

Hated the 7 and 8s..... wwwhat where they thinking....man they where ugly
I owned a GT6 and a TR6. The 7 was the death of British Leyland

[benebob]

Originally Posted by T.McCaw

Hated the 7 and 8s..... wwwhat where they thinking....man they where ugly
I owned a GT6 and a TR6. The 7 was the death of British Leyland

And today the GT6 looks like a 60s car the Tr6 looks just as much of the antique that it was even while still in production while the tr7/8 looks just as much of a modern car as any of the other 80s wedges. B.L. only real failure with it was the lack of development funds since they had tried to live on their early 60s tech. far too long and the MGB, Spridget, Spitfire/GT6 and the hideously ugly German designed TR6 (the 5 or 250 was so much better of a looker). When the 7 came out the cupboard was already so dry that the exchnge rate was going totally agaist exports.

[dbarnblatt]

Originally Posted by benebob

And today the GT6 looks like a 60s car the Tr6 looks just as much of the antique that it was even while still in production while the tr7/8 looks just as much of a modern car as any of the other 80s wedges. B.L. only real failure with it was the lack of development funds since they had tried to live on their early 60s tech. far too long and the MGB, Spridget, Spitfire/GT6 and the hideously ugly German designed TR6 (the 5 or 250 was so much better of a looker). When the 7 came out the cupboard was already so dry that the exchnge rate was going totally agaist exports.

Lets face it though... Triumph never really made a looker. Except for the Italia... a TR3 Special with Vignale coachwork. definitely the nicest looking Triumph ever produced. Only 330 or so were made.


Triumph Italia 2000 by pocket.calculator, on Flickr

[benebob]

Yeah the Italia is a gorgeous coach built car. There is a red one that I see at some regional auto shows but aside from Triumph supplying the rolling chasis for it they didn't have much to do with it from what I've read. I do have a soft spot for the lines on the spitfire (esp. the 1500). For the price it was a great design when compared to the competition from mg and fiat. The designs I like the most coming from Triumph though was their sedans like the 2000.