1980 Triumph TR7 Roadster *Sold £4,200*

Description

• Complete engine rebuild less than 10k miles ago 
• Fantastic contemporaneous handwritten log of all work carried out spanning 25 years 
• Nearly one hundred invoices in the large doc pack 
• Electric Windows 
• Recent brake overhaul 

Styled by Harris Mann, British Leyland’s Chief Designer in 1975, the Triumph TR7 was an extremely radical move away from the very conservative Triumphs of old. 

All the TRs that came before were aimed at traditionalists. The Triumph TR7 was anything but. It was a traditional sports car, but it didn’t look like a traditional sports car. It had pop-up lights and a wedge profile, and it didn’t have a lazy six-cylinder engine. Finally, it had a tin roof.  The convertible TR7 was introduced two years later. Just under 28,000 were produced; roughly a third of all Triumph TR7s made. 

Our example here comes with the V5 in our vendors name, two sets of keys, a couple of workshop manuals and plenty of invoices, in fact at the last count our vendor counted ninety-seven of them.   

Clearly this particular Triumph TR7 has been well maintained throughout its lifetime; our vendor has even taken the time to transfer the invoice info onto an excel spreadsheet. There are also MOTs going back to 1996 – with the current one expiring in November. 

Another interesting thing to mention is that the previous owner logged every service, every part renewal, in fact every bit of work carried out to the TR7 over the last 25 plus years. The handwritten log includes things from a new stainless exhaust being fitted all the way through to compression tests, new brakes, crankshaft oil seals and so on. Pretty much everything has been logged.   

Outside 

The anxiety with all classic cars, especially British ones, is of course the dreaded tin worm. Take a look in the Gallery and you’ll see that the bright red paintwork is showing no signs of rust anywhere.  On close inspection you will find a few minor marks here and there but nothing of note. The doors have had protective edging fitted and the nearside could do with a little adjustment or refitting as it looks to be slightly misaligned. 

There are the usual scuffs on the front lower valance, present on most cars that have a low front valence and spoilers fitted, and lastly there are some chips to the edge of the rear scuttle by the fuel filler cap. 

On the underside you’ll note widespread stone protection/anti-corrosion has been applied and this has kept it nice and presentable, with only the usual surface rust that can be rubbed away with a little elbow grease to the wishbones etc…  Our vendor shared that the floor was checked, and new metal was installed prior to the underseal application. 

The inside of the engine bay and boot area is showing similar quality and attention to detail and seems to confirm that this little Triumph TR7 has been well looked after. 

Lastly the black roof works as it should with no rips, tears or damage to the cloth whatsoever. There is a small nick or crack in one of the plastic quarter lights that could do with a little attention if you were to decide to use it as a show car. 

To finish off, the period 13-inch Team Dynamics Motorsport alloys set the car off wonderfully. They are showing no obvious kerb damage and are wrapped in matching 185/70/13 rubber. There is plenty of tread available to keep you stuck to the tarmac. 

Inside 

Drop down into the cabin, and the first thing you’ll notice is that steeply raked windscreen that was so much a part of Harris Mann’s wedge design. This gives the Triumph TR7 a cosy cockpit-like feel around the driver.  

This Triumph TR7s interior is finished in red and black faux leather. Believed to have been recovered at some point in the TR7s lifetime, it must be said that they have held up extremely well – with just a little ageing showing on the headrests. 

The door trim panels match the seats and show no apparent damage. You will notice that there are no window winders, this is because the Triumph TR7, rather conveniently, has been fitted with aftermarket electric windows. The switches are fitted on the centre console and the door pads have been retrimmed so there are no unsightly caps or holes where the winders should have been. Our vendor also shared that one of the motors was replaced not too long ago so they operate as they should. 

The dashboard is in good order with no cracks or splits. All the various switches and knobs are present, correct and functional and the carpets look in great condition – with a pair of red trimmed mats protecting them further. 

The last thing to mention is that the car has been fitted with a manual cut off switch in the glove compartment; an added red plastic security key that can be removed from the TR7 when left unattended with the roof down. 

The mechanicals 

With so much history of the work carried out, the ninety-seven invoices and the fact the engine was completely rebuilt less than ten thousand miles ago, we are really not concerned that the TR7 has now tipped past the 100k mileage mark. Nor are we surprised that our vendor has shared that the Triumph runs sweetly – why wouldn’t it? 

The 2-litre engine itself is connected to a five-speed ‘box that was replaced some time ago, due to, as the log says, “being (moaning) noisy”.  Our vendor shared that the box is smooth enough through the gears but as with so many classics, it needs to be used correctly – I.E. it is not a modern car that can be slammed into gear willy nilly. Treat it correctly and drive in the right rev range and you’ll have no problems, abuse it and second gear selection may grind a little. We suspect he is being very picky and as like he says, the Triumph TR7 is not a modern car. 

The steering is accurate and straight, the suspension works as it should and the brakes do exactly what you need them to do. All with no squeals, knocks, rattles or rumbles. 

Not surprising as there are invoices for new subframe bushes, spacers and washers all round, there has been a new brake master cylinder fitted, pressure switch and clips and pins, all fitted less than two years ago. There are also invoices for new suspension struts in 2019 and endless clips, pipes, fixings and gaskets etc. 

Like we said, a well looked after Triumph TR7.  

Our view 

The Triumph TR7 evokes memories of the 1970s. They are now an increasingly rare sight. Great to push along the back roads, playing tunes with that engine through the five-speed box. 

In this condition we just do not see that many TR7s available, especially such a well looked after example – one that has only come to market now that our vendor “has had his fun with it”.   

Drive it as it is in this perfectly presentable condition or spend a little time and it could be a very, very nice example.