Feeling the love - Triumph TR7 Potential

[Smiler]

Hello folks,

I have found myself recently day dreaming about the wedge-tastic Triumph TR7. Particularly the tin-top. These cars were cool when I was a kid in school and I've always liked there shape. I recently realised that the majority of the time I'm driving (work commute) I'm traveling alone. So I could get away with using a 2-seater. I can't have something too common like the MX5 (good as it is) so enter the TR7.

I can see potential in that iconic shape.
I'm thinking poly-bushes, a smack with the lowering stick, and a new lump. Probably a turbo 4-pot to keep weight down.

If things get serious then a roll cage too.

As for the exterior, I want to keep the bodywork standard but was thinking along the lines of a graffiti spray job.

What do you lot reckon? Sound plausible? Any better ideas?

Here's a couple of google images to get the creative juices flowing:







Cheers,

Smiler.

[mdh]

Nice! Will it have slotmags?



How about an MX5 turbo motor and box in the TR?

[ChasR]

IMO they are underrated with them questionably being a better drive than their rivals of the time (MGB for example). Whilst the 2.0 4 pot did not really suit the character of the car the Sprint engined cars really do make for a nice combination, and the V8 engined cars do have their own charm. Even the 2.0 8 valve engine can be made to go along OK with attention paid to a few areas (exhaust manifold, ignition system and carbs .

On a good set of dampers and springs along with some modern sized rubber they do seem to be quite agile! They are quite comfy to sit in too!

The only real complaint I have about them is the pound shop dashboard but I guess that this was the 70s . The looks still divide opinions I notice .

Go for it! Just make sure you don't acquire a rot box. The last time I checked the tin tops were getting pretty thin on the ground but prices are still rock bottom for them.

Anyway, it's picture time of some dropped TR7s .






Sideways!:



And one from our parish :

[stefan]

the white TR8 is loverly

[Smiler]

Thanks for the replies, some cool pics there.

The slotmags look good and are a style of wheel I need to own at some point in my life. However, from looking at those different photos, I've yet to see a wheel that the car looks bad in. I reckon it could even get away with those unloved three spoke affairs!

Turb MX5 power could be an option, though I was initialy thinking SAAB. Though to be honnest it'll just come down to what appears at the time.

This of course will be way off yet by which time I'll have probably started dreaming about something else.

[mjsrb5]

I must admit I'm growing very fond of the TR7 too, it's on my list of "Cars I'd like to own if the Mrs lets me buy more"
I've never seen a modified one in real life wich is a pity as they've got a lot of potential.
Here's some piccys, a lowered one and a mental one.

[popuptoaster]

The bumpers spoil them I think, some work required to knock up some better looking replacements would make a huge difference. TR7 is one of the cars I kind of keep an eye out for to pop up cheap, but they seem to be fairly rare by cheap car standards these days.

[DarrenW]

I've always thought they were good looking


DSCN1057 by retromotoring, on Flickr


Car 98 - 1981 Triumph TR7 V8 - Alan Price by retromotoring, on Flickr


Car 60 - David Ricketts & Richard Jones - 1981 Triumph TR7 V8 SHK506W by retromotoring, on Flickr

[Richard TR7]

I know its not a FHC but I love my drop head.

You can get them quite low but its difficult to go REALLY low without serious mods,(Top picture is about the limit at the front without shorter shock tubes and notched chassis etc.) Engine bay is plenty big enough for four or eight cylinder turbos! almost every thinkable engine has been done at some point, rotary, duratec, SBC, LS1. but don't believe people who tell you the saab turbo lump is a straight swap - it isnt.
Rally heritage means there are lots of speed parts available but the wheel PCD makes finding good wheels a PITA. Rust is one big enemy and also if you put too much power through it you have to strengthen some of the suspension mounts for the rear axle as they can pull out. Rust is the biggest issue and it occurs everywhere!

Get one and have lots of fun!

[DWDarkWheels]

I was with you right up until graffiti paint-job.

They have definite potential. That white one is very nice indeed. That racey white/green one has a good bit of Lancia Stratos about it.

[Smiler]

I just though graffiti might be something a bit different. Though it might be a bit of a shame to brake up those iconic lines.

I don't mind the ragtops either and would probably settle for whichever came my way (unless it became destined for the track). Though annoyingly, whenever I see a black ragtop I can't help thinking of the later series of knightrider with the convertible KITT.

One very good thing to come out of my recent car ramblings, it's given new vigour to my drive to get the Escort finished! ;D

[Deleted]

a little bit of this.......

and a little bit of that

.......the real thing.......

[grifterkid]

I have always liked the TR7 and will most definitely have one one day...

I think that the paintwork needs to be kept pretty simple on these as the shape itself does alot of the talking as it were...!!!

So... Drop the beast a couple of inches on some nice 4-spoke revo's and drop in a nice V8 lump (3.9 fuel injection from a Rangey perhaps?) then get a nice custom exhaust made (I think you have to if you fit a V8 anyway) and then get it splatted in a bold 70's shade and you have yourself a damn tasty motor that's pretty quick and sounds the business...

Cripes, I need one in my life now...!!!

[Richard TR7]

Sept 10, 2012 14:32:14 GMT grifterkid said:

I have always liked the TR7 and will most definitely have one one day...

I think that the paintwork needs to be kept pretty simple on these as the shape itself does alot of the talking as it were...!!!

So... Drop the beast a couple of inches on some nice 4-spoke revo's and drop in a nice V8 lump (3.9 fuel injection from a Rangey perhaps?) then get a nice custom exhaust made (I think you have to if you fit a V8 anyway) and then get it splatted in a bold 70's shade and you have yourself a damn tasty motor that's pretty quick and sounds the business...

Cripes, I need one in my life now...!!!

All the parts for that are available off the shelf, wheels, suspension, engine mounts (and engines!) manifolds and exhaust systems.

[Smiler]

Ok, the graffiti idea might not be quite such a good idea on one of these. Perhaps I need to learn to use photochop and try it out first.

I was shying away from the V8 as I thought there might be newer alternatives out there now. I'll have to do a bit of research into weights. The other idea was a tuned VAG 1.8 turbo if I can find a RWD box or, dare I say it, a modern diesel unit.

[xjlee]

I used to loathe TR7's but the rally style ones look the doggies dangly bits.

[Smiler]

Does anyone know of any good TR7 technical websites or build sites? I seem to be struggling with google.

[Deleted]

I'm with you on the graffiti for a tin top. Do the roof panel and the sides below the scoop in graffiti and paint the rest in a suitably contrasting plain colour like white, or lime green, and it could look really good. Getting the graffiti design right is the tricky part really, it will make or break it.

I also reckon you could adapt this Corolla paint scheme to suit the TR7 with a bit of thinking.


When you do take the plunge, you'll be that busy dealing with rust it could be a while before any mods can happen, so there'll be lots of time to finalise ideas.

[Ratdat]

There's a beige TR7 tin top for sale on the side of the road local to me. Not sure how much it was but I can take a look if anyone is interested.

[oli8925]

Funny you should be thinking about a TR7 with a Saab Turbo. My dad is a big TR7 fan and has a DHC for fun summer driving, but he wants a FHC for the little daily commutes. At the moment he uses a Saab 9000 for that, and has a spare 9000 with a good engine rotting on his driveway. He even suggested himself to put the two together but no matter how much I try to persuade him he always finds an excuse not to.

Don't think I'll ever be a fan of the sound of a 'graffiti' paint job, but go for the rest of it. It'll be quite simply great!

I've also had a good poke around an original BL Rally TR7, that a neighbour of a friend has in the garage. It's beautiful, all of it. Particular highlights are the tuned V8 and the full cage that's integrated into the shell and forms part of the pillars etc, goes through the bulkhead from cabin to inner wings. Great stuff.