As new TR7 2.0 -one owner- never washed from new

As new TR7 2.0 -one owner- never washed from new

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magic Monkey Dust

Original Poster:

320 posts

43 months

Thursday 12th January 2023
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Hi Triumph owners ,
Uncovered my TR7 this morning after 20 years under blankets.
I haven't posted on here before because I've only just got around to recommissioning my TR7.
I've owned this TR7 since 1997 when i inherited it from my nan.
She bought it new from Mann Edgerton in Derby in 1977 and ordered a car with auto box and no sunroof.
She just didn't like the rear visibility so she put it in garage and bought a Maxi.(sand beige)
My dad told her to keep starting it up and so she would drive me around the block at weekends to keep it running, she last taxed it in 1982. I used to wipe it down for her with a dry cloth but its never been washed with water or been driven in rain.
After she died in 1997 nobody remembered it was in back of garage and then nobody wanted it so i ended up with it. I drove it to my lockup and have been waiting to sort it ever since.
both sets of keys and original unipart handover paper is hanging from rear view mirror and Mann Edgerton paper floor mats are in boot. original tyres aren't rotten and still hold air. The boot has literally been opened half a dozen times in 30+ years and the car still has "new car" smells. As a reference to Leyland's new car spec it would be hard to beat this. Even wiper blades are as per production line and car hasn't been subjected to UV light so plastics haven't deteriorated .Although build quality is total sh*te.
There is virtually no paint under the wheel arches, im surprised any of these cars made it through a winter.
Again under bonnet is untouched or serviced from new. The car doesnt run at moment as i need to soak bores before attempting to start it.
I have logbook in my nan's name and all documents from purchase.
i wanted to do a road rrip to Southern Italy in it and then might sell on as i have other classics.
Ive picked up a period Leyland radio as my nan wouldn't splurge for one at time.
Still mulling over what to do, it keeps getting put to back of queue as every decade.






Yertis

18,652 posts

273 months

Thursday 12th January 2023
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I normally hate it when people say "wow", but wow.

Very interesting. Lovely colour. Let us know how it progresses.

marinaroy

5 posts

22 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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That is one lovely TR7. As a TR7 enthusiast who appreciates originality I will be watching the classifieds with interest if you do decide to sell.

TRIUMPHBULLET

703 posts

120 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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Bloody junk, worst Triumph TR ever made.

That's saved all the haters chiming in.
Genuinely jealous of someone in possession of one in that condition and a rare auto too.
Have owned my convertible since 2010 and don't get chance to drive so often these days but love it and my kids can argue what its worth when I am gone.

magic Monkey Dust

Original Poster:

320 posts

43 months

Friday 13th January 2023
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I hope to post a few pics of the engine area when i WD40 the bores. It may need the carbs rebuilding and other bits checking before i attempt to start. A gentle recommission is needed but i hardly dare wash it. It has a very thin coating of something on paint, maybe a wax polish.
I keep running my finger under wheel arches, best classic car enthusiasts cat nip!! they're just slightly rough with overspray but zero blemishes on the surface, its better than sex!.
When youve had a few disaster classic cars you just know from that first feel where the plot is leading. And this TR7 is all sleeping beauty cert U, not Dracula and the castle of death.

hilly10

7,306 posts

235 months

Monday 16th January 2023
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Nice car. Is the TR6 yours

Wacky Racer

38,972 posts

254 months

Monday 16th January 2023
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I used to live opposite S&S Preparations, their yard was like a TR7 graveyard with 30-50 cars.

When they had restored them they were like new.

https://www.ss-preparations.co.uk/

Yertis

18,652 posts

273 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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TRIUMPHBULLET said:
Bloody junk, worst Triumph TR ever made.
I was about to reach for the keyboard there biggrin

magic Monkey Dust

Original Poster:

320 posts

43 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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Doing the TR6 with a mate as a joint project. Trying to create a classic with some modern touring mods but keeping character of 70's motoring. Has been ongoing for a number of years but gets shelved due to life, Going to try and tackle TR7 first now, its never been back to Mann Edgerton for its first service, not sure if the warranty is invalid.
Had absolutely no modifications at all since it was delivered from Derby so i am being very careful, i'm still debating whether to fit the Leyland radio or leave the blanking box.Still has little numbered stickers on the headlight glasses that the PDI missed. Knowing the car my whole life im 100% sure its never been wet. I think my Nan got a free TR7 unipart car coat with it, it might be in the boot with goody pack.
Going to remove that nasty plastic face lift centre console from the TR6 for that carpeted tunnel pure 60's feel.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

197 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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magic Monkey Dust said:
Hi Tr
Still mulling over what to do, it keeps getting put to back of queue as every decade.
Very interesting.

I'd have there are two main paths:

1. Preserve it as is. But obviously this will have limited appeal
2. Use it as the basis for a build as it is all good parts.


Swapping in a cammed 4.6 RV8 is relatively straight forward. Suspension and brake upgrades are easy. And you'd have a very fast highly capable tidy classic.

Non sunroof cars very rare these days too.

tr7v8

7,299 posts

235 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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300bhp/ton said:
magic Monkey Dust said:
Hi Tr
Still mulling over what to do, it keeps getting put to back of queue as every decade.
Very interesting.

I'd have there are two main paths:

1. Preserve it as is. But obviously this will have limited appeal
2. Use it as the basis for a build as it is all good parts.


Swapping in a cammed 4.6 RV8 is relatively straight forward. Suspension and brake upgrades are easy. And you'd have a very fast highly capable tidy classic.

Non sunroof cars very rare these days too.
The problem with a transplant be it a V8 or even a Sprint will destroy its value. The mods are reversible and some like better brakes are worthwhile even for a 8V (the only bit that was criticized when they were new. ) But its value is in originality.


Edited by tr7v8 on Tuesday 17th January 18:55


Edited by tr7v8 on Tuesday 17th January 18:57

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

197 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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I guess value only really matters if selling. Although if you store the parts it would be possible to revert it from a V8 back to what it is.

But you’ve got to really want an auto 2.0

marinaroy

5 posts

22 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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Just my opinion but it really would be sacrilege to modify that car in anyway. As someone who has been around the TR7 scene for more years than I care to remember I can tell you that an original unmolested TR7 is very hard to find in wedge world. Apart from a couple of unregistered examples that I know of, this is as near as you could get to a new TR7. It will be worth more money too if left unmodified.

geeman237

1,281 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th January 2023
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OP, I don't think you said how many miles are on it? I had a 1978 FHC the same colour. It was a US spec 5 speed with folding sunroof, AC and beige cord interior. I enjoyed owning it, very reliable as a daily driver in the early 2000's and in near mint condition.

I think this one deserves a total preservation approach. Minimal spannering on parts so the paint etc isn't broken (rustling of anorak) in order to maintain an as near factory finish as possible. Get every detail photographed for posterity and somehow published for future restorers.

I know they are relatively low down the classic car food chain, but still deserving nonetheless. Your post would probably get more attention in the Classic Cars and Yesterdays Heroes section.

If you decide to sell it, I hope it goes to a very good home that will continue to preserve it.

As for hazarding a guess on what you might get for it, I'd have to say on initial information, maybe 20k+?

Keep up some more posts.

magic Monkey Dust

Original Poster:

320 posts

43 months

Wednesday 18th January 2023
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Nan did 600 miles around the block up until 1982 when she lost interest. Only if it was bone dry!.
pushed it into centre of workshop and brakes seem completely free. Tyres are holding air after a few days. Possibly get to spray WD in bores on sunday. I will take some photos of engine bay.
I can 100% guarantee up until this date it hasn't had a spanner on it from delivery.
The big issue i have is using it when its never really seen the road, it is more reference material than regular classic.
Just wishing she'd bought a Lamborghini Bloody Muira and couldn't see out of back window!.
Still bold choice for a woman in her 60's.

105.4

4,214 posts

78 months

Wednesday 18th January 2023
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I’ll lay my cards on the table…..

I’ve never been a fan of the Wedge period cars, whether it be a TR7, a Lotus Eclat, Lamborghini Countach, or the TVR Tasmins. But…….

That is sublime ! People talk about “time warp cars”, but that really, really is in time warp condition.

If it were me, (which it’s not), I’d keep it 100% original. I wouldn’t even fit the BL radio to it.

Please continue with updates. I personally am finding it fascinating.

marinaroy

5 posts

22 months

Thursday 19th January 2023
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The problem with a car like this is that if you get it up and running and start using it and putting on a few miles the value will start to diminish. The uniqueness of this car is in its story, originality and incredibly low mileage. It’s a museum car really. I’ll look forward to seeing the engine bay pics.

magic Monkey Dust

Original Poster:

320 posts

43 months

Monday 23rd January 2023
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Was super cold in lockup on Sunday and didn't get to removing the plugs. The floor is made of old battleship armour from Jutland and just soaks any warmth out of the air.
But i took a few photos from under the hood.






This engine has been untroubled by man since the Leyland production line so any details in here are deffo original .
It was last started and ran fine in 1997.






Underneath appears to be surviving remarkably well. I did paint the back box on exhaust silver a few years ago as that had significant surface rust. Im pretty sure their should be no need to do any major replacing the items.
Is it a mechanical fuel pump??.

marinaroy

5 posts

22 months

Monday 23rd January 2023
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Everything looking just as it should under there right down to the original green HT leads and under bonnet decals. One of mine has done 28000 from new and looks exactly like yours under the bonnet. It’s great to see such a fantastic survivor.

Panamax

5,048 posts

41 months

Monday 23rd January 2023
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It's unfortunate that's a Speke car.

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Interesting turn-up though. Far more modern vehicle than the venerable MGB.