Been TR7 viewing today

[RUDDY]

Whilst the wife and kids soaked up the sun in the garden I ventured ten minutes from home to view a car I have heard of a couple of times. It has been laid up for a while and is definately in need of work but has some things that appeal to me

1. It's a locally registered car
2. Low number of owners
3. Early fixed head
4. No sunroof
5. 5 speed box

It appears to have good doors, rear arches and front wings. Engine bay is a different story with multitude of plates and indifferent welding. Interior was reasonable and seemed/smelled dry. It is stored in this location for the owner, I left my number to pass on although I don't think its the car for me, then again I am a sucker for a resto so I'll probably end up with it [:D].

cheers, Paul

[Maxwell]

Paul.... Go For It!
It's in the right colour for a Fixed-Head!

Maxwell[8D]

[paul w]

Yeah,whites great,but remember to paint the sills black - how they
should be.An early car with no hole in the top,a rare thing these days.
Those wheels will have to go and that decal on the front is wrong
if its a Speke wedge.
Whats the vin/chassis no.?
Does it come with that theft deterrant...i mean gear box!

See ya. Paul

[tr7 and rover sd1 girl]

thats a gorgeous car i wish i had that does it need much work??

[RUDDY]

[quote]<i>Originally posted by tr7 and rover sd1 girl</i>

thats a gorgeous car i wish i had that does it need much work??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

In a word - yes

If I ended up with it I would expect a full bare shell rebuild, the inners and strut tops are quite bad as is the panel below the screen. There are blisters under the paint on the rear deck and at the top of the front screen pillers. There has been a fluid leak down the bulkhead and lifted the paint, expect the sills have had work hence the white paint on them. Would probably end up with at least 5 times more in the car than its true value. I didn't catch the VIN but the plate was on the passenger seat, no room for it on strut top for crap welding. Sounds like a bargain [:D]

[TR Tony]

Well it looks to have some good points, Paul, but pleased to see you have a critical eye. It does look mostly original & if you are approaching it as a restoration project then it could be a good basis.

Non sunroof is quite rare ( & personally I think they look great), & if the 5 speed box was factory fitted then that is also quite rare in the early cars when the 4 speed was more common. If it has been converted from a 4 speed to a 5 speed then try to find out if the diff was changed to the correct ratio as well.

Try to get a look underneath at the floors & the rear suspension mounting points.

And that VIN/chassis plate should be attached to the rear face of the passeenger door in those early cars. There would have been a body number plate in the engine bay, probably on the passenger side turret or thereabouts.



Tony

<font size="1">1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red</font id="size1">

[Ianftr8]

That looks like a good starter, if you get the chance go for it!!!

Just think what could be achieved - could even be a rally replica[:)]

Cheers
Ian

Ian Freeman
1979 TR8 DHC California car that never crossed the pond
1962 Triumph Courier

[bmcecosse]

Was the 5 speed fitted to green-seat S reg cars ?? I would check the VIN etc carefully in case the car has had an identity transplant at some time ! Are there not still some NEW FHC bodyshells going around ?? New shell transplant would make a very long-lasting car if done properly.

[TR Tony]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by bmcecosse</i>

Are there not still some NEW FHC bodyshells going around ?? New shell transplant would make a very long-lasting car if done properly.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There are a few FHC unused shells apparently, but all late ones with sunroof apertures I believe. And probably in need of a lot of preparation after all these years in storage - maybe as much work as doing a good repair job?

Tony

<font size="1">1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red</font id="size1">

[Chris Turner]

There were 2 left earlier this year. A few have been used to make new rally car shells. At the asking price of £2,500 it would not be viable to restore an ordinary FHC with one.

www.triumphtr.co.uk
TR8 FHC
TR7 Sprint

[RUDDY]

Well I have put the wheels in motion to get my TR7 funds together

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/634016.htm

[zekow1]

Ruddy
If you are going to do ,to the tr, what you did ,to the escort
Go for it . you have a great hand
Hey !!!you want to help me with my 2+2 project???????
Zeke[:D][:D][:D][:D]

[gairo1]

The green interior looks good!

[bmcecosse]

At £2,500 for a 'new' shell - I would say that's a fantastic deal. Could easily spend far far more than that 'rebuilding' a rotten car - and it will never be as good as a 'new' shell transplant.

[RUDDY]

Took a deposit on the RS today, looks like its on its way to Southern Ireland .