Old TR guy, new Wedge owner

[Last TR]

I always liked the Wedge, and I've driven a couple of TR7s since I bought my TR6 eighteen years ago. But I already had the straight-six Triumph and a four-cylinder MG; I wanted a V8. The July “Wedgeâ€￾ issue of Classic Motorsports rekindled my interest, and I soon found a solid and original TR8 convertible for sale in Portland. I reminded my wife that I had recently sold my airplane project, and she finally agreed to let me buy my second TR. In October, I got to put several hundred miles on the car, top-down under sunny Indian-summer skies, before leaving it in Oregon until spring. Home in Alaska for the winter, I won’t be working on the TR8 for awhile, but I’m sure I’ll be posting a few questions as I plan for my next trip to Oregon.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska
1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[PeterTR7V8]

Welcome to the forum. Having seasonal cars must make Spring much more anticipated. In my part of the world we are just moving into Summer so while you are hibernating I'll be happy to carry the TR torch on your behalf.

Can you see Russia from your place?

************************************************************************
To do list:
Upholstery/Motor/Gearbox/Suspension/Brakes/Carb/Tyres../Gearbox/Paint/Cam+Motor
Done......./done./done....../done......../done../done/done/redone.../done/under way
Blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548

[FI Spyder]

<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 PeterTR7V8</i>



Can you see Russia from your place?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ha, good one Peter.....LOL. (And I like Sara Palin.) Spring is always just around the corner for us old guys. The Spider is just about to be put on jackstands for "winter projects" and in no time it will be time to put it back on the road. Better start planning your course of action now Last TR, time flys.



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Hasbeen]

Last TR, don't sell yourself short, you can probably wear out a few
more TRs yet.

I said one last sports car, when I bought my first 7. I'm now on my
4th 7, & there's an 8 as well.

Hay FI, you've got a bit more growing to do, before you get to be a
fully fledged "old guy". Bit more time to enjoy your youth, yet a
while, & don't let any one tell you otherwise.

Hasbeen

[john]

Welcome Ken

you on the other side of the pond are so lucky to have so many original TR8's to chose from..



[8 whole cylinders worth of punch to ram the world through the windshield and out the rear view mirror. Car & Driver]
1981 Grinnall TR7 v8
1981 Black FHC
1979 & 1980 Black Premium FHC(laid to rest) Sorry


John

[Odd]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I always liked the Wedge, ... found a solid and original TR8 convertible for sale in Portland.
... leaving it in Oregon until spring. Home in Alaska for the winter, I won’t be working on the TR8
for awhile, but I’m sure I’ll be posting a few questions as I plan for my next trip to Oregon.
Ken in Anchorage, Alaska 1980 TR8, <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ken, I guess you know you have another TR8 owner up there in your part of Alaska: Randy Kimpton
(he's currently holding the title of "Worlds most northerly TR8" - with us Scandinavians in hot pursuit
of course). If you don't know him already I'll see to it you two can get in contact (if you send me
your e-mail address off list).
/Odd

<font color="red"><b>My two 1980 Wedges...</b></font id="red">

[Last TR]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. No, I can't see Russia, but I work with a Russian, so I guess I've got foreign policy experience, too!

My winter projects this year are sorting the rebuilt SUs on my TR6, finishing my garage, and getting my rotator cuff repaired. The first two I hope to do myself, the last I'm entrusting to a surgeon. The 8 needs a little sorting too, but it's really in much better shape than my 6 or any of the 7s I have looked at. I just climbed in, and drove away. What a concept!

My license number,LASTTR,is my reference to production, not ownership, and I hope that maybe it's not really the last of either. I guess I'm not in the running for northernmost TR8, since mine is still in Oregon. Actually, I'm probably going to leave it there for the time being. I've got family in Oregon, and there are so many great roads there. I have seen an 8 here, and a couple of V8 7's, but haven't met their keepers yet. Odd, I'll send you my email and maybe post a couple photos when I get this Forum figured out a little better!

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska
1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[john]

oh and by the way get yourself positioned on the Tr Map

[8 whole cylinders worth of punch to ram the world through the windshield and out the rear view mirror. Car & Driver]
1981 Grinnall TR7 v8
1981 Black FHC
1979 & 1980 Black Premium FHC(laid to rest) Sorry


John

[windy one]

Welcome Ken [:D] the wedges are some seriously nice cars once sorted. Enjoy!!

Johnny

[Last TR]

John, I'll have to figure the map out, too. And then decide whether to map MY location in Anchorage, or my CAR'S location in Portland.

Johnny, It's a pretty nice car now, and can only get better. The British mechanic who inspected it for me was pretty impressed with the way it goes, handles, and stops compared to other TR8s he has driven. I can only compare it to my TR6 and MGA; it's clearly not only better performing, but a more modern car. It had some performance mods done by a previous owner, including some serious lowering. I may have to raise it just a little because it bottoms out way to frequently. In the week I drove it, I didn't take time to put it up in the air and see what that might involve. And it needs a little tidying up; it's got a rattle in the driver's window, and the driver's seat looks like a dog ate it. But do I ever like that V8 rumble!



Ken
Anchorage, Alaska
1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[windy one]

[quote]<i>Originally posted by Last TR</i>

Johnny, It's a pretty nice car now, and can only get better. The British mechanic who inspected it for me was pretty impressed with the way it goes, handles, and stops compared to other TR8s he has driven. I can only compare it to my TR6 and MGA; it's clearly not only better performing, but a more modern car. It had some performance mods done by a previous owner, including some serious lowering. I may have to raise it just a little because it bottoms out way to frequently. In the week I drove it, I didn't take time to put it up in the air and see what that might involve. And it needs a little tidying up; it's got a rattle in the driver's window, and the driver's seat looks like a dog ate it. But do I ever like that V8 rumble!



Ken
Anchorage, Alaska
1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Trust me man, I know. I owned a couple TR7's first, never thought (at the time)I'd ever find one let alone, be able to afford a TR8. Then I found one close to me back in 1999. Beautiful Triton Green, all original...TR8. The difference was (is) incredible! The power man...the power. Not to mention the looks I'd get when I popped the hood for my car-friends. Love the wedges, 7's & 8's both. But the power and the music from the exhaust of an 8 is intoxicating!! [}:)] The club I belong to is all marques of triumph, and us 7-8 guys are the envy. I always hear how our 7-8's are more comfortable especially on long drives. Just picked me up another 7, cant wait till Im back in the wind![8D]

Johnny

[Odd]

<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 Last TR</i>
Odd, I'll send you my email and maybe post a couple photos when I get this Forum figured out a little better!
/Ken in Anchorage, Alaska <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Ken, your ISP bounces my mailings - so I'll do it this way instead:
You should get in contact with Randy Kimpton, he should be in your Anchorage phone directory I guess...
He's got another TR8 up there, a TR8 and a half in fact - I'll leave it up to him to tell you all about it when
you two meet for a pint at the local.

On a side note - you guys have now been beaten when it comes to most northern TR8, by a fella up in
Raahe Finland. That's a full 3degrees 27minutes (or 390km/242miles) north of you guys.
/Odd