Questions about model year

[johnnyj]

Hello

I'd like to put my TR7 back to as near original spec as possible, and have some questions over one or two model details.

Car details:
4 speed coupe
VIN: ACG17857
Date built: 22 March 1977
Registration Date: 19/05/1977

There are some detail changes that happened pretty much around the time my car was built, so I need to know which mine should have:

- Black rear lamp panel or body colour?
- Small black hubcaps or larger silver ones?
- Original-original rear springs (i.e. "look through the arches and see daylight" spec) or the slightly revised lower springs?

The reference books are pretty ambiguous on this and just say that the changes occurred around, from memory, April 1977.

Also, and I know this may sound stupid, but if it was built in 1977 does that automatically mean that is the model year? Or do the build seasons cross over a bit?

Thanks in anticipation

John

[rugbyref1]

17857 - from the build card ....

1977 Model Year (so black rear panel)
Flamenco Red (CAD) with Red Check (RAA)
4 Speed

[johnnyj]

Thanks Christopher, that's great about the rear panel. I really hoped someone would say that as I love the look.

Colour - yep, I'd clocked that it is CAD and will certainly be painting it in that hue. Re the trim, I have new door cards in the correct colours and have just rebuilt the seats. The one on the right is as dragged out of the shed after a 20 year period of hibernation, and the one on the left has been refurbished (I later corrected the rumpled cover on the base). Frames painted, covers through the washing machine and invisible repairs made, cushions re-padded etc. I re-made the padding for the head rest as what was inside crumbled to dust!

Now I just need to find out about the wheel trims and ride height.

Cheers

John

[rugbyref1]

which door cards are you fitting? with or without courtesy light?

[johnnyj]

Definitely without!

[Chubster]

Going a little off the conversation string, my car is 18145 which was manufactured on 5th April. Coincidentally the 22nd March was a Tuesday with the 5th April being the following Tuesday, it appears using the vin numbers this means BL made 288 ACG within the 5 working days between the dates, assuming they actually bothered to work the 5 days that is! It was also Flamenco with the red check, perhaps Tuesdays was Flamenco day (only joking) Now residing in Java with a green check

I wonder how many are still around between the two vin numbers?

[rugbyref1]

apart from 2 cars 18000-18050 were all flamenco ...

[johnnyj]

Ha! Great thinking and our cars are cousins! So, 288 cars in 5 days - that means around 60 cars a day, which isn't bad, but Toyota build circa 13,700 cars per day. However that is an unfair comparison as they don't have to deal with things like the cats "wee" strike and waiting for gearboxes to be available! And of course, being serious, we are comparing very different eras.

I'd love to know how many of the cars built between our cousins are left. That'd be great.

John

[Chubster]

So lets see if anyone can fill the blanks:-

ACG17857 built 22nd March 1977
ACG18145 built 5th April 1977

How many are still around in between these numbers?

[gavinj4]

My FHC was registered 5th May 1977. ACG14319. Pimento. 5 speed. Black back panel. Red tartan. Big silver hubcaps. Sold by Lex Motor Co. Weybridge, Surrey. Was my car lying around unsold for a while possibly?

[rugbyref1]

Not too long, left the factory 14th Jan 1977

[FI Spyder]

Also, and I know this may sound stupid, but if it was built in 1977 does that automatically mean that is the model year? Or do the build seasons cross over a bit?

Generally speaking model years changed in September, example; a car built in October 1979 would be a 1980 model. This is true across all makes across the world. Occasionally a new model that might come out in say December 1980 or January 1981 (for what ever production reasons) would some times be referred to as a model year 1980 1/2. Not sure about the mid 70's in UK where strikes etc. might upset production schedules. Often the year of registration would reflect the date sold, not the model year. Example if a 1981 sat on the lot for a couple years it might be registered as a 1983.

[John_C]

Johnnyj, you'll need the full width wheel trims and the lower ride height.

Hopefully we'll have new red check available eventually - we just have the green right now. Anyone wanting the green check trim take a look at http://www.trdrivers.club/ under the 'New Parts' tab.

[gavinj4]

When did it change from pimento to flamenco?

[rugbyref1]

they didn't - they used both colours