The wife will probably kick me out of the house

[1980dhc]

Here is a question for the Triumph World. In your opinion will my DHC be more valuable if I just put her back the way she came out of the factory or will swapping to the Rover V8 increase my value.

[1980dhc]

By the way here are some pictures.

[PeterTR7V8]

<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 1980dhc</i>

Here is a question for the Triumph World. In your opinion will my DHC be more valuable if I just put her back the way she came out of the factory or will swapping to the Rover V8 increase my value.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless you were planning a concours type resto I would go with the V8. I don't think the cars are worth enough to really worry about value. It is unlikely cover the cost of the restoration in any case. I would guess that it wouldn't cost much more to fix up & convert than it would to just fix up. What I do know is that these cars are a lot of fun with a V8 in them.

Looks like you've got a bit of work to do!

[1980dhc]

I do indeed have some work ahead of me, but I figure it isn't any worse than what others have ventured into. I also have some friends that are real good with cars so I plan to bribe them with cold beer and food.

Holt

[Workshop Help]

My-Oh-MY! Well, first things first. If it must stay outside in full view, wash the filth off, work the paint over with a claybar, then wax it. That will make it appear presentable.

Buy a car cover to protect the paint from the sun and morning dew.

Next, get rid of the cinder block by fixing the parking brake.

Clean out the interior so it doesn't stink of mildew and that nasty, old car smell.

It is a true fact that doing just one small fix on a car every day will add up very quickly to you and your wifes benefit. For example, the sunvisors. By using the SEARCH function at the top right of your screen, you can view my article on sun visor renovation.

Please note, my above suggestions have nothing to do with the powerplant. They do have evertyhing to do with beginning an active role in bringing the car back to life. And, if the Mrs can get involved, her affections for the project will be increased. No longer will it be seen as a strictly 'Boys Club'.

As funds become available, then the 'he-man' stuff under the hood can be under taken. But for now, start with the exterior cleanup, interior cleanup and renovation, brakes, steering/suspension, clean all the electrical connections, clean the trunk, examine and clean the fuel systems, anon anon.

Mildred Hargis

[Hasbeen]

1980 DHC. In my experience, dropping a V8 into a 7 will increase the
value, but not by as much as dropping the V8 in will cost. Not that
much more though, if you don't go silly with tuning bits for the V8.

Here in Oz, our 7s are slowly going up in value, with DHCs, & TR8s
worth reasonable money, but 7 V8s are dropping as more & more
converted 7s appear.

Doesn't matter too much what the conversion costs. The way fuel
prices are going, the petrol to run the V8 will bankrupt you, so go
ahead & be damned.

Hasbeen

[Underdog]

<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 Hasbeen</i>

1980 DHC. In my experience, dropping a V8 into a 7 will increase the
value, but not by as much as dropping the V8 in will cost.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How true!!

If concerned with value. Wedge cars may not be for you. Expect to spend MUCH more than the car will ever be worth. If you truely enjoy the car then it is just the price to pay. IMHO, V8 power makes them much more enjoyable. You makes your choices and pays the price.

Jim Underwood
72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

[FI Spyder]

I've seen TR7's listed over 10 grand and TR8's selling for 5 to 6. As it's not a special edition do what you're heart tells you. Four's are fun to drive as well just in a different way than an eight. Also don't take much gas as eight partly because of displacement and partly because if it's there (power) you will use it and that costs you. As you are in US don't forget the Buick V-6 which can give you well over 200hp, are cheap to buy and even available with FI and gives you better balance as they are only 3 cylinders long (makes them easier to put in and take out.) Lots of parts available everywhere.
It is a derivation of the Buick V-8 found in the TR8 so you do have a family connection of sorts. The Buick is big on the inside aand little on the outside, about 2/3 to 3/4 the size of a chevy V-6 of same displacement.


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

[1980dhc]

I should have been more clear on the value. I don't want to ruin the value by putting in the V8. I realize that it will cost more to restore than what it will be worth. Mildred the car is not staying outside, it is going into the garage, that picture was taken just minutes after the car was dropped off by the tow truck.

[frankman]

... @ Mildred
Mildred ... so if you're talking of hormones .. do not forget that you too testosterone produce ... and not a little ... otherwise you would not know so well with gearboxes .. and I do not even know what that behavior of the women for doing the car in the driveway so ..

do not forget Testosterone (as you reduce male) has built the cars as the roads etc...So please let's leave that

but I agree with: "Buy a car cover to protect the paint from the sun and morning dew.

Next, get rid of the cinder block by fixing the parking brake"
[8)]
... The value is always a matter of perspective .. Commercial value, utility value, sentimental value, etc. .. but one thing is sure the depreciation (loss) for a new car is larger than that of a classic car..
[:D]

One is shure .. and go with an expensive Picture with jewelry or a fur coat to work if the 'new-car "strike

Hello from Switzerland

Frank

[1980dhc]

The paint doesn't need protecting. The car has a cheap respray on top of the original paint. It looked great when I first got the car but now it is starting to come off in some places.

[nervousnewowner]

keep having the car covers stolen off my cars... [:(] so wish i had a garage.... or bigger dog,.....[:(!]


the project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...

[RadioGuy]

Bigger dog ? Heck, get a bigger GUN !

I haven't had that problem over here...but then again I target practice with the 44 mag quite a bit...[8D]


Maintained on Saturday…Drive on Fun-Day !!! 1976 FHC - 1980 DHC

[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 RadioGuy</i>

Bigger dog ? Heck, get a bigger GUN !
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Not likely over there. When I was in Sedona in a place called Guitars, Guns and Gold the owner was telling me of a Danish visitor who was amazed the you could go in almost any store and buy a gun. The owner said he told him over there you could buy dope but would get arrested for buying a gun whereas over in the US you could buy a gun but get arrested for buying dope.[:D]

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

[1980dhc]

One thing that bothers me about restoring this car is the way the interior smells. She still smells exactly the same when you open the door as the first day I got her and every time I open the door it brings back a bunch of memories. I will have to find someway to preserve that. All of this may sound silly but to me the way a car smells can be a big part of its personality.