It may not have been what Triumph traditionalists were used to but in many ways the TR7 was the best TR ever. Here’s what you need to know before buying yourself a slice of the ’70s

Words: Chris Hope  Photos: Jackie Skelton

It’s almost impossible to discuss the Triumph TR7 without making excuses for it. Launched at a time when British manufacturing was arguably at its lowest point, with styling that both broke with convention and divided opinion, the BL wedge was ultimately doomed to fail. It was supposed to represent the future of mass-produced British-made sports cars, only by the turn of the ‘80s that was a future that would no longer exist…

But if there’s one thing we Brits love, it’s an underdog: the TR7 celebrates its thirty-sixth anniversary this year and like many Leyland cars from this era, problems that dogged its reputation have since been corrected and improved where necessary. And yet, because the 7 hasn’t appreciated in the same way as all other preceding TRs, it’s a classic that remains hugely affordable.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to stick to the original four-pot examples; finding a genuine TR8 is difficult and even unofficial TR7 V8 models command a healthy premium. Fewer cylinders do mean less performance, but it’s a classic that promises cheap summer transport in convertible form and swift everyday excitement with a fixed head.

Values: Where you can easily pay tens of thousands for any of the ‘traditional’ Triumph TR sports cars, the same certainly can’t be said of the TR7: less than a grand will net you a project or rolling restoration, be it fixed-head or drop-head coupe (although the latter is arguably more desirable).

If you don’t fancy opening the toolbox then tin-tops priced at around £2000 should be straight and require little in the way of immediate repairs. Similar condition convertibles are roughly £3000. If you fancy a 16-valve Sprint-converted car these can come at a premium, but even the nice, newly-restored versions will struggle to top £4000.

factfile

Clubs
● Club Triumph. www.club.triumph.org.uk
● TR Drivers Club. www.trdrivers.com
● TR Register. www.tr-register.co.uk
● Triumph Sports Six Club. www.tssc.org.uk

Website
● www.triumphtr7.com

Specialists
● James Paddock, 01244 399899, Cheshire, www.jamespaddock.co.uk
● Rimmer Bros., 01522 568000, Lincs., www.rimmerbros.co.uk
● Robsport International, 01763 262263, Herts., www.robsport.co.uk
● Quiller Triumph, 020 8854 4777, London, www.quillertriumph.co.uk
● Moss Europe, 020 8867 2020, Nationwide, www.moss-europe.co.uk
● TD Fitchett, 01952 619585, Shrops.

Magazine
Triumph World, look for our sister title on the shelves on the final Friday of every other month. Priced £4.30.

Insurance Quotes
for a 1977 Triumph TR7 2.0-litre FHC
Comprehensive cover, 25-year-old in Co. Durham, two years’ no claims, clean licence, 10,000 miles a year, main car, kept on driveway: £850 (£250 excess)
Comprehensive cover, 50-year-old in Co. Durham, full no claims, clean licence, 3000 miles a year, second car (classic car policy), garaged, club member: £100 (£50 excess)
Quotes from Performance Direct (0844 5733504, www.performancedirect.co.uk)

Thanks to
John Clancy from the TR Drivers Club for his buying tips.

Specifications
TR7 (4-speed)
ENGINE    1998cc/4-cyl
POWER (bhp/rpm)    105/5500
TORQUE (lb ft/rpm)    119/3500
TOP SPEED    110mph
0-60mph    9.1sec
CONSUMPTION    26mpg
GEARBOX    4/5-sp man (op 3-sp auto)
LENGTH    13ft 8in (4.17m)
WIDTH    5ft 6in (1.68m)
WEIGHT    2128lb (966kg)

TR7 (5-speed)
ENGINE    1998cc/4-cyl
POWER (bhp/rpm)    105/5500
TORQUE (lb ft/rpm)    119/3500
TOP SPEED    114mph
0-60mph    9.5sec
CONSUMPTION    26mpg
GEARBOX    4/5-sp man (op 3-sp auto)
LENGTH    13ft 8in (4.17m)
WIDTH    5ft 6in (1.68m)
WEIGHT    2128lb (966kg)

The full story is available in the April 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart.