Highlights

One of the last TR7s to be registered
Only 55,383 miles and three former keepers from new
In current ownership for 40 years

The Appeal

Following up the legendary TR series of cars was never going to be easy, but the Harris Mann-styled TR7 was the ultimate conclusion to the TR saga. The car's distinctive wedge-shaped appearance, which was developed with American exports in mind, almost outweighs the comfort and agility of the vehicle. Considered the best driving experience of the whole series of Triumph sports cars, it’s also noted as the last independently built car by Triumph.

Released in 1975, the priority was focused on US exports and UK sales didn’t start until 1976. Furthermore, the UK market was denied the glorious mix of the well-proven Rover V8 engine in an RHD open-top roadster. As a result, the market for privately converted cars soon opened up the appeal of the TR7 and really went some way to demonstrate how good the TR7’s chassis was.

It was purchased by the current registered owner from a lady owner in 1985, having been ordered directly from the factory in 1982, and is now being sold by his family due to his advancing years. The owner is a former mechanical engineer and confidently carried out a V8 conversion around 1991. Finished in Pharaoh Gold with just 55,368 recorded miles, the car comes with a very cleanly presented interior and a well-maintained engine.

Tax and MOT exempt, it comes with over £3,200 worth of recent mechanical bills, along with some of its early provenance, including its service booklet and even its original newspaper advert clipping from that 1985 sale.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in April 1982
One of the last TR7s to be registered
V5c present recording Taxation Class as Historic Vehicle
Solihull registration plate suggests it was supplied directly from the factory
Original owner wallet, including service booklet, registration card and job sheet
Acquired by the current owner in January 1985 with 21,809 miles on the clock
Being sold on behalf of the owner's family
Recent mechanical invoices totalling £3,200
Several historical MOTS which date back to 1992
Owners notes of personal work carried in the late 1980s
Placed in storage in 2011, mechanically recommissioned in 2022
Last MOT expired in August 2023 but is MOT and Road Tax exempt
Engine replaced with a 3.5L V8 about 10,000 miles ago

The Interior

Neatly presented interior with no outstanding faults or damage
Original tan half vinyl, half plaid cloth seats and matching door cards in very good condition
Carpets and mats are in decent shape, with no signs of dampness
Dashboard, facia and trim are free from significant cracks with minor signs of age in places
Controls and switchgear are all said to function
Dials all legible
Steering wheel, gear lever and gaiter in presentable condition
Roof headlining is in good shape with no damage

The Exterior

The exterior will need further investigation but displays reasonably well
The underside has a liberal coat of surface corrosion but the boot floor, chassis rails and floor pan appear to be solid
The wheel wells, front subframes and suspension mounting points also appear to be good but will need further investigation
Both sills, nose, door bottoms, headlamp covers, lower rear valance and rear arches show their age
A handful of minor dents were noted, mostly on the bonnet, nearside rear wing and boot
The passenger door needs a mild adjustment - some vibrations from it were heard during the drive
The Pharaoh Gold paint finish is evenly matched with a reasonable lustre and mild age-related paint swirls
Handful of marks and scuffs on the paintwork
The panel fit is reasonably cohesive with acceptable shut lines
Some damage was noted on the front air dam
Its bumpers appear to be well mounted with some distortion and light scuffs
The chrome and plastic trim is intact but the door trim shows signs of age
Seals are generally good, with mild wear noted on the driver-side door seal
Glass is commensurate with the age of the car and no signs of lamination damage
Lights and lenses are in good shape
Headlamps rise and lower without issues
The soft top rear screen is free of significant age or marks
Soft top in very good condition, with a couple of minor repairs
The hood raises and lowers with no issues
Two hood covers and full-length tonneaux included. All are in good shape.
Wheel trim covers intact, with a few marks
Tyres are likely to be over 20 years old, one has an advisory

The Mechanics

3.5-litre V8 engine conversion with a 5-speed gearbox
The engine fired up instantly
No unwanted knocking or uneven running was heard as the engine was on tick-over
A fan squeal was noted on the odd occasion
A short test drive conducted by the owner around town demonstrated that the car accelerates and brakes smoothly
No issues flagged up with the engine temperature or oil pressure issues on the day
Rear suspension mounts replaced with stiffer ones and it appears to ride at town speeds comfortably with no significant noises
No axle whine or other loud mechanical noises heard
The engine presentation was generally good, with decent hoses and ancillaries
Kenlow fan installed
The engine was rebuilt by its owner in the early 90s which includes:
- New bearings and pistons
- Mid-spec Kent cam.
- Mallory competition ignition
- Rebuilt twin SU’s
- 3.08 crown wheel/pinion offering a more relaxed ride
- Straight-through stainless steel exhausts
- Brakes SD1 discs/ Vitesse calipers at the front with split circuit operation
Original 2.0-litre engine included in sale if desired. Approx. 45,000 miles and though working well when replaced with v8 in early 1990's it has been storage since and so likely to require attention/rebuild. Pick up from SN6 postcode.
Said to have been well maintained by its keeper, who is a former mechanical engineer
It has seen £3,000 worth of mechanical maintenance over the past 3 years including:
- New water pump and alternator
- brake servicing
- carb adjustment
- Replacement engine and gearbox oils and filters
- New brake pipes
- New steering rack gators
- Fuel tank sender
- Clutch master, bias and slave cylinders
- New battery
Custom-made fuel feed switch

Summary

TR7s with low miles and a 40-year ownership do not come up often. This one has the added bonus of a very cleanly presented interior and evidence of a decently maintained V8 engine which, with its glorious V8 burble, is a thrill when unleashed. A car that would benefit from some exterior attention, it is also one of the last TR7s to have been registered.

This not only marks the end of the open-top Triumphs but also a significant footnote in the production of the mass-produced British sports car.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.

✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.