Photos provided by the seller

Highlights

Professionally converted to a V8 engine
Upgraded chassis intended for Targa rallies
Webasto sunroof

The Appeal

The Harris Mann-styled Triumph TR7 is one of the most distinctive and recognisable British sports cars there have ever been. The ‘wedge’ design is simultaneously of-its-time and futuristic in shape, whilst the car’s short wheelbase and modest ~1000kg kerbweight mean that it’s light on its feet in the bends. It was conceived specifically for the US market and launched in America a year before it did in Britain to make the point. Despite this – and despite the marvellous V8 rally cars that it spawned – it was launched with a two-litre Dolomite Sprint four-cylinder engine producing 105bhp (92hp in the US) as the only power unit option.

Triumph eventually got its act together by inserting the trusty 3.5-litre Rover V8 and creating the TR8, but it was too late to make hay in the V8 capital of the world by then, especially in the face of a strong pound at the time. What’s more, the V8-equipped version was vanishingly rare in the UK, with an estimated 18 right-hand-drive examples built by Triumph. As such, the aftermarket soon took the initiative and began performing engine conversions to four-cylinder TR7s to give more enthusiasts the ‘British Corvette’ experience that would otherwise have evaded them – and putting right one of British Leyland’s mistakes.

The History and Paperwork

V5 present, voluntary MOT until September 2022
Partial service history, mostly very recent
Various spare parts included
Original TR7 handbook included
Mechanical spec comprehensively upgraded to match V8 performance

The Interior

Partially original interior; aftermarket bucket seats and harnesses
Wood-rimmed aftermarket steering wheel, additional gauges
Spare wheel and relocated battery in carpeted boot

The seller’s plan for this car had been to prepare it for Targa road rallies, which is reflected in the presence of competition seats, Sparco four-point harnesses, an extended gear lever for quicker shifting and additional gauges to monitor a hard-working engine on the fly. The original dashboard presents very well, as do the simple door cards and replacement steering wheel, while the car also has an aftermarket stereo system fitted for longer journeys.

As a nod to the V8 engine swap, there are also TR8 floor mats in the footwells. The only blemish reported is damage to the now-redundant OEM seatbelt holder. Overall, this is a purposeful cockpit which could either be race-hardened further or returned to stock with relative ease.

The Exterior

Webasto sunroof
Resprayed bright yellow with V8 logos added
Rover SD1 taillights fitted
14” Compomotive mesh-style alloys in good condition

This TR7 stands out from the crowd even more strongly thanks to its bright yellow paintwork, the Triumph logo writ large on the pointed nose as if the car wasn’t recognisable enough already. Completing the look are ‘V8’ decals and period-correct Compomotive alloy wheels of a design that loosely mimics classic wire wheels. As the fixed-head coupé launched before the convertible, those wanting open-air thrills had to have their TR7 fitted with a sunroof, and this car is so-equipped, with the seller noting an excellent fit and no leaking.

The body is believed to be solid and in very good shape all around, although the seller tells us that they are unable to inspect the underside themselves – an independent inspection would be acceptable. The paintwork and black bumpers show no serious blemishes, save for a reported touch-up spot of around 0.5cm2 on the offside front wing that doesn’t perfectly match the rest of the paint.

The Mechanics

V8 conversion believed to be enlarged Rover SD1 engine
Upgraded brakes and suspension, electronic fuel pump
Freshly serviced, scarcely driven in the past year

The conversion from an inline-4 to a V8 has led to this car becoming a full build, with the suspension, brakes and drivetrain all enhanced to meet the increased performance potential at eye level.

The engine itself is believed to be a ‘P6S’ 3.5-litre unit from a Rover SD1 which has then been enlarged to 3.9 litres, with a set of Piper 285P fast-road cams and a stainless steel exhaust system fitted for extra performance and thunderous noise. Connected to it is a five-speed ‘LT77’ close-ratio gearbox which transmits power to a TR8-spec differential. The seller has also been told that the suspension is upgraded with Spax dampers, whilst large ventilated disc brakes and a faster steering rack also improve drivability and responsiveness.

The seller reports that this TR7 starts-up without any smoke, that the pick-up when you give it some throttle is highly entertaining and that on its sports suspension the car is anything but wallowy, with good grip in the corners to boot. The car has just recently been serviced, with new fluids and consumables including new brake pads, plus new handbrake arms. Spare parts including a new rear window, new vented brake discs and spare gauges are also included with the car.

Summary

The TR7 validated its sporting credentials the hard way, as a rally car (although racing team Group 44 also built a widened IMSA-spec circuit racer in the US). This V8-swapped wedge is well on its way to becoming a rally car itself, but currently with enough comfort to still be usable day-to-day.

You could either retune the suspension and discard the harnesses and just use it as a muscular Grand Tourer, or you could take it to the extreme with a rollcage and a stripped-out interior to go full motorsport. Either way, you’ll have a British classic with unmistakeable visual identity and a wonderful soundtrack, at an attainable price.s

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