Bit of fun with the TR7??

stunorthants26    on 28 December 2006

Thats way too much money for a generally unloved car that needs work.

Not worth a penny over 300 quid, esp with a torn hood.

If it was generally straight ( with a far better MOT ) and didnt have hood damage, then its ok money, but a project should cost project money and 795 is way too steep for a car like that.

Buy it and look a fool when on comes up on Ebay at half the money.

tr7v8    on 29 December 2006

To be honest if you want a car for a bit

of fun then there are much better things to spend your

money on. These cars never had many redeeming features when

new - and they were not built for the long haul.

You'll probably spend an small fortune sorting it out.

Personally I don't mind sorting out a car mechanically, its bodywork

I can't stand (and I've done a lot in the past!).

Even when you think you've sorted the rust it always

comes back and ruins your day.

So what would you recommend, their isn't a sports car of the period that can compete with it. The road tests of the time said that. A good one handles very well whilst giving a good ride, the only thing they were criticised for in period were the brakes, which are upgradeable for £200 or so. Not all are rusty.

ngtf    on 29 December 2006

The T7 is a great deal of fun even with the old 8valve 2litre. Upgrade to a decent 16v sprint engine is well worth the extra fun obtainable, V8's are just as good. A little harsh with regard to the comments for the TR Register, an awful lot of 7 owners do get a lot out of the club. Check out the forum (as guest if you wish) at www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php There is a specific forum dedicated to TR7/TR8 and you will also find someone wishing to give away (free) a TR7 that has just failed it's mot. Could be a good source of spares, if nothing else the roof may be just what you need.

The Gingerous One    on 3 January 2007

agreed, £795 sounds too much for such a project. I paid £175 for a Speke car with no MoT but managed to nurse it through an MoT only for HGF to strike later. Decided it wasn't worth sorting due to being a 4spd and the body hadn't seen much care, only filler. tapping the sills I got different noises as I went along leading me to suspect cover sills had been fitted. looking carefully showed that this was the case, pulling the sill off revealed rust, rust and fresh air.

£800 got me another Speke (FHC) car but had been converted to 5 spd, had a Sprint engine fitted, had been restored c.1996 and had new wings & sills fitted (and done properly), upgraded brakes, lowered suspension and 11 months MoT. Plus all MoT's since 1980, history of previous owners from DVLA, pics of restoration done in late 90's, bills for all parts, paint etc. showing that around £2.5k had been spent then.

It still needs TLC, though, yet another thing to add to the list.

I stripped the old £175 one and there was rot all under the pedal box (must be through into a box section), also just behind the seats, it had been patched but that rot was growing. one wing was full of filler & rust. So it's good source of parts for the other (trim, plus the new bits I had bought for it).

Make sure the head gasket is OK (no misfires, no pressurising of the cooling system, no oil in water) and if you do decide to buy it, attack the cooling system first and make sure it's top notch. flush it all out, forwards, backwards, heater and radiator as well and make sure the little cooling hose under the carbs hasn't been kinked as mine had, thus preventing the cooling system from operating correctly.

Remember, it might have 12 months MoT but it can still have dodgy cover sills patched on over the rotten originals....

And I have some bits that I can't use on the Sprint-engined one......

hope that helps,
Stu

bacon&eggs    on 4 January 2007

Thanks for the pointers back roomers. I have phoned the owner (a friend of a friend) and have arranged to go over and have a look at it on Sunday, well weather permitting. I am taking my dad with me as a unbiased view. Will haggle hard on the price though.

Thanks all, will keep you posted.

bacon&eggs    on 21 January 2007

Evening all. Thought that I would post my findings on the TR7 that I went to see last week (eventually). To be totally honest I didn't know what to expect but I was let down and suprised at the same time . The bodywork is in a very poor state, with the paint having "crazed" very badly and it feels very rough when you run your hand along it and dry. The front wing O/S, bonnet and N/S door are the worst. I budget in a full bare metal respray. I can only assume that this is due to the car being stored in a very dry and hot garage (during the summer periods) for the past 8 1/2 years, well according to the owner....The body has had some plates welded on the front N/S floorpan (2 seperate plates), rear boot floor where the seam joines the rear valance and the rear wing - about a foot square or there abouts and where the front suspension lower mount is. Also I think that due to the rot and welding the whole body appears to have sagged in the middle as the front doors seem to be tight to open/close (front wheel on kerb test, although they were never that stiff when new) regardless of the front wheel being on the kerb or not. Drop down hood is U/S. In all this bad news however there is some good:- The engine & gearbox has had a full rebuild by the owner (ex BL dealer mechanic) with most of the reciepts coming from rimmer bros and james paddock and she drove A1 on the testdrive. I cant describe it but it feels like the kettler go-cart I had when I was a kid, fantastic. Sadly this TR7 aint for me - I was expecting a bit of a pig but due to the very poor paintwork it needs a full A1 respray. Want a TR7 so bad now though, the search continues.......

tr7v8    on 21 January 2007

Glad to hear you're a fan. Mine will be for sale in a month or so, but it will be around the top of £6,000 as it was completely rebuilt under 3 years ago & cost me £18K! But an immaculate car with no rot & a stonking V8!

Micky    on 21 January 2007

£6K? You can buy a TR6 for that!