alaric Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 I have owned wet-liner TRs (3A/4A and 4) since 1962, but am considering becoming becoming a TR7 owner for my everyday transport. Apart from borrowing a TR 7 for 3 weeks back in 1996 (See TRaction 133 and 134), when I found it to be an excellent touring car, I'm afraid I know very little about the Wedge. I would like a soft top convertible for summer use, but replace the hood with a hard top in the winter, just like I did in the 1960s with my TR3A. Does such a thing exist? If so, who is the supplier, and how much do they cost? How easy, and how long does it take to fit/remove, including removing and replacing the hood? Better still, does a Surrey top for the TR7 exist? Both my TR4A and TR4 have the benifit of this great innovation. Members advise will be appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vitessesteve Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) You can get a Lenham hardtop that fits over the folded down convertable top. It attaches to the header rail in the same way as soft top. You buy them new from Rimmer I think. I have a similar Honeybourne Mouldings hardtop. Edited September 14, 2013 by vitessesteve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Welcome Alaric. Wedge hardtops were aftermarket items only, the nearest thing to a Surrey version is created by adding a fabric or glass sunroof panel. Not lightweight, and they tend to need a fair amount of fettling to achieve a good fit, but once that's done they are pretty solid and weatherproof - quite adequate for winter motoring in other words. If you're anywhere near SW Wiltshire you're welcome to inspect one here on a redundant car. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alaric Posted September 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Thanks Steve. Do not recall ever having seen on before, I must start taking a closer look at 7s. Any wind noise, negative issues? Regards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alaric Posted September 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Thanks Alec. I think a FHC with a glass sun roof that will stow in the boot may be the answer. Total change of subject, just to say how much I enjoyed your Works TR4 presentation at Baldock? a couple of years ago. Thank you again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Hi Alaric, that wasn't me talking about the works cars, that would have been the excellent Ian Cornish, owner of 4 VC. I haven't managed to catch one of his talks, but having known Ian since the 70s I'm well aware of just how immensely knowledgeable he is on the topic - apart from which, he's a talented public speaker on whatever subject. Tin top wedges are, in my experience, better with a folding fabric sunroof than a glass version - bit nearer to the Surrey feel ! Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vitessesteve Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Thanks Steve. Do not recall ever having seen on before, I must start taking a closer look at 7s. Any wind noise, negative issues? Regards Much quieter than my Vitesse Saloon - I do not think you can expect a TR to be as comfortable a modern car. Pretty heavy to lift off, not really a single handed job - then what do you do with it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alaric Posted September 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Hi Alaric, that wasn't me talking about the works cars, that would have been the excellent Ian Cornish, owner of 4 VC. I haven't managed to catch one of his talks, but having known Ian since the 70s I'm well aware of just how immensely knowledgeable he is on the topic - apart from which, he's a talented public speaker on whatever subject. Tin top wedges are, in my experience, better with a folding fabric sunroof than a glass version - bit nearer to the Surrey feel ! Cheers Alec Brain fade! Not sure why I got you and Ian mixed up in my mind, sorry about that. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alaric Posted September 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Much quieter than my Vitesse Saloon - I do not think you can expect a TR to be as comfortable a modern car. Pretty heavy to lift off, not really a single handed job - then what do you do with it? I am not expecting modern car standards, but my wife in particular wants a bit more comfort that a hard sprung TR4 provides. Must start work on designing a pulley system in the garage roof for lifting, storing and lowering? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 You're lucky to have a garage........! Maxwell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 The simple answer to lifting a hardtop is a bicycle hoist - depending on the weight of the hardtop you need 2 or 4. There are lots of choices on eBay for less than a tenner apiece, and they turn up in Aldi and Lidl once a year for about £6 apiece. Simple enough to link the lifting cords so as to raise or lower all 4 corners in sync. Just put bicycle lift into eBay . . . . Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Heritage2 Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 I've had TR7's for 23 years and very rarely see one with the Lenham top. I wonder if it is because they are heavy to remove, or because the TR7 DHC has good weather protection (certainly compared to earlier TR's). The TR7 FHC is also an option as the driving experience feels better, and currently cheaper - but this is changing so may be a good investment as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BA_Badger Posted March 23, 2020 Report Share Posted March 23, 2020 Hi all, Now I know this is a really old thread but I have just seen this & thought that some of you (if you are still around) might be interested in seeing it. I have no connection with the ad whatsoever & as to the claim of it being original, well I have no idea & certainly have never heard of it! Cheers, Nick https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/vincentia/cars-vans-utes/1980-triumph-tr7-coupe/1213520896 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyMike Posted March 24, 2020 Report Share Posted March 24, 2020 Hi Nick I've not been on this forum for a little while now and this was the first thread I thought I'd read. That's an interesting link you've posted. It looks like the 7 was originally a coupe and has been modified by having a section of the roof cut out. Hopefully whoever did it has strengthened the bodyshell as it may just start to bend in the middle!! Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BA_Badger Posted March 27, 2020 Report Share Posted March 27, 2020 On 3/25/2020 at 6:27 AM, ChippyMike said: Hi Nick I've not been on this forum for a little while now and this was the first thread I thought I'd read. That's an interesting link you've posted. It looks like the 7 was originally a coupe and has been modified by having a section of the roof cut out. Hopefully whoever did it has strengthened the bodyshell as it may just start to bend in the middle!! Mike. Hi Mike, Likewise & I thought exactly the same re the body strengthening! The fact that the seller states it was like this from new, was what really drew my attention. That in turn made me Google it & how I ended up at this old thread. Nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyMike Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 Hi Nick I've learnt from experience. About 15 years ago I converted a FHC to a convertible. I thought I'd Really overdone it with body strengthening, but it still felt a little shaky. Also after about 6 months the door gaps started showing movement. I ended up selling it for spares. I feel guilty for destroying a perfectly solid Fixed head!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vitessesteve Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 (edited) Even if the factory had done a surrey style TR7 I bet they would not had done that nose job. Edited March 28, 2020 by vitessesteve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vitessesteve Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 I also hope the factory would have made a tidier job of the fabric top. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyMike Posted April 2, 2020 Report Share Posted April 2, 2020 You're right Steve, that fabric top does look a bit scruffy. The owner was obviously proud of it though........but you'd have thought he'd have cleaned that bird poop of the rear boot and bumper before snapping it!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leslie rog Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Well mine came with a hard top i do take it off by myself , but it’s not east to put it back on by myself. when it’s off the car I store it in the garage just in front of the car so it’s all nice and safe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.