Where to look?

[Mad Zero]

I thought finding a restored (i.e rot-free) TR7 would be pretty easy by now due to them gaining popularity with classic car owners, but all I can find are dropheads ..and I want a FHC.

 

I've performed dozens of Google searches but only found 3 cars - one's way to expensive, one is in Guernsey, and the other has a c.1984 glass sunroof plonked on the top - surely someone in the UK specialises in these things??

 

I'm off to Robsport tomorrow for a poke about (I live near them) but I'm not holding out much hope as it seems the only TR7's deemed worthy of restoring are the DHC's and V8's - anyone have any ideas?

[V8again]

I thought finding a restored (i.e rot-free) TR7 would be pretty easy by now due to them gaining popularity with classic car owners, but all I can find are dropheads ..and I want a FHC.

 

I've performed dozens of Google searches but only found 3 cars - one's way to expensive, one is in Guernsey, and the other has a c.1984 glass sunroof plonked on the top - surely someone in the UK specialises in these things??

 

I'm off to Robsport tomorrow for a poke about (I live near them) but I'm not holding out much hope as it seems the only TR7's deemed worthy of restoring are the DHC's and V8's - anyone have any ideas?

 

I think you answered your own question in paragraph one. They have gained popularity so people are hanging on to them. I searched for ever to find a FHC without a sunroof, when I bought it, turned out to be not as good as advertised. Keep an eye on Ebay, I have purchased 5 cars from there over 2 years, if your careful it is a very good option.

 

Chris

Edited April 6, 2007 by V8again

[Mad Zero]

I think you answered your own question in paragraph one. They have gained popularity so people are hanging on to them. I searched for ever to find a FHC without a sunroof, when I bought it, turned out to be not as good as advertised. Keep an eye on Ebay, I have purchased 5 cars from there over 2 years, if your careful it is a very good option.

 

Chris

 

FIVE of 'em? that's just plain greedy!

 

Cheers for the tip I'll keep scanning the bay too!

[Mad Zero]

Thanks for that Alec - much appreciated.

 

You brought up some interesting points there:

 

Firstly, you're advising (quite rightly) that the condition of bodyshell is everything and to buy one with the best bodywork and not worry about the mechanicals. I can obiously see the sense, and your thinking behind that (although I should have mentioned I want a car to use now rather than a project, sorry about that!) - BUT the FHC bodyshell is freely available brand new so surely buying a 'good runner' and a new bodyshell would be the way to go if one fancied building one?

 

Secondly, one of the reasons I always choose the FHC version of my chosen classic (whatever the make) is the fact that in today's traffic one is so vunerable in a DHC that a rollover bar is basically mandatory ..which immediately ruins the look/image of the original vehicle. Consider any number of handsome roadsters such as the E-Type, MGB, Spitfire etc with the extra metalwork behind the seats - the original lines of the car only really exist when the hood is up, which is a shame (IMO). Are you telling me the FHC TR7 needs a rollover bar if it has a sunroof?? Although I don't care for the glass affairs (thanks for the extra info on these BTW) I was always fine with the factory sliding ones looks-wise ..but now I'm a little scared by your reply! I was under the impression that, apart from the lazy gits not painting the unseen surfaces and edges of the panels, the bodyshell of the FHC was a notably strong unit?

 

Incidentally, if Tom does want to sell his FHC then perhaps you'd ask him to kindly mail me a pic or two (soon) as I'm actively viewing them now - it would be a shame to miss out on a good 'un! My email is: mad.zero (at) btinternet.com - thanks.

Edited April 7, 2007 by Mad Zero

[rosey]

Have a look at this

http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4739

 

Dave

[moe and ess]

Thanks for that Alec - much appreciated.

 

You brought up some interesting points there:

 

Firstly, you're advising (quite rightly) that the condition of bodyshell is everything and to buy one with the best bodywork and not worry about the mechanicals. I can obiously see the sense, and your thinking behind that (although I should have mentioned I want a car to use now rather than a project, sorry about that!) - BUT the FHC bodyshell is freely available brand new so surely buying a 'good runner' and a new bodyshell would be the way to go if one fancied building one?

 

Secondly, one of the reasons I always choose the FHC version of my chosen classic (whatever the make) is the fact that in today's traffic one is so vunerable in a DHC that a rollover bar is basically mandatory ..which immediately ruins the look/image of the original vehicle. Consider any number of handsome roadsters such as the E-Type, MGB, Spitfire etc with the extra metalwork behind the seats - the original lines of the car only really exist when the hood is up, which is a shame (IMO). Are you telling me the FHC TR7 needs a rollover bar if it has a sunroof?? Although I don't care for the glass affairs (thanks for the extra info on these BTW) I was always fine with the factory sliding ones looks-wise ..but now I'm a little scared by your reply! I was under the impression that, apart from the lazy gits not painting the unseen surfaces and edges of the panels, the bodyshell of the FHC was a notably strong unit?

 

Incidentally, if Tom does want to sell his FHC then perhaps you'd ask him to kindly mail me a pic or two (soon) as I'm actively viewing them now - it would be a shame to miss out on a good 'un! My email is: mad.zero (at) btinternet.com - thanks.

Hi MZ have a look at this one on ebay it has got the glass sunroof but bodily it looks pretty sound the number is 200096551648. Worth alook

Regards Moe

[Mad Zero]

Cheers Alec - all sound advice of course but you're preaching to the converted about the safety aspect - I just like my cars to look outwardly standard which will be easier with a FHC..

 

Tom did email me tonight (stunning paint on his car btw!) but unfortunately his TR7 is sans-engine at the moment and, like him, I just haven't the time to take on a project right now. Lovely car by the look of the pics he sent though.

 

Right then, just for the sportsmanship of it I'm going to stick my neck out here and claim that within 6 months from now I'll bag myself a really decent standard 4-cylinder Canley or Solihull FHC, not perfect but no rot, in a nice colour, mechanically good, with an MOT for no more than (here goes!) 2000 quid - what do you reckon?

 

 

rosey: I'll register on that site tomorrow and check out that link - cheers!

[Mad Zero]

Hi MZ have a look at this one on ebay it has got the glass sunroof but bodily it looks pretty sound the number is 200096551648. Worth alook

Regards Moe

Thanks for that Moe - I did see it but there's something not quite right with that red (IMO) - that and the 4-speed box kinda dampened my enthusiasm somewhat! I greatly appreciate your taking the trouble to reply to my post though - I'm liking this forum lots already!

[moe and ess]

Thanks for that Moe - I did see it but there's something not quite right with that red (IMO) - that and the 4-speed box kinda dampened my enthusiasm somewhat! I greatly appreciate your taking the trouble to reply to my post though - I'm liking this forum lots already!

Hi MZ have a look on the Club Triumph site and the TR Drivers site there are a couple on there that might be of interest

Cheers Moe

[moe and ess]

Hi MZ have a look on the Club Triumph site and the TR Drivers site there are a couple on there that might be of interest

Cheers Moe

Here is another one for you MZ on ebay today number is 140105605086 looks good.

Regards Moe

[Mad Zero]

Here is another one for you MZ on ebay today number is 140105605086 looks good.

Regards Moe

Thanks for that it does look good but I'm a bit wary of sellers with no feedback ..especially if it's an expensive item like a car! I've actually got two very strong contenders which I'm going to look at during the next week or so fingers crossed!

[Mad Zero]

Well for those who are interested in hearing the end of the story I ended up buying WFH302X the ex-Pringle 2.0FHC which, as many of you already know, was recently de-rotted, fitted with numerous upgrades and (at enormous cost) refinished in gleaming pearlecent black ...including the engine bay!

 

Ok so I would've preferred a car in a standard TR colour but this was the only TR7 within my price range with absolutely no rust (yes really!) so it just had to be bought! There is plenty for me to do (like fit an engine!) but this will be no bad thing because it will give me the opportunity to get to know the car properly and attend to all those niggling little jobs one tends to put off and fit all the pain in the arse stuff (clutch, timing chain etc) with ease. Yay!

 

So, thanks for a great deal Tom - much appreciated matey!

 

(p.s. Your Dad tried to sell me your alloy wheels - make sure you sting him for a few beers! LOL!)

[Mad Zero]

Well, who's a lucky bunny then . . .

 

WFH is by no means the best fixed head 2 litre 7 in the country, but it is certainly one of the soundest and best finished. The better examples are, for sure, counted in two figures and not three. Probably only in handfuls.

 

I have to say I'm not happy - at that price I'd have preferred to have bought it back from Tom and used it myself. I know how many hundreds of hours, thousands of pounds, and blood sweat and tears, have gone into what was a very good and original car when we bought it. But Tom is a man of his word, an increasingly rare commodity, and he agreed a deal with you. Of course I can respect that, c'est la vie.

 

You will look after it. Enjoy.

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

You make it sound like I took advantage Alec - it was Tom's price and I gave him plenty of opportunities to think about it/back out ...even after the money had changed hands! The last thing I want to do is upset people (I really mean that!) - if you feel that strongly I will sell it to you for the amount I paid Tom without quibble - there are things I'm not 100% happy with the car so I really don't mind - it was offered to me, it was the least rusty one I'd seen, so I bought it. It hold no special place in my heart (yet) it's just an old Triumph to me! It's up to you - can't say fairer than that can I?

Edited April 29, 2007 by Mad Zero

[Mad Zero]

Hi MZ,

 

That's a kind and generous offer, but in the nicest possible way I wouldn't dream of it . . .

 

Tom's happy that his labours are going to a good home, and no of course I wasn't suggesting that you took advantage !!

 

It's a damn good 7, you'll enjoy it. Have fun !

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

 

 

Ok cool.

Edited May 3, 2007 by Mad Zero