I had both TR7s and TR8 over about a decade in the 1990s and loved those cars. I did a full restoration on a rust free TR7 and did some performance work on the motor - balancing, high comp pistons, electric cooling fans, etc. and found it to be very entertaining. When a TR8 came up for sale, I snapped it up and did a light restore on it - exhaust, top, seats, minor rust repair on the front fenders. The car had Bosch fuel injection which worked fine and eliminated the Stromberg carbs which were problematic for the V8. Eventually, I sold both cars and the new owners enjoyed them as well. A shame that the plug got pulled on the TR8 just as they got it right...
My TR7 is great - always loved em since they were launched. Now using the car in tarmac rallies with 16v power. Before this it's been round Britain 3 times and 10 countries in Europe twice - just great!
It was around 1987. I found a 77 hardtop TR7 with water in the oil for $600. I bought it and dragged it over to me grandmother's house where I pulled the head and replaced the blown head gasket. I put 97,000 miles on the car. I became a master at replacing head gaskets (I kept them on the shelf as normal wear parts). I stripped the transmission twice for no good reason and commuted to work every day in it. I always wanted to do the Buick V6 conversion but never had the funds. Mine was blue and I love it.
I am mad about 7s and I have spent the past 20 years yearning for one!! I finally got mine in Oct 2018!! He’s ‘an 81 DHC in Cav blue!! He used to belong to a thriving member of the trdc!! Before he came into my hands!! He runs the standard 2.0 unit!! Which I think is perfectly fine and one my mechanic friends says is more reliable!! The V8 is ok!! As long as it’s a Rover V8!! (Not a triumph V8!!)
WOW, I have owned a 76 coupe and 80 convertible. Nothing will ever match the fun and driving experience I had with these cars.... Not even my 1958 Triumph TR3
Great video, great point, TR8's are over looked, in the USA Group 44 Racing did some serious ass kicking against cars prepped at many times the money. It is a sound design.
I've had 3 TR7's a fixed head coupe, and 2 convertibles. I converted one to a Dolomite Sprint engine. I'm now looking at a 1980 convertible in good nick, so it looks like shall be buying number 4.
Hi ... I agree with you !!!! . I owned two TR7's being a 1977 hard top and a 1980 convertible !!! . The garage i worked at took in a RHD TR8 which i only moved a few yards !!! . It was upholstered better from the factory with velour seats and had a smaller steering wheel as standard plus power steering. . Even on starting the car felt "disproportionate" and somehow "heavy" or "weighted" under the bonnet ?? . The engine was somehow not right for the car ???? . I've always thought that the Bedford 2.3 engine fitted in the vans would have been a better conversion ????...(they were used in the Lotus Esprit) ................. Just a thicker engine block !!! ... (The Rover V8 engine ..... great in Rovers and Range Rovers) . THANKS FOR READING
Sexy, this was the time! Original RX7 also had a sexy body like this. I think there was a special upholstery from the FACTORY of TR7 that was a beautiful fabric PLAID
I've wanted one since I was a kid in 5th grade when they came out . Now collectors are driving the prices up to where you can't afford one . Just like they have done with every other car . Greed in this hobby makes me sick .
