Question about year models and handbooks?

[Graham.Fountain]

I'm looking for some information on TR7 handbooks, mostly related to P, T, and S registered Speke built TR7s.

What I'd like to know is when the picture of the sunroof handle changed from a straight bar to a round loop one, when they changed from pictures of cord seat covers to ones of tartan/plaid seats, when they started to show the lights in the doors, etc., and when they changed from the A5 portrait format to the larger landscape one.

I have a handbook (RTC 9210 Edition 6, copyright 1976) that appears to be for a late 1977 y.m. - it shows tartan seat covers and a round loop sunroof handle, but a map light at the back of the cabin and interior light in the roof lining. I believe the cars of the early 77 and 76 year models had the cord seats and the straight bar sunroof handle, but I don't know what their handbooks showed. I also think that change from early to late 77 y.m. was about January 1977, and I know the change to 78 y.m. was at the end of June to the start of July 1977 - the earliest 78 y.m. car I've ever seen, a couple of hundred into the chassis number sequence, was registered in July 1977 on a T plate.

Graham

[rugbyref1]

If no-one else comes back in this then I'll check the handbook archives next week - I have most editions

[Graham.Fountain]

That would be great.

I've been looking at the copies for sale on line. It looks like the green A5 portrait one I have is the last issue(6). I can't find any issue 5, but there're issue 4s for sale. The first issue of the landscape one, which I was thinking was for the 78 y.m. (AKM4332), is claimed to be Published 01/01/76, which seems early to be for the 78 ym. Question is, does that one show the alloy wheels and lights in doors, etc., or do they only show up in issue 2 that seems is listed as published in 79 or 80?

[Beans]

And to make it all a bit more complicated
When you look at the Sprint Handbook (# AKM 3967 edition 1 ©1977) it shows the T handle sunroof,
but with tartan seats, plain door cards and the full plastic wheel trims ...

[Graham.Fountain]

When you look at the Sprint Handbook (# AKM 3967 edition 1 ©1977) it shows the T handle sunroof,
but with tartan seats, plain door cards and the full plastic wheel trims ...

There are some differences from the ©1976 TR7 booklet, but not many. Odd that, isn't it?

Graham

[Graham.Fountain]

Now looking specifically for info from earler editions of RTC 9210 - there's an ed 4, but I'm not sure there was an Ed 5 - and AKM4332 Edition 1 (it don't say Ed 1, obviously), which ebay sellers say was published in 1976 - seems a bit early to me.

Also any general info on the difference between the full size sunrooves with the straight bar handle and the round loop handle.

[XSeries]

TR8 Handbook Edition 1 for June 1977 shows the round loop handle, tartan seats and a map lamp. Some of the images (generic) show steel wheels, though there is a special mention of alloy wheels and tightening procedure.
The 1980 version still shows broad cord seats in some images as well as tartan plus steel wheels and a TR7 steering wheel, round loop handle and door lights, boot stay as well as alloy wheels.
By 1981 the speedometer was still only reading to 80 and the sun visors were clearly from a fixed head but most everything else was about right.
Brian

[johnnyj]

Hi

Not sure if this helps at all, but I have RTC 9210 edition 3, dated 1975. It shows:

- 140 mph speedo
- Black broadcord interior
- Inverted (sort of) "T" shaped sunroof handle
- Small black wheel trims
- No map reading lamp

Cheers

John

[Graham.Fountain]

Thanks John, That does help.
Now it what I need to know what seatcovers and sunroof handle RTC 9210 ed 4 and AKM4332 ed 1 show?

Graham