tr7triumph.com

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 14:57**

Period accessories are a significant part of classic car ownership. There isn't really a lot out there for wedge owners. I wouldn't mind gathering in a Tr8 steering wheel but they have got pretty expensive of late with a good one starting to nudge the Â£200 mark. Although not a huge fan of non-original part I have however succumbed to this alternative. NOS Astrali TR7 Steering Wheel Boss complete with "Swirling Plughole of Doom" badge and Triumph Laurel Leaves. Yet to arrive from another source, a NOS 13.5 inch leather steering wheel with 3 Aluminium spokes (with 3 holes in each). Total cost including significant postage costs is Â£51.88.

Feel free to comment. Good or bad!

http://www.croyde-bay.com/triumph.htm

croydebay@aol.com

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 15:16**

I have been having a bit of a garage clearout and sold a new Springalex steering wheel centre with horn button for Â£23 that must have been hanging around since the 1970's. We always left them off in those days.
It went to someone in Australia but there was also a guy in Japan chasing it. Amazing to me as I was all set to throw it in the bin.

Just goes to show that there is a lot of this stuff about if we keep our eyes open.

Russ

1980 TR7 Sprint DHC
Dursley
UK

http://tr7russ.blogspot.co.uk/

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 15:19**

Period Accessories? I've just been given an after-market 8-Track Player [and a Carpenters Cassette] for disposal. Far too good to junk, so PM me if anybody's interested....

Maxwell [;)]

2.0 TR7 Drop head \ Maxwell \ sold
2.0 TR7 Fixed head \ Robyn \ sold
3.5 TR7 V8 Drop head \ Oliver \ sold

2.0 TR7 Fixed head \ Ben \ current
0.7 Smart Roadster \ Oscar \ current

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 15:48**

'Swirling Plughole of Doom'??? Well, that's not a bad expression. It ranks right up there with my, 'Flushing L'.

Who says we good folk don't have a sense of humor?

Mildred Hargis

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 16:53**

That is a brilliant saying swirling plughole of doom [:D]

[8 whole cylinders worth of punch to ram the world through the windshield and out the rear view mirror. Car & Driver]
1981 Grinnall TR7 v8
1981 Black FHC
1979 & 1980 Black Premium FHC(laid to rest) Sorry :-(

John

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 17:43**

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mildred

'Swirling Plughole of Doom'??? Well, that's not a bad expression. It ranks right up there with my, 'Flushing L'.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I like them both. Very descriptive, and accurate. [8D]

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

Posted: **21 Mar 2013 22:49**

Please pardon my intrusion on this excellent thread topic, but permit me this one small tangent. If one discounts the salted roads, body rot, the rainy cold climate, and other environmental factors, were British Leyland cars all that bad? I mean, we here do have Triumph TR7's and have successfully rejuvenated them to a better status than they had 30 years ago.

Or, has dementia now affected my memory?

Mildred Hargis

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 02:20**

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by croydebay

I wouldn't mind gathering in a Tr8 steering wheel but they have got pretty expensive of late with a good one starting to nudge the Â£200 mark. Although not a huge fan of non-original part I have however succumbed to this alternative. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

 Ay, ay, ay, Steve! [V] I wish I would have known that you needed one. Could have hooked you up. You know where to find me. [;)] Is this for Carmel or Vicky?
--Monica 

----MH-----

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 11:00**

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mildred

Please pardon my intrusion on this excellent thread topic, but permit me this one small tangent. If one discounts the salted roads, body rot, the rainy cold climate, and other environmental factors, were British Leyland cars all that bad? I mean, we here do have Triumph TR7's and have successfully rejuvenated them to a better status than they had 30 years ago.

Or, has dementia now affected my memory?

Mildred Hargis
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes Mildred but you lot in the US were spared some of the absolute horrors the British Playland inflicted upon the motoring world, such as the Morris Marina, Austin Allegro etc. They made sufficient number of rubbish cars and kept on making out dated designs that they tarnished their reputation beyond repair and because of all that, some of that bad image has unfairly stuck to their better efforts.

"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"

80'Triumph TR7, 73'Land Rover (Ford 351. V8),
'89 Ford Fairlane
'98 MG-F, 69'Ford F250.
76' Ford F100

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 13:32**

Ah, but we did get the Marina. It was sold as an Austin over here. It was still rubbish. I can't remember the last time I saw one.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 14:09**

I take it from the way that this discussion has gone that nobody gives a flying fig whether I stay original or add period accessory steering wheel. Admittedly it is easy to change back.

Not everyone was disillusioned with BL (TR7 wise) as can be seen from almost the only piece of paperwork that came with the car. It's an internal memo (before email!). The car is manual by the way and he did get it zeibarted. There is an electric ariel but no radio but there is what appears to be a plastic oddments container fitted in the hole - another period accessory I wonder?

http://www.croyde-bay.com/triumph.htm

croydebay@aol.com

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 14:33**

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by croydebay

I take it from the way that this discussion has gone that nobody gives a flying fig whether I stay original or add period accessory steering wheel. Admittedly it is easy to change back.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well to me, Steve, that is exactly it - you can easily revert back to "normal" with that kind of mod, so why not do it if you like it?

And you have the plastic oddments box in the radio slot? That seems nearly as rare a a TR8 steering wheel, if not quite so valuable. I have one in my blue coupe & find it really useful. Mind you I got my period Sharp radio/cassette fixed by Walmsley Classics recently so now I have to decide whether to refit it to the car or keep the oddments box. Decisions, decisions .......[:)]

Tony

1981 TR7 FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 TR7V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!
1977 TR8 FHC EFI Factory development car Inca Yellow

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 16:31**

I think it's great you're trying to stay original! I've had to resist my normal urge to "accentuate" several times. Because its a Spider I'm doing my best to keep it as original as possible. Some things, like wiring, need updating and can be done without effecting authenticity. For me it's turned into a game to find original pieces. It takes patience with some things, I finally got my hands on an original am/fm/cassette with logo faceplate, that was kind of my holy grail! Several items I've had to replace because they had various holes drilled in them, etc. so it's all about what you want. Personally I love showing the car off and seeing people's amazement at what great original shape it's in.

Randy

1980 TR7 Spider!

http://rgstr7spider.tumblr.com/

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 16:58**

To be honest my intention with this car is not to be a slave to originality. It's hard though because my anorak doesn't want to come off and she is lovely as she is and growing on me every time I drive her. (Every day right now). Acquaintances and friends wave at me although they've never seen the car before. They presume that if its a TR7 its gonna be me driving it!

I've just downloaded the photobucket app which makes posting pix a lot quicker and easier. Here is that oddments/radio cubby hole. It is downright useful and I'm wondering about keeping it and putting a radio in the glove box.

http://www.croyde-bay.com/triumph.htm

croydebay@aol.com

Posted: **22 Mar 2013 17:40**

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rgsSpider

Personally I love showing the car off and seeing people's amazement at what great original shape it's in.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Same here. Only the seat coverings are different and they were replaced prior to 1985. The bonnet paint is mottled from being under a tarp for 7 years but it still shines in the right light. My only nod to non standard/original item is the dual exhaust mufflers/tips by Thrush (on the car when I bought it). People can't believe the new looking hood with it's clear plastic windows, is over 30 years old.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT