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To Restore or Not
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 17:04
by davidwise011
Hi, I have just acquired a 1980 TR7 Convertible that is a 1 owner car, with 54,000 miles, and stored in a barn since 2008, it seems very solid, and not to difficult to bring up to a hight standard, the only problem is that I had one when I was 18, and no problem getting in and out, but now at 50, and with a back injury, I more difficult than I thought.
I want to investigate sorting it out, but it looks as if something is missing, the front spoiler is in the boot, the decals all look wrong, so it may have been painted at some stage, it has tan upholstery, but a black hood.
Can anyone tell me what missing
Pictures can be seen at the following
http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/david ... 4.jpg.html
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 17:46
by supercass
Can't quite see if the sill trim strips are present. Otherwise apart from the missing spoiler in your boot as far as I can see only the door mirror is untoward, a non standard one. Badging appears correct for that year and colour keyed hoods were only supplied for a short period for later models. The hood cover if present should be black though. supercass
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 18:07
by davidwise011
Thank you.
I have uploaded a picture of door sill now
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 19:04
by Maxwell
Hi David - And welcome!
Next thing to do is to join the TR-Drivers Club, and bring it along to Billing in July!
Maxwell \ TRDC Editor. [:D]
<b>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</b>
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 19:20
by supercass
Yes, it was the finishing strip on the outside where the the black sill paint stops. It is present. Looks quite original, many owners have replaced the marker blanking plates with functioning lights, but yours are still present. Carpets are original. I would advise that you make every effort to refurb your existing carpets as the moulded variety are no longer available and those readily available after market aren't as good. The steering wheel centre insert is available for a few £'s from S and S, Rimmers, Moss, James Paddock or similar. Even has period door speakers, not sure if they are original, possibly from an earlier model, but very close. Looks like it still has an original radio cassette player as well. Shame about the aerial and immediate body work. All pointers to a car that hasn't been messed about with. Only part I haven't seen before is the black ?bung immediately below the striker plate in the door opening. In the absence of any obvious overspray or the inner areas being a different colour, no immediate reason to suppose it has been resprayed. Looks a prime candiadte for sympathetic restoration. As a matter of interest what did you feel was missing? supercass
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 19:26
by davidwise011
Hi, I thought that hood colour was wrong, and that there were some badging on the wings, it has been wax oiled from new, so is showing very little signs of rust, the drivers seat looks a bit out of shape, and the interior looks dull, but I take on board your comments as regards the carpets
Thanks for your help
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 19:32
by supercass
Hi.,
No only the later Solihull models had the 2 litre badges on the wings. An incorrect hood colour as such probably wouldn't be too much to worry about as I would guess that the vast majority would have been replaced by now. The coloured original hoods were expensive items to replace so many have opted to replace in black. Replaced or not yours would have been black originally. supercass
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 19:34
by Roy Hankins
I agree with the above comments. A very original looking Canley built convertible,well worth sorting out and putting back on the road.
Roy
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 20:11
by john 215
Hi,
[:D] WELCOME TO THE BEST TR7 / 8 FORUM IN THE WORLD EVER [8D]
Great looking car, as far as the seats are concerned the foam tends to collaspe as does the rubber base straps. Seats not that hard to re-trim and available.
Cheers John
LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1976 Speke FHC Beauty
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)
1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!