I'm thinking of getting a TR7

[Tamas Petrunin]

Hi

I've joined this forum for some advice before I jump in with both feet, I've liked the TR7 for many years now but some how never got around to buying one.

Personally I prefer the fixed head and would also prefer it with the Rover V8 engine in, how often do V8 fhc come up for sale? (preferably without a sunroof, yeah I know I'm a fussy bugger) Do you know of any for sale ?

Is it easier/cheaper to keep looking for a V8 fhc rather than get a 2litre and do the engine swop ? I imagine it can get expensive/time consuming getting all the bits together to do a swop.

As far as restoring one goes, that doesn't faze me, I've been a welder/sheet metal worker for 20+ years and completely restored a couple of cars as well as tinkered with a few motorbikes, my Mk3 hilux pickup is in the garage as we speak in the middle of a repair/weld/respray.

Ideally I'll strip it to a bare shell, do any repairs it needs and then it'll be resprayed in Inca Yellow.

All advice very gratefully received.

[FI Spyder]

TR8 coupes are rare, without sunroof even rarer. Not sure where you're from, TR8's never reached production in UK (just some preproduction cars). Most all are TR7 V8 conversions.

It's cheaper to buy a TR8 than a TR7 and do the conversion plus the 8 is worth more. A TR7 V8 will never be a TR8 value wise. If you are in N/A you should be able to find something. Another conversion is the Buick V-6 which is an iron block version of the aluminum V-8 and there are kits available for the conversion making it much easier. Basically in a conversion you won't be able to get power steering set up as they are harder to get (from wrecked TR8's)than TR8's but you don't really need it. You want to find as good (rust free) body as you can afford even if you are good at body work. Most stuff is pretty inexpensive but it does add up. People on this forum have done all kinds of upgrades. Look at Beans' Blog for top notch restoration. He has set the bar high.

[john 215]

Hi,

Welcome to this forum, and well done on your choice of car.

As my learned friend say's a lot do with where you are in the world. TR8's are on the rare side over here in the old country, TR7 V8's less so, though at a guess more DHC conversions than FHC, and a FHC with no sunroof rare with or without a V8 in the front, the competition lads tend to aim for them for obvious reasons.

Conversion to a V8 IMHO is easy, after all BL made the dam things ! Cheap not necessary case but cheaper than doing say a Escort RS2000 conversion would be. IF you buy a conversion then go through it very carefully seen some very dubious jobs over the years, wiring always seems to a favourite thing to skimp on, you want to keep that smoke in the loom !!

Brakes and suspension need changing also, especially the brake as only just adequate on a 4 cylinder car. Axle ratio will need upping unless you want to drag race or sprint the car.

Cheaper if you can afford it to possibly buy a good FHC, and then a rotten donor car, with all the right bits attached. Although if you are good with a Mig and grinder most panels are available to repair a rotten one. And as it is says in my signature, personally you can't beat the feeling of a car that is -

BUILT NOT BROUGHT

As with all classic projects,

Think of a time scale and treble it
Think of the hassle factor and times that by five
Think of a budget and time that by ten

Is it worth it ? , IMHO oh very much so, in a lot of ways makes it the car it was always destined to be

A lot of info on here, look at some of the blogs and someone always here to help.

Cheers John

[Tamas Petrunin]

As my learned friend say's a lot do with where you are in the world. TR8's are on the rare side over here in the old country, TR7 V8's less so, though at a guess more DHC conversions than FHC, and a FHC with no sunroof rare with or without a V8 in the front, the competition lads tend to aim for them for obvious reasons.

Sorry, should have said, I'm in the UK, It'll be a TR7 with a V8 dropped in rather than an original TR8, I realise I'm after a rare option. How easy are roof panels without a sunroof to get ? I'm happy to chop the old roof off and weld in a solid panel, I could patch the hole but it's a lot harder to do neatly.

IF you buy a conversion then go through it very carefully seen some very dubious jobs over the years, wiring always seems to a favourite thing to skimp on

Fixing wiring issues is easy, I usually get the job of fixing wiring issues at work, everything electrical is going to get a good once over anyway to try and pre-empt problems. I'm well aware of the quality of old british wiring.

Brakes and suspension need changing also, especially the brake as only just adequate on a 4 cylinder car. Axle ratio will need upping unless you want to drag race or sprint the car.

It's going to be a sunny days car, just for fun not racing. Brakes and suspension will be done before any engine mods, I like to be able to stop before I try and go faster.

Cheaper if you can afford it to possibly buy a good FHC, and then a rotten donor car, with all the right bits attached. Although if you are good with a Mig and grinder most panels are available to repair a rotten one.

I'm good with MIG, TIG and ARC (won't be using that on a car ) In the past I've fabricated panels when they are not available but it's much quicker and easier just to use replacements but then the cost soon starts to add up.

As with all classic projects,

Think of a time scale and treble it
Think of the hassle factor and times that by five
Think of a budget and time that by ten

You forgot "Don't expect to get your money back, you'll always spend more than it's worth, especially if you had to pay yourself for your time" but that's not why we do these things is it

[Beans]

Welcome and good luck with your search!

[Tamas Petrunin]

Thanks to all who have replied, Beans that is a seriously good job your doing, All credit to you. I think that I'll have to farm out the spraying to a pro, my skills at painting so far arn't really good enough, I spend more time colour-sanding than painting

How much should I be looking to spend on a fhc that needs some work ?

So far I've seen basket cases under £600, tidy looking but I suspect hidden horrors for £1000, and what I assume decent cars for around £3000-£4000.

Do you know of any cars for sale that I should be looking at ?

I live in North Wales and I'm planning on going to the next monthly meeting of the North Wales Red Dragons (I have just missed the last one)

[jeffremj]

One of the guys in our local TR club has a TR7 V8 FHC without sunroof. It was faded green the last time I saw it on the road - 6 years ago or more! I have quizzed him and he says it now looks 'a bit sorry'. Car location is in Essex and it would need trailering. Email me for contact details if you are interested.

[Brianc]

Hey Tamas

I had lusted after a TR& DHC for ages after owning a Kermit Green FHC auto back in the day/

Luckily I had a few quid over and managed to get a TR7 V8 dhc, that had been converted by the good guys at S&S about 19 years ago(at an eyewatering cost of £21k back then).

It needs little bits sorting but boy what a car !!!!!








Brian

[Tamas Petrunin]

One of the guys in our local TR club has a TR7 V8 FHC without sunroof. It was faded green the last time I saw it on the road - 6 years ago or more! I have quizzed him and he says it now looks 'a bit sorry'. Car location is in Essex and it would need trailering. Email me for contact details if you are interested.

Cheers for that, I've sent you a private message rather than clog up this thread.

Hey Tamas

I had lusted after a TR& DHC for ages after owning a Kermit Green FHC auto back in the day/

Luckily I had a few quid over and managed to get a TR7 V8 dhc, that had been converted by the good guys at S&S about 19 years ago(at an eyewatering cost of £21k back then).

It needs little bits sorting but boy what a car !!!!!

That's a good looking car, great colour, I do like the look of the dhc with the roof down but I hate the look of them with it up, so I'll stick to getting a fhc, I just love the profile of the fhc.