Considering buying a 1980 TR7

[Ottawadon]

Hi folks. New member here from Canada. Someone local is advertising a 1980 TR7 convertible for $6300. I must confess I know very little about these cars, only that they have been turning my head for more than 30 years.

The seller is willing to certify the car. Does this seem like a reasonable price? Also, any tips on what I should be looking at/asking when I go see?

Any help is welcomed. Cheers.
Don

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Welcome!

Hey man! Check out this [url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/Technical/Buying_A_TR7.html"]LINK![/url]

Clay

[url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/Site/Welcome.html"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/Technical"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="https://public.me.com/jclaythompson"]My Public Folder[/url], [url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/tr8/Welcome.html"]My TR8 Site[/url]

[amethgr8]

I think that would have to be a pretty nice TR7 specimen for the money.

good luck, I can't wait to get in mine and get going.

amy

[TR7Aaron]

As mentioned previously, at $6300, that car better be really nice. If you are patient and do some searching, rollers can be found for a few hundred bucks, runners for 1000 - 1500 and you should be able to find a nice example for $3000 or less.
When I was looking, I was looking for a rust free example as I don't like to do any bodywork. Mechanical and interior work doesn't faze me, so those thing were secondary. As it turned out, after about 2 years of casually looking, I found a nice running, nearly rust free (as in just a little rust on the suspension pieces), 40,xxx mile car for about $2500 and it was located less than 100 miles from me.

Don't hate me because I got lucky.[:)]

Aaron
1976 TR7 FHC (an ongoing project)

[TimD]

Welcome to the site, Don. The guys and gals on this site are very helpful and give great advice. I bought my 1980 dhc Oct 2010, here in Kitchener at a steal $1200.00 certified. Totally rust free and the floor was like out of the factory, somewhat due to oil leaks. I assume the car you are looking at is the one listed on the Ottawa Kijiji site.
If it is the orange one, be prepared to invest some more money in re doing the seats (based on the seat covers), make sure to check Clays link. Even though my car was body wise excellent and came certified, I have invested $1600.00 more so far, remembering that it is a 32 year old car. I have done everything myself so no labor cost involved. I had never considered buying a TR7 until I saw mine on Kijiji, and have loved every minute of ownership.

[silverseven]

Welcome to the site Don (we have a few members here from your region)

We also have our own buyers guide with some very good info [;)][;)][;)]

http://www.triumphtr7.com/documents/tr7info/buyguide.asp


The price is a little steep, but when you look at the rest of the sevens available right now across Canada its just a little over the average price for a clean driver.
If everything else is solid, seat should not worry you much, as just about everything is available to restore them back to stock configuration, local seat and trim guys here in Montreal would charge about 500 to 750 to fully restore both with new material,diaphragms and re-padding the foam.

I'd strongly suggest a complete inspection by a local british expert
(google shows a few local to you shops like Redshaw Auto.)
And don't forget to look at the local clubs like www.ovtc.net , www.bootnbonnet.ca and even www.torontotriumph.com

Our very own Paul (aka TR8) is also very close to your area, he is the eastern Canadian wedge guru , and might even know this car.....

Good luck, and if you get her, don't forget to come and see us at the Ottawa all british day in July !!

Ron.

[FI Spyder]

It's pricey so better be in tip top condition. I got my Spider from Sacramento for $4,000 and have spent a total of $7,000 on it (doing all my own work including purchase price). Needed rubber parts. Several years later I bought rust free (except for spare wheel well and RH rear sill) Yellow TCT with 46,000 km. but needs restoration for $100. Two extremes in pricing.







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

[Johnluss]

Hi! all. I will be selling my TR7 1980 with regret but I have a problem with my skin and the sun. The car is all original. NO RUST at all, brakes, struts tires and many parts changed. Engine was rebuilt 10 years ago. Very well maintained, oil changed every 1000 miles. I have all the invoices. I am asking $7000.00. Located in Granby Qc, near Montreal.
jgluss@videotron.ca[img]C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Jean-Guy%20Lussier\Mes%20documents\Mes%20images\TR7%20&%20Anglaises\TR7%20R.jpg[/img]

[Vegas_M]

John,

Put your car in the vehicles for sale section.

M.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Johnluss</i>

Hi! all. I will be selling my TR7 1980 with regret but I have a problem with my skin and the sun. The car is all original. NO RUST at all, brakes, struts tires and many parts changed. Engine was rebuilt 10 years ago. Very well maintained, oil changed every 1000 miles. I have all the invoices. I am asking $7000.00. Located in Granby Qc, near Montreal.
jgluss@videotron.ca[img]C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Jean-Guy%20Lussier\Mes%20documents\Mes%20images\TR7%20&%20Anglaises\TR7%20R.jpg[/img]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Martin

[url="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BxOL0HRH5pDeNWRlOTVhZjgtMWE1Mi00ZWNiLWE3ZGYtOWNiODU1Y2JjOGQ0&hl=en_GB"]My TR7v8 Document Repository[/url]

[silverseven]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Johnluss</i>

Hi! all. I will be selling my TR7 1980 with regret but I have a problem with my skin and the sun. The car is all original. NO RUST at all, brakes, struts tires and many parts changed. Engine was rebuilt 10 years ago. Very well maintained, oil changed every 1000 miles. I have all the invoices. I am asking $7000.00. Located in Granby Qc, near Montreal.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">


So sorry to hear about this Jean !!

-If you still have the car in the spring and make the drive to Hudson, just bring a chair and you can have a spot anytime under my tent .....






I've seen this car up close and can attest to the fact that it is indeed in perfect condition , and completly worth the 7G asking price!
Don, it would be definitely worth a little drive to MTL, to come and take a looks at Jeans car [;)][;)][;)]

Ron.

[Johnluss]

Thanks for the sales pitch and it is the truth. I will try to make it to Hudson.
Jean-Guy

[Ottawadon]

Hey folks, thanks for the warm welcome and sound advice. After researching the TR7 I've decided I'm going to pass on the one I was looking at, too expensive for the condition it is in.

However, I do believe I've fallen in love with this model, despite all the idiosyncrasies these vehicles apparently have and I think I want one.

Silver, is that picture of the red one a shot of Jean-Guy's Triumph? I think that's a car I could fall in love with.

[Peter Nuss]

As much as I like to see TR7 and 8's sell for more money, there are ones selling for low prices right now. Example

http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/2856925959.html

I haven't seen it, so who knows what kind of shape it's in. But, I thought it was a different color combo.

Good luck in your hunt.

TR8

[silverseven]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Ottawadon</i>



Silver, is that picture of the red one a shot of Jean-Guy's Triumph? I think that's a car I could fall in love with.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes it is a pic I took of his car a few year back in Beaconsfeild....

Btw we'll be meeting for the first show of this year in Hudson on Sunday the 27th of MaY, Ottawa is the 21sst of July.
Hope you will be joining us [;)][;)][;)]

Ron.