What a difference 20 years makes

[penlost]

I just wanted to introduce myself, I purchased GTY 146W recently, or 'Gitty' as I have continued to call her!

I owned a TR7 back in the 90's when I was young(er). Sadly, I don't remember the registration but I had a very different reaction to buying that one. My family wondered what on earth I was doing, people would often stop and shake their heads! They were unfashionable rust buckets that were often the subject of ridicule. I didn't care, I have always loved the 7. But in the end I had to sell it, it was costing me a fortune and my nan kept complaining whenever I gave her a lift that she could not get out the car!

20 years on and I am older, have a family and have decided that I am due to start a mid life crises. After some searching and excellent advice I took the train from Somerset to Lancashire and drove Gitty home. Since then, I have been amazed by the reaction! Time has obviously been kinder to the 7 - everybody I spoke to have loved the car and I have lost count of the times I have been stopped already in car parks or motorway delays! It is used every day and I am becoming 'known' in the village!

I would be interested to hear from anyone else - is it just me that has had this experience? Are the 7's now fashionable and about to rise in value? Whatever, I am having so much fun and ready for my new hobby.

[FI Spyder]

You are not alone.

[John_C]

Did that come from the Dr. Christopher collection?

Shame you missed out on the 40th anniversary year last year. That was the final element in the resurrection of the TR7 after quite a few years of drip, drip publicity from the TR Drivers Club which started in 2007. It's been a long road but worth it in the long run. This year Steve Jackson has continued with his book 'TR7: The Bullet That Backfired On British Leyland" and Andrew Poynter has just sent his own TR7 owners stories book to the printers. The DVDs have been the biggest weapon in the arsenal simply because I'm able to get journalists to sit down for 90 minutes to watch and get an education.

So if you haven't joined the club yet - http://www.trdrivers.com/membership.html

[Maxwell]

Hi Paul - And welcome to the Forum!

Maxwell

[saabfast]

Last week SWMBO (who doesn't like the 7 as its old) had seen a newish MX5 when we were out and said she fancied one. Yesterday I was a bit bored and cruising Autotrader, noted the local Mazda dealer had one and thought I would pop round for a look. I drove (in the 7) through their forecourt , noticed a guy on the phone in the doorway and went on to park by the exit. This young salesman (about 25 at a guess) came running across and I thought 'Oh hell, hard sell coming', but he just said 'Had to get off the phone and come and see the car, looks great'. Just talked about 7's and did not really mention Mazdas! Never did look at MX5s.

[Henry]

Hello Paul, your story echo's our's! We stupidly sold our 7V8 in the late 90's and have recently purchased another and are enjoying the experience all over again...
Welcome to the forum, hope you continue to enjoy Gitty

[jaybee]

Hi Paul. I'm new here too. I bought my 7 in January . I've wanted one since they first came out. I've had nothing but admiration for the car even though it has a so called styling kit. Hope you enjoy yours!

[Maxwell]

Jaybee - have I had your story for Volume Two?
I know you've bought Volume One - Thanks!
Hang on - I have it! Just twigged! TSSC..... !
You got chased by a well-known Wedge-loving White Van Man!
LOL!

Maxwell

[spanner]

Part of the reason for a rise in popularity of the 7 is that so many of the old Triumph guys who refused to recognise it as a car have died or been put away and that the generation of people who did see them as the shape of things to come are in a position to buy those that have survived, and enjoy them.
Another reason is they are cheap (and sophisticated!) in comparison with the Classic Fords from the same era.
Anyway whatever the reasons you have found like minded individuals here, enjoy the car in the way in which it was designed.

[prackers]

Welcome!

I wish it was only 20 years ago, my mum bought a new T reg back in 1978 so I would be 23 at the time, we only kept it around 8 weeks because rust started appearing around all the body panels so threw it back at the dealers for a refund. But I did enjoy driving it while we owned it. Then in 1980 I had a works TR8 stored in a grain shed for a week for a Motor club event, back then I rallied a Twincam Escort but I lusted after that TR8.

Then work/kids got in the way for the next 30 years or so but around 2008 I saw a 7 advertised locally for little money (I had really intended to buy an escort but wasn't prepared to pay £5k+ for a project). I figured it would only take a few months and maybe £1k to restore it - I was wrong....very wrong, I didn't really start on it until 2012, and just might get her finished this year! Hopefully I will enjoy driving her but it's been 37 years!

I assume the increased popularity of them is mostly down to the rarity value, I live in the stix but don't remember seeing one on the road for at least 20 years and anybody, under the age of 45, who has seen mine has no clue what it is!

[allzway]

I traded for my first TR7 when I was 16 years old... only about 32 years ago now. I always liked the looks of the car and it was always fun to drive.

I currently own three, two rebuildable and one for mostly parts now. I have gotten side tracked a few times over the years, but I have always owned one since I was 16 years old.

The prices are slowly rising, but I think it still a little longer before we see much real value from them except top notch examples and mostly the TR8.... but I never owned one for the value... just the fun of owning and driving one.

[jaybee]

Jaybee - have I had your story for Volume Two?
I know you've bought Volume One - Thanks!
Hang on - I have it! Just twigged! TSSC..... !
You got chased by a well-known Wedge-loving White Van Man!
LOL!

Maxwell

Yes that's right ! I'll write you something if you like. Just ask.

[Maxwell]

I'm working on Volume Two - 12-month project, so no mega-hurry!
It's not as if you don't feature in Volume One!

[penlost]

Than you for your welcomes, its great to be here. Gitty has survived the Somerset rain so far, but planning on cleaning out my garage very soon