july practical classics

UKPhilTR7 · Postby **UKPhilTR7** » 18 Jun 2010 07:24

Well we have all know that our cars are not the most loved in the world, but at least they are starting to make good press.

Chris Turner · Postby **Chris Turner** » 18 Jun 2010 07:44

I like all TRs, I prefer the TR7 FHC, with a sunroof because it is very practical, I use one most days to go to work and its much easier to open the sunroof than it would be to lower the hood on a convertible. If I only used the car ocasionally then I would choose a convertible even though I prefer the looks of the fixed head.

www.triumphtrs.co.uk
THE Coca Cola car
TR7 Premium
TR7 Sprint
TR7V8 rally car

John Clancy · Postby **John Clancy** » 18 Jun 2010 08:14

FI Spyder, it wasn't possible to put Harris's original design into production because of all the legislation appearing from the US. Sight lines caused major concerns and that is why the car was widened and the roof line raised by about an inch in each case. That it ended up looking as close to the original concept as it did was a major achievement and let's face it, no other mass producer came out with anything similar at the time. It was only when TR7 cancellation was announced that other manufacturers took an interest and produced their own versions. And none of those were as outlandish as that original TR7 coupe.

The drophead looks fantastic with the roof down. Both models now look better on the road than they ever did when they were new, such is the longevity of the styling. But where the drophead fell over for me was being released after the original car had been on the road for several years and looking comparatively odd with the softop in place. I still find it looks a bit odd but like most it has grown on me over the years. The answer would have been to do the Surrey (Targa) top version which was always proposed, then that wonderful styling around the rear end would have been retained - but US legislation probably wouldn't have allowed it (there was a loophole which permitted a full convertible but nothing else). There is one drophead around that is a carve up of a fixed head and it retains the rear wing treatment of the fixed head and looks all the better for it.

The main reason people prefer the drophead?... it's possible to put the roof down and enjoy open top motoring just like a traditional sports car should be. And what better car to do it in than a TR7 or TR8?

<center>[url="http://www.triumphtr7.com/documents/sales/codenamebullet.asp"]Buy the story of the Triumph TR7/8 on DVD here[/url]</center>

seven · Postby **seven** » 18 Jun 2010 08:49

It is part of the great debate...FHC or DHC Hmmm.
Well I can't decide which one I like better, if you study the looks for long enough from every angle, every point, every bad bit, every good bit, you will find it impossible to decide which is the better variant, they are both fabulous. So I have come up with a top seven tip!
Have one of each[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

The car is unable to handle my driving capabilities

nervousnewowner · Postby **nervousnewowner** » 18 Jun 2010 17:21

and seven most of the people on this forum do seem to have one of each....at least..... [:D]

problem is that now the press are getting to like them that makes them popular and we are out of a job.... we all need to rave over something else now, our work here is done, i recomend we start up an edsel/wartburg appreciation society......[:p]

the project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 18 Jun 2010 17:44

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

But where the drophead fell over for me was being released after the original car had been on the road for several years and looking comparatively odd with the softop in place. I still find it looks a bit odd but like most it has grown on me over the years. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's funny because I think the softop is the best looking soft top I've seen bar none even including those built to date.[:p]

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

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 19 Jun 2010 00:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PeterTR7V8

... If you want to create a beast ...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Tempting for a future project, as I have another pretty solid DHC shell lying around.
With some nice Group 44 arches ...

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 19 Jun 2010 00:51

I think I prefer the FHC, & my FHC 7 is a nicer car to drive on our
bumpy country back roads. That is because of it's softer, near
stock suspension.

However, it's the DHC 8 that gains most attention, & comment,
[always favourable]. For a while I thought it was the gorgeous
sound, [that lovely deep rumble] comming out the back that
attracted attention. However, in the last year or so, much of the
attention has been while parked, with no soundtrack.

From this I believe the general public prefer the DHC.

Hasbeen

silverseven · Postby **silverseven** » 19 Jun 2010 02:30

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

That's funny because I think the softop is the best looking soft top I've seen bar none even including those built to date.[:p]

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

realy ????

While I do find the sevens roof is fairly simple, and offers good visability with the three windows and the option of the zip out centre section does give a nice draft on hot days when the sun is just to much for top down driving....it not the best design . I hate the poppers on the side, its not a simple roof to fold correctly, and the plastic windows are not very upscale.

Of the modern roofs (and ones I have experieince with) the Miata roof is excellent, and I marvel the Solstice/Sky convertible top.

For the record, I honestly prefer a (white) FHC with the cloth top ....

Ron.

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 19 Jun 2010 06:43

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

I hate the poppers on the side, its not a simple roof to fold correctly, and the plastic windows are not very upscale.

Of the modern roofs (and ones I have experieince with) the Miata roof is excellent, and I marvel the Solstice/Sky convertible top.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Once you've folded it right once...no problem. I agree about the poppers on the side especially when my 30 year old roof has shrunk a bit and it's got to be warm to stretch the vinyl to make them fit. How many cars had glass rear windows back then? Miata didn't get it till later in it's production run but then I looked at one when I went with a friend to pick up his new Mazda truck a few years back. Price tag? $35,000....it better have a glass rear window. True they don't fog but they do separate requiring a new roof so I've read. Solstice roof....Ugleeee.

I saw a BMW or some such put down his roof while waiting to leave the ferry. True he only hit a button but the window went down, the back cover went up, the window went up, the top went up then back, then down, the back cover went down, very tidy but I wouldn't want to pay to get it fixed when it inevitably screws up and you won't be putting the top up or down till you do. and you could barely see out the squished slit of a window.

Those TR7 quarter windows give a view you don't get on the others and they are all so blah and boring.

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

nervousnewowner · Postby **nervousnewowner** » 19 Jun 2010 07:21

my son has an mx5 which i believe is the miata your talking about from that side of the pond and i love driving it, two clips and done, the hoods down..... nice looking hardtops for them too.

the project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...

saabfast · Postby **saabfast** » 19 Jun 2010 12:07

MX5 (Miata) is good, but as F1 notes it is much later (some 10+ years). It is easy to drop the hood from the drivers seat without undoing poppers, but it has wide blind spots without the 3 window arrangement to achieve the convienience.
The TR7 hood is not difficult and can go up and down pretty quickly, better than I have seen others struggling with MGB's etc, but their design is even older (with the first ones even the sticks had to be removed). I have never found folding difficult even with the Aley roll bar. (Surprised at $35k cost of a Miata in US, I don't think they have been over Â£20-25k in the UK for top models, most under Â£20k, and things are normally more expensive here).

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto
'81 TR7 DHC

nervousnewowner · Postby **nervousnewowner** » 19 Jun 2010 12:37

never had a blind spot prob driving the mx5 but am used to driving vans so never look behind anyway..... and of course i mean i use my mirrors....[:D]

the project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...

nervousnewowner · Postby **nervousnewowner** » 19 Jun 2010 12:51

also got told last night to call my car luke...... they explained they saw first date of registration was may 4th and said you know. luke may 4th be with you..........[?][?][?]

dont see it myself...lol

the project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...

prackers · Postby **prackers** » 20 Jun 2010 01:09

FHC for me! Although to be honest I did fancy a DHC originaly, but couldn't find the right one and in the meantime bought a Westfield and a motorbike, but soon realised that, with the english weather being what it is, I needed something to play with on the 350 days of the year when the sun isn't shining!

I now have 2 7's, one v8 with a rotten shell and a 2.0L with a near mint shell with the intention of making a nice roadcar out of the two.

I hadn't considered them particularly rare, but I have had them stored for the last six months in a busy workshop and it seems that 99% of people under the age of forty(ish) don't have a clue what they are (there are no visible badges on either atm).

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