TR7 as only car

[prlee]

I was wondering how many of have the TR7 as their only car?

This has been my situation for the last 3 weeks. My 7 year VW has been in the body shop for a new tailgate curtesy of VW warranty due to rust. Mind if the TR7 had that level of rust I would be well pleased. Been very pleased with VW for honouring their warranty. So with the Spitfire mot'd but the rear suspension dismantled I was left with the TR7 as my only transport.

It had to cope with a 90mile daily commute and with the weekly shopping trip for a family of 5, actually took 2 visits to the shops and a trip to the outlaws.

It did very well returning over 33mpg and dealing with heavy rain and cross winds on the motorway regularly, and just a small ocassional leak front the softop.

It helped that the drivers seat is now comfortable, the vibration at motorway speeds is much less and the new leather steering wheel cover improves grip.

Some sound deadening on the dash reduced the vibration induced noise as well.

Although there were jobs that needed doing there was nothing urgent, the car is overdue an oil change, the rear exhaust rubbers went missing (but probably some time ago) and I found the distributor weights seized (again probably been like it for months).

Over all considering this was not planned I think she did ok.

Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.

[darrellw]

My TR8 isn't the family's only car, but it has been my daily driver for about a year. I do have my TR4A as a backup . Aside from the fuel pump seizing last fall (replaced and tank now cleaned and sealed), it has been fully operational the entire time.

I did do a fair bit of preparation before putting it into service as a daily driver, but that was mostly because the car was new to me, and hadn't been a frequently driven car for several years.

Darrell Walker
66 TR4A IRS-SC CTC67956L
81 TR8 SATPZ458XBA406206
Vancouver, WA, USA

[claypole1360]

Hi Pete,
glad you have been getting to use it, have you found a new level of appreciaton for the TR or was it always there before. Does getting to use it all the time diminish the excitement or not?
Clayps.

What's that coming over the hill? Is it a monster?

1978 TR7V8 FHC
1968 Bond Equipe Sprint Car
1962 Herald Coupe 1200
2003 Peugeot 206 GTI
2003 Mondeo Diesel

[RJS]

My story is almost exactly like Darrell's. My son got his license last November, and the TR8 has been my daily driver since then (not the only car at the house).

My commute is short, and I live in a warm dry climate. I too had to replace the fuel pump.

Other than that it has worked great.

Rob

[Milanoverde]

Do you have fuel injection? Either way, I think it could serve as a dd. By 1981, these cas were fairly reliable. Whats the mileage?

Tony

[Hasbeen]

My 7 was my daily driver for something over 6 years, & my only car for about 4 of them.

Once the rolling restoration part of the restoration was finished, it was no more or less reliable than any other car.

Hasbeen

[john 215]

Hi,

My old TR7 V8 was my only car 6+ years until my daughters came along and a Vauxhall Cavalier ( mk2, when was the last time you saw one of those on the road ? ! ) took thar roll over.

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 !!!!

[FI Spyder]

My TR7 is my only car.....only my 6th.[:p]

This summer, which was hot and dry after mid July, I used it as my daily driver as my Spitfires have been laid up for resto, my Tercel is waiting for some body walk so it can get Collector plates next year and I only use the Integra when I have to carry something the Spider can not.



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

[trekcarbonboy]

From 1991 till 1996 it was my daily driver but not anymore. I wish I trusted it that much but alas I do not.

Craig '75 2.0 FHC

[prlee]

[quote]<i>Originally posted by claypole1360</i>


glad you have been getting to use it, have you found a new level of appreciaton for the TR or was it always there before. Does getting to use it all the time diminish the excitement or not?
Clayps.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Clayps, The TR is trying to improve my appreciation of it. I have enjoyed driving it now the seat is comfy, it handles very well and performs well, and you dont see another one. Quieting the dash and restoring the steering wheel were other leaps forward.

I was very happy with it, it coped with the appalling weather conditions it had to deal with, most days the headlamps were on in the morning and on for the journey home.

I will be persisting with it for a good while and still determined to finally erradicate the vibration issue.

I have used the TR as a daily driver, not so much this year although we have covered about 6000miles during the summer, but for the last 3 weeks I did not have an alternative vehicle.

Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.