[net.auto.tech] TR7's

ec120bdh@sdcc3.UUCP (MATTHEW SCHOLZ) (12/19/85)

     Hi,
	 I was at my friendly triumph, jag, and fiat repair shop
	 today (what a racket huh?) getting my lousy '74 128sl cv
	 joints, spider, boots, and wheel bearings replaced $286+
	 and the owner of the place said, "hey, are you interested
	 in a TR-7?"  Well naturally since I own a fiat (I *KNOW*
	 THE ACRONYMS!!) I have an inclination toward owning crappy
	 used cars that only break down in big expensive kinds off
	 ways after running for only a few short days...anyway,
	 here's the question.  Any *informed* opinions out there in
	 netland on triumphs?  Especially older TR-7's.  This one is
	 a '76, but the owner took out the old 4-speed, and dropped
	 in a 5-speed from a '77.  The only major (and it was major)
	 repair was: the original owner had a bad water pump.  He
	 didn't repair it, and warped the head.  He took it to the
	 dealer (the present owner) who did the repair very well,
	 and charged a very high price for it.  As a result the guy
	 couldn't pay his bill, so the dealer bought the car off the
	 customer.  The car is *very* clean.  Has black interior,
	 sheepskin seatcovers over untorn seats, nice heater, AC,
	 stereo, and the "new" 5-speed.  He wants $2300.00 for it.
	 Any sage advice will be happily accepted...I'll even let ya
	 know if I buy.  I posted this everywhere, because I know of
	 noone who owns a TR-7 locally.

			    thanks in advance,

			    Matt Scholz

			    sdcc3!ec120bdh

smk@hropus.UUCP (Stephen M. Kanoc) (12/27/85)

Concerning TR-7's.  I have owned two TR7's, a 1975 and a 1980.  To give
you a short history of the TR7:  In 1975, 76 there were many factory
labor problems at the Triumph factories.  The factories were run down
and there were numerous labor disputes.  The result of all this was a
poor quality automobile.  For the 1977 model year there was a new factory
, the labor disputes were settled and the TR7's were a much better car.

Since you are looking at a 1976 beware that this is a TR7 from the "bad"
years.

For some helpful hints concerning known problems:  The TR7's are known to
blow head gaskets, the Lucas electrical systems are not great.  Although
they have had their share of troubles, I have yet to drive a car that
was so much fun, especially with the top down.  I only had my '75 for a 
short period of time before it was wrecked, but the 1980 has 100,000 miles
on it and is still going strong.  $2300 is a fair price for the car
you described, considering it is very clean and has had some major
work done to it already.