1980 Triumph TR7 V8 DHC

Rewind thirty years, and a youthful chap called Marcus purchased a 1980 Triumph TR7 convertible, a standard car sporting the familiar 2.0-litre engine. He had known the car for some years as it belonged to a friend of the family. From there began a happy tale of three decades of fun, frolics, and open-air adventures.

Not content with the performance on offer, a couple of years later he dispatched the car to S & S Preparations in Ramsbottom, Lancashire for the fitting of a V8 engine, a Rover unit of course. A stage II conversion was carried out at a cost of almost £4,000.

The company had an enviable reputation for being the conversion specialists, being founded by Steve Wilcox, a qualified aircraft engineer, but more importantly a TR7 enthusiast.

Other modifications over the years include a replacement back axle with a higher ratio for better cruising and Webber Edelbrock carburettor.

Family life meant there were periods when the TR7 languished in its cosy garage, but as the invoices attest, a lot of money has been spent keeping up with both the bodywork and mechanicals.

The TR7 V8 has been little used the last few years and so our seller has decided that now is the time to part with her. Some light recommissioning is likely to be required, but with spring in the air, now must surely be a great time to purchase a thoroughbred British sportscar.

During our seller’s ownership, the Triumph has seen the inside of a bodyshop on two occasions. The first in 1992 included panel repairs and a full respray, with more work and another respray carried out some seven years later.

The car has covered a modest number of miles since then and has been properly stored when not in use. As such the gold paintwork still presents very well. Look closely and you will find a few marks and the odd stone chip, not unexpected. The boot lid seems to be the worst area affected.

We would point out an area of surface rust on the top of the driver’s side windscreen pillar, underneath where the hood normally rests. An easy fix.

In 2014 smart new Revolution alloy wheels were fitted which definitely gave the car a sporty new look. Toyo Proxes are fitted all round and as we always like to point out, premium rubber not only improves the drive, but it also shows the care and attention necessary to keep a classic car in good order.

The hood is an older item, and it is looking rather tired in places. It has also frayed on the front offside corner. A repair and clean up is likely to improve matters, though a replacement hood won’t break the bank.

Bumpers do bear some light marks from years of doing their job, and the spoiler below the front bumper could do with a spruce up.

The interior appears to be standard TR7 with perhaps the exception of the steering wheel. The distinctive checker seats look ok, though the material is wearing a little thin in places and there’s some cushion sag to the driver’s seat.

Some of the plastic trim is a little tired in places, but the door cards look fine.

The dash houses a comprehensive array of instrumentation, allowing the driver to keep a beady eye on things.

Tunes are provided by a Panasonic radio/cassette player, so time to dig out those ‘80s compilation tapes.

Carpets look ok but could do with refitting properly in places.

The boot is a decent size and is in presentable condition. We do note some surface corrosion to the underside of the lid itself. There’s a rather tired looking spare wheel lurking beneath the boot floor.

What you will find however is a full and half tonneau cover, both useful additions.

UPDATE 21/03/2022: Please note we have found that the drivers door catch appears to be sticky and that this may need some attention in the not to distant future.

We have included an assortment of pictures of the TR7’s underside for your delectation. There are the expected signs of some surface corrosion to some components, but the bodywork repairs done in the past seem to have done the trick, the layer of underseal and limited use helping to preserve the condition.

The engine bay is dominated by the lovely Rover V8, an old smoothie. There is plenty of evidence of money spent over the years, not least that shiny carburettor.

The underside of the bonnet has some early signs of corrosion that will need dealing with. The beady eyed will also have spotted some rusty bits in picture 188 of our gallery, below the carb. Some investigation may be required.

The engine bursts into life immediately. Clutch is fine and the car drives. However, it has not been used properly over the last few years, so some recommissioning will be required. The usual things, brakes, fluid changes, hoses etc. You know the drill.

There is plenty of paperwork accompanying the car, which helps to document its life. Some of it predates our seller’s purchase over 30 years ago.

We have mentioned already the extensive bodywork and resprays carried out and of course the V8 conversion completed in 1994. Since then the TR7 has covered around 11,000 miles according to our seller.

The online MoT history shows the car’s indicated mileage at 18,470 in 2005, with just 500 miles covered since. The car was off the road from 2006 until 2014 and was last MoTed in June 2018. It had a couple of minor advisories which were attended to, and the car then retested.

We cannot confirm the mileage of the car, but suspect the mileometer is on its second full rotation, so most likely add 100,000 to what is being displayed.

In June 2017, the car was treated to a full service. At the same time the radiator was repaired, and a new electric fan fitted.

Other work of note carried out includes the fitting of a new petrol tank.

All told, our seller reckons he has spent around £18,000 maintaining the TR7 V8 during the 30 years he has been lucky enough to own her.

A genuine right-hand drive TR8 will be almost impossible to find. This car is no pale imitation, with much to commend.

With some gentle recommissioning and an attention to detail in places, the new owner of this car will have a powerful and able open top sportscar, and one which is now a rare sight on UK roads. The car will turn heads wherever it travels and draw a crowd at car shows if that is your thing.

So, if all this 1980s loveliness has piqued your interest, we would suggest placing an early bid.

We fully expect the car to sell for between £6,000 and £10,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’