Nearly half a century ago I bought a Drop Head Coupe (DHC) Triumph TR7 in Persian Aqua from a dealership in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. At the time my daily was a Triumph Spitfire 1500 Mk2 and like most BL products at the time it suffered from minor problems. Interestingly, the supplying dealer workshop manager suggested I sell it as it needed a new rear axle at about 10 months of age, hence the TR7. The last time I looked the Spitfire was still on the road with low mileage recorded (Reg: LSE 876V).
Macrae & Dick had two DHC’s TR7’s for sale, the one I bought was in Persian Aqua (Metallic Blue) with steel wheals and a Blue plaid interior. It was Christmas, and they had the one I didn’t buy was being displayed in the showroom resplendent in Triton Green and decorated for Christmas with a Father Christmas in the seat and presents ready for delivery.
I visited the dealership as I spied a showroom full of Triumph goodies that I loved as I dove past. Not only was a TR7 in the showroom but also a Tahiti Blue Triumph Stag. I was a little scared of the rumours I had heard about the Stag V8 engines, so I decided to pass and discuss the TR7 in more detail with the sales team. The salesman later phoned me and asked if he could visit my home to discuss the TR7, as he was a little gobsmacked at me wanting to purchase it. Needless to say a deal was struck and I bought it.
To say I loved the car was an understatement, I kept it for about 7 years and wished I had not sold it. I had it converted to TR8 spec by Del Lines of Weston-Super-mare after about 18 months after purchasing it. I knew of a TR8 being acquired by the BL dealer in Aberlour and made tentative enquiries, however it was not to be, hence the conversion (I don’t know if Aberlour actually received the car in the end – due to the cancellation of production by Michael Edwardes).
I will try to list in no order what I had done to the car. One of the first items was a full tonneau cover, which I used a lot, as I always tried to drive it with the roof down and then would use the tonneau cover. The next purchase was some brilliant Wolfrace wheels as the car came with steel wheels and I had spied the Wolfrace wheels on another car (a TR8 in Kimberleys book) and thought they improved the cars look immensely. I also fitted a second Rear Fog light to balance the rear look and the American side repeater lights. Finally, some branded rear mud flaps. Oh and a Panasonic radio/cassette player as a radio wasn’t fitted as standard.
I then discovered FG Rallying (Funky Gibbon Rallying) who bought many of the TR rallying products after the demise of the TR7 rally car. I bought a big brake kit from him (4 pot calibers) and Bilstein struts for the rear. The brakes at the time were really expensive as I recall. Unfortunately, I missed FGR’s front Bilsteins and other goodies he had for sale at the time, mainly due to lack of £’s.
On the front I fitted Konis as I missed the boat for the front Bilsteins from FGR. Just loved the way the car handled.
Then came the real upgrade, I was a member of the TR Register and TR Drivers Club and I spent many an hour pouring over Grinnall Conversions and Del Lines. Del had been involved in the works cars and was doing TR7 to 8 conversions. I plumped for the later and took my car to him. I used Del Lines as he had acquired many parts from BL after the production lines closed in Solihull.
His conversion involved fitting a TR specified Rover V8. Plus the following (see the pallet full of kit):
- Stromberg carburetters using correct air filters
- Tubular manifolds.
- TR8 subframe
- TR8 exhausts (OEM)
- Revised front Springs (which I subsequently changed – I hated the front lift they demonstrated and was never sure why Del Lines fitted them).
- Gearbox to speedo TR8 drive.
- TR8 rear axle ratio change to 3.08:1
- TR8 decals on the glovebox and Del Lines solid version on the rear, I bought some of the shadow decals, which are still being sold today to improve the look.
- Rally front spoiler (which I put back to standard).
- Relocated battery into the boot.
- Upgraded fuel pump
After driving it back to Scotland, the fuel pump located in the drivers side wheel arch lower had crimped fuel lines and caused then engine to be starved of fuel between Forres and Elgin. I managed to get Macrae and Dick to recover the vehicle and fix it.
Once this was sorted the car was near perfect, I refitted the standard front spoiler and as said changed all four springs were changed to a fast road kit. It then led an uneventful life until I sold it.
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