The Classic Triumph TR7 Is Ridiculously Underrated and Underpriced

The late 1970s were dark days for the British motor industry, and by the end of the decade, the writing was on the wall for almost every marque flying the Union Jack. Some—like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Jaguar, and even Morgan have survived in one form or another. But once-affordable household names like Triumph, MG, Austin, and BMC were on the way out. It was not for lack of trying, except that between labor unrest, reliability issues, and antiquated manufacturing methods, their demise was more or less inevitable. British Leyland shut down Triumph sports-car production in 1981, though there were some examples sold for the 1982 model year. The last Triumph was an unfortunate sedan built under license from Honda called the Acclaim, and was made until 1984 when the factory lights went out for good.

Toward the end, Triumph tried its best to be modern, and the TR7, launched in 1974, was a wild departure from its predecessor, the TR6, which was a tastefully squared-off design by German coachbuilder Karmann. It was time for something new and exciting, and Triumph’s own Harris Mann penned the TR7, whose radical wedge profile was billed “the Shape of Things to Come.”

The TR7 really was a first commercial take on the wedge, which had heretofore been reserved for show cars and mid-engined exotics like the Lamborghini Countach and Ferraris of the era. The United States was Triumph’s most promising market, and because convertibles were nearly legislated out of existence at the time due to misguided Department of Transportation (DOT) roll-over worries, Triumph launched the TR7 as a coupe. But the DOT eventually relented, and by 1979, a proper Triumph TR7 convertible was in stateside showrooms.

Family traditions have a way of hanging on, and as with most of its predecessors, the TR7 is powered by a 2.0-liter, inline-four engine. European versions develop roughly 103 hp, while, at the time, Americans made do with an emissions-strangled 90 hp, which was actually as good as the day’s smog-control technology allowed, motivating the 2,500-pound car from zero to 60 mph in about 10 seconds. Shifting is through a four-speed or optional—and more robust—five-speed manual gearbox, or a three-speed automatic transmission, available from 1976. The front independent suspension uses coil springs and damper struts, with a four-link, coil-spring system at the rear. Front disc and rear drum brakes do the stopping.

Triumph threw in an interesting wrinkle for the U.S. market in 1977, offering the TR8, powered by Rover’s 3.5-liter V-8 engine that made about 133 hp. Offered initially in America as a coupe, it was hampered by a high exchange rate and only about 2,800 examples were sent. Conversely, about 115,000 examples of the TR7 were built worldwide over the model’s lifespan, of which nearly 29,000 were convertibles, the most popular variant today.

If any sports car is underrated and ridiculously underpriced, it would have to be the TR7. Of course, they are not without faults, including being prone to structural rust, engine and transmission issues, and the usual electrical gremlins for which British cars are famous. All of which mechanically inclined owners can address with time, patience, and some money. As always, buy the best, and best well-cared-for example available. A coupe in good condition can be had for $10,000 or even less, while a similar convertible adds about a grand or three. A good-condition TR8 is a $15,000-plus proposition. Concourse examples aren’t thick on the ground, so it’s anyone’s guess, but about double the value of the latter seems fair.

It’s hard to imagine that the TR7, once so modern and cutting-edge, is now more than 50 years old. Gentlemen, grow some sideburns and throw on a loud, glen plaid sportscoat to match the bold tartan-fabric seat inserts (Porsche has nothing on the Triumph TR7 in this regard). Ladies, leg warmers and padded shoulders have never looked better on you than when driving a TR7. Pop a favorite  cassette in the player and it’s 1979 all over again. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing, after all.

Click here for more photos of this 1982 Triumph TR7 convertible.