1981 Triumph TR7 FHC |

Sold

1981 Triumph TR7 FHC

Sold Price

£10,123

Mileage12,962
TransmissionManual
Engine2.0-litre
LocationBerkhamsted, Hertfordshire

SOLD

1981 Triumph TR7 FHC

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Dom Ginn

Professional Consigner

You don't need a crystal ball to predict where the prices of these cars are going - so buy the best and you won't regret it.

The TR7 has spent much of its life living under the shadow of its illustrious forefathers. Traditionalist enthusiasts of the open-top Michelotti designed models didn't take to the Harris Mann penned 'Wedge', as the parent company continued to dominate the headlines for the wrong reasons. However, the TR7 has seen something of a re-evaluation in recent years, as its qualities for its DIY friendly underpinnings, comfort and potential to handle well has meant that the car is now established as something of a genuine head-turning classic. In 2-litre form, it could never be accused of being slow and offers excellent parts availability.

As a post-1980 Canley assembled car, this example has benefited from over 200 improvements compared to the original 1975 car. Some of the physical specification changes include the standard fitment of a folding sunroof, alloy wheels and the distinctive plaid interior.

This example has to be considered one the most original examples in the UK, not only on the account of its 12,962 miles but its meticulous paperwork and current ownership under a well known BL authority. Forget the £5k to £7k so called 'good' examples out there, pay just a little bit more to get the best and you'll always have a smile on your face knowing it was the right decision.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Dom Ginn after meeting Richard the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

As part of a cherished collection, this particular TR7 has retained its provenance and has been a very cherished example.

The owner, Richard, is well known in classic car circles and as a former BL marketing man he has a huge passion for all things British Leyland. As a result, the cars in his collection are likely to be acquired from decent stock. This example with its very low mileage was acquired by Richard in 2012 with around 11K on the clock. He promptly carried out a service on the car and then kept on top of any issues. As a connoisseur of BL cars, he's rationalising his collection due to the lack of use and has made the difficult decision to let this TR7 go.

Richard

Vehicle Owner

Richard saved £1,800* when they
sold their Triumph with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Originality is the key ingredient here as Richard tells us the car has retained all of its original metal and much of the paint.

Wheels and Tyres

The cookie cutter style alloys looks fantastic and really set off the car against the deep red paint - we really think this colour combination is the most suited to the car.

The refurbished alloy wheels are in good condition with no signs of kerbing or corrosion. The Kleber Tyres are over 10 years old but have well above the legal tread.

The centre caps are new and the original spare wheel is unused. The jack and tools are in excellent condition too.

Bodywork

The body is straight and in excellent condition - a rare sight on a TR7 these days.

We saw no signs of body corrosion on our visit, with the slight exception of a couple of very minor blisters on the retractable aluminium headlamp covers.

The outer sills look solid and the boot floor in good order. There are a few tiny dings, particularly evident on the passenger door. The actual doors, boot and bonnet themselves are in excellent condition.

Paint

This really is an exception colour on this car, as it just seems to suit the lines so much.

The paint finish is good and thought to be 90% original - there can't be many cars from this era to boast that!

The front of the car looks really good as there are no significant chips or scuffs.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition with no obvious signs of damage, no chips or cracks were observed. The glass and door rubber appears to be in good condition.

Both bumpers are straight and are in good condition. All of the black trim, including the C-pillar vents, front spoiler and full-length sunroof is in good order.

It's very difficult to find fault - it just shows the level of care and attention this car has had over the last forty years.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The interior is almost flawless and it could pass as new - just by sitting in this car you'll know you've made the right choice.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in good condition with no evidence of damage, no rips or tears, with just minor signs of the bench seeing a little sag. They're clean and have been well looked after. The carpets and mats are very good, with some minor signs of ageing but overall clean and appeared to have been unused. The door cards, interior trim and roof lining are in excellent condition.

Dashboard

The dashboard has worn the years well and looks amazing - we challenge you to find a better and more original interior than this.

All the dials, controls and switches are in excellent condition, and apart from the clock, all function as they should.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is in excellent condition too, with no very limited signs of wear and damage. The gear stick follows the same theme and in line with the whole positive outlook of the dashboard.

Overall we really can't get over how good this interior actually is - imagine being proud to take this car to a show when we're allowed to in the summer.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The mechanics have been just as well cared for as the rest of the car - exceptional.

Engine and Gearbox

The 2.0L engine fired up with no hesitation at all, the temperature and dashboard lights remained off while the cold start was conducted. There was the expected blast of condensation from the exhaust when the engine was pressed, although it has to be noted the engine fan remained on during the video.

The physical condition of the engine suggests good ownership and maintenance.

Since our visit the car has had a thorough tune by a local BL specialist to investigate some hesitancy. The air intake system was the cause, and the opportunity was taken to check the timing, ignition and tune the SU carbs. The car now runs beautifully

The exhaust is in good condition and was not blowing from the manifold or the unit itself - all very tip top.

Suspension and Brakes

The brake operation is said to be in good working order, with the suspension components in excellent condition, with recently fitted rear bump stops and again are said not to pose any immediate issues.

The Drive

Richard informs us the drive of this car is second to none - you really will feel what it was like to drive this car when it was new. There's not many classics you can say that about for this type of money, certainly none that look as good as this anyway.

The roomy cabin and the low-set yet comfortable driving position is every inch of a sports car.

Electrics and Other

One of the main features of the TR7 is the retractable headlamps, and they're fully functional with no issues to their operation. The well-proven electrics have been maintained and represent another positive aspect of the car.

The factory-fit Unipart radio cassette player also functions, and there are two sets of keys.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

It comes with a water-tight history with much of its original paperwork - making the investment even better.

Originally supplied to a BL dealer in Grimsby, the car comes with much of its original paperwork, including its after-sales job sheet, operation check, and invoice for rustproofing.

It has obviously seen a very charmed life and appears to have spent much of its life indoors. It comes with MOTs from the last 20 years and road tax disks that stretch back into the '90s.

While it has a very low recorded mileage, it has still seen some level of mechanical renovation, which includes carb work, ignition items, brake renewal, a new exhaust box and service items. Recent work has included some engine running investigation issues, now sorted, and reapplication of some underseal to the rear suspension and back axle. The car was undersealed from new by Protectol (details are in the history file) to very good effect.

The history file also includes a copy of a British Leyland draft report investigating the sales potential of the TR7 in mainland Europe, when the car was codenamed inside the company as project “Bullett”. The paper comes from the owner’s time at BL when working in sales forecasting, and provides a fascinating insight into part of the planning process. Also in the history pack is a salesman’s guide to selling the TR7, a showroom brochure and the original owner’s handbook.

Had the TR7 been released by a different company the chances are that the car would have reached acclaim a little earlier. But now this car is coming into its own. There were quite a few of us that lusted after them as kids, and when we lust then we get nostalgic, and when we get nostalgic then we want to buy - meaning this car is set for an excellent investment potential.

The current owner took the car onboard in 2012 and added around 1,000 miles since then, maintaining its unique status as one the lowest mileage TR7s in the world.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
20-11-2020	MOT	12,903
08-04-2016	MOT	11,997
04-06-2014	MOT	11,874
13-04-2012	Service	11,644
28-10-2011	MOT	11,317
27-10-2010	MOT	11,174
26-10-2009	MOT	10,992
27-10-2008	MOT	9,788
25-10-2007	MOT	9,662
23-10-2006	MOT	9,370
09-08-2005	MOT	9,078
09-08-2004	MOT	8,825
07-08-2003	MOT	8,382
16-06-2000	MOT	8,257

VIEW ALL

Key Details

ModelTR7
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Reg. Date1981
CC1998cc
Mileage12,962
HistoryExcellent
ColourRed
Interior ColourPlaid / Tan
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #TPAEJ7AT212096
Engine #CG32540H
RestoredNo
Engine RebuildNo
MOTExp. 21-11-2021
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers5
Tyre BrandKleber
Tyre Age2009
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned9 years
Key FeatureThe Best of the Best

VIEW ALL

All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

Register your interest for similar cars.

This vehicle has now been sold - click 'I Want One' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

I WANT ONE

Ask Questions

Seller : RichardB Sale Date 12.03.2021

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

7 Comments

Paul Harriman

3 years ago

Hello, may I be cheeky and ask if you have any other Triumphs for sale? I’ve struggled to find a nice one since being ‘conned’ out of selling my Stag a few years ago! Both my grandfather and uncle worked for Triumph in the 60s/70s and I’ve had several over the years. Thanks very much for reading this. Best wishes, Paul

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics

Admin

Paul Harriman

3 years ago

Hey Paul – I’ve removed your phone number to protect your identity online. Paul will reply to you here and we can put you guys in touch at the end of the auction. Cheers Adam TC

Paul

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics

3 years ago

Thank you. I thought after posting it that I shouldn’t have asked that question really – it’s taking advantage of your business. I didn’t really realise what the set up was!

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics

Admin

Paul

3 years ago

Hey Paul – no worries… fyi, you shouldn’t really post your phone number online these days for security reasons. Happy to put you guys in touch… see what Richard says. cheers

Paul

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics

3 years ago

Thanks Adam, and appreciate the advice. Your website looks really interesting, and I like how you advertise the cars. Shall have a proper look

RichardB

Seller

Paul Harriman

3 years ago

Hi Paul,
Not cheeky but no, I’m afraid I don’t have any more Triumphs for sale, although a transporter’s worth of them would be nice. In time I will have an Austin Allegro 1750 SS for sale, and also a Morris 1100, but clearly these aren’t Triumphs.
Best wishes,
Richard

Paul

RichardB

3 years ago

Hi Richard
Thank you for taking the trouble to reply. That’s a shame! If the TR7 is anything to go by they must be very nice! All the best with the sales. Paul

MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

Vehicle Location

Tring, Hertfordshire

Delivery Calculator

Thank You

Form Submitted

Your request has been submitted successfully and we'll keep you updated.