TR7 Sprint....should I buy it??
Discussion
Ok, owned many Triumphs in the last 15 years and currently have a 1967 Vitesse.
Been offered a TR7 Sprint, FHC, fitted with a Dolomite Sprint engine, 4 branch manifold etc. I know the history of the car, its currently owned by a friend of mine. The previous owner to him is also a good friend and He fitted the car with brand new sills, front wings & rear lower quarter panels. All the problem areas were injected with a lot of cavity wax as He never wanted to do the sills again as its a pain on a TR7. The car was then resprayed. Current owner then used it everyday for 6 months but moved up to Scotland and as the car was no longer suitable for him, He parked in his dry garage and there it has sat for the last 4 years.
I assume its going to need :
Brake overhaul, new tyres, new battery & a full service. Anything else?
My question is, will a sprint engine be ok after being laid up for 4 years. I know they are temperamental things. This one was fine before it was parked up, had no overheating/headgasket issues.
I have been offered it cheap, and I know the car....so what do you reckon chaps & chapesses...should I buy it?? What are TR7's like to live with, some love them but many do not!
PS - It won't be replacing the Vitesse, merely keeping it company!
Been offered a TR7 Sprint, FHC, fitted with a Dolomite Sprint engine, 4 branch manifold etc. I know the history of the car, its currently owned by a friend of mine. The previous owner to him is also a good friend and He fitted the car with brand new sills, front wings & rear lower quarter panels. All the problem areas were injected with a lot of cavity wax as He never wanted to do the sills again as its a pain on a TR7. The car was then resprayed. Current owner then used it everyday for 6 months but moved up to Scotland and as the car was no longer suitable for him, He parked in his dry garage and there it has sat for the last 4 years.
I assume its going to need :
Brake overhaul, new tyres, new battery & a full service. Anything else?
My question is, will a sprint engine be ok after being laid up for 4 years. I know they are temperamental things. This one was fine before it was parked up, had no overheating/headgasket issues.
I have been offered it cheap, and I know the car....so what do you reckon chaps & chapesses...should I buy it?? What are TR7's like to live with, some love them but many do not!
PS - It won't be replacing the Vitesse, merely keeping it company!
We had a FHC back in the 80s when they were new - a 1982 last of the line one.
I got a lot of stick about it from workmates, but we had no problems and it was a very practical and reliable car. My only criticism was that it felt under-braked. Once they'd moved out of mainstream dealers then a few enthusiast brake conversions came onto the market and if I had one now I'd upgrade the brakes.
I'd go for it if I were you. Strip & renew the hydraulics, the carbs will probably be full of "glue" from the evapourated petrol and of course the tank will also need draining and fresh petrol before you start it. But if it's been stored in the dry I can't see why it shouldn't be an easy job to re-commission it.
I got a lot of stick about it from workmates, but we had no problems and it was a very practical and reliable car. My only criticism was that it felt under-braked. Once they'd moved out of mainstream dealers then a few enthusiast brake conversions came onto the market and if I had one now I'd upgrade the brakes.
I'd go for it if I were you. Strip & renew the hydraulics, the carbs will probably be full of "glue" from the evapourated petrol and of course the tank will also need draining and fresh petrol before you start it. But if it's been stored in the dry I can't see why it shouldn't be an easy job to re-commission it.
Is it a real TR7 Sprint? If so definitely buy it.
Even if it isn't, it'll be a good car. The sprint engine is nowhere near as bad as people would have you believe (it was only because BL weren't used to modern engines!) and so regular classic car style maintenance will keep it in fine fettle. Make sure to change the coolant along with the oil before you do any distance in it though - the big thing with the Sprint is to keep the cooling system working properly, although the radiator is a more sensible size in the TR7 which will give you a bit more leeway than there is in a Dolomite.
You'll get about as much horsepower as a 3.5 V8, but with a much revvier characteristic (peak HP is around 5200 revs, it'll spin up to 6k or more though).
Even if it isn't, it'll be a good car. The sprint engine is nowhere near as bad as people would have you believe (it was only because BL weren't used to modern engines!) and so regular classic car style maintenance will keep it in fine fettle. Make sure to change the coolant along with the oil before you do any distance in it though - the big thing with the Sprint is to keep the cooling system working properly, although the radiator is a more sensible size in the TR7 which will give you a bit more leeway than there is in a Dolomite.
You'll get about as much horsepower as a 3.5 V8, but with a much revvier characteristic (peak HP is around 5200 revs, it'll spin up to 6k or more though).
Its not a genuine Sprint but a conversion that was done well. I'm really tempted with it I must admit. The only downside is that it is dark Green (Brooklands?) and I'm not a fan of greens, but I would not dismiss it because of the colour.
Will need to get it from Scotland down to Huddersfield, either attach a Trailer to the back of the Rover & go & get it myself (never towed a loaded trailer before!!) or pay someone to bring it down (expensive!).
Will need to get it from Scotland down to Huddersfield, either attach a Trailer to the back of the Rover & go & get it myself (never towed a loaded trailer before!!) or pay someone to bring it down (expensive!).
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