Triumph TR7

The Triumph TR7, a wedge-shaped sports car, was built by British Leyland (formerly BLMC) in the UK from September 1974 to October 1981. It hit the US market in January 1975, but its UK launch was delayed until May 1976, partly due to strong American demand. New TR7 sales continued into 1982. Production began at the Speke factory in Liverpool, moved to Canley, Coventry, in 1978, and ended at the Rover Solihull plant in 1980.

The car’s design, by Harris Mann (who also styled the wedge-shaped Princess), featured a sharp swage line running from the rear to just behind the front wheel. It was marketed as “the shape of things to come.” Measuring 160 inches long, 66 inches wide, with an 85-inch wheelbase and 49.5-inch height, the coupé weighed 2,205 lb. During development, it was code-named “Bullet.” Early clay models used the “MG Magna” name, but this never reached production. Unlike earlier TR models, the TR7 debuted only as a fixed-roof coupé, not a convertible, because BL feared US rollover safety legislation might ban open cars. That ban never materialized, and a convertible version arrived in 1979.

Power came from a 1,998 cc four-cylinder engine (based on the Triumph Dolomite 1850 unit, but with larger carburettors and a 2.0-litre displacement), mounted inline at the front. It produced 105 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 119 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm; North American and Australian versions (to meet local emissions rules) made 92 bhp. European cars could hit 60 mph in about 10 seconds and reach 108.5 mph. Drive went to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox initially, with a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic optional from 1976. Front suspension used coil springs and struts with a single link; the rear had a four-link system with coil springs. Anti-roll bars were fitted front and rear, with disc brakes up front and drums at the back.

Interior trim was revised in March 1977: broadcord seat covers were replaced by red or green tartan check inserts with black leather-effect vinyl edging, matched on the door cards. When the convertible was developed, the interior light moved from the headlining to the door cards (with integral switches), and the map light between the seats was deleted. The convertible also got a smaller fuel filler cap because the deck area shrank to stow the hood.