New TR7 added to the fleet!

This Speke car was first registered on 2nd August 1976 by the first owner, who kept it for almost a full year before selling to his friend on the 1st August 1977 - the previous owner!

The car is in amazing condition having been resprayed some 20 years ago with the current owner only using it occasionally for local trips to the shop, and shows in its low 50k miles.

It has the original 4-speed gearbox & axle, and is a non-sunroof model in Carmine Red.

The car comes with Wolfrace wheels that were installed in 1977 and includes the original wheels & tyres that came off when the car was almost a year old.

As the photos show, it has been resprayed - but done in the early 1990's & included some changes like full colour to the sills, along with later decals. The under-bonnet bolts/nuts/fixings were also painted but this may have helped stop the water reaching parts that rust easy!

It comes with the original plug leads, spare wheel (never used), and a spotless interior. It also has aftermarket drilled/slotted brake discs.

I also like the rear deck cover that the current owner made and installed.

There are many good points to the car, including the current owners long ownership who has also been a member of the TR Register, TR Drivers & TSSC - having owned a TR6 and 3.0l Capri before the TR7.

Although the car comes with 9 months MOT & 8 months TAX there are a number of negative points that will need sorting straight away:

1. Steering rack is in bad condition, with split covers and lots of play (was mentioned on MOT) - easy job.
2. Rear axle very, very noisy and needs replacing - could be expensive!
3. Brakes not great, and vibration that could be due to steering rack
4. Slight electrical issue with indicators & rev counter
5. Some detailing needs to be reverted back to 1976 spec.

UPDATE - September 2013

As the steering was poor and didn't want to use it as it was, I decided to replace some of the parts straight away. I had an early spare steering rack in the garage so have now installed this along with new track rod ends, new bushes in the column and bulkhead, and new steering knuckles. The steering is now as expected with only a small wobble at 50! This is likely to be slight wear in the used rack but will see after other jobs done.

I have just ordered complete new suspension and rubber bushes so will be rebuilding front and rear parts over the next few weeks. This should mean the car goes as good as it looks, as it has been well cared for but all parts are still original so feel replacing them will transform the car (as it did when I did the same on my Java FHC). All parts are standard/OE that are going on as these early 4 speed cars don't get driven hard and feel any future owner would prefer to do their own upgrades.

Have now replaced and refurbished the front offside suspension and brakes. Have also painted the inner wheel arches and looking good, and already started on the nearside.

Have also replaced the window winder mechanism, winder, door handle (inside and out) & door seal.

This week I will be starting on the rear axle/diff replacement.

UPDATE - October 2013 to January 2014

Pulled the complete rear end and installed a new axle, new half-shafts, new suspension, new bushes, new rear brakes/lines/cables, refurbished links. Everything underneath painted and added a tow bar and electrics. /tr7-my-tr7-fhc-carmine/miscellaneous-photos/tef-89r/rear-suspension-everything.html

UPDATE - February 2014

Installed 'spare' stainless steel sports exhaust.

UPDATE - March 2014

Have replaced the old ignition system with a new electronic Accuspark system along with new coil & plugs. Also sorted the connections so the tacho works again (turns out someone connected the wire to the wrong terminal on the old coil).

UPDATE - April 2014

Replaced the air filter with K&N's but saving them so can easily go back to standard (the only non-standard parts will be the exhaust, air filter &electronic ignition. The wheels were installed in 1977 so happy to keep them on (have the original wheels as spares. Of course, some paint is different in parts (as well as a different shade of Carmine) but will look at this if any paint work is done in the future - like the sills for example.

Checked the tyres this week and they are quite old (at least 15 years old) and 3 are remoulds so decided to replace them all. The current ones were 185's so gone back to 175's.

Decided to overhaul the cooling system as well as a precaution as the pipes feel stiff and original, so have removed the radiator and support and have flushed and re-painted with satin smoothrite and have sprayed the radiator top mounts and fan guarge with aluminium paint. New pipes and gaskets to go back on this weekend.

(I have been using the car in between the work being done, and if not ready I have used the green FHC)