Is it worth it? The car, cosmetically, looks great. I know nothing about the TR7s.....
"1979 Triumph TR7 coupe, 2.0 Liter 5 speed, factory air conditioning. It has 59380 actual miles on it. It is a complete vechicle. Engine is free but carbs are off in the vehicle,so the engine isn't running.The vehicle is all original with original orange paint.Minor rust for the year.I bought to restore but can't do now other things have come up.This vehicle is very restorable. It was a barn find"
You can find a decent complete running 79 TR7 convertible for $2500 and up, so do the math. You will find ones listed for sale for $5k, but they aren't selling. There isn't much demand for the 4 cylinder specific parts, so parting a $700 car isn't a money maker. The only demand is for TR8 related parts and for the little plastic parts that are always broken. Rust repair is difficult because of the unibody construction. Just replacing the roof, interior, and a paint job will push the cost of the car way beyond what you will ever get back out of it. If you want a wedge, either buy a pristine TR7 or save your money and buy an 8. Any type of rolling resto is an expensive loosing proposition unless you have a stash of used parts at your disposal.
I agree with what Todd posted. If you want a nice TR7 to drive, buy one that runs and doesn't need as much work. On the other hand, if the seller can be haggled down a few hundred, it sounds like a good $20XX starting point.
If it isn't rusty, I would try to talk him down but IMHO $500 would be a fair price (if it isn't rusty). The parts are out there to swap a Rover V8 in or Buick V6.
Parts are out there for swaps, but it's not a little project.
Cooling, Brakes, driveshaft, rear end, mounts, exhaust, etc. can add up to be really expensive. And some stock parts are really pricey; these cars are not civics. I'm seeing mint cars in the $4,000 range. That's the smart way to go. Find a mint one and start driving it.
As for the $20xx Challenge, it's been done. :)
I wasn't terribly interested to begin with, not really into the aesthetics of the car.
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/2641759862.html
If anyone wants the link.
spin_out wrote:Parts are out there for swaps, but it's not a little project.
Cooling, Brakes, driveshaft, rear end, mounts, exhaust, etc. can add up to be really expensive. And some stock parts are really pricey; these cars are not civics. I'm seeing mint cars in the $4,000 range. That's the smart way to go. Find a mint one and start driving it. As for the $20xx Challenge, it's been done. :)
That's why I would consider the car in question to be a good Challenge base. It's a relatively simple RWD car that would be pretty easy to swap a V8 into. And while it's somewhat rare, the values are so low that a car that needs work will be worth far less than a good running example.
To me the TR7 is a car that is looking better with age. But I agree with everything above - if you put in much money, you'll likely never recoup it.
A few years back I picked up a really nice one figuring I stole it for a grand. I was sure I could flip a road ready car that needed nothing and make a quick profit.
Ended trading the TR7 for a new front door for my house! Never again.
That said, it was certainly a "better car" than the 67 MGB GT I have had for 30 some years!
If you are looking to do a TR7V8 the first thing to do is find a COMPLETE TR8 parts car CHEAP. Then find a 4.0 or perhaps 4.6 out of a Land Rover/Range Rover. Usually short $$ but count on at least a freshen.
A nice TR7 should be able to be sourced for short $$$.. Coupes usually go for almost nothing (comparatively).
Todd is the man when it comes to this sort of stuff. One should set a $$$ limit on this type of project. Even when done right it is still a car only certain people want and they do not part with their $$$ easily.
