1981 Triumph TR7 Coupe

Finished in Cashmere with a tan check interior, this delightful 1981 Triumph TR7 drips period charm. Still wearing its original registration number, ‘AAC 579X’ also benefits from a factory-fitted Webasto sunroof.

With only 86,000 miles on the clock, it’s a true survivor and is in a remarkably good condition; part-exchanged at a Vauxhall main dealer back in 1990, it was snapped by his father-in-law and it stayed in his heated garage until his death his year.

The seller bought it on a bit of whim as it is exactly the same year and colour as his other TR7. But, even he has to admit that no-one really needs a matching pair and given his other one has just 23,000 miles on the clock, this is the one that’s got to go.

So, if you’re in the market for a ground-breaking British sportscar please read on…

The Cashmere coachwork is in a surprisingly good condition; while the TR7 was widely lauded for its brave design, few found much to celebrate about its build quality, which could be variable.

This looks like it could have been a good ‘un though, as it’s weathered the intervening 42 years with aplomb, although the fact the last 33 were spent in a heated garage will have helped.

The paint still has a good shine and finish to it and while he can’t be sure, the seller thinks it’s probably original. The panels certainly fit well and there’s a remarkable lack of rust and corrosion with the only problem area we can see being the rear wheel arches, which show some bubbling.

The front lights still rise and fall as they should – and everyone loves pop-up headlamps, don’t they?

The front and rear bumpers look good, as does the decently-sized rear spoiler. You’ve also got louvres on the bonnet, so no-one is going to miss the fact you’re driving a classic British sportscar.

The tyres have good tread but they are a mixed bunch with Avon Enviro CR322s on the front and a Kelly Charger and a Runway Enduro on the rear.

The 13-inch alloy rims, part #RKC2111, are excellent with no dinks, scrapes, or other damage, having been refurbished this year.

This means the work it needs is limited: the offside rear light is damaged; the rubber seals on both rear lamps are perished; the paint on the edge of the driver’s door is chipped; and the fabric sunroof has a couple of short splits in it.

You could then start on the nice-to-do stuff like sorting out the headlamps surrounds, which are a bit weathered. The front spoiler looks a little awry, too but that’s about your lot.

The tan vinyl and check cloth interior is very early eighties and all the better for being so; if you’re going to drive a period classic then you might as well go all in, hadn’t you? Besides, compared to the lurid colour schemes Porsche was offering in its 911 and 928, the TR7 looks positively subdued.

Mind you, the condition helps. The seats, for example, are in fine fettle, being plump and surprisingly comfortable. The vinyl and cloth facings are undamaged and the overall presentation is very good with only gentle rumpling to the driver’s seat.

The black dashboard is fronted by a black and silver steering wheel. These are also in good shape and offer clear and legible instruments, simple and easy to use controls, and well-spaced pedals.

The tan carpets are protected by black mats, a practical element that helps bring the colour schemes together, something the tan vinyl pads in the footwells and the trim on the black centre console reinforce.

A modern Blaupunkt Verona headunit is fitted.

The boot contains a matching alloy spare wheel. The vinyl mats are in good shape but lifting them out does reveal some corrosion. It looks like it is still catchable but we wouldn’t leave it too long without treating and painting it.

There are a few other things you might to take a look at. For instance, the plastic trim around the stereo is cracked and the carpets are a little worn and discoloured.

As you can see in the accompanying video, the engine starts well and idles and revs as it should. The rev counter is intermittent though, and the battery charge warning light is flickering.

The engine bay and engine are both a little grubby and would benefit from being cleaned and, perhaps, detailed. Mind you, there are worse ways to keep busy over the winter and a car of this quality deserves to fulfill its full potential.

The underside looks good and while the MoT history suggests it has had some welding in the past, if it has it’s been done well as the seller tells us he inspected it while it was on the lift at his local Ferrari dealer having its MoT and couldn’t see any trace.

However, it would benefit from having any surface corrosion treated before being undersealed.

There’s an oil leak under there too, so you could add tracing and curing that to your To Do list. In the meantime, it’s helping fend off rust, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

The TR7’s British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate confirms its build specification of Cashmere with a tan check interior. It also shows the cast alloy wheels were factory fitted in addition to the Webasto sunroof. The registration number ‘AAC 579X’ is original, too.

More good news comes with the fact that despite not needing one, the TR7 not only has an MoT certificate but the one it has is valid until July 2024 and was issued with no advisories – just like the one the year before.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the history file contains a bunch of old MoT certificates and tax discs in addition to old invoices, the handbook, and a brochure.

The seller thinks there could be a few as 19 TR7 coupés left on the road, which makes this one a helluva find.

Still drawing plenty of attention on the road, he tells us it’s younger drivers who love it the most, its modern appearance perhaps deceiving them into thinking it’s much younger than it is?

This widespread affection bodes well for future residuals; while a lot of us just didn’t ‘get’ the TR7 when it first came out, the years have been kinder to it than most and it looks fabulous now, doesn’t it?

As for what it’s worth - the seller has sufficient confidence in his car to offer it with no reserve, so the market will decide. That said, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it reach five figures because we can’t imagine an opportunity like this will come up again anytime soon - hence our estimate of £7,000-£10,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.