Gas Guesswork: 1980 Triumph TR7 V6 Restomod – Sold?

December 24, 2022, Update – We confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

We’ll go on record to say that Triumph TR7s will likely never skyrocket in value.  The combination of British Leyland sub-par build quality, Lucas electrics, and an emissions-choked, underpowered inline-four have all conspired over the years to keep these cars valued well below ten large.  Consequently, we don’t blame enthusiasts for improving the performance of what remains a great-looing, wedge-shaped design.

The seller (and we believe builder) of this 1980 Triumph TR7, originally listed in November 2022 on Craigslist in Piedmont, South Carolina (Greenville), seems to agree. They’ve managed to stuff a GM 3.4 Liter V6 mated to a Tremec T5 five-speed manual under the low bonnet of the TR7.  That, combined with an updated interior and metallic blue repaint, makes this TR7 a more potent example than when it left the Triumph factory.

Once offered for $10,950, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is in line with the five-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for Triumph TR7 roadsters produced between 1978 and 1980.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the TR7 featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $6,850 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $11,200.

The shape of things to come.  That was Triumph’s tagline of its new TR7 as it pulled into a triangular garage in TV commercials for the wedge-shaped sports car.  Equipped with coil springs and disc brakes at all four corners, car enthusiasts considered the TR7 the first modern British sports car.  Ironically, Triumph elected to replace the TR6’s complicated independent rear suspension with a more conventional solid axle, a four-link setup that handled very well. From its launch in 1975 through 1978, the TR7 was only available as a coupe out due to the belief the U.S. Federal government would implement rollover standards that never materialized.   Unfortunately, the early TR7s built-in Speke near Liverpool earned a bad reputation as unreliable lemons due to self-destructive tactics deployed by British labor unions before production transferred to Solihull two years later.

The TWS Motors YouTube Channel features this 1980 Triumph TR7 commercial quoting positive reviews from several car magazines of the period:

The extensive undercarriage pictures combined with the other photographs indicate this 1980 Triumph TR7 roadster is a nicely modified and highly detailed example.  With its small fuel tank, you’ll either need to figure out how to get the gas tank sending unit to work with the gas gauge or be very diligent about watching the miles traveled to ensure you don’t run out during a drive.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1980 V6-powered Triumph TR7 roadster for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!