"There are fewer British cars that speak more eloquently of the automotive culture of Britain in the 1970's than the Triumph Stag. The burly, rakish, cool but unreliable Michelotti-designed brute was more than the sum of its butch parts. Having "
Triumph TR7
Now, call us old fashioned, but could it be that the Triumph TR7 was the ugliest automotive creation of these islands? It’s not a particularly rare point of view – legend has it that when the Harris Mann penned design was first shown at the British leyland design meeting way back in the depths of three-day-week, recession wracked Britain of the early 1970s, it was thought to be a spoof. His other design had been, of course, The truly pug-ugly Austin Princess.
The potential for the car was great. Billed as ‘the shape of things to come’ at the time, the angular wedge was driven by a more or less the same two litre engine that appeared in the much loved Leyland stalwart the Dolomite Sprint. What’s more an iconic wedge-haired Joanna Lumley drove one in popular seventies action series The New Avengers (notice the synergy of ‘wedge’). Whatever you think of the design now, the TR7’s rakish modernism must have looked refreshing on the stolid streets of seventies Britain. It sold pretty well in the UK, and was a sales phenomenon in the US.
History, though, hasn’t been kind to its looks.
But in fact, we think you’ll agree that from the perspective of this angle achieved for an ad campaign, that the (Michelotti designed) convertible version actually looked kind of attractive from the raised three quarter.
Or could it be that the true genius of the campaign in question is the placement of the lingerie-clad lady on its wing?
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I may well be in the minority, but I quite like the TR7, especially the drophead.
No it is truly horrible. Even the convertible. Nice lingerie, though
Horrible?? When this came out it was completely unlike anything out there (we'll ignore the Fiat X19 because of its fragility). In a world of blobby Sierras and boring (still) Astras, boxy Cortina's and huge Granada's this thing looked like it had come from outer space! Drive to work today and your surrounded by silver Euro boxes, A3's, Golf's and super boring BMW's, you'll see nothing on the road even remotely like this for less £100k. Yeah they were uncomfortable and not the most reliable but get them on a country road at sunset pop up the lights (still miss that from modern sports cars) and just drive it. Most fun you'll have for less than £500!
Hmm, a useful source of engines for 1850s and that’s about what they’re worth. F***in’ rubbish, rot box even by BL standards (pun intended).
Lol I quite liked it but then again I owned 3 princess’s (which we’re big and comfortable and fast with front wheel drive that I could hammer into corners). Never had a chnce to drive a 7 though.
I liked the TR7, it’s styling was revolutionary, problem was by the time it was any good (convertible)(five speed box) and ultimately the TR8, there had been god knows how many strikes which left body panels rotting in fields…….we all lost faith and bought the golf GTI.
worked in a leyland dealership in the early 80’s, this was a dog, wiring burnout outs on headlamps, crap build quality, rust, put it next to a tr6 and i know which one i’d have. Later in that decade part of my job was running a fleet of Austin Rover cars and vans,rose tinted glasses do not mask the fact our car workers, designers, engineers etc just couldn’t cut it in the real world and that is why we have no industry left, unions and bean counters killed it
I was lucky enough to buy one off these in 1979. T reg With 2,000 miles on the clock. I was working at a Porsche, BMW dealer’s at the time. In the first week the gearbox fell out. After a putting a proper hellicoil in the rear gearbox mountain. I had no other problems really. I bought it for a sum of £2,750 which come in part exchange. After covering 11,000 mls. I sold it for £3,000. So the car was good for me in the end.
Nice lingerie?? are you kinky? Nice lady in the lingerie though.
I don't think we should ignore the X1/9 considering it bettered the TR7 in almost every way.
I bet the tin plate bonnet was covered in dents after a spot of rumpy pumpy with the model across it after the photoshoot
Yes the TR7 is not pretty, in fact it was rubbish, yes it didn't always work and rusted really bad. I know I had one but it did make you feel special when you drove it and like most things British it look a bit crap but it is an icon and I would love to own one again.
I loved the TR7. I was lucky enough to navigate/co-drive during the late 70's in a geniune ex works Tony Pond 16 valave Dolomite type engined TR7 and it was great. It was even better with the V8 lump shoe horned into the engine bay and Tony Pond finished 4th on the 1978 RAC Rally so it can't have been too bad!
I have just found and brought a car destin for scrap, the old fella had it in his garage and off the road since 1990, its a complete and nearly rust free drop head with loads of spares for a few hundred quid, I cant wait to get her back on the road. It took me just 30 mins to get it started and it runs like a dream now, Im falling in love here!
I had one of the last new ones in late 81 , loved it!
my name is mark dolman too, and u posted on my birthday!
Had a silver TR7 convertible in mid 80’s – loved it -very reliable and great on long drive. it was a 1982 Y Reg so I guess one of the last. I was told at the time it was assembled after production had stopped (from parts!?) – LWS 98Y – bit light at the back but otherwise great.