1978 Triumph TR7

What's this then? England's best ideas of the '70s to create a simple, solid sports car for America - "the shape of things to come" and a throwback to involved driving, bereft of isolating intrusive controls and problematic electronics. Undone by Liverpool labor issues, an international oil crisis and horrendous US dollar exchange rates - the Triumph TR7 never got a fare shake, but nearly 50 years later - it shines.

Two Litres of carbureted, naturally aspirated, Abingdon-tuned lead-free combustion - unfettered with a burly straight-piped Monza exhaust, harnessed with a bolt-action 5-speed (w/new hydraulic cylinders & lines) manual transmission powering the rear wheels via an improved rear-end differential, directed through true non-boosted manual steering and grippy modern Kumho rubber with forgiving sidewalls and sweet low un-sprung mass/rotational inertia 13" alloy wheels. Well-balanced braking with rebuilt rear drums, front discs with modern pads and stainless brake-lines and refreshed suspension bushings tame this British Leyland bulldog.

Pop-up headlights, huge pull-back Webasto sunroof, ultra-cool dash, big bumpers, old school grates and strakes set this apart straight from the factory, and now equipped with an aftermarket auxiliary cooling fan, wiring for fogs, three steering wheels to choose from, two door panel styles, upgraded speakers and a decidedly non-period-correct cd player with removable face-plate! Super-comfortable tall-guy cabin with seats for two (best feature inflated right-knee bolster and left-foot dead pedal allow endless cruising) and a generous 'boot' - works for livening up the commute, dedicated driving sessions, golf outings and touring road-trips alike - great enthusiast community with tons of knowledge and parts support, this is a blank canvas that can be kept as-is, restored to its Russet Brown glory, converted to honor it's rally roots, road courses or drag strips - choice is all yours! Solid frame and body panels - light rust and peeling MAACO paint in areas. Comes with Haynes repair manual, but despite the Lucas "Prince of Darkness" reputation, everything works - except the Smiths analog clock, but even that's right twice a day

Currently showing >85,000 miles on the odo - keeps getting better with every little quibble fixed, so expect that number will continue to climb!