Triumph TR7 Convertible

When Italian stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro first saw the TR7's scalloped flanks he took one look and said "My God! Don't tell me they've done that to the other side as well?"

Launched in 1976 as British Leyland's answer to the safety and emission requirements which were strangling the macho TR6, the TR7's wedge-shaped body and sawn off rump divided opinion like no Triumph before or since.

But if Harris Mann's body styling was shockingly new, the underpinnings were reassuringly familiar – the 105bhp 2-litre, four-cylinder engine and powertrain were basically Triumph Dolomite, while the suspension comprised MacPherson struts at the front and a live axle at the rear. Top speed was a respectable 108mph with 60mph coming up in just 10.8 seconds.

At first the TR7 was only available as a fixed-head coupe as it was believed that convertibles would soon become outlawed, but when these fears proved groundless a Michelotti-designed drophead became available from 1979 and continued to sell well until the TR7's demise in 1981, with some 28,864 examples sold, many to America.

This particular TR7 Convertible must be one of the last examples made as it was first registered in February 1982. Looking most attractive in silver with a blue check-cloth interior, it is only showing some 8,100 miles on the clock but there is very little history with the car so this cannot be verified although old MOTs show that it has only covered 60 miles since 2002.

The vendor states that the car is “very clean and sound” and that “it drives very well with a nice smooth engine and gearbox". It has a current MOT and also comes with the original owner’s handbook. A real Seventies style icon, the TR7 is now getting quite rare with just 700 convertibles still on the road, according to DVLA figures, and we can't imagine they will stay at this humble price level much longer. One to buy now and put away for later, perhaps?