Triumph TR7 Convertible

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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.

First registered in August 1980, this TR7 Convertible has been in barn storage for the last 10 years, a search of the DVLA database showing that it was last taxed and on the road in 1993. Said to remain in basically sound condition and to start, run and drive, it will now need some light restoration and recommissioning before it can be put back into use. It is showing an unwarranted 75,000 miles on the clock and comes with a V5 registration document and an old MOT from 1980.

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?