Rusty times

I now have the replacement sills and arches to repair my tired bodywork. I've put it off for the last few years, but after several events and done mucky weather, I really can't put off any longer at the expense of performance mods. Hopefully this will give the TR7 a few more trouble free bodywork years. On the performance front, all suspension has now been upgraded, as has the steering rack. I've got some mud and snow competition tyres on my faux minilites which now give the car an aggressive rally look I've always wanted. I also got my weller wheels sorted with Yok semi slicks and normal road tyres. The original steelies are housing some RBRR tired 175s - but still with a little life left in them. Been collecting spares furiously through my new friend 'mr eBay app'- he satisfies all my retail needs! 2" su's, dolly sprint engine for transplant in near future (hopefully), v8 bonnet, spare headlight pod and lots more erroneous junk. Need to find more space!

MOT time and stuff

Well it's that time of year again, MOT, tax and insurance all within 2 months of each other! Pleased to say that despite 3 advisories, the old girl passed first time. More than can be said for more daily driver which failed miserably and left me with much lighter pockets-who says Leyland didn't build reliable cars!

Been buying various bits and bobs for the TR7 the last few months, not that Ive had anytime to fit them unfortunately. Work and family are taking the time these days. Got a cool set of yoka semi slick tarmac tyres-wow, what a difference to road holding! Not so good in snow though but good fun! ;-)

Have some minilite copies I got in the sale from a wheel supplier and some other second hand wellers too which are cool.

Got new arches and outer sills to repair those bits falling apart. Seen better says so want to get fixed before rot properly sets in.

Hope to get to a CMC gymkhana this year and CT autosolo if I get chance.

Hello again.....

Where have the last few months gone? Can't believe my last post was back in May!

Since the summer there have been some big developments (well big for me). Our first was born in July so that's been a steep learning curve in nappy changing, etc. Hopefully the boy will follow me in my quest for all things nostalgic (those who count a TR7 as nostalgic).

TR7 has had some reasonable work completed on it in an effort to vaguely aid my poor driving with competitive upgrades! New 5 speed box and axle came first. Then polybushed all round with uprated shocks and springs. Lowered rear trailing arms. Quick rack. Additional pair of spots. And now a new set of yokahama semi slicks. Wow, I need to take a breath after all that!

Now I'll find the damn thing won't start or tin worm has been secretly doing it's thing behind those sills!

5 speed ahead!

Well the CSMA autosolo at Bovingdon Airfield was a hoot. Slowly getting better at this competitive driving malarkey and came mid-table this time, which is better than my usual lower third! Must get some new wheel nuts - all the chucking about made the nuts and wheels have a disagreement near the end of the day. Managed to sort it OK though to finish and get home.

Next event is the Chelmsford Motor Club Gymkhana at Carver Barracks in mid-May. Really looking forward to it. I love these events, the best I've ever competed in. Hope to be able to better my last Gymkhana placement in March.

As for mods to the TR7, I've decided to accelerate the upgrade from a 4 speed to 5 speed (new job and 30th birthday present combined :) I've been collecting bits and pieces for this job over the last 18 months, knowing that the change over would be done in the future at some point, as the 4 speeder has seen better days. I've been helped along the way by lots of very willing club members and am really grateful for that, particularly around the provision of used parts - thanks :)

Still haven't decided whether to do upgrade myself or give to the family mechanic. Devoting time to the car seems to be more difficult these days with increased work pressures and getting the house improvements finished before the baby arrives. In which case, I think TR7 time will be out of the window for a while!

Its been a while.....

since I posted a blog.

Not many exciting things to report on the TR7 front really. Expecting a new addition to my family in July, so better pick up the pace and enjoy it while I can still vaguely afford to run it!

Gave it a damn good clean a couple of weeks ago and got insurance sorted.

MOT next week (hopefully) - not expecting any nasty surprises, but you never know. Sailed through with no problems last year! I think wheel bearings may be an issue after RBRR, but I've tightened them up for now and will hope for the best.

Tax will hopefully be sorted for March - it never gets easier handing that payment over!

Am taking the car for a trip down to Goodwood this weekend for the www.southdownsstages.co.uk which should be a hoot. Last years event was fantastic and they had a TR7 V8 challenge with ex-works cars competing. Only one TR7 competing this year though unfortuntely, but should still be a good day. Free entry!

Hoping to get to the next CMC gymkhana in March, then will have a think about long term plans of taking it off the road to rebuild it :S

Happy Christmas to me

Well, after months of waiting, I've finally got my 8 spoke Wellers on the TR7, together with a fresh set of 185/70/13 tyres. I've also taken the opportunity to order some blue magnetic sheeting to cover stickers on the car where event regs dictate. Spot covers will have to wait for a bit longer unfortunately, as Xmas budget now all spent. MOT, tax and insurance is next thing to fund. Time to raise funds by looking for random crap in the loft to flog on ebay....

What next?

So, what next to do on TR7?

My Xmas(ish) wish/to do list consists of: -
A new set of Lucas foam spotlight covers.

Some blue magnetic sheeting to cover up stickers on events to meet road rally regs (the blue plastic and insulation tape I currently use has seen better days!)

Put 'Triumph' wording transfer on roof with Union Jack sticker.

Get a new set of 185/70/13 tyres for the white Weller 8 spokes I've recently got hold of.

I've got an old set of Weller 8 spokes I'm also selling at the moment. That should raise a bit of cash to pay for some of the above - hopefully!

Event wise, I'm thinking of entering the Bedford Car Club autotest on 28 Dec. Want to try and get as much usage as I can out of it as early new year brings with it MOT, tax and insurance, which I'm still working out how I'm going to pay for :S (!)