“The Shape of Things to Come” – its a prophetic book by H. G. Wells made into a disturbingly prophetic movie by Alexander Caulder and was the marketing slogan for the Triumph TR7.
The TR7 was the replacement for the aging TR6, designed primarily with an eye to the US market it was Triumph’s first hard top production sports car and anticipated scheduled US safety legislation banning convertibles. Code named the Bullet whilst in development it was designed by Harris Mann at British Leyland, who later went on to design the radical wedge shaped Princess wagon and the Subaru Impreza, it was hailed as the ultimate in then fashionable “wedge styling”, cheaper than the exotic Lancia Stratos “wedge” and with more muscle than its main rival the mid engined Fiat X19 “wedge”.
Launched in the US in 1975 UK release was delayed to 1976 because of high US demand, the proposed legislation banning convertibles was never passed and Triumph produced a convertible version and the rarer 3.6 lite Rover V8 powered TR8, the TR7 utilised the Rover gearbox and axle and with the exception of a bulge in the bonnet and stiffer suspension the two cars were identical. Production of this classic of 70’s styling appropriately ceased at the end of the decade in 1981 – the Triumph marque is now owned by BMW.
The TR7 was driven by Steed and Prudy in the New Avengers and TR7 and TR8s won the SCCA PRO Rally Championships from 1977–1980.
The TR7 is favorite 70’s classic of TOP GEAR’s Jame May.
My TR7 was Slalmanca Red (orange) with red tartan upholstory.
