Description
Author: Bill Piggott, Hardbound, 96 Pages, ISBN: 9780760309728
1st Edition, 2007 - Second-Hand copy in good order
When launched in 1976, the Triumph TR7, successor to a line of TRs that epitomised the British sports car for more than 20 years, came as a complete surprise. It still had a front engine, certainly, and it was still a two-seater, but its resolutely modern wedge shape held no echoes of previous TR models, and to general consternation, it was a closed coupe rather than an open roadster.
Yet, it performed like a sports car and had excellent handling. Its real popularity began when the convertible model arrived and the V8-powered TR8 was introduced, providing all the power and performance that anyone could demand. Despite the initial popularity, by 1981 it was all over and for many years there was very little interest in the cars. Today, however, the picture is changing. TR7s and TR8s are being cherished and restored by a growing band of enthusiasts. In addition, there is now a thriving trade in converting TR7s to V8 power.
Original Triumph TR7 & TR8 is the essential companion to these cars. Its aim is to reveal, in words and colour pictures, the detailed specifications of the range throughout production. Although one TR7 may look much like another to the untrained eye, a surprising number of specification changes occurred over the years, and the author's extensive research has revealed plenty of new information about them.
Drawing from factory records, parts lists, and catalogues, as well as the accumulated knowledge of dedicated enthusiasts, this book provides an extensive survey of the TR7 and TR8.
Accompanying the text are 225 specially commissioned photographs of highly original vehicles, showing every permutation of TR7 and TR8. Besides the mainstream models, the more unusual versions illustrated include the Premium special edition and an outstanding example of a Grinnall conversion.
Up to now there has been little published information on the last TRs, but with this book the situation is dramatically improved. As the first intensive study of the cars, Original Triumph TR7 & TR8 will be indispensable for all owners, restorers, buyers, and enthusiasts.
About the author and photographer -
A life-long sports car enthusiast, Bill Piggott has been Principal Registrar of the TR Register since 1978, and is now also the Archivist. His privileged access to factory records and archives has provided him with an unique opportunity to thoroughly explore Triumph TRs.
After writing the first edition of Original Triumph TR, he went on to develop the theme by expanding this important book into two volumes, Original Triumph TR21313A and Original Triumph TR4/4A/5/6. With this volume on the TR7 and TR8, he completes the set.
Bill practised for many years as a lawyer, but now devotes most of his time to writing about classic cars and steam railways, as well as finding and renovating interesting vehicles. Since buying his first TR in 1970, he has owned examples of virtually every model.
Simon Clay is a freelance photographer specialising in cars, people, and architecture. He trained at Bournemouth Cx. Poole College of Art, and from 1990 to 1996 was employed full-time as the photographer for England's National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.
In 1996, he photographed five British sports cars for commemorative stamps issued by the Royal Mail.
He shot the photographs for this book in the UK and the USA, using Mamiya RZ617 medium-format, and Nikon F90 and FM 35mm cameras with Fuji Previa film.
