Editing Triumph TR7 (section)

==Design and features==
[[File:1975 Triumph TR7 3.5 Side.jpg|thumb|left|Side view of 1975 TR7 (not in an original colour/scheme, with aftermarket lower front spoiler, and converted to V8)]]
[[File:1975 Triumph TR7 3.5 Rear.jpg|thumb|left|Rear view of 1975 TR7]]

The car, characterised by its "wedge" shape and by a swage line sweeping down from the rear to just behind the front wheel, was commonly advertised as "the shape of things to come". The design was penned by [[Harris Mann]] who also designed the wedge-shaped [[Princess (car)|Princess]]. The car has an overall length of {{convert|160|in|cm|abbr=on}}, width of {{convert|66|in|cm|abbr=on}}, wheelbase of {{convert|85|in|cm|abbr=on}} and height of {{convert|49.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}. The coupé has a [[kerb weight|kerbside weight]] of {{convert|2,205|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. During development, the TR7 was referred to by the code name "Bullet".<ref name="AROnline">{{cite web |url= https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/triumph/tr7-tr8/the-cars-triumph-tr7tr8/ |title=The cars : Triumph TR7/TR8 development story |first=Keith |last=Adams |website=AROnline |location=UK |date=1 January 2018 |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref> [[MG Cars|MG]] branding was considered for the upmarket versions compared to the TR badged entry level versions, with "MG Magna" being used on some of the early clay models, but this did not reach production.<ref name="AROnline"/><ref name="Shannons">{{cite web |url= https://www.shannons.com.au/club/news/classic-garage/triumph-tr7-how-the-tr7-almost-triumphed-over-leylands-ineptitude/ |title=Triumph TR7: How the TR7 almost Triumphed over Leyland's ineptitude |first=John |last=Wright |website=Shannons |location=Australia |date=24 November 2016 |access-date=22 July 2023}}</ref>

The TR7 was the first of Triumph's 'TR' line to not be offered as a convertible in its initial form, instead utilizing a 2-door coupé configuration. With the United States showing increased concern for automotive safety in the 1970s, legislations were being considered to ban open roof convertibles in said markets due to rollover risks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russin |first=Nina |date=2017-06-12 |title=When Convertibles Were Endangered, T-Tops Ruled |url= https://www.ebay.com/motors/blog/convertibles-endangered-ttops-ruled |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=eBay Motors Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> As the US statistically represented the most lucrative market for Triumph sports cars, BL decided to avoid these potential risks by offering the TR7 only as a fixed roof coupé. However, legislation to ban convertibles was not implemented, and so in 1979, Triumph introduced a convertible version of the TR7

Power is provided by a 1,998&nbsp;cc eight-valve [[Inline-four engine|four-cylinder engine]] that shares the same basic design as the [[Triumph Slant-4 engine|Triumph Dolomite 1850 engine]], albeit increased to 2 litres and fitted with larger carburettors, mounted in-line at the front of the car. Power is {{convert|105|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,500&nbsp;rpm, maximum torque is {{convert|119|lbft|Nm|abbr=on}} at 3,500&nbsp;rpm,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=55704 |title=1975 Triumph TR7 specifications, information, data, photos 55704 |website=Car Folio |date=28 February 2013 |access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> the North American version produces {{convert|92|bhp|0|abbr=on|disp=}}. Australian buyers received the same version in order to meet [[Australian Design Rules|local emissions regulations]].<ref name=Whatcar>{{Citation |title= What car is that? : in Australia & New Zealand |editor-last= Boyce |editor-first=David |ref= DB1 |year= 1981 |publisher= Rigby |location= Adelaide, Australia |page = 178 |isbn= 0727014803}}</ref> The European version was tested as having a 0–{{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} time of around 10 seconds, with a top speed of {{Convert|108.5|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1981-05-30 |title=Lancia Montecarlo: The Rivals |url= https://x.com/motormobilias/status/1773459736727375923 |work=Motorweek}}</ref> Drive is to the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox initially, with an optional five-speed [[manual gearbox]] and a three-speed [[Automatic gearbox|automatic]] available from 1976. The front independent suspension uses coil spring and damper struts and lower single link at the front, and at the rear is a four-link system, again with coil springs. There are front and rear anti-roll bars, with disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear.

===Revisions===
[[File:TR7 Broadcord interior.jpg|left|thumb|TR7 broadcord interior. (Lack of lights in driver's door)]]
[[File:TR7 Sprint interior.JPG|thumb|right|Green tartan interior (with US spec. steering wheel center)]]

The interior trim was revised in March 1977, with the broadcord seat covers being replaced with red or green "tartan" check inserts with black leather effect vinyl edging. The tartan trim is also reflected in the door cards in padded matching red or green tartan cloth inserts in the black leather effect vinyl.<ref name="Piggott 2009"/>

The development of the convertible version of the TR7 required the interior light, which was in the headlining, to be removed. This was replaced by lights with integral switches in each of the door cards. A map light, mounted between the seats on the back panel below the rear parcel shelf, was deleted. The convertible also required a smaller fuel filler cap, as the deck area in front of the boot lid was reduced to allow for the stowage of the hood. These modifications were also applied to the hard top for the 1978 year model (starting after the factory's summer shutdown in 1977),<ref name="Piggott 2009"/> presumably to maintain commonality of parts on the assembly line. The wheel trims were also changed at this time, from smaller black trims that covered only the centre of the wheels, to larger silver ones, covering the whole wheel.<ref name="Piggott 2009"/> 

External decor changes included simplification of the TR7 badge on the boot, the rear panel changing from black to body-colour, and the TR7 nose badge being replaced by a large laurel-wreath emblem with the Triumph name across its centre, this latter replaced on final production models by a small circular raised badge. Only a small number of 1978 year model cars, with the smaller filler cap and lights in the door cards, were produced at Speke, due to the industrial action there in 1977–78.<ref name="marren2009"/>

[[File:Triumph TR7.JPG|thumb|left|Solihull-built TR7 drop head coupe with double bulge bonnet]]
[[File:TR7 tan plaid interior.jpg|thumb|right|Tan plaid interior of a Triumph TR7. Note later rectangular door lock button at top left.]]

The development of a V8-engined version, which became the [[Triumph TR8]], required an addition bulge in the bonnet, to clear the carburettors. This produced the "double bulge" or "double bump" bonnet, characteristic of TR7s and TR8s built at Canley and Solihull. However, at least some of the TR7s built at Canley have single bump bonnets;<ref name="Piggott 2009"/> though it is possible these were cars that had not been completed at Speke, possibly due to the industrial action there,<ref name="marren2009"/> and finished off at Canley after production was moved.

During production at Canley, the seat trim was again revised, with a plaid cloth in navy blue or tan, with matching coloured leather effect edging, and matching door cards.<ref name="Piggott 2009"/> A further trim change during production at Solihull saw the use of a [[ruched]] velour in blue or tan on the seats, with matching inserts on the doors. Also, the internal door lock buttons were changed from the earlier standard BL round ones, to rectangular buttons held on with small grub screws. There was also a change to the trip mile counter's reset button,<ref name="Piggott 2009"/> which became a push type operated through the instrument "glass", rather than a turn type under the dash.