I have a 1964 MK1 spitfire in my shop that I am converting to a 5.0 T5 combo but ran across a car that I couldn't resist and will be a fun toy to play with while I'm building the spitfire.
I found a rust free 1980 TR7 convertible with a 350 chevy and turbo 350 trans. , clean body, decent interior and new canvas top for $1,000 couldn't resist it. It will need paint since it has a replacement hood that is a different shade of green but fortunately is really straight.
I'll post pics if anyone is interested.
We always want pics
Here are a couple pic's I should be able to get some engine pic's tomorrow
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$1000?! I don't think anyone here could have passed on that one!
Here's an engine pic, no custom headers and needs some cleaning up but it has a really nice four core radiator with burp tank and drivetrain is solid so for the money I'm really happy with it. Wish my spitfire had this much room in the engine bay.
It's pretty nice for $1,000
It was an A/C car originally and just about everything but compressor is still there. I do A/C on heavy equipment and have everything needed to build hoses etc. so I may fix the A/C and make it a comfortable hotrod cruiser.
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That's a score. Now if only it had some bigger wheels/tires. Do you know if it has the 4 cylinder axle? (though it seems I heard the 1980s had the TR8 axle)
Jim
Yes it has the original small tires and wheels but does have the same differential as the TR8 with a different gear ratio.
I'm undecided on what to do with this car, I should just paint it and fix some small details then drive it. Another option is to use a 9" ford diff out of a 65 Econoline that I have laying around, convert the front to five lug and mustang GT brakes then build a stronger engine. Using front wheel drive offset wheels will allow use of the 9" without needing to narrow the rear end and buying custom axles.
I was already offered $2,000 for it as is and probably should have since it's probably the only way I would ever make money on it but I'm addicted to small convertibles with big engines, it's a sickness I tell you.
Other than the choke lead that goes from the carb, down the strut tower, to Mexico and back. It looks like a decent install.
If it was me I'd detail it up, put some wheels on it and sell it. It's a perfect money maker for the Spitfire project. And you get to drive it until it sells.
Live like you mean it.
Fred
I sold the TR7 for a profit and replaced it with a little newer British V8 convertible.
The Jaguar may not be as unique but it is way nicer to drive and is still British.
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