History of my TR7

The Mike Cutmore Website!

History of my TR7

Wherever I venture in my TR7 Convertible it usually gets admiring or curiosity glances. Sometimes individuals actually approach me in a friendly way and compliment my ownership of the car, asking me usually who restored the car as normally they have not seen one in anything like the condition that mine is in let alone even recently seen one at all!.

Even over twenty years ago, when I first got the car, it was in excellent condition for a six year old then. It took me months to actually come across a reasonable TR7 drophead at that time. I was purchasing purely on condition alone, and that certainly wasn't easy at all, given the rate at which these vehicles corrode. Not many have actually survived to tell the tale..

For well over two decades now I have carefully maintained and cared for the car. The novelty has never worn off. With an ideal Garage and disciplined approach to driving, the fun factor in owning such a car sometimes goes against the 'A to B as quickly as possible' means of transport scenario that is common place in society today.

My TR7 is a Solihull built 1982 champagne beige Drophead coupe (DHC), and one of the very last ever built (commission no. 408242). In October 1988 I purchased the car privately with 37,000 recorded miles from a guy in Wood Green, London, who shed a tear even after pocketing my £3000!

The car was originally owned by BL Cars Ltd., MCP/ECP Dept., Longbridge, Birmingham and was a management car plan company lease car for an Austin Rover manager. Delivered on 13/9/82, it covered 7696 miles before being auctioned off by BL (Maybe the Manager was sacked or made redundant?). .

A garage acquired the car (Les Archer (Hants) Ltd.) of Farnborough, Hampshire and it was then sold on 4/5/84 to a Mr. Bishop of Burnham, Slough, (The car's first private owner), who actually purchased the car for his wife. .

Mr. Bishop recalls at the time of making the purchase the garage had recently obtained two TR7s direct from the factory, (purchased at auction) which were 'motor cars the factory had retained for their own use.'.

Mr. Bishop's wife only kept the car for 5 months simply because she found the steering to be 'too heavy for her'. During this time very few miles were put on the car, and it was purchased by a Mr. Brunby of Erdington, Birmingham on 28/9/84 for £4130 after being advertised in the Sunday Times motoring small ads. .

It was Mr. Brunby's 2nd TR7 DHC, his first and previous was GVP 719W - perhaps this has survived and belongs to a club member?.

Mr. Brunby covered about 5,000 miles in the car during his nine months of ownership before selling it to a specialist dealer 'Frederick Charles of Kenilworth' for £3,850. A Mrs. Hill of Southport then purchased the vehicle on 7/6/85 with 12,895 recorded miles..

Mrs. Hill kept the car for about a year, covering a mere 4,000 odd miles and at this time (4/7/86) the car was to be supplied by a Jaguar dealer 'Hatton's of Southport' to a Mr. Taylor (the guy in Wood Green)..

Two years and 20,000 miles later, I was lucky enough to spot the car in Exchange and Mart in late 1988.

Maintenance history OOB 454X

Mike Cutmore has retained all MOT Certificates, parts invoices, & service invoices.

The Maintenance history below refers to work carried out over & above the normally required regular service items (oil changes, filter renewals, spark plug renewals, steering rack lubrication, & Gearbox & differential oil level checks etc.), which are periodically undertaken as necessary. (Mileage Records retained by Mike Cutmore).

'Renewed' denotes component renewal (part not necessarily worn).

'Replaced' denotes component replacement (necessary due to worn or damaged part).

2020

Fitted Green HT Leads (New).

2019

Total Full Engine Rebuild (Full Engine Reconditioned at removal including Full Cylinder Head Rebuild). New Pistons, Bearings, Timing Chain & Tensioner. New Water Pump. New Clutch. Clutch Fork, New Full Stainless Steel Exhaust. All new or reconditioned components, Prop Shaft, Hoses, Thermostat. New Luminition Electronic Ignition Module Fitment. Replaced all Filters & Fluids. New MOT Test. New Wheel Cylinders (rear). Front Shock Absorber Gaiters Replaced.

2018

No work was undertaken or was necessary during 2018 except usual cleaning.

2017

Additional Underseal & Rust Conversion treatment to localised underside, subframe & spring suspension components necessary.

2016

Replaced Wiper Motor. Renewed Front Spoiler
Renewed O/S & N/S Front antiroll D Bushes & Bottom Arm Bushes & Link Bushes (Poly Std).

2015

Renewed Instrument Cluster Bulbs illumination (12V 2.2W) x4. -Upgraded with LED Type- 501 W5W 6LED green T10. Front sidelights, Rear tail & stop lights also upgraded to SMD LED & COB Technology.

2014

Renewed Flasher/Hazard Indicator Relays (Upgraded to Solid state electronic units- originals retained)

2013

Treated Sills & undertook Cosmetic Bodywork including additional rust protection

2012

Renewed Starter Motor (WOSP High Torque Torx upgrade)

2011

Replaced unserviceable alternator (original Lucas 17ACR rebuild) retrofitted
Renewed Clutch Master Cylinder
Renewed Clutch Slave Cylinder
Renewed Radiator & Complete Cooling system hoses (all). Renewed inlet manifold pipe to head (stainless steel)

2010

Replaced Front Brake pads & Discs
Renewed both front hub wheel bearings
Replaced Wiper intermittent wipe relay
Replaced N/s window winder mechanism

Replaced N/s window weatherstrip

Replaced O/s window weatherstrip
Replaced / overhauled clutch master cylinder / seals
2009
Renewed Indicator Flasher relay
Replaced ALL road tyres including spare with new original equipment 185/70 HR13's (Maxxis MA701)

2008
Renewed Alternator
Carpet renewed including underfelt
Retrofitted Original Triumph BL Radio Cassette Player.

2007
Replaced light switch.
Locking Fuel cap fitted (original retained).
Fitted ISO connector adaptor to radio console loom (enables unit to be interchanged easily).
Replaced Indicator flasher unit.
Replaced Breather hose (air vacuum to carb).
Replaced OSF Steering rack gaitor.

2006
Original TR7 18" & 16" wiper blade holders refitted. New rubber wipe inserts (replaced).
Renewed Fan belt.
Fuel Tank replaced and new tank undersealed. Renewed fuel sender seal.
Unipart Samson Battery replaced (lifetime guarantee renewal- now three years).
Renewed all exhaust rubber mountings and bump stop.
Replaced audio loudspeaker cones.

2005
ALL suspension components, (all shock absorbers, bushes and gaiters) renewed (not uprated), front and rear.

2004
No work was undertaken or was necessary during 2004 except usual cleaning.

2003
No work was undertaken or was necessary during 2003 except usual cleaning.

2002
Spare tyre interchanged. MOT pass on last Original unused factory fitted Good year G800+S

2001
Replaced radiator (OEM reconditioned).
Complete brake service. New front discs & pads, new rear wheel cylinders, shoes, return springs & new o/s brake drum fitted. (Replaced).
Original Steel wheels refitted.

2000
Complete exterior body repaint including boot interior.
Rear transfer decals renewed.
Renewed boot trim (side sections).
All plastic brake pipe clips renewed (black).
Hood renewed (OEM black). Hood webbing renewed.

1999
Direction indicator cancelling mechanism realigned.
Alloy wheels rebalanced.
Unipart Samson Battery replaced (lifetime guarantee renewal).

1998
N/s steering rack gaiter replaced. Front wheel alignment adjusted.
O/s window winder mechanism replaced.
Gearknob collets under gear stick housing replaced.
Choke knob & cable renewed.

1997
Electronic ignition fitted (original distributor retained).
Rear floorpan, underbody, & tyrewell sides undersealed.
Door panels retrimmed (original specification tan check).
Number plate light lenses renewed.

1996
Front spoiler renewed (original equipment specification).
Throttle cable renewed.
Air intake hose replaced.
Radiator removed, flushed, & repainted. Cooling system service.

1995
Fibre washers on filler plugs renewed (sump, gearbox, diff).
Seats retrimmed (original specification tan check). (Renewal).
Exterior door handle internal rubber bump stops replaced.

1994
Front trim moulding panel (LH) renewed.
Door lock escutcheon shrouds replaced.
Front wings undersealed & front nose panel waxoylled.

1993
Replaced Summer 82 degree thermostat.
Replaced Wiper blades.

1992
Engine removed & rebuilt with reconditioned cylinder head, (extra thick gasket). Renewed Valves & guides, reground crankshaft, renewed big & little end bearings, renewed oil & water pumps, Machine shop rebore. Engine ancineries painted & engine bay repainted from bare metal.
Front inner wings welded.
Front nose of car resprayed.
All brake pipes renewed in copper. DOT 5 Silicon brake & clutch fluid.

1991
Windscreen wiper motor reconditioned. Replaced linkage assembly (includes tab for park switch). This fixed the famous "wipers won't park" fault.
Alternator replaced.

1990
Renewed Steering Couplings (complete).
Complete stainless steel exhaust fitted (Standard). (Renewal of mild steel original).
Replaced light switch.
Rear light, body to lens gaskets renewed.
Pedal rubbers replaced.

1989
Renewed battery. Unipart Samson Lifetime Guarantee Battery fitted.
2 litre badge side wing decals renewed.
Halogen headlamp conversion undertaken.
Renewed all bulbs in car (including instrument panel bulbs).
SU Carbs stripped cleaned & refitted.

1988
Car ownership to Mike Cutmore.
Front bumper mountings replaced.
Replaced air intake hose.
Renewed Battery strap.
New Brake pads, rear wheel cylinders & Shoes fitted. (Replacements). Points, Plugs & Service completed.
Waxoyll rustproffing undertaken to complete underside & internal sections.
Heater console controls. Renewed control knob caps.
New Good year 185/70 HR 13 NCT Eagle Tyres fitted. (Replacements). Front Wheel alignment set.
Replaced fan belt.

1987
Clutch replaced.
Car privately serviced by Mr Paul Taylor.

1986
Battery replaced.
Wayoyll undersealed.

1985
Rear exhaust system replaced.
4/05/85 Extended Warranty expired. Warranty conditions: Car serviced every three months by VAT registered Garage (Engine oil, filter, oil levels). (Records retained by Mike Cutmore).

1984
Pre delivery Service 4/05/84. Extended Warranty underwritten (12 months). (Records retained by Mike Cutmore).

1983
Car Serviced IAW BL maintenance schedule (Stamped Service Record manual retained by Mike Cutmore).

1982
13/09/82 Car registered as new motor vehicle. Supplied by BL & used as BL Company car leased to manager on management car plan. Serviced IAW BL maintenance schedule (Stamped Service Record manual retained by Mike Cutmore).