TWO OF CHRIS’ OTHER CLASSICS

TRIUMPH TR7 FHC

The Pageant Blue 1980 TR7 was the car that first introduced Chris to Triumph wedges when he bought it in 1994. Today it’s owned by son Rob – it was his first car at the age of 16. ‘My friends had 1-litre Vauxhall Corsas, while at the age of 17 I was driving a 2-litre, rear-wheel drive sports car. How cool was that?’ says Rob. Father and son agree this car has such an important place in their family it will never be sold.

It’s a very clean, well maintained example of an absolutely standard TR7. Over the years Chris says the bodywork has needed a bit of tidying and a respray, though it’s never been restored. It also received a replacement engine from Yorkshire Triumphs nearly 20 years ago, after the original seized on the M1 as Chris and Rob returned from the Stock Car World Final. Asked about originality versus modified cars, Rob says, ‘I tried a pair of so-called performance air filters once, but they were a downgrade because the engine tended to suck water right through them. I soon went back to standard – and that’s how it will stay.’