TR7 WAS SUCH A LEAP FORWARD
It is good to see that you have now obtained a TR7 as a project, and hopefully you will realise what a good car it was. After many years of the earlier Triumphs, MGs and Healeys of all types, on first driving a new TR7 prior to its release to customers, I found it a revelation – the interior comfort and working suspension made the car a major advance on what had gone previously. I would venture to say it was nearly as good as the Lotus Elan, which was the class leader at the time.
I realise the following comments will be contested, but here goes... Triumph sports cars up to the TR4 had limited/crude suspension that gave a hard ride, probably to give good road holding. The interior was cramped and footwell area challenging – the TR4A brought independent suspension which made things better, but it was still limited in its travel and so also limited in its effect. This continued to the TR5 and TR6.
MGs prior to the TD/TF were to my mind death traps in that they had no usable suspension and no comfort. The TD/TF had a good front suspension, but little else. The MGA upped the stakes by at least softening everything and giving more interior room, and the MGB made things even better to create a good car overall, but still with questionable suspension. The big AustinHealeys were good looking cars that didn't seem to understand what suspension was for, and interior comfort wasn't even thought of. Perhaps it is my fault, but being 6ft 2in and having size 12 feet, few off the above cars fit me.
The TR7 was in contrast fresh, roomy and had controlled long-travel suspension. So what else was needed? Firstly, better build quality, and secondly the Dolomite Sprint engine as an alternative to the 8-valve unit. Next up, a model with new front and maybe side panels and wearing MGD badges to be produced alongside the Triumph version to make as many as possible and clean up the market. Even better would have been to produce all the types in the class-leading old MG factory at Abingdon.
Good luck with the car, and if you do change the radio, I would be interested in the old unit for my Stag if it works!