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The English Corvette - Our Triumph TR8

Mart Mccall said:
Have to say I would get rid of the luggage rack. I hate those things. They spoil the lines.
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I'm kind of undecided about the luggage rack. I think a sports car with a luggage rack on the back is a typically British thing.
It's been on there a long time, and if we remove it we'd have holes to plug in some fashion, and respray the trunk;
OR, get a spare trunk lid, get it painted to match, (always tough with older metalflake paint) and keep the lid with the rack as a spare.
Its certainly something to think about.
 
hjames said:
I'm kind of undecided about the luggage rack. I think a sports car with a luggage rack on the back is a typically British thing.
It's been on there a long time, and if we remove it we'd have holes to plug in some fashion, and respray the trunk;
OR, get a spare trunk lid, get it painted to match, (always tough with older metalflake paint) and keep the lid with the rack as a spare.
Its certainly something to think about.
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Appreciate it's not a simple change to make.

They look okay on vintage sports cars, but I don't think they suit the futuristic looks of the TR7/8

Especially since - arguably - the car now looks more futuristic (in comparison to what else is on the road) than it did in 1977, when car designs were not as hindered as they are now by safety features, fuel economy and the need to use the same platform as the company's other models.
 
Mart Mccall said:
Appreciate it's not a simple change to make.

They look okay on vintage sports cars, but I don't think they suit the futuristic looks of the TR7/8

Especially since - arguably - the car now looks more futuristic (in comparison to what else is on the road) than it did in 1977, when car designs were not as hindered as they are now by safety features, fuel economy and the need to use the same platform as the company's other models.
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I do agree it does not look vintage like an Austin 3000 or TR6. It's hard to get my head around the fact that its 44 years old. What a design!TWS-GreenTR8_Profile_20240812_171623004.jpg
 
hjames said:
I'm kind of undecided about the luggage rack. I think a sports car with a luggage rack on the back is a typically British thing.
It's been on there a long time, and if we remove it we'd have holes to plug in some fashion, and respray the trunk;
OR, get a spare trunk lid, get it painted to match, (always tough with older metalflake paint) and keep the lid with the rack as a spare.
Its certainly something to think about.
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That is where the picnic basket goes!
 
You might want to look into some Bumper Plugs for color-matched plugs used for front license plate removal. Might be able to hide the holes enough for you to remove the rack and see what you think. Or some simpler, cheaper, hardware-store solution. Truck bedliner screws in black or even chrome may work, too.

If those old tires cause you front-end wobble, just remember it may not be the tires. The TR7/8 were just one of the handful of cars which used a "true" MacPherson-strut front suspension. Which means that the anti-sway bar is the only lateral locating link. No lower control-arm or anything else to add weight (or structural support!). That means any bushing (which can also be ancient) is your only compliance, which can exacerbate any imbalance or inherent harmonic from speed, tire, or pavement issues. Usually manifests those shortcomings right around 55mph, related to tire size as I recall. Hopefully yours is smooth as glass!
 
mkane said:
Don’t hit your head on the roll bar. IMO not a good idea on a street car.
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well, It raises the value for any future potential sale - and makes it legal for autocross, once I add a fire extinguisher (apparently also required for Car shows)
 
Read up on best place to locate extinguisher. You want it within arms reach of drivers seat. Not mounted to roll bar behind you. Also don’t go cheap and buy a kiddie one from HD. Buy one meant for auto.

Brey-Krause makes an excellent extinguisher holder that mounts under passenger seat. Most PCA members use them and they ain’t cheap!
 
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nolasally said:
Read up on best place to locate extinguisher. You want it within arms reach of drivers seat. Not mounted to roll bar behind you. Also don’t go cheap and buy a kiddie one from HD. Buy one meant for auto.

Brey-Krause makes an excellent extinguisher holder that mounts under passenger seat. Most PCA members use them and they ain’t cheap!
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Wouldn't want it on the floor. No way, no how.

I've seen them on the bulkhead behind and between the seats - an easy reach from either seat. I'll post a pic once the car is here later this week.

Ah, found this pic in the UK TR7/8 forum. The poster said:
"The photo shows where I mounted mine for a number of years. Its fixed to the metal wall of the passenger compartment and held in a spring steel frame
with an additional webbing strap at the top to prevent it coming loose during an accident. I was unable to source another extinguisher the same size when this
one went beyond its use by date so its been removed, but if I kept it I would have shortened the cover to the centre console it didn't clash with the extinguisher."


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@hjames Sorry heather. Don’t think you understand. It’s suspended out in front of pass seat. You remove seat and bracket is mounted to seat rails with no modifications required. Then reinstall seat. Nothing is sitting on floor. People use it due to no drilling in floor or bulkheads required.
 
nolasally said:
@hjames Sorry heather. Don’t think you understand. It’s suspended out in front of pass seat. You remove seat and bracket is mounted to seat rails with no modifications required. Then reinstall seat. Nothing is sitting on floor. People use it due to no drilling in floor or bulkheads required.
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Again, I don't think you understand. Mounted on the metal bulkhead between the seats is what I want.
Neither my wife or I want a fire extinguisher mounted under my her knees - on the seat rails, on the floor - NADA.
Triumphs do not have a history of bursting into flame.
It's not something you need to explain to me - I was attending SCCA races in the late 70s ...
I took this photo of Paul Newman at the start line at Summit Point years ago ...

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FWIW - just got the info - the car will be picked up in MA this afternoon, shipped via covered transport, and delivered tomorrow afternoon!
Fairfax DMV opens at 8:30 so I'll get the tag & title work done today!
 
Just back from VA DMV - started dicey - but just got home with title, reg & Temp tags, with Antique plates ordered ...
Also, got pix from MA - the car is loaded on the truck and we'll have it tomorrow!
I'll run to Radial Tire Co Weds and get fresh tires.
Also heard from MiniUStore folks - a 10x20 garage is now available for Winter!

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