Angry Bird Chuck: 1979 Triumph TR7

The Triumph TR7 isn't a car that'll make you fall in love at first sight.  In fact, you probably need to see on 15 times before you acquire the taste, but like a fine cauliflower purée ..the TR7 isn't for the new car collector or someone getting their feet wet in classic cars...but for the connoisseur of fine British 70s classics, the TR7 is a winner. This next example has two of my favorite elements in an older car -- a manual gearbox and original paint. Find this 1979 Triumph TR7 offered for $6200 in Lakewood, CO via craigslist.

Strangely Appealing or Strangely Appalling? 1979 Triumph TR7

The wedge shaped Triumph TR7 launched in 1974 by the infamous British Leyland Motor Corp.  The TR7 was billed as "The Shape of Things to Come" - which was apt as British Leyland's sales followed an sharp angle...directly into the ground.  The TR7 styling was penned by Harris Mann (known for his Austin Allegro and Princess work) and while it won't win any beauty contests, it certainly checks all the boxes if you want something that is strangely appealing if you ask me. Find this 1979 Triumph TR7 offered for $6,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Buick V6 Powered: 1981 Triumph TR7(?)

If you want to build a custom car that'll be faster than a stock version, you could probably spend your hard cash on various performance parts and your spare time on cobbling up your custom machine...or you could buy something that another person has created....you just need to not mind the creator's vision and execution. Could you drive this next thing? Find this 1981 Triumph TR7(?) offered for $15,000 in Roseville, CA via craigslist.

A What...With What? 1987 Triumph TR7 Buick V6

I have to admit that this next car has me a bit stumped...and I don't say that lightly because y'all know I love some random piles of parts that would otherwise seem to have no purpose.  But this thing.  Wow.  It was once a zippy little Triumph TR7 convertible with 4-cylinder power and an eye for the canyons, but it is now a slushbox equipped drag machine that is powered by a carb fed Buick V6.  There must be some kind of bracket racing out in the sticks that this thing is a hot dog for its class...but I just couldn't imagine taking it out for a Friday night cruise with the wife or trying to convince the judges at the 24 Hours of LeMons that this is a Class C car.  Find this 1987 Triumph TR7 Buick V6 offered for $4000 in Cincinnati, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Bleu Wedge Salad: 1979 Triumph TR7

When it comes to cheap British roadsters, the newer the car, the more you get for your money. Classic MGs and TRs up to the early '70s can command big bucks, but for the enthusiast on a budget a late '70s or '80s MGB, TR7, or TR8 will be in better condition than the same price point for an earlier car. The 7 is probably going to be the cheapest of those three, for good reasons. Find this 1979 Triumph TR7 for sale in North Fort Myers, FL for $4,000 via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Rotary Wedge: 1980 Triumph TR7

The seller describes this next car as "not your typical 80's crappy Triumph" -- hey, that isn't really fair...okay...maybe it is. The TR7 had some sweet wedge style, but power was low and handling wasn't exactly amazing, but some car builder decided to change that. Find this 1980 Triumph TR7 offered for $5,500 in Olympia, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

MId Week Match-Up: Best Junker For $1k

This week's Mid Week Match-Up is just for fun -- head to your local craigslist, eBay, cars.com or whatever and find me the best sub $1000 running/driving car with a manual gearbox that you could drive daily for the next year.  Justify your decision.

Loony Labor Day: 1981 Trumph TR7?

The Triumph TR7 was a British built classic that is easily identified by its signature wedge shape, but when someone adds custom black/white checkers and a big TR7(?) on the windscreen...it makes you stop and wonder.  Find this 1981 Trumph TR7? here on eBay bidding for $3,050 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go, located in Roseville, CA.

Bangers and Sushi: 1980 Triumph TR7

The Triumph TR7 was a wedged shaped monstrosity classic that sold so well in the US market that the Brits had to wait while additional production capacity was added to meet the surprising demand.  Billed as "The Shape of the Things To Come" it was powered by a small smog suffocated inline-4 92 horsepower 8-valve 4-banger, but today's example has a surprise waiting under the hood.  Find this 1980 Triumph TR7 here on eBay bidding for $2,800 with about an hour to go, located in Washington, D.C.  Tip from Patrick.

5k: Loony Labor Day: 1980 Triumph TR7

Welcome back to DT's annual end of summer tradition of featuring the craziest cars for sale on the web, a segment we like to call Loony Labor Day. To qualify as a Loony Labor day entry, the cars will be insane, or the seller will be nuts...or maybe even the buyers.  For 2014, our first feature is this 1980 Triumph TR7 custom currently bidding for $6,000 reserve-not-met with about a day to go on eBay, located in Sprague, WA.

5k: Dolomite Power: 1976 Triumph TR7

The wedge shaped Triumph TR7 was the last gasp of the flailing British Leyland Motor Corp.  The TR7 was billed as "The Shape of Things to Come" - which was apt as British Leyland's sales followed an sharp angle...directly into the ground.  The TR7 styling was penned by Harris Mann (known for his Austin Allegro and Princess work) and it really looks good when covered in vintage racing livery.  Find this 1976 Triumph TR7 for sale in Cedar Crest, NM currently bidding for $2,055 on ebay with 2 days to go.

10k: 1980 Triumph TR7 w/ Nissan VG30ET

We've featured a Triumph TR7 before -and it had the Triumph engine removed and replaced with a V6 engine.  We assumed it was just an anomaly - someone with a busted TR7 and spare V6 sitting around...but apparently it's more commonplace than we thought!  This 1980 Triumph TR7 with Nissan turbo V6 is for sale in High Ridge, MO for $8800 via craigslist. (Thanks to tip from DT reader Andy L)

5k: 1980 Triumph TR7 w/Buick 3.8 'Fireball' V6

The Triumph TR7/8 was the last car from British Leyland to be exported to the United States with the proud Triumph badge...unfortunately it was slow, ugly and unreliable; and most examples have been scrapped or abandoned. Lucky (?) for us - this 1980 Triumph TR7 hasn't rusted to oblivion or been turned into a 24 Hours of LeMons car, has had a heart transplant in the form of a 1980 Pontiac Firebird V6 and is now for sale in Orange County, CA for $3500 via Craigslist.