About "The Colonel"

The Triumph TR7 was the successor model to the legendary TR6. Over 111,000 TR7s were built between 1975 and 1981, making it the most popular TR of them all. The futuristic "wedge" design was styled by Harris Mann. Compared to previous TRs, the TR7 had a wider, roomier and more comfortable cockpit with good heating and air conditioning systems and a tight fitting, weatherproof top. The engine is a modern overhead cam 4 cylinder of 2 liter displacement with twin Stromberg CD carburetors, coupled to a 5 speed transmission and 4 link rear axle. Fuel economy is between 19 and 28 MPG, depending on driving style and road conditions.

Named after the “Colonel Mustard” character in the board game Clue (for obvious reasons), the Colonel is a 1980 Inca Yellow TR7 convertible owned by Wayne and Mary Simpson. He was found in July of 2007, sitting in an airplane hangar on Long Island under the wing of a classic Beechcraft Bonanza private plane. With only 7600 original miles on the odometer, he was purchased on the spot and faced his first test that day, driving home to the Jersey Shore, without much in the way of brakes, in Fourth of July “Get Out of Town” traffic.

Two weeks later, with new brakes and some other little necessities, he won the TR7 class at the 2007 Vintage Triumph Register Concours d’Elegance at Valley Forge, PA. Now, with a fully reconditioned suspension, rebuilt dual carburetors and a lot of other items to make up for the years of inactivity, he is in top flight mechanical condition and ready to take on the 700 mile challenge of the ABRR.

Modifications to the Colonel include Sumitomo HTR200 205/50-15 tires mounted on SuperLite 15X6 rims, KYB shocks and struts, polyurethane suspension bushings, a Monza free flow exhaust system and a Mountney steering wheel. The TR7 is a highly competent road car, well suited to long drives like the ABRR. We look forward to completing the tour in comfort and safety.