For a point can you tell me what this is, and importantly the reason why it looks like this?!!
Is it a Customotive Chimo?
No sorry, afraid not!
Moved up to the Experts.....
Come on Pros, you know this one.
Is it a modified Lamorghini Jarama? Updated to US safety requirements?
No, sorry it's not.
From a BL brand, I'd reckon. And I suspect its appearance is related to its source of motive power.
Hmmm, on the right lines brand wise, but in no other area!
Volvo 480 related?
Then the appearance could be related to bumper / safety regulations.
Nothing to do with a Volvo, and also nothing with safety regulations either I'm afraid.
A kitcar?
Quote from: Djetset on March 13, 2009, 04:20:25 AM
Nothing to do with a Volvo, and also nothing with safety regulations either I'm afraid.
Perhaps the sharing of TR7/8 Components with other BL makes / models, to lower production costs?
Oh Otto, your so close. It is TR7/8-related, but it's not a cost reduction/component sharing exercise. And no Arunas, nothing to do with a kit car. Come on Otto, I'll hold it for you for 24 hours to work out what/why this is.
Is this a variation of the Lynx project?
No Sir, it's not.
The "Broadside" concept had a pretty normal-looking (for a TR7/8) front clip. Perhaps this is an attempt at a Stag replacement?
I admire your perserverance Otto, but sadly not.
I give up. :shiner:
Shame, because you'll kick yourself when the answer is revealed. Sleep on it, and maybe the answer will come to you.
One of the countless ADO projects, isn't it?
Not really! I think it's fair to say that Otto has established that it's BL though, and something connected with the Triumph TR7/8. I'm not saying anything more than that!
Wow, this has been here a life time. Can the real Pros now crack this mystery?
A possible, but still born Triumph TR7/8 successor?
Nope! :(
a variation considering regulations for the american market with higher lamps and without pop ups?
You made some subtle hints to Otto, but maybe I misinterpretate them.
No, not a special version for the North American market. To clarify though, it is a TR7, modified by the Factory for a particular reason. ;)
I'm surprised that this one is still hanging around, so I'll now award TWO points to the first person to get the correct answer. Happy hunting!
Was the hood raised the clear the Stag's V8, as Triumph had toyed with doing before adopting the Rover V8?
Got anything to do with the Rover-Triumph SD2 project?
Unfortunately nothing to do with either of the above I'm afraid.
Is there any connection to DMC?
No, it was for an in-house British Leyland project (as a mild clue!).
triumph TR7 Coupe prototype
It is a Triumph TR7 prototype of sorts, but for the point can you tell me the full reason why it has been modified like this please?
A TR7 version planned for one of the other BL makes, sorta badge engineering?
Intended for the american market in case they banned pop-up headlamps for safety reasons?
No, not a TR7 intended to be rebranded, and not something for the American market, although Giles has tounched on something with his pop-up headlamps comments!
A TR-7 modified for pedestrian safety testing?
Nice idea, but that's not the reason.
Lower drag / higher MPG?
No, not that either.
Testing components for Rover?
Simply a planned four eyed TR7 version without pop-ups?
Not testing components for Rover or BL. However, thinking again about your previous response, although this modification was not made specifically to lower drag, improved aerodynamics would have been a useful bonus benefit of why this car was modified.
Sorry Otto/Allemano, our posts crossed at the same time.
It is simply a four-eyed TR7 without pop-up lights, but there is a specific reason for this, and before you ask, it was not part of a planned mid-life face lift refresh!
Simpler assembly, with fewer parts = lower cost of manufacture?
No, not that either I'm afraid, but this really is one of those 'you'll kick yourself when you know' puzzles!
reading your comment on Otto's post — was it modified for competition/racing? (lower drag)
Ah, now we're getting somewhere!
TR7 V8 rally car?
You're getting much closer now, as this is a TR7 rally car. So, now do you know why this is the way it is?
The TR7 was built until 1981. The WRC Group B started in 1982... Was it a stillborn TR7 Group B project?
No, it's not that.
Interestingly although the production of the TR7 ended in 1981, the last examples registered (sold) in the UK were as late as 1986!
factory team car?
Yes, although not 100% certain if it ever actually raced in this format, but don't think it did.
From the late seventies?
Crossed over from very late 1970s into the early 1980s.
For what it's worth, if you're looking for this car on the web, don't click on this site - it's virus-laden:
hxxp://www.tr7-tr8.com/
"http" modified to prevent accidental clicking.
Thanks for the health warning tip Otto. I've never seen this car on the web, but then again I'n not quite as skilled at searching for things as some of our fellow puzzlers!
Quote from: Djetset on January 25, 2010, 07:55:31 AM
I've never seen this car on the web, but then again I'n not quite as skilled at searching for things as some of our fellow puzzlers!
I've searched through the most comprehesive source on the Net for Austin & Rover cars, but as you already pointed out — it's not there! :-\
I've seen photos of this car twice; once in a magazine in the late 1970s, and another in a book more recently (from which the puzzle photo was taken).
Was is modified to make room for an inline six?
No, not that.
four wheel drive?
TR7 made for rallycross?
Quote from: Djetset on March 17, 2009, 04:21:33 AM
Shame, because you'll kick yourself when the answer is revealed. Sleep on it, and maybe the answer will come to you.
Been sleeping for over a year - and still no revelation! ;D
It's not four-wheel-drive, and not made specifically for rally cross, more for rallying. So, any more ideas, or back to sleep for a while longer?
mid-engined?
No.
Perhaps a fuel economy rally, versus a speed / distance rally.
Hmm, not quite, but you've used a couple of interesting words there (fuel economy, rally). Now there's a BIG clue!!
Design for long distance rallies like Paris-Dakar?
Not that.
Last try before I let this rest: Diesel engine?
No diesel engines here!
A change of scenery as this one hasn't been touched for quite a while.
As a reminder, we've established that it is a Triumph TR7, but why has it been modified to look like this?
I believe it was a trial by the works department to increase airflow to the engine, and also decrease weight
Getting warmer, as it was a BL Works trial, but not for the reasons you've mentioned.
Air-cooled?
No, getting cooler.
Reducing drag for a higher top speed?
Getting warmer again. Stick with that thinking, elaborate, and you may get the answer. ;)
Was it prepared for a record attempt?
Getting colder again.
Turbocharger with an intercooler?
Colder still... :-\
Drag racing? ;D
a mechanical or aerodynamic issue?
Neither, although the modification marginally impacts on both.
It's got something to do with fuel economy I am sure. Was it created to accomodate an alternative power plant which would enable it to go much faster?
No, not that either!
Design to accomodate new body materials, like increased use of plastic?
Getting colder.
Ice racing :)? (as in getting colder)
Positively shivering!
Would this be a test mule for a serious race car?
Still cold, although it was modified for competition reasons.
Is it simply about the improved lights?
was it because of BTCC regulations?
No, it's a rallying thing (hint hint)
So to sum it up: a Triumph TR7 with a modified front end to comply with rally regulations. Were there any other body bits improved?
The front of this TR7 was modified for rallying purposes, but not to comply with any rallying regulations. What you see were the only body parts that were changed.
Was this TR7 used as a test mule for another BL division's rally efforts?
Sorry, but no it wasn't. :(
A crashed rally car rebuilt in a more straightforward way?
No, but keep on trying Pal, and I am sure you will get there in the end.
I am not so sure. Maybe this one was destined to be used at a 24-hour rally?
Not designed specifically for a 24hour event, although the lighting was key ;)
Quote from: Allemano on November 18, 2010, 11:26:54 AM
Is it simply about the improved lights?
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g106/pan1968/Gifs/impatient.gif)
And I add: for night rallyes?
Oh sorry Allemano, I totally missed your 'improved lights' question yesterday. You are the closest so for, so locked to you for a fuller explaination...
So, the lighting on Rally cars are not mandated for safety reasons? ;)
Quote from: Djetset on March 13, 2009, 04:20:25 AM
.... and also nothing with safety regulations either I'm afraid.
I do not have a proper explanation, I'm afraid, but let's try this:
as the original TR7 was equipped with pop-up lights which in opened modus worsen the drag coefficient I presume they made this conversion to avoid this drawback. (for stages at night for instance)
Ohhh, you are so close I am almost tempted to award you a point. However, you are not quite there, so this remains locked until your next light-related reply.
Is it as simple as that the original pop-up lights got unreliable during brutal rallye treatment?
Maybe they tend to fail and to solve that issue they replaced those with permanent lights.
Not uncommon on rallye cars. For instance the rallye Ford GT70 got fixed lamps, too.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g106/pan1968/ford_gt70.jpg)
At last! Well done Allemano, this is exactly the reason ;D
The story goes that the pop-up headlights of the rallying TR7s used to bounce around too much on the rough rally surfaces, meaning at night that the BL drivers had to slow down as they couldn't see as well as the other cars with regular fixed lamps. The BL Works rally team initially tried to fix this by keeping the TR7's pop-up lights permanently fixed up, but even these moved around to much, so the solution from this photo was found with four regular fixed lights, which supposdly improved night vision. However, this solution was never used in a competitve rally as BL decided to drop the TR7 as its main rally car by this point!
So, well done Allemano; two points to you for finally solving this one before its second birthday!
Thank you!
:applause:
Finally we can bury this beast....
Amen to that!
Still not kicking myself. ;)