Scale 1/24 Kit Manufacturer Airfix Grade-up Parts Scratch Built Year 1978 Driver Tony Pond (GB)

The TR7 was first unveiled to the public in late 1974, it's wedge shape caused much consternation in the motoring press at the time. Even today, the TR marque is still an object of ridicule for some people - in the UK Jeremy Clarkson (a presenter on the BBC programme 'Top Gear') is one such notoriety who likes to lambast the vehicle.

1978 saw the introduction of the TR7 V8 with a competition version of the Rover 3500 engine. This car truly sounded and looked awesome, and showed some promise. Tony Pond took honours in the car with 1st in the 24hrs of Ypres and the Manx International.

The RAC rally that year again had 4 TR7,s, Leyland ran 3 cars, 2 sponsored by British Airways with Pond and Simo Lampinen and a car in BL Union Jack colours driven by John Haugland. There was also a private entry by Ruben Borjesson, an unknown Swede. Pond finished in 4th place, under a gaggle of Fords driven by Mikkola, Waldegaarde, and Russell Brookes, John Haugland finished in 12th on his usual only British outing of the year, driving mainly on the Safari and other long distance events.

I had planned to build the Tony Pond car from the Manx Rally of 1978, Pond and Fred Gallagher won the event. However I have still to get my ALPS printer up and running and will have to complete the required decals for this car later. I do not have any etch sets or transkits for the car so any alterations will be scratch built. Two noteable changes will be the addition of Tarmac wheel arches and also a roll cage.

Details added:

• Added photo-etch / White Metal & decals as follows;
  Driver Pedals
  Front Spot light supports
  Rear boot fasteners
  Bonnet fasteners
  White Metal 'Minilite' wheels
• Scratch built add ons;
  Forest wheel arches
  Rear Suspension units
  Roll cage
  Exhaust system
  Eletrical cabling in interior
  Co-driver foot rests
  Replaced all windows
  Mud Flaps
  
  All in all an enjoyable build only delayed by the lack of time I had to build. There is a huge gulf in terms of quality between these older kits and the latest offerings from Tamiya and Hasegawa for example. A lot of work is required to being a kit such as this upto todays standards however this doesnt take anything away from the enjoyment, it just means that you need to spend more time and make significant changes to major parts of the kit.

Completed pics

Here are a collection of video clips of the TR7 in action...

[Video 1]