I always say my TR7 is pig to drive but do we need to argue over which animal? The all round visibility is crap thanks to the seating position being far enough back from the dash and screen to satisfy prospective US regulations of the early 70's, the same regs that said all convertibles would be banned. I avoid taking mine in town traffic where ever possible; you would need an array of mirrors like a Mod's scooter to see properly. But out in the sticks (which is the way I go to work) it's a different story. Of course it handles badly in standard form but isn't that the attraction? My Omega diesel estate is probably quicker on top end and certainly handles better, but however hard I drove it, it would never be as much fun as the TR. The actual driving position is excellent. You can't have vanity AND a TR7; the two just don't mix. As for the V8, it was designed for the V8 and the US market, like most British "sportscars". Only the oil crisis of the early 70's meant it wasn't PC for us to be using too much fuel to be having fun in our cars, so they sawed a bit off the Stag engine and shoved that in for us to potter around with.
It's good, cheap fun (with a V8) but you would look a pratt polishing it at a show; the MGB next door will always look better.
Now I am disappointed that so many of you watch that awful Drop Gear on telly. Is it true that to be in the audience you have to be from Essex, own a Subaru Impeza and be called Dave? Even the women are called Dave. If there was even a hint of a TR7 on there we should all be celebrating that something remotely like a classic made it through the door. Is it still presented by Jeremy I-only-work-with-dweebs-who-are-there-to-make-me-look-clever-and-by-the-way- my-opinion-is-law Clarkson?:-)
Pete W