1975 Triumph TR7

British Leyland and the exploits of charismatic Tony Pond driving a "works" entered Triumph TR7 fired the patriotic imagination of the public, winning in Ypres and on the Manx at a time when Triumphs' competition heritage needed reviving.

KDU 487N was at the very genesis of that emotive time in the mid seventies as a development car that initially started a works rally car program. Originally used as the development car for the 5-speed gearbox it supported the two works Rally Sprints KDU 497N and 498N as a "recce" car.

The first privateer owner was Ken Wood and with navigator Peter Brown, damaged the car on the Devilla stage of the Bank of Scotland rally necessitating a new shell. Triumphs Competition department provided a new "works" specification TR8 shell developed with Safety Devices, complete with "let in" roll cage to the A posts and roof, strengthened, and with lightened panels. Stamped SD 71 ID which is visible today on the front panel.

Class wins followed on the Burmah and Trossachs rallies, 4th on The Bowmaker and 8th on the Galloway.

In 1979 the Kingdom Stages was won outright, 4th on the Bank of Scotland and Burmah and another Trossachs class win.

In addition to the integrated roll-cage the works shells included heavy duty brackets for the axle and Panhard rod tower and quick-lift jacking points.

Now completely rebuilt and prepared by the renowned rally expert Ricky Higgs and currently with a reputed Don More Sprint engine as supplied to the works in 1975, (Fully prepared V8 available). The gearbox is as run by the works, a LT77 five-speed close ratio mated to 4HA rear axle and LSD. The fuel system, purpose manufactured Premier Fuel Cell has a FIA certificate. Brakes are AP 4-Pot caliper fronts, 2-pot rears with a hydraulic handbrake. A biased pedal box, fresh Bilsteins dampers ,high ratio rack, new seats and belts completes the inventory on a seriously well engineered rally car with an important history.