That’s right . . . Larry lost one Wedge–his beloved TR-7–but is now the proud owner of a beautiful red TR-8. I’m sure it will be difficult to break into any conversation between Larry and Steve as they compare notes! Larry’s detailed story follows:

The Good

My 1980 (built June 1979) 30th Anniversary Triumph TR7.  Found on Craigslist in Green Bay, WI, in July of 2016.  I flew from San Antonio to Green Bay and met the owner at the airport.  Paperwork and monies were exchanged and I drove the car back to Comfort, TX (some 1300 miles)…on a wing and a prayer.  It was my friend and therapy partner for almost three years.

The Bad

The morning of Saturday, March 9th, I drove the car without a hitch to Cars and Coffee and afterwards to PJ Kruger’s for his “Car Do”.  However, the 7 began sputtering at the beginning of our drive to PJ’s , then quit all together.  We left the car on the shoulder of the rode and came back for it about an hour later.  It started up and ran perfectly to our lunch site.  After lunch, the car started, then died.  Arthur and Chris helped me get it going again and I headed for home, then work.  Unfortunately, the car never made it home.  It caught fire in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Bandera Road, about a quarter mile outside Loop 1604.

The Ugly

The pictures say it all.  A total loss.  I learned a valuable lesson from this experience.  Make sure you keep your agreed value insurance limit up to date, as you make improvements to your car.  I didn’t, and I could kick myself.

And The Good

When my TR7 quit on me at the start of the club’s drive, Chris let me drive his TR8.  Wow!  What a power rush!  I was hooked.  Almost immediately, I began scouring the internet searching for an affordable example in need of some TLC.  I found some junkers and questionable examples on Craigslists throughout the country.  I also found several very nice (and pricey) examples from reliable Wedge sources.  Then, on the third page of a Google search, I found a 1980 TR8 (built August 1980) at a used car lot in Long Beach, Mississippi (It just so happens that the owner of the dealership and I are both graduates of the University of Southern Mississippi, only an hour’s drive north of Long Beach.).  It was “deja vu all over again”.  After several phone calls and the receipt of many photos. I decided to travel to Long Beach and “probably” buy the car.  Monday, April 1st:  Lyft to the San Antonio airport.  Frontier Airlines to New Orleans (only $19!).  A Greyhound bus from the airport to the downtown Greyhound terminal.  A 10-hour overnight layover in the terminal.  Then, an hour and a half bus ride to Biloxi, MS, arriving at 9:40 am, Tuesday.  My salesman picked me up at the bus station in Biloxi and we drove for about 20 minutes to Long Beach.  We did the deal and I drove back to Boerne, almost 700 miles, arriving at 3:00 am Wednesday, April 3rd.  Again, on a wing and a prayer.  I now have a new project and therapy partner!

Happy Motoring…Larry McDonald.