Club Triumph

I'd be interested to know if any of you drive your TR7s (sparingly) in the winter or if it is better to take them off the road completely until April?

Here's how I treat my Mini (same for the TR7 when I get it on the road): I drive it mainly in the dry and will keep using it through winter until the gritting lorries have been out. Then if I was going to lay it up until spring I'd avoid keeping it in the garage in freezing conditions. I've seen cars in a closed, unheated garage dripping wet due to condensation. Far better to keep it in a car port or under some sort of cover as long as its well ventilated.

Even though I've got plenty of cavity wax and underseal in/on the TR7, I'd hate to subject it to salt, grit and mud. There's a number of tasty moisture traps where it can do its worst: lower rear front wing where it overlaps the sill; top of the rear chassis members adjacent to the fuel tank; external seams where the rear bulkhead joins the floor; etc.

Just my 2p worth  ;)

When at home I drive mine right through the year so long as there is no salt on the road - driving in snow is an interesting experience with a light rear wheel drive car :)

Both my TR7's are kept ready for use all year round.
Although I try to keep them away from the winter salt.

But sometimes that can't be avoided in summer in the Alps  :-/

I try to avoid it here in Essex as well but as soon as night time temperatures get to around 4 degrees C the Council starts salting. They salt nearly every night from November through to March! I know this because they proudly announce it on Twitter every night!

Often it isn't visible on the roads because they use a pre-wet system to disperse it more efficiently (brine and dry salt together). It will be the same in every other UK County I would imagine. The idea was copied from the Continent apparently.

My rule is day time (and in the dry only) during salty season but sometimes, if it is booked into a garage for work I have no choice!

I tried the Furka Pass this year in May but it was closed due to snow!

I remember when my daily commute to work involved me using my mg midget back in the 80's, in winter every day was an adventure, I hit black ice once and span like a top lol, gritting who needs it...it takes away the excitement :-)
smashing photo Theo, you didnt spin I take it :P
Robert

Colin - spot on. Have you ever been to Essex County hall? Mahogany, fountains, brass name plates everywhere. You'd think it was the HQ of some hugely profitable multinational!

No, I think someone ordered a job-lot of salt and chose to dump it on Colchester! As budget philosophy goes, 'use it or lose it'!

Use mine all through the year round,I don`t find it any more unreliable than during the summer months.Breaks down and has electrical problems what ever the weather.
I think it would be worse if it was laid up to be honest.
Being a v8 its bloody lurid in the wet so its great fun,shame the hood leaks but that`s part of owning an old motor.Its covered with a tarp when not in use.

This is mine last year just about to be driven home :)