Good morning! Welcome to your mid-week edition of Shitbox Showdown. Today is all about an arcane form of induction known as twin carburetors. We’ve got two prime examples for you, but first, let’s see which Kansas truck you chose:
Another day, another landslide Mopar win! You guys feeling all right? It’s just that typically… well, anyway. Normally I’d greatly prefer a GMT400 to a Dakota, but considering the condition of these two particular trucks, I think the Dakota is worth the extra $600.
Now then: If you want a gasoline engine to make more power, you need to give it more stuff to burn. These days, with electronic fuel injection, it’s easy; you just say, “Hey ECU, put more stuff to burn in the engine.” But in earlier ages, the way to give the engine more air and fuel to burn was to use bigger, or more, carburetors. Larger engines got a little crazy with this: V8s in the 1950s and 60s came equipped with crazy setups like “dual quads” (two four-barrel carbs) or “six-packs” or “tri-power” (three two-barrel carbs from Chrysler and GM, respectively). Chevy’s Corvair flat-six could be had with four single-barrel carbs. Italian V12s took the cake with six two-barrel Weber carbs, or one barrel per cylinder. And almost every little British sports car sported two side-draft carbs on its four-cylinder engine.
Nowadays, tuning a multiple-carb setup seems like some mystical black art to most people. I’ve even met “hardcore” British car people who replace the twin carbs with a single Weber downdraft carb, because it’s “easier to tune.” But I’ve found just the opposite to be true; typical single-barrel side-draft carburetors have very few moving parts, stay in tune once you get them tuned, and can be tuned by ear with a screwdriver and an open-end wrench once you know what to listen for. Besides, they just look cooler. So today, we’re celebrating the twin-side-draft carb setup with one British sports car, and one Swedish sedan sporting British carbs. Let’s see what you make of them.
1980 Triumph TR7 convertible – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.o liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Orinda, CA
Odometer reading: 97,000 miles
Runs/drives? Has been sitting for a year, ran great before that
As an MG guy, I’m supposed to hate the TR7. In the 1970s, in the midst of serious labor and financial woes, British Leyland could only muster enough funding to replace either the MGB or the Triumph TR6. “Project Bullet,” as the car was known, was supposed to be the new MG sports car, but ended up going to Triumph instead, probably because the simple MGB was cheaper to keep cranking out than the more complicated, more expensive TR6. In the end, it didn’t matter much anyway; MG closed its doors in 1980, and Triumph only lasted two years longer.
The TR7’s biggest claim to fame is the first of two Swedish/British connections we have to talk about today. This engine, developed by Triumph, was supplied to Saab for use in its 99 model starting in 1968. Strangely, it didn’t see the underside of a Triumph bonnet for another four years, until the 1972 Dolomite sedan. For the TR7, Triumph punched this engine out to two liters, and equipped it with twin Zenith-Stromberg variable-venturi carbs. It faces forward and drives the rear wheels – unlike Saab’s weird backwards front-drive arrangement – through a five-speed gearbox.
This TR7 has been parked for a year, for reasons unknown. The seller says it was running and driving fine when parked, so it doesn’t sound like a mechanical issue sidelined it. More likely life just got in the way; surplus “fun” cars are usually the first thing to get neglected when things happen. At least they’re up front about it. But a year isn’t that long for a car to sit; I’d guess that with some fresh gas, this puppy would fire right up. Assuming, of course, that they’re being honest about its pre-storage condition.
Cosmetically, it’s in nice shape. The orange paint (there aren’t enough orange cars) looks nice and shiny, the interior looks good, and it sits on nice Panasport wheels with newer tires. The back window is cloudy, but you can’t see that when the top is down.
1965 Volvo 122S “Amazon” – $4,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8 liter overhead valve inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: San Rafael, CA
Odometer reading: 66,000 miles (but not accurate)
Runs/drives? Just fine
This car is officially known as the Volvo 122S everywhere except its home turf. Owing to a trademark dispute with a German motorcycle company, Volvo wasn’t allowed to use the Amazon name anywhere except Sweden. And these days, I imagine that guy who runs that website might take issue with the name as well. Regardless, in classic car circles, this is, and forever will be, the Volvo Amazon.
This car’s B18 engine, a five-main-bearing pushrod design, is famous for its durability. Irv Gordon’s legendary Volvo 1800S, the car with the highest documented mileage ever, is powered by the same engine. Feeding this rock-solid motor is a pair of British-made (there’s our other connection) Skinners Union variable-venturi side-draft carburetors. These little marvels make no sense if you’re used to typical fixed-venturi carbs, but once you understand how they work, they’re kind of genius. SU and and Zenith-Stromberg carbs of various sizes could be found on everything from Austin-Healey Sprite four-cylinders to massive Jaguar V12s in addition to these Volvos.
[Editor’s Note: I used to have a Volvo 1800S with twin SUs, like this, and I loved them, but they did leak at times, and when they did they dripped right onto the hot exhaust manifold below, making some alarming smoke signals. Other than that, though, I love these weird bottle-looking carbs. – JT]
This Volvo’s mileage is an unknown quantity; the odometer reads 66,000, but the seller says that isn’t accurate. Its condition can be ascertained from the photos, though, and it’s pretty damn good. I see a few paint blemishes, and some wear on the inside, but overall, it’s a good-looking car. It’s the sort of classic you can enjoy without worry, because it’s not too nice. I’ve driven a couple 122s, and they’re no one’s idea of a sports car, but they are fun to drive in their own stately way.
I do wish we had some bigger and better photos of it. But from what I can see, and what the ad says, this sounds like a good deal on a cool old classic car.
So there they are, two classics with engines fed by a pair of black-magic carburetors. One runs perfectly, and the other is likely only some fresh gas and a tune-up away from purring like a kitten. Which one is right for you?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
A friend/neighbor of mine in HS had a TR7. I never really helped him wrench it, but I stood around while he cursed the previous owner (who inexplicably refused to use the right colored wires for the various systems) and helped him push it home once. Got to drive it once or twice. So yeah, that one.
So, do you think the Amazon seller will match the other car’s price for Prime Day? 😛
Por qué no los dos? I’d have these two in a heartbeat. It’s the best deal we’ve seen on here in a long time
Triumph, please!
I like the look, even with the massive bumpers, and overall it’s in good shape. And oddly enough it would be my second orange car with a dual-carb 4-cylinder, 8-spoke wheels, and a black/grey interior. So, you know, there’s precedent.
The Volvo does have a certain level of charm, but I don’t know how interesting it would be to drive.
I don’t want either, but I wouldn’t mind driving either. Gimme the both, or neither options damnit!!!
$8000 takes both, I might be tempted too…
No competition – I’ll take the Amazon. I’ll treat her like a queen and call her Diana.
I’ve always loved the 122 and it’s one of the few vintage cars that would be kinda safe to drive on the roads today.
This might be the closest one for me yet, I want both!
I chose the Volvo because it looks like a dentist. It doesn’t look like a dentist’s car, the car itself looks like it’s a dentist. How can you not trust that?
“Is it safe?”
Safer than the 7 designed with a bumper to duck under a trailer and allow you to put an indent of your face in it.
“This won’t hurt a bit” said many a dentist as they lied through their teeth.
No you dont understand. It doesnt hurt the dentist at all. Unless you bite them.
Maybe you’re a rabid anti-dentite…
Any given day I would choose the TR7, but not when its up against an Amazon. the Amazon is one car I will always want to own, at least for a brief period of time.
I roll with the Volvo. Experience tells me they are indestructible (at least when not rusted) and pretty darn nice to drive. SUs have never held any terrors for me; at the worst, they need throttle shaft bushings after a zillion or so miles, and fitting rebuild kits takes less time than putting a new battery in your watch.
Have never driven a TR7, but am put off of the neat wedgy shape by those fershlugginer bumpers. And I have to think a source for Volvo parts is closer than one for Triumphs….
I could live with either. But would maybe be a bit happier with the Volvo. Neither is as awful as many similarly priced cars featured here have been.
Exactly how hard is it to just go out and jump start something that’s been sitting for a year? Seems like an easy thing to do. That or the owners knows it doesn’t run and is lying.
Same with the “just needs sensor” ads. I just assume you disabled the car so I can’t hear the rod knock.
TR7, oh hell yeah. I’ve certainly made dumber vehicular decisions. I’d be surprised if it hasn’t sold already.
Both definitely cool choices. I think went with the tr7, but I dithered so much I honestly can’t remember
If Mark does the “second chance” again this Friday, then today’s loser should definitely be Friday’s winner. Today’s choice is “why not both” meme-worthy.
Tough choice between the Velveeta wedge TR7 or the Swedish meatball….so….BOTH!! A Swedish Meatball with a wedge of Velveeta TR7…
Velveeta comes in a rectangle not a wedge. It also comes in a better color.
It’s easy … the TR7 “ran when parked”!
TR7! I’m happy that this thing is on the opposite coast because if it was within day trip distance from me I’d be making plans to go grab it this weekend. I think the TR7’s design is just so cool. It’s such a unique intersection of 60s, 70s, and 80s. From the back it more or less looks like a classic roadster, from the side it looks like a wedge, and from the front it’s pure 80s angular, pop up headlight glory.
It more or less looks like someone slant nosed a classic British roadster in a hurry. It shouldn’t work, but it does. Oh so well. As you all know I’m an unapologetic worshipper at the altar of the classic British roadster formula and I have an irrational love for the TR7. Plus it’s going to be way more fun than the Volvo anyway.
One of these days (much to my wife’s chagrin) I will absolutely roll the dice on something like this. Will I regret it? Probably, but between my love of the lightweight, slow-car-fast, manual two seat drop top formula, the abundance of British specialty shops in my area, how cheap you can still find stuff like this, and my need to learn more about wrenching…it’s starting to feel like destiny.
I raise my glass of Akvavit (it’s already 0955 in New Hampshire) as I gleefully click this Swedish beauty.
I had to quit drinking in early 2020…I was a horrific alcoholic who was basically at the classic “you either keep drinking and accept that you’re going to die prematurely or quit drinking and take back your life” crossroads. With that disclaimer out of the way, I’ll still acknowledge that I had a lot of fun partying before I chose to hang up my cleats.
I vividly remember Akvavit being one of the most vicious hangovers of my life. Granted, we bought cheap stuff on a whim after a couple of high octane beers at a fancy bar…so it could just as much have been on my own stupidity/reckless drinking habits at the time, but dear god. I had plans the next day that I had to cancel. I couldn’t make it further than the bathroom until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I even canceled my own party that I was supposed to be having that night.
It was just supposed to be a handful of people, but still. My friends gave me shit for it for years (well deserved) and used to threaten me with Akvavit lol. It was common knowledge in our group that it was NSane’s kryptonite.
Oh yeah, it’s like a fistfight. You may be winning for a little while, but no man walks from Akvavit unscathed.
“Oh yeah, it’s like a fistfight. You may be winning for a little while, but no man walks from Akvavit unscathed”
– Jeppsons Malort enters the octagon…
Stay tough man. And good on you for still being around. I quit drinking about 40 years ago, just didn’t know when to say when…Good luck to you.
What do they say?? AA is for quitters. But no good luck to you enjoy the ride to the edge then stop, put it away and enjoy the memories as long as you can.
The way I see it is I did more partying in my teens and 20s than most folks get to have in a lifetime. It was one hell of a ride and I managed to get out before it truly ruined everything. Not by much! It was a photo finish. But I’m happy, healthy, and much better adjusted today. Thanks for the kind words, to you and everyone else who responded.
I refuse to pick.
Both cars need similar amounts of work to bring them up to snuff. Neither is a perfect example, but they’re perfectly cromulent for a project. Neither has any glaring red flags.
So pick which one you like best. You can’t go wrong with either.
TR7 and a AAA membership for me (so it can be towed home when the electrics screw up once again).
Former TR6 owner here, AAA is a must. Ask me how I know…
Former TR-3 owner here. Replacing the points with an electronic module makes a huge difference. Looks stock too.
Hagerty for me since they guarantee a flatbed for the tow and I just tack on the membership with my classic auto insurance. With that said I only ever used it once very early in my Jag ownership, and truth was that with some work I could have gotten it running but it was going straight to the mechanic anyway.
Sorry that 2 tenths of a mile AAA tow doesnt get you as far as the 10 mile used to. Check your insurance policy most have longer towing limits. They also allow any towing company so they show up.
Who ever thought we’d be counting carbs while car shopping? If the Amazon had been a long roof it would be no contest, but it’s not and the TR-7 is a no roof and that makes it my choice for today.
Gotta go with the Triumph. That interior is too nice (only needing a good cleaning) to get back up to snuff. The engine is simple enough that with a few wrenches, screwdrivers and little else you can probably get it running as long as it has compression. The strombergs will DEFINITELY need to be taken apart and cleaned, replace the rubber fuel lines, blow out the steel ones. Drain the tank and refill with clean gas…drop the top and never put it back up. Win
I always go for the less practical and convertible cars, but I do not think I have ever seen an Amazon, I’ll go with that today though I would feel the need to paint it. I hate white cars, and the orange of the Triumph makes choosing it hard to justify. Even as I type this I know I made the wrong choice.
These cars may have a common thread, but as far as reliability is concerned, they may as well be on different ends of the sweater.
This was a coin flip until I realized the TR7 was a convertible. We’ll take the wedge, please.