CLASSIC car enthusiasts celebrated the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Triumph TR7 over the weekend.

Fans gathered at the site where the car was first made to embark on a charity relay tour of the country to mark the occasion.

In keeping with the Liverpool history of the car, drivers started the ride from the Speke retail park where the car plant was based.

TR7 owner Rob Stanley, 39, of Liverpool Road, Warrington, grew up in Broadgreen, Liverpool, and has been fascinated with the car since he was 10 years old.

Mr Stanley, a computer technician, has owned 12 TR7s.

He said: "At one point I owned five, but I think that was a bit excessive.

"When I had my first Triumph, it was like fulfilling a childhood dream. I now own the exact car I saw as a boy in the Heron showroom on Edge Lane."

The week-long drive around the UK will involve 30 drivers, including some as young as 17.

The tour will be conducted as a relay to ensure small country lanes are not congested by the ride.

The route will include the winding roads of the Lake District, Stonehenge and the Yorkshire Dales.

Mr Stanley's red Triumph has just been filmed in Macclesfield, Cheshire, for a part in a short film produced by company Virgin Shorts and is set to become a star of the silver screen.

He added: "I think it's marvellous that the relay is starting at the very site where it was first produced.

"Driving into Liverpool in a TR7 is so enjoyable. You see people looking at it and smiling.

"Some people give you a little wave.

"I think it creates a lot of interest in the city mainly because of the local connections.

"Everybody knows somebody's father or uncle who worked at the Speke plant."

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of the TR7 model in the USA.

The car was released one year later for the UK market.

Business analyst Jay Human, 35, of Leicester, organised the tour which aims to raise more than £1,000 for Spinal Research, the only UK charity that funds research into spinal cord repair.

He used to live and work in Waterloo will be driving his treasured blue Triumph TR7 "Trisha" in the relay..

He said: "We wanted to do something special to mark the anniversary and this tour seemed like a perfect idea."

Mr Human, who runs an internet fansite for the vehicle, chose Spinal Research due to the number of spinal injuries sustained by driving.

Carol Borwick, Head of Fundraising at Spinal Research, said: "Around 39% of all spinal cord injury incidents in the UK are caused by moving vehicles which can have a devastating effect on the life of the injured person. Jay's efforts in the Relay together with his colleagues will undoubtedly raise awareness of the charity and its work. We hope it's a great event for all those involved."

kate.mansey@liverpool.com