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Estimate: £9,000 - £12,000
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‘Nothing less than the re-invention of the sportscar’. Road and Track, awarding the TR8 ‘Sportscar of the Year’ status in 1980.
The Triumph TR8 is something special within the archives of British motoring history, being the last of the Triumph TR's ever produced - and with a lifespan of just 3 years it was nonetheless one of the fastest ever production TR’s to be built, certainly the most modern looking for its time (with those fabled wedge shaped lines), and always one of the most thought provoking and provocative sports cars of the period.
The TR8 was of course an eight-cylinder version of the TR7, the striking wedge shaped design from the pen of Harris Mann. Due to its outstanding performance, the TR8 was often dubbed the ‘English Corvette’ (and thus could make a matching pair with the 1970 'vette we also have in this sale!). The majority of TR8s were sold in the United States and Canada - they were clearly just waiting for us to put a proper engine in it.
A more powerful V8-engined version of the TR7 was planned in the early stages of the TR7's development, a prototype being produced in 1972. However, British Leyland's financial state, labour problems and (somewhat crucially) lack of engines delayed the project. By 1978 some 145 prototype cars had been built, and these ‘anonymous’ TR8s (no identifying badges, and all coupes) were evaluated for British Leyland by various dealers and then sold off as used cars.
The TR8 didn't use Triumph's own single overhead cam V8 as found in the Stag due to its weight and other issues (it kept breaking), but instead shared its V8 engine with the Rover SD1. History has of course shown this engine to be an extremely reliable, flexible, and robust unit and it's now looked upon as one of the great poweplants of this era. TR8s were initially fitted with twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors although later versions benefitted from a Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection system with a specially designed Lucas ECU.
The carburetor model was rated at 133bhp and the fuel injected at between 137 and 148bhp depending on who you talk to, delivering 0–60 mph times in the low 8 seconds range. Other differences between the TR8 and TR7 included upgraded brakes, a revised axle ratio relocated battery, alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and a few minor trim changes.
TR8s are quite rare beasts - it's estimated that only about 400 coupes ever existed. To the roughly 150 pre-production coupes mentioned above, another 250 or so were produced, some sold in Canada as 1979 models but most ended up being held back and then finally sold in the US as 1980 models. In 1979, the long-awaited Michelotti re-designed TR7 convertible was introduced, and all subsequent production TR8s were convertibles.
Total worldwide production, as best as can be determined throughout all the labour turmoil at the time, is only around 2,750, give or take a few, with production finally coming to a close in October 1981. Very few genuine TR8s exist outside of the United States and Canada. In 2011 there were approximately 17 licensed and 33 SORN TR8s registered with the DVLA.
For a car that had such a short production period its motorsport history is unusually colourful. It was successfully rallied in the late 70’s by John Buffum and later campaigned by Rally legends such as Tony Pond (who is of particular relevance to this car), Per Eklund and Roger Clark all with notable success - outright wins on the 24hrs of Ypres and the Manx International rallies being the pinnacle of its achievements.
BL pulled the plug on its TR Motorsport exploits at the end of 1980 but the car continued to compete in the hands of privateers in rallying, rallycross, hillclimbs and sprints for many years to come, and was modified and improved to a far greater degree. With a bigger budget and more development who knows what might have become of the mighty TR8?
Registration Number: DSN 99V
Chassis Number: TPADJ7AT208262
Engine Number: 546D00077A
This particular Triumph is a unique beast. It was rebuilt from a standard TR7 shell into a one-off 'uber' TR8, live at the NEC Classic Car show in 1996 in front of thousands of onlookers and finished to a very high standard and specification indeed.
The rebuild took place on the British Motor Heritage stand (please see our photos) as part of their 100 year celebration of British motoring. The rebuild itself was organised by Rimmer Bros who also supplied all the parts required for the job, both refurbished and new off the shelf.
The shell was from a Californian car, being sourced from across the pond in order to reap the benefits of a dry climate. The resultant perfect starting point was bead blasted and fully prepped before being finished off in resplendent Bordeaux Red prior to the show. All steering and suspension parts were either renewed or refurbished where needed, and upgrades included Spax shock absorbers and lowered springs, uprated bushes throughout, and the fitting of a limited slip differential. Brakes were also upgraded with vented discs and 4 pot calipers on the front.
The interior was completely refurbished with new linings, seat covers, carpets and door trims throughout, a period radio/cassette player with electric aerial, tinted glass and new hood were also added - along with a tonneau cover and a full exterior car cover. The picture was completed by the handsome Moto-lita steering wheel that the car still sports today.
The gearbox was replaced with a heavy duty 5 speed unit and the final drive ratio was changed to enhance the driving experience. Further peripheral improvements included a Kenlowe electric cooling fan, heavy duty battery, electronic ignition, halogen headlights and alloy wheels.
But it’s the heart of this car that is the star of the show. DSN 99V was fitted with a bored out 4.6litre V8 motor with a balanced bottom end, stage 2 heads (Unleaded) and a Holley 4 Barrel Carb sitting on a Offenhauser Inlet manifold which was fed via a facet fuel pump. The whole experience was enhanced aurally by tubular exhaust manifolds and a stainless steel exhaust system. Power output was estimated to be 250bhp but this is probably a conservative figure.
The car was completed at 3.30pm on the 3rd day of the show (and bears a small commemorative plaque to prove it). No sooner had the last spanner stopped twiddling than it was started up (firing first time) and demonstrated by none other than TR8 legend the late great Tony Pond.
To coincide with the rebuild, another stand under the banner of BHM had taken on the build of a Rally spec MGB roadster, and this was duly assigned to Paddy Hopkirk. The two stars then recreated a Le Mans style running start to their respective steeds and went on to perform a unique demonstration of them both - much to the delight of the assembled crowd.
The condition that we find DSN 99V in today is a testament to the love and attention that the car's owners have lavished on it over the subsequent decade. It still looks as fresh as the day Tony jumped in it, and the only items that have changed since then are the wheels, with the originals being replaced by aftermarket alloys. The mileage currently states 25,000, which equates to a reasonable 2,500 a year over the last 10 years. The car has had 3 owners during this period and has spent a large amount of this time in France as part of a private collection. As can be seen, it has been maintained meticulously and has rarely seen a drop of rain since its rebuild.
There may be a few TR8 recreations or evocations out there, but we very much doubt there are any of this quality, or with such an interesting back story. This undoubtedly represents a golden opportunity to purchase something very special indeed.
