1980 Triumph TR8 convertible
Only 20,030 miles
A beautifully kept British sports car that has spent most of its time in the hands of two collectors. The car is an original excellent unmolested example. Original excellent untouched gold paint, original graphic, original excellent tan interior with plaid cloth seat inserts, original soft top in very good condition, newer Goodyear tires (5), original factory wheels, mechanically and electrically excellent. It’s 5 speed manual transmission make this sports car great fun to drive. This is the perfect car to show, club events, weekend get-a-ways and of course that trip to your local coffee shop.
Triumph TR8 info:
The Triumph TR8 is an eight-cylinder version of the "wedge-shaped" Triumph TR7 sports car, designed by Harris Mann, and manufactured by British Leyland (BL), through its Jaguar/Rover/Triumph (JRT) division. Because of its outstanding performance, the TR8 was often dubbed the "English Corvette". The majority of TR8s were sold in the United States and Canada.
Background
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, labor problems and lack of engines as MG and Range Rover had first priority delayed the project. By 1978 some 145 prototype cars were built with V8 engines (and usually automatic transmissions). These "anonymous" TR8s (no identifying badges, and all coupes) were evaluated for British Leyland by various dealers and then sold off as used cars.
Description
The TR8 did not use Triumph's own single overhead cam V8 as found in the Stag due to its weight and service record but instead shared its Rover V8 engine with the Rover SD1. The engine itself was derived from an early 1960s Buick/Oldsmobile all-aluminum 215 cu in (3.5 L) V8 unit that Rover acquired from General Motors in the mid-60s. History has shown this engine to be an extremely reliable, flexible, and robust powerplant after BL developed a better manufacturing process. TR8s were fitted with twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, were rated at 133 bhp (99 kW; 135 PS) (at around 5000 rpm). Other differences between the TR8 and TR7 are upgraded brakes, revised axle ratio (3.08:1 on the TR8 and all automatic TR7s), battery moved to the trunk, alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and a few minor trim changes.
Production
Pre-production TR8 coupes produced from 1978 to 1980 are quite rare; perhaps only 400 TR8 coupes ever existed (from records kept by members of the North America-based wedge club). In 1979, a Michelotti re-designed TR8 Drophead (convertible) was introduced, and all subsequent TR8s were convertibles. Totalworldwide production, as best as can be determined throughout all the labour turmoil at the time, is only around 2750, give or take a "handful". The TR7 and TR8 were made until October 1981 when production ceased.
Very few genuine TR8s exist outside of the United States and Canada. In other countries the TR7 is often converted to a "TR7V8" with the same ubiquitous Buick/Rover 3.5 litre V8 powerplant used in original factory TR8s.
In North America, the TR8 originally sold for around $11,000. A current rough estimate of the number of these cars remaining (taken from the old TR8 Car Club of America's Registry of unique VINs), the World Wide TR7 TR8 Owners Club and the TR Drivers Club UK is around 750 convertibles and 190 coupes. Work is progressing on getting an even better estimate by the newly reformed Triumph Wedge Owners Association.
As of Q1 2011 there were approximately 17 licensed and 33 SORN TR8s registered with the DVLA. Out of these 50 cars, only 2 are automatic.
