73-mile Triumph TR8 for sale

Rescue mission?

This 1980 Triumph TR8 Convertible might look a little worse for wear, but its interesting story could make it worth saving.

And, yes, you read that right, it has done only 73 miles in its 41 years, which seems an awful shame. Especially given that this car is one of, according to its vendor, just 14 right-hand-drive examples built.

It will go under the hammer with Historics Auctioneers at its sale at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, on Saturday 25 September 2021, where it will be offered with no reserve.

Let’s find out more about it.

The proof

We’ll start with that headline figure. Take a look the Triumph’s admittedly rather tired-looking odometer, and you can see it has just about clicked round to the not-very-grand total of 73 miles.

What’s more, it has been with the same owner from new. So how did it end up like this?

The beginning… and the end

Aimed at the North American market, the TR8 is today often seen as a missed opportunity by Triumph. A case of too little, too late. The coupé came first, followed by the convertible.

When BL management approved a right-hand-drive model, a small pre-production run was built, which is where this car’s story begins.

Although it shudders to an abrupt halt nearly immediately: almost as soon as these few cars were finished, BL cancelled production.

A rare pair

Two TR7 convertible bodyshells were used to build a manual-gearbox and an automatic-gearbox (pre-production) factory version of the TR8 in November 1980.

The car we have here is the latter, chassis number 402290. Both were fitted with TR8 engines, in this case engine number 21E-00001.

Factory fresh

Both these former TR7s were finished in Pendelican White.

With the TR8 project canned, and Triumph itself on the way out, this car was sold off by BL as part of its factory clear-out in August 1980.

Out of sight, out of mind

This car, still yet to be registered, was bought by a collector in north London who put it into his or her lock-up in Hampstead, along with a stash of other British sports cars, and left it there.

It was only discovered recently, a whole four decades later, by classic car specialist Anthony Godin.

Over and out

All of which is, we think, rather sad.

Its torquey, 3.5-litre Rover V8 has barely had a chance to run – it is not even run in! But, looking at it today, it will need some love before it is roadworthy again.

Behind the wheel

The driver’s seat that has hardly been sat on carries another clue to this car’s pre-production status: it is trimmed in the Tan velour offered in the North American market.

What’s more, the glovebox bears a ‘TR7’ badge – well, that’s what this car was in the first place.

The paper trail

You can spot that ‘TR7’ badge to the left of this photo, as well as getting another look at its automatic gearbox and that US-spec upholstery.

And if you require further proof of this car’s provenance, you’re in luck: it is going to auction with its British Motoring Heritage Certificate which confirms its pre-production status.

Never again?

Because this car is yet to hit three figures on its odometer and it is a pre-production example, its saviour, Godin, describes it as an “unprecedented” find. Historics Auctioneers adds that it thinks this is an “unrepeatable” car.

It is certainly not a car that’s found for sale on a daily basis.

Wake the wedge

As its auction catalogue listing states, it needs a restoration. Quite obviously.

While this appears to be a matching-numbers example where all items are present and correct, having not turned a wheel and, most likely, never been run, in 40 years, will have done it no good whatsoever.

A second chance?

The seats certainly look inviting, and one can but dream of lowering the black soft-top, turning the key to hear the 3528cc V8 erupt, sliding the gearlever into Drive and adding to that meagre mileage.

Let’s hope whoever the winning bidder is later this month gives this rare TR8 a second shot at life.

Stealth operator

We’re still big fans of Harris Mann’s wedged-shaped vision.

We also love the fact that there is little on a TR8 that gives it away as being anything other than a four-cylinder TR7 – the TR8 remained identical to the early TR7 save a new bonnet with a power bulge to accommodate the larger engine.

Start at the beginning

Despite having a somewhat antiquated suspension system, the TR7 was always a better-handling car than its TR6 predecessor, and prior experience tells us that the same holds true for the TR8.

We suspect this example’s front independent suspension with MacPherson struts and its rear semi-trailing arms will need to be replaced before this car is deemed roadworthy.

R is for rust

It is probably not news that there’s rather a lot of visible rust on this uncared for Triumph – and who knows what lies beneath.

That said, if everything is present and correct, thanks to the great club support this marque enjoys, someone with the right skills can surely resurrect it.

Great eight

One thing’s for sure: we’d love this Buick-derived V8 to be revived so it can sing once more.

Yes, it can contribute to the TR8’s nose diving under hard braking, and there is no mistaking that push towards understeer when you’re pressing on, but for effortless pace, it is hard to beat.

Ready to be unleashed

The V8 slashed more than a second from the slant-four TR7’s 0-60mph sprint.

Over the TR8’s life, the all-aluminium, overhead-valve 3528cc V8 produced between 137 and 148bhp, along with a useful 168-180lb ft of torque.

Easy urge

If you’re enjoying yourself in a TR8 – and why wouldn’t you? – expect fuel economy to take a hit. The anticipated range is 17-27mpg.

But then this model was conceived to win over Stateside buyers, where long, wide and open roads would be perfect for gentle wafting on a wave of torque.

Into sharp focus

Indeed, as Classic & Sports Car’s own Greg MacLeman said having driven a perfectly preserved example: ”It’s hard to think of a model that carries more baggage than the Triumph TR8, but the further from those troubled times we get and the more the memories fade, the easier it becomes to appreciate the car for what it is: the last of the hairy-chested, brawny mainstream sports cars.”

A new chapter

So, what’s next for this scarely driven, pre-production Triumph TR8?

We’re crossing our fingers that someone, somewhere, has the time, skills and money to return it to the road.

Ready, set, go…

And we won’t have long to wait.

This never-registered Triumph TR8 is being offered with no reserve at Historics’ 25 September 2021 sale at Ascot Racecourse, where it is lot number 157.

Find out more here.