I have often wondered about the Triumph TR8, primarily in terms of how it compared to the mostly disastrous TR7. I recall only seeing one, back in the day, when they were still being produced but they have made plenty of appearances here on Barn Finds. By any measurement, they are rare cars, the convertibles in particular, so it’s always a treat when one turns up for sale. This 3K mile Orchard Park, New York example presents beautifully and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $13,000 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $24,995 available too.
My TR7 knowledge is based on the experience that an old friend had with a 1977 example that he purchased new, in December of ’76. He absolutely loved that car but the feeling wasn’t mutual – just about everything that could go wrong, ultimately did and by July of ’77 it was gone, traded for something German. Now the TR8 is obviously endowed with a completely different powerplant, a Rover 3.5 liter V6 V8 to be exact, so one would expect some all-around differences between it and the 7. Unfortunately, the issues with my friend’s TR7 transcended the engine, the problems were not only its four-cylinder motor but a whole host of other areas too.
As is usually the case, today’s find is a convertible, and the statistics that I found indicated that most of the approximately 2,750 TR8 output, were drop tops. The hardtop count amounted to about 400 copies, and as I review the TR8s that we have covered here on BF, I discovered just one hardtop. This car has bounced around from owner to owner and even experienced a storage fire that put it in a salvage auction. The current owner bought it and had it resprayed in ’20, preserving the original decals and keeping its replaced, melted taillight lenses. As it sits, it looks great and the wheels, which are similar to Minilites, really add to this sports car’s vibe. The folding top and clear plastic rear windows show perfectly. As was common in this era, there are lots of black rubbery plastic employed as bumpers and trim but they are not revealing any of the typical fading and cracking that seems to befall such items.
The 135 HP, 3.5 liter V8 engine’s origin dates back to 1960s Buick ownership but it had been a well-employed Rover item for many years and the seller states, “vehicle runs and drives great“. As one would expect with a 3K mile car, the engine appears to be complete, clean, and gently used. A five-speed manual transmission was the only gearbox available.
Get a load of that interior! I wonder how many pairs of golf pants were sacrificed in the construction of those seats. It’s certainly bright and cheery! The technicolor treatment even extends to the door cards. In spite of its inconsequential mileage, this Triumph still has experienced 43 years of life and the interior doesn’t look a day over new – this car has obviously been well stored (other than that fire thing mentioned earlier). That dash is oh-so-’80s with its angular, blocky design. I thought it tres cool back in the day, but I must admit that it looks dated today. The seller mentions that the clock and the A/C are non-functional – I would be concerned about what it might take to reawaken the air conditioning system
There you have it, this is a rare unusual car that has seen very little use – it’s probably the lowest mileage TR8 in existence. I can appreciate this car for what it is and it’s bittersweet to realize that it was one of the last models designed by Triumph; four years forward and it was game over for this significant British Marque. I’d probably pass on this TR8, but this TR6, hmmm, something to consider, right?
“…a Rover 3.5 liter V6 to be exact…” May want to check that, Jim 🤡
I have one of these wonderful Brits! The 7 and 8 sold more than ALL of the rest of Triumphs I’m told, it has benefitted from design progress over its brothers It is much more modern than the Tiger and will probably rapidly appreciate past it along with the 7’s which are easily made into 8’s. The 8 along with the Tiger and MG-B V8 ALL somehow were very low production and could have sold hundreds more so are exotically priced! Oh BTW they ARE V8’s!
Yeah, I know, mind fart on my part, fixed now.
JO
You think the TR8’s will appreciate (what, in value?!) past Sunbeam Tigers? Really? You honestly think there’s any chance of that happening? With due respect, we will see, but I would be shocked. A Tiger is on a lot of collector’s lists, and was genuinely a respected performance car. A TR8, while I like them… well, I mean… it’s a TR8. It’s like a completely different league of car.
OOOPs…fixed.
JO
Nope he is right, that would be a V8 friend
Salvage title, here in CA that is a pass.
Wouldn’t pass smog in CA anyway: Headers, no cats. Seems most of the carbed TR8s have been modded in a way that makes them unsmoggable in CA. Best bet for a CA buyer is to find one of the fuel injected ones (’81 or CA ’80) but they are scarce.
The BIN price is highly optimistic IMO.
It’s old enough to have classic car exemption. Who’s going to buy this as a daily driver?
A lot of BIN money on a salvage title! And yes, be careful when restoring the AC, the old electrics and all the seals can be fragile with failures leading to fires. Do make sure ALL the AC components are up to the load, I know from personal experience. That said enjoy the top down and V8 which is a good ride even in stock trim. Enhancements only improve it, carbs, exhaust, bushings, shocks, etc and lower profile tires are already done which is a step up as well.
With a low-mileage Triumph such as this, one never knows if it’s because the original owner cherished it, or because it simply refused to go any further.
I’ve always liked the TR8. I saw one up close while working at a fast food place in high school in 1984. It was silver with the blue plaid interior. A guy around 30 years old owned it, he came through the drive-through fairly regularly. We talked about our cars while he waited on his food several times. One night we were slow so I asked if I could come out and take a closer look at his car, and he obliged. I realize the V8 wasn’t a big block or even a 350 small block, but it was neat seeing a V8 where only 4 cylinders were expected to be. He did have some glitchy issues with gauges, as I have read is a common problem. A mechanic friend once talked me out of buying a TR8 that had been in storage for 20+ years. This one peaks the interest again, but timing is not right. Still got 2 kids in college, and already have a pleasure car taking up the only garage slot.
The TR7 and nationalization of the Brit auto industry killed Triumph. The TR8 was an excellent car, but the die was cast.
That Rover engine is easily upgraded to 250hp, and a couple of specialty shops do it. You can put a Rover engine up to 4.6l in a TR8.
The 3.5 changed the TR7 from slug to serious because the torque was an even more significant upgrade. Imagine what 250+hp would do, with the torque increase.
I’m an old Brit car nut. I liked the Trumpets and owned quite a few. I had a purple Spitfire 1500 all through college. I never had a 7 or 8, but thought they were a modern upgrade over the old, outdated sleds. I loved my TR6, but it was still a sluggish…but cool…Brit car.
I am moving back to the States. And when I do a TR8 is on the shopping list. Properly upgraded, including a modern a/c, a TR8 could almost be a daily driver.
“..a TR8 could almost be a daily driver.”
They left the factory that way.
The early 7’s had the anemic drivetrain so you’d want either a later one or to swap all of it, I’ve heard of those swapping the front suspension from a Z with it’s bigger brakes the stock brakes are OK for usual use including autocrosses. You need a V8 Bell housing which probably is going to be from Rovers so hard to find! I have no problems using mine as my primary car, My Border Collie immediately claimed the space at the back of the compartment!
You go with original V8, CDI ignition and fuel injection. Better breathing and cooling. Adding weight to these vintage suspension and brakes is advertising a fantasy claim habit. Engine swaps going bigger and heavier are going to rip the suspension apart.
The TR8 was a much better car than the TR7. Bigger brakes, and much better engine. Most of the complaints about both TR7 & TR8 trace back to labor issues at the factory. With that said, those bugs should be long gone in a car after 43 years! The seller suggests a price, but the next buyer will determine the price (assuming the seller accepts the offer). Regarding converting any TR7 to a TR8, please do yourself a favor and include the brake upgrades. The brake upgrades might be a good idea even if you are maintaining a TR7 as-is.
I have read that conversion should include tranny & axel, too. The V8 is a torque monster compared to the choked and anemic 4.
Can I say tranny?
Been waitin’ for that one to surface…
JO
no problem here, better steer clear of the beer wars.
want to like this offering here but a lot of unknowns and negative history to overcome. the price is nuts also. a close friend bought the twin to this new and she drove it daily for several years.I really can’t her having any issues with it. drove it a few time and really always wanted one ever since then.
but for the asking here it would need to be a show or museum quality with a happy title history.
Only if you’re watching Donny kissing Rudy in Drag, and understand Roy Cohn was Donald’s favorite human who ever lived, usually when Roy was behind him. I say “tranny” all of the time without caring who’s doing what as long as they aren’t malicious serial liars. These TR 7&8 were plagued by rust. And fuel problems. Both solvable issues. Especially with a car like this.
I am on my 3rd TR8, the brakes on all of them would benefit with an upgrade, the brakes were the weakest part of the equation. These are a blast to drive, with few problems in my experience!
I have owned my TR8 since new and have owned multiple TR 3’s & 4’s as well as a TR6. I have also owned several Healey’s, MG’s, Jaguars, TVR’s, a Tiger and an Elan. I have had few problems with my 8 and find it a wonderful and comfortable car to drive to this day. The 8 is my favorite of the British sports models.
I am surprised at the nativity expressed by some auto journals.
Barn Finds contributors aren’t necessarily having editors reviewing posts. Some contributors are top notch. Many are pushing agendas for ‘muscle car swaps’ as a ‘solution’ to braking or fuel system flaws. Some outright pan the seller and the car. It’s quite odd. I’ve always loved the Triumph marque and understand the flaws all had. There are ways to tastefully resolve the problems without saying a car is ‘a bad car’. Like my Alfa GTV favorites, the TR had rust issues to tend to or to prevent. Once that’s happened you go about updating fuel delivery system and brakes. Full fluids changes and get it running. Drive it and sort it out and decide from there.
That Rover V8 is actually a GM motor that was licensed early on from GM then purchase and remains in use after 45+ years in Rovers, Lotus and others. I own a 1980 that I have changed t Edelbrock intake with a 4 barrel, gated 5 speed, Spax shocks , coils, dual exhaust, MSD ignition, etc ….it is a blast and should easily follow Tiger pricing in the future. The TR8 won many road races and is a very reliable unit.
Didn’t Bob Tulius do a nice job racing a TR8 for a couple of years for Group 44?
google “Bob Tulius TR8”, you should get several links related to 1979 and Group 44. Yes, I think he did very well with it. Of course Bob usually did very well.
excerpt from one of the links..”Bob Tullius realized the potential of the lightweight, aerodynamic V8 powered TR8 and proved that it was a race winner. In its debut race at the Watkins Glen 6 Hour, the TR8 dominated the class against the Corvettes and Camaros and finished 1st in class and 7th overall. The TR8 was so successful in SCCA competition that they issued numerous weight penalties.” Isn’t that always the case? Once you start winning, the SCCA tries to level the playing field. Intentions might be good, but it really isn’t right. Look what SCCA did to keep the RX7 from winning too often!
2 excellent places for Rover V-8 expertise:
http://www.aluminumv8.com/
https://www.thewedgeshop.com/
Tulius did race them and had many Corvettes for breakfast! The TR8 is not a car to be compared to the TR7 or other Triumphs. It was the beginning of what could have been a very successful branding by TR ; especially with the racing wins under its belt. Today they are way undervalued and a great buy. Where else can you get the manual trans, V-8 sound and power, decent styling with some minor bumper deletes…….a nice investment, easy to work on and smiles when driving and from lookers which they get!
Great car, love it for what it is! SALVAGE TITLE OWNERS – are honest people! You know how many cars get wrecked then fixed and NEVER reported? Here in CA it’s criminally rampant. I WOULD NOT be afraid of this car if it’s been professionally repaired and straight ! You can always put on after market catalytic converters if needed. Really nice car but a little bit too expensive. Probably not very far off though…. Nice article!
I may be incorrect,but looking back some,I came across what I think is the same TR8 in BF of Nov19 . Identical,in and out. Is it or is it a coincidence