It’s not every day you find a V8-powered Triumph languishing on craigslist, but that appears to be exactly what we’ve got with this 1982 Triumph TR8 that the seller claims has been hiding out in his own barn, not getting the TLC it deserves. The TR8 is a rarity these days, produced in limited supply when new and rarely appearing for sale on either the project car or collector specimen circuit. Many of the owners who are fortunate to have one of these in the garage aren’t selling theirs for the time being, so your options are limited if you wish to own a genuine TR8. This Triumph is listed here on craigslist in San Francisco for $8,200.
The TR8 features the time-tested combination of a big motor in a lightweight car. In this case, it’s an aluminum Rover/Buick V8 mill that came in both carbureted and fuel-injected form, with the latter appearing later in the production cycle. Convertibles and two-door hardtops were available, with most TR8s seemingly coming with the soft roof option. The seller’s car currently rides on period-correct mesh wheels, but the original rollers are also included. The bodywork appears to be fairly tidy, and while white isn’t the most exciting color, it’s also hard to go wrong with white over black. The seller notes the iconic TR8 decals have all gone missing (or were removed during a respray.)
The engine still turns over by hand, albeit slowly, likely due to a failing starter or a bad relay somewhere, according to the seller. It’s clear the engine bay hasn’t seen much love recently, aside from getting an Edelbrock manifold at some point in time (the original crossflow with the factory carbs is included). I tried to buy one of these not too long ago before realizing there’s a big difference in price for a ratty carb’d variety versus one of the final models with Bosch fuel injection, which was how the car I had in mind was equipped. Rightfully so, the seller was asking more than I was willing to pay, largely owing to the fact that his was fuel injected.
The seller calls the interior of his car “perfect,” but nothing is actually perfect, so I’d want clarification on exactly what the cockpit needs to be 100 percent mint. The TR8 is one of those cars that has a following but a limited one, which had played a role in prices seemingly topping out around $10,000-$15,000 for a really nice one. Yes, there are some outliers, but it could explain why this one has been listed for a while. For $8,200, there are lots of other completely turnkey British roadsters, so having V8 power is going to have to be a priority for the next owner who takes this rare roadster on.
“The bodywork appears to be fairly tidy, . .
I guess, maybe, except for the smashing dent in the passenger side front fender?
I had no idea these had a v8 I used to see them, mostly the tr7 , sitting rusty and practically abandoned all over the place 25 -30 years ago but never went near them having never heard anything good about them and cant believe no one ever told me the tr8 was actually a v8 or I think I would of tried to own one and see what it sounded like and what it could do. I don’t remember ever seeing one driving and hearing a v8 powering it. Although as mentioned the only memory I have of these triumph is of them parked at the back of lots getting rusty with flat tires. A v8 np matter how small is pretty cool in that little car I feel like I really missed out on some fun even if I had to swap out the British for domestic v8 if possible can ya bolt up a 350 small block in a tr8 if you really really want to?
Not sure why you would want the small block Chevy swap it, the aluminum rover V8 these came with was based on the aluminum Buick V8 from the sixties. It’s pretty solid. Putting a mouse motor in it would really just kill the handling.
Kirk, you gotta open the hood and Marvel at the Marvel GM let go in the 60s. The last aluminum V8 of the 60s was the immortal ZL1 427. Then they went back to iron. Not until the LS package/platform come about did we see aluminum v8s again. Now what a lot of us do is get a bad TR7 and put one of these in or 289,302,5.0 for Ford power. Zoom Zoom.
Fuel injection did not come “later in the production cycle” but was there from the beginning on the 1980 California TR8s. Those cars had fuel injection while the 49-state cars were carbureted (dual Zenith Strombergs). For 1981 all were fuel injected and the carbs were dropped. This car with Edelbrock manifold and 4 barrel has no chance of passing smog in CA, which might be why it’s been sitting for years, but at least the original carb setup apparently can be included in the sale. Also, the seller calls it a 1982, which isn’t possible since none were made after 1981 and the carbed ones like this were 1980 models.
I agree with tiger 66. With the Edelbock manifold and four barrel it has no hope of getting through California emissions testing. However, contrary to popular opinion, the Zenith-Stromberg carburettors are not bad at all–only highly misunderstood by American “four barrel” guys.
The Zenith-Strombergs atomize the fuel MORE FINELY than standard carbs–be they English SUs or American four barrels. They work with an aggressive distributor to give an efficient and clean burn, which accounts for their use to meet emissions standards. Furthermore, the Z-S carbs are THERMOSTATIC, which means that when the engine is hot during the summer in heavy traffic, MORE OXYGEN is allowed into the combustion chambers to always keep the power consistent. All this makes Zenith-Stromberg carbs very “alien” to American car mechanics who are not familiar with them, causing Z-Ss with their “alien” dashpot dampers with oil, and pistons with needles, to be frowned upon unfairly. Find a mechanic who really knows about these carbs and how to service/tune them correctly, and your TR-8 or other sports car equipped with Z-Ss, will run nicely.
Errata should say EdelbRock above. Sorry.
I agree. I roll my eyes everytime someone comments on how hard it must be to sync & tune Stromberg’s. It really is pretty straightforward if you are inclined to learn.
I’d like to buy it and bring it to GA. Get rid of all smog, we don’t need it that old. Let it roar for it’s last years. I’m tired of stock. Performance Baby, Yeah!!!
I just wish it was a Fueli, more power, 5% HP if i remember right. Throw in the headers. Make it a little sleeper. Zip Zam ala Kazaam!!!!!
Trent, did you click on the ad? Expired.
These may not have been the most reliable daily drivers but they were successful race cars. And I think they look great.
A lot of TR7 fans are converting theirs using later Land Rover V8s, up to 4400cc will fit I believe.
The later fuel injected motors were 4.0 and 4.6 litres, and are complete bolt in swaps for the original 3.5, having the same block casting. Just look for a Discovery or Range Rover P38 in a dismantlers.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Just to be clear, your are saying that the Discovery/P38 is a direct bolt in, with no wiring mods?
‘Finding a 4.0/4.6 is the easy part. Finding the TR8 timing cover, oil pan, flywheel and clutch, bell housing, TR8 subframe, etc is the hard part. If you already have a TR8 or a TR7 with a V8, then you’re golden. Just swap everything over and add a spacer behind the harmonic balancer.’
From https://www.triumphexp.com/forum/tr7-and-tr8-forum.3/4-0-discovery-engine.1585365/
Check also the BritishV8.org forums and the Rover P6 forums, it’s becoming a very popular conversion.
Kirk, you gotta open the hood and Marvel at the Marvel GM let go in the 60s. The last aluminum V8 of the 60s was the immortal ZL1 427. Then they went back to iron. Not until the LS package/platform come about did we see aluminum v8s again. Now what a lot of us do is get a bad TR7 and put one of these in or 289,302,5.0 for Ford power. Zoom Zoom.
4.4 can be stroked to a 5.0 with stroker crank kit.
With that grungy engine compartment I’d take a long look at the underside before I got too excited about this one. Have a friend with one and he says it’s a great cruising car. Have another friend we race with who’s runs a TR7. He wishes he had a TR8 as the chassis makes a good race car but keeping the 4 cylinder running is a continual chore.
Could be a Canada car if it’s really an 82.
These cars have such a bad reputation so it makes it hard to appreciate them
But a lightweight aluminium v8 in a 2 seater topless is hard to beat
Seems that the aftermarket has solved a lot of the issues that made them so bad
I prefer the smaller size of these or a z3 but with a high output v8
It could be fun …
Junk! I had one and it was cheaply made and fell apart. In the top ten worst cars ever made.
If you’ve never owned a TR7 or TR8………….count yourself lucky. Owned a TR7 for several years, only put 200 miles on it…….not by choice.
Get it now, will be running in a minute and price will jump? Posted a month ago.
I sold these cars when they were new…. they were absolute JUNK then…
we called them funny cars… because every Monday morning… we had a line of em waiting to get into the service dept… LOL..LOL…
Why is it nobody knows how to work on anything anymore? When I grew up we all worked on ours/neighbors stuff. Checked fluids and Zoom Zoom. Go go. Raced on the track under ungodly conditions and won.
I wanted one for years . Especially the V8. I still love triumphs but my 04 Mustang v6 convertible has basically the same displacement, more horsepower, power top, ac, pw, and a slightly bigger back seat package shelf. I know, it doesnt have the cache of the triumph but it was a lot cheaper and parts are readily available. If the right triumph came along id love it. But….
I had use of a TR7 (lease return) one summer. Keep in mind that these cars were produced during the late 70’s and early 80’s when quality and reliability were just concepts and marketing phrases. I don’t understand the negativity myself because it was a good handling car and fun to drive, albeit gutless with the 4 banger. The only problem we had with it, and I had the service records for the previous 5 years, was when the “British Specialists” garage I took it to for clutch replacement, pinched a wire between the block and tranny and fried part of the electricals.
Yeah that 4 was a bad SAAB engine horrible. Especially Stag.
If you use old Buick front stuff it works for the distributor. I’m putting my 61 cover on with a gear for the cam. D&D is my help. Hell I’ve got a 63 Olds too and 63 Skylark torn down for parts. Idiot ruined the block.