Editing Triumph TR8

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Joes8Coupe.jpg
| name              = Triumph TR8
| production        = 1978&ndash;1981
| manufacturer      = [[Triumph Motor Company]]
| designer          = [[Harris Mann]]
| class             = [[Sports car]]
| body_style        = 2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]] [[coupe]]
| predecessor       = [[Triumph TR7]]
| related           = [[Triumph TR7]]
| engine            = {{convert|3528|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} [[V8 engine|V8]]
| layout            = [[FR layout]]
| assembly          = {{unbulleted list
  | [[Speke]], [[Merseyside]], England
  | [[Coventry]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], England
  | [[Solihull, West Midlands]], England
  }}
| transmission      = 5-speed [[manual transmission|manual]]<ref name="carfolio.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=16863|title=1979 Triumph TR8|access-date=2008-01-01|work=carfolio.com}}</ref>
| wheelbase         = {{convert|2160|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="carfolio.com"/>
| length            = {{convert|4067|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="carfolio.com"/>
| width             = {{convert|1681|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="carfolio.com"/>
| height            = {{convert|1267|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="carfolio.com"/>
| weight            = {{convert|1203.9|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="conceptcarz.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4713/Triumph_TR8/default.aspx|title=1980 Triumph TR8 DHC|access-date=2008-01-01|work=conceptcarz.com}}</ref>
}}
[[File:'80 Triumph TR8 (Hudson).JPG|250px|thumb|right|Triumph TR8]]

The '''Triumph TR8''' is a [[sports car]] built by the British [[Triumph Motor Company]] from 1978 until 1981. It is an eight-cylinder version of the "wedge-shaped" [[Triumph TR7]] which was designed by [[Harris Mann]] and manufactured by [[British Leyland]] (BL), through its Jaguar/Rover/Triumph (JRT) division. 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.<ref>William Kimberley, The Complete Guide to the Triumph TR7 and TR8, Chap. 3, 1981</ref> However, British Leyland's financial state, labour 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 engine]]s (and usually [[automatic transmission]]s). 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 [[FIA]] papers for the TR8 [[homologation]], granted 1 April 1978, include pictures showing a 1977 TR7 V8 prototype with a set of [[decal]]s indicating it to be a TR7 V8.<ref name="TR8 homologation">[http://historicdb.fia.com/sites/default/files/car_attachment/1486676401/homologation_form_number_654_group_b.pdf FIA Book of Recognition number 654]</ref> However, oddly, these TR8 homologation pictures also show it had the large "Sprint" decals on the rear wings, in the same font as the TR7 and V8 decals on the boot lid. It is not clear from the picture of the front of the car whether or not it had a small Sprint decal below the TR7 decal, as is shown on the TR8 prototype in Hardcastle’s book on the Rover V8 engine.<ref name="Hardcastle 1995">Hardcastle D., ''The Rover V8 Engine'', J H Haynes & Co Ltd; 2nd Revised edition (15 May 1995), {{ISBN|978-0854299614}}.</ref> Neither of these decals are part of the set used on the car shown in the TR7 Sprint homologation pictures in the BMIHT archives,<ref name="BMIHT F&PA">Negatives from number T105512 to T105517 (6 negatives), "TR7 Sprint Homologation", British Motor Industries Heritage Trust Film & Picture Library.</ref> and in Knowles’ ''Triumph TR7 The Untold Story''.<ref name="Knowles 2007">Knowles D., ''Triumph TR7 The Untold Story'', 2007, pages 110–5, Crowood Press, {{ISBN|978-1-86126-891-4}}.</ref> And, unlike that decal set, the Sprint decals shown on this TR8 and that in Hardcastle are not known by any BL part numbers. The official use of these pictures in the homologation process may suggest that BL toyed with the idea of calling this car the "TR7 V8 Sprint" or "TR7 Sprint V8", etc., at some point, but did not progress the idea beyond when these photographs were taken.

==Description==
The TR8 did not use [[Triumph Motor Company|Triumph's]] own [[single overhead cam]] V8 as found in the [[Triumph Stag|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-[[aluminium]] [[Buick V8 engine#215|V8]] {{convert|215|cuin|L|abbr=on}} that Rover acquired from [[General Motors]] in the mid-60s.

History has shown this engine to be a reliable, flexible, and robust powerplant, especially after BL improved its manufacturing process. TR8s were initially fitted with twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors. However, about 400 1980 models sold in [[California]], all 1981 models—of which only 352 were produced including twenty carbed cars for the UK market---and all 1982 models (of which all seventy went to Canada)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tr8.com/TR8-1982.htm |title=The 1982 Model Year TR7's & 8's |publisher=www.tr8.com |access-date=2012-11-09}}</ref> featured a [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] L-jetronic fuel injection system with a specially designed Lucas fuel injection computer (ECU).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triumphwedgeowners.org/uploads/3/0/4/2/3042952/twoaissue_18_free.pdf |title=FI Production Numbers, Spring 2012 Newsletter of the Triumph Wedge Owners Association |publisher=www.triumphwedgeowners.org |access-date=2013-04-08}}</ref> The 1980 carburetor model was rated at {{Convert|133|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} (at 5000&nbsp;rpm) and the fuel injected California version at {{Convert|137|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} at the same engine speed.<ref name=RTMGS>{{cite magazine |ref=rtGLC |magazine=Road & Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1981 |issue=January–February 1981 |title = Good news from the other side | editor-first = Tony | editor-last = Hogg | pages = 190–191 | publisher = CBS Publications }}</ref> For 1981, all North American cars received a unified version with fuel injection, producing {{Convert|148|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} at 5100&nbsp;rpm and delivering 0–60&nbsp;mph times in the low 8 seconds.<ref name=RT124>{{cite magazine | magazine =Road & Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1981 |issue=January–February 1981 |title=1981 Buyer's Guide | editor-first = Tony | editor-last = Hogg | page = 124 | publisher = CBS Publications }}</ref><ref>
{{Cite book
  | title = Factory Brochure, Jaguar Rover Triumph
  |date=April 1980
  }}</ref> 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 (boot), alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and a few minor trim changes.

== Production ==
{{sources|date=October 2024}}

TR8 coupes based on the original Harris Mann TR7 design made from 1978 to 1980 are quite rare; it is estimated that only about 400 TR8 coupes ever existed—this number from records kept by members of the North America-based wedge club, the Triumph Wedge Owners Association. To the roughly 150 pre-production coupes mentioned above, another 250 or so coupes 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, a long-anticipated Michelotti-refreshed TR7 Drophead ([[convertible (car)|convertible]]) was introduced, and almost all subsequent production TR8s were convertibles.<ref>Bill Piggott, Original Triumph TR7 & TR8, MBI Publishing, 2000</ref> ''Total'' worldwide production, as best as can be determined throughout all the labour turmoil at the time, is only around 2750, give or take a "handful".  (Enthusiast Richard Connew went through the records at British Motor Heritage Industry Trust and counted 2746.)  Other estimates exist. The German version of this page claims 2722 and cites the TR Register-Austria as source; 2815 is the number quoted in an article from ''[[Classic & Sports Car]]'', March 1986 and in William Kimberley's 1981 book<ref>William Kimberley, The Complete Guide to the Triumph TR7 and TR8, Dalton Watson Ltd., London, 1981</ref> as well. The TR8 was due to be launched in the UK and a pilot production run was made consisting of four prototypes and 18 pre-production cars. However, at this point, British Leyland unexpectedly cancelled the project. The pre-production cars were subsequently sold via the dealer network to the general public and are highly collectable.{{cn|reason=UK pre-production and cancellation needs references|date=June 2024}} Both 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 Australia a popular TR7V8 conversion is to use the 4416 cc version of this engine that had been developed for the [[Leyland P76]].

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 Triumph Wedge Owners Association registry of unique [[Vehicle identification number|VINs]], current Triumph Wedge Owners Association membership records, the World Wide TR7 TR8 Owners Club, and the TR Drivers Club UK is around 1000 convertibles and 200 coupes.

As of Q1 2011 there were approximately seventeen licensed and 33 [[SORN]] TR8s registered with the [[DVLA]].  The accuracy of this data is questionable as many converted TR7s with a V8 have been registered with DVLA as TR8s. Out of these fifty cars, only two are automatic, but more are known to exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=triumph+tr8 |title=How Many Left web site |publisher=www.howmanyleft.co.uk |access-date=2011-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/licensing/ |title=Vehicle licensing statistics |publisher=Department of Transport |access-date=2011-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829152645/http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/licensing/ |archive-date=29 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Motorsport ==
[[File:TR-8 race car from the 1970s.jpg|thumbnail|TR8 racer on display at the Canadian International Autoshow.]]

Despite their low production numbers, TR8s have an interesting racing history. [[John Buffum]] successfully raced one as a rally car in the late 1970s. [[Bob Tullius]] of Group 44 fame dominated SCCA racing in 1979 in one, so much so that the SCCA added enough "reward" weight to the car that Tullius left Trans Am and successfully competed in IMSA GT instead. TR8s ran successfully in the SCCA's showroom stock series being campaigned by Morey Doyle ( Nationals & Regionals) and Ted Schumacher (Nationals). Schumacher with Doyle had great success in the Playboy/Escort Endurance series with his car. Starting the last race of the year, Schumacher was fourth in the overall point standings (just three points away from first) when an accident ruined their chances;  nevertheless, Schumacher still ended up seventh in the manufacturer's points for that year, all with no official factory help. Presently, at least three cars are being run in SCCA's ITS class. Morey Doyle and his son Andy run their TR8s in the Midwest Region, currently Morey and his sons, Morey C. and Andy are preparing the car for the SCCA National Runoffs in E-Prod at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2017).  Jeff Young runs his green TR8 in the Southeast Division with numerous regional race wins and the 2011 Southeast Division SARRC ITS championship, running against over seventy other drivers in Mazda RX7s, Miatas, 240/260/280Zs, BMW 325is, Porsche 944s and Acura Integras.

The TR8 was [[homologated]] for [[Group 4 (racing)]] on the first of April 1978. According to the [[FIA]] rules that applied at this time, recognition would have required the production of 400 similar cars suitable for normal sale. However, production records (in the [[BMIHT]] archives) show that only about 150 cars had actually been built by this time, mostly due to major industrial action at the BL Speke plant that included a 17-week-long strike from November 1977. Rally journalist and historian Graham Robson quotes John Davenport (director of BL Motorsport at the time) as reminding him that "In those days there was no rigorous FIA inspection system. Provided that one provided production sheets signed by an important manager, then nobody worried...." Robson goes on to state that "A lot of fast and persuasive talking then went on, to show that the makings of well over 500 [sic] cars were either built, partly built, or stuck in the morass of the Speke strike".<ref name="FIA1976252G">FIA, Appendix J to the ''International Sporting Code'' 1976: Classification, definition and specifications of cars, 11 December 1975, Article 252, clause g.</ref><ref name="BMIHT archive">British Motor Industries Heritage Trust Archives, [[Heritage Motor Centre]], [[Gaydon]], [[Warwickshire]], [[England]].</ref><ref name="marren2009">{{cite journal|last=Marren|first=Brian|title=Closure of the Triumph TR7 Factory in Speke, Merseyside, 1978: 'The Shape of Things to Come'?|year=2009|url=https://liverpool.academia.edu/BrianMarren/Papers/137296/Closure-of-the-Triumph-TR7-Factory-in-Speke--Merseyside--1978--%E2%80%98The-Shape-of-Things-to-Come%E2%80%99-|access-date=16 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820125525/http://liverpool.academia.edu/BrianMarren/Papers/137296/Closure-of-the-Triumph-TR7-Factory-in-Speke--Merseyside--1978--%E2%80%98The-Shape-of-Things-to-Come%E2%80%99-|archive-date=20 August 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Robson 1993">Robson G., ''The Works Triumphs: 50 Years in Motorsport'', 1993, J H Haynes & Co Ltd, {{ISBN|978-0854299263}}.</ref> However, the FIA rules are clear that only "entirely finished cars" might be counted towards this requirement.<ref name="FIA1976">FIA, Appendix J to the ''International Sporting Code'' 1976: Classification, definition and specifications of cars, 11 December 1975.</ref>

An alternative explanation that does not ignore the FIA's explicit requirement for finished cars comes from an article on the Group-4 Vauxhall Chevette HS, published in Autosport only a few weeks after the TR8 was approved. That says "there had arisen an understanding that some leeway was allowed. For instance, if the 400 cars were built within a few months of the homologation date then the car would normally be allowed through." And while the homologation of the Chevette HS was approved on 1 Nov. 1976, the 400 Chevette HSs weren't finished till the end of 1977.<ref name="Autosport">R. Saunders (Ed.), "Chevette 2300 HS-what went wrong", Autosport magazine, 27 April 1978</ref> Production records show that about another 250 fixed head coupe TR8s were built in 1978, making up the FIA requirement for 400. While the fixed head version of the TR8 does not appear to have ever been a catalogued model, only the convertible, and "[f]ollowing the cancellation of the project, normal practice might have been to dismantle the cars or convert them to normal TR7 power",<ref name="Piggott 2009">Piggott B., Clay S., [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVRq-KUY_bgC&q=Chapter+39&pg=PA320 ''Collector's Originality Guide Triumph TR2 TR3 TR4 TR5 TR6 TR7 TR8''], page 312-5, 2009, MotorBooks International Company, {{ISBN|9780760335765}}.</ref> most or all were sold to private buyers in the US or Canada. This may be as a result of the FIA requirement for such homologation specials to be "meant for the normal sale".<ref name="FIA1976252A">FIA, Appendix J to the ''International Sporting Code'' 1976: Classification, definition and specifications of cars, 11 December 1975, Article 252, paragraph a.</ref>

The TR8 did not go on sale in North America until mid-1979, and then only as a convertible model. According to Graham Robson, the Group 4 rally car was therefore called the TR7V8 as a compromise with BL Sales and Marketing.<ref name="Robson 1993"/>

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
{{Reflist}}
*{{cite web
 |last        = Adams
 |first       = Keith
 |url         = http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/
 |title       = The Unofficial Austin Rover Web Resource
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100930044607/http://austin-rover.co.uk/
 |archive-date = 30 September 2010
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.triumphwedgeowners.org/ North American based, international club dedicated to all Triumph TR7s, TR8s, and variants]
* [http://www.trdrivers.com/ UK based club dedicated to Triumph TR7, TR7V8 and TR8's]
* [http://www.tr7-tr8.com/ Internet-based club dedicated to Triumph TR7 and TR8's]
* [http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/  UK Based non-commercial forum dedicated to the TR7, TR7 Sprint, and TR8 community]
* [http://www.thebritishcar.com/ Commercial forum dedicated to British vehicles, including the TR7 and TR8]

{{Triumph_Motor_Company_timeline}}
{{British Motor Holdings and British Leyland cars, 1966-1986}}
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[[Category:1980s cars]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Group 4 (racing) cars]]
[[Category:Triumph Motor Company vehicles|TR8]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1978]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1981]]