Makes › Triumph › TR8 · Rare specification · 1980–1981 Rare
Triumph
TR8
Rover V8 version of the TR7 wedge, mostly LHD export
Photo: Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 2,497 Built
- Years
- 1980–1981
- Engine
- V8, front-mounted, longitudinal · 3,532 cc / 3.5 LFactory: 3,532 cc
- Power
- 115 kW / 157 PSFactory: 157 PS
- Top speed
- 217 km/hFactory: 217 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Harris Mann
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The TR8 put Rover's aluminium V8 into the TR7 body. Octane says the TR8 was the car the TR7 should have been, but it arrived late, was made for less than two years and was mostly sold as left-hand-drive cars for the US.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Triumph TR8 (Wikimedia Commons: Triumph TR8)
Photo: Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
Triumph TR8 (Wikimedia Commons: Triumph TR8)
Photo: Sicnag · CC BY 2.0
Triumph TR8 (Wikimedia Commons: Triumph TR8)
Photo: dave_7 from Canada · CC BY 2.0
Triumph TR8 (Wikimedia Commons: Triumph TR8)
Photo: hugh llewelyn · CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package productionTR8s produced | 2,4971 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Triumph fitted Rover's all-aluminium 215 cu in V8 to the TR7 body. Conceptcarz dates production to 1978 to 1981, while Octane gives 1979 to 1981. Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection became standard for 1981.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard TR8.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Rover2,3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V8, front-mounted, longitudinal4 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 84 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,532 cc / 3.5 LFactory: 3,532 cc4 Independently researched |
| Bore | 88.9 mmFactory: 88.9 mm4 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 71.12 mmFactory: 71.12 mm4 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 valves per cylinder4 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection on California cars and standard from 1981 (Octane lists mechanical fuel injection)2,5 DisputedOctane and conceptcarz describe the fuel system differently. |
| Power | 115 kW / 157 PSFactory: 157 PS4 Independently researched1979 data; conceptcarz lists 133-137 hp for US-market cars. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 228 NmFactory: 168 lb-ft · converted5 DisputedOctane gives 168 lb/ft. Conceptcarz gives 174 ft-lbs. |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 54 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | RWD4 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Metal monocoque5 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, MacPherson strut, lower wishbone, anti-roll bar5 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Live axle with trailing and semi-trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar5 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Rack and pinion, power-assisted2 Independently researched |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,160 mmFactory: 85 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,067 mmFactory: 4,067 mm5 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,681 mmFactory: 1,681 mm5 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,267 mmFactory: 1,267 mm5 Independently researched |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,163 kgFactory: 1,163 kg5 Independently researchedListed as 'Weight' on the Octane page. The page does not say kerb weight. |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 217 km/hFactory: 217 km/h4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 7.7 s4 Independently researched |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Octane says only a handful of UK-market cars were sold new. Many UK examples are home-built conversions, and Octane notes that a kit was available. Genuine UK cars differ mainly in bigger brakes, a radiator and a modified crossmember.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
- 1
-
2
1980 Triumph TR8 Level C conceptcarz.com
- Triumph installed Rover's all-aluminum 215 CID V8 engine into the TR7 body
- Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, which became standard on all TR8s for 1981
- power rack-and-pinion steering
- Wheelbase 85.00 in.
-
3
1979 Triumph TR8: detailed specifications, performance and economy data Level C carfolio.com
- Rover/Buick
-
4
1979 Triumph TR8: detailed specifications Level C Carfolio
- 8 cylinder layout ... Engine position front, longitudinal
- 8 cylinder layout
- 3.5 litre 3532 cc (215.536 cu in)
- Bore x Stroke 88.9 x 71.12 mm
- overhead valve (OHV) 2 valves per cylinder
- 157 PS (155 bhp) (116 kW)
- 5 speed manual
- Drive wheels rear wheel drive
- Maximum speed 217 km/h (135 mph)
- Acceleration 0-60mph 7.7 s
-
5
Triumph TR8 Car Specs Level C Octane (Classic and Performance Car) · 2013-10-18
- Fuel delivery: mechanical fuel injection
- Torque: 168lb/ft
- Bodyframe: metal monocoque
- Independent, MacPherson strut, lower wishbone, anti-roll bar
- Live axle, trailing arms, semi-trailing arms, coil spring, anti-roll bar
- Length: 4067mm
- Width: 1681mm
- Height: 1267mm
- Weight: 1163kgs
Keep exploring
More from Triumph
-
Triumph · 1958
TR3A 1958 works rally cars (VRW 221 etc.)
4 Built
-
Triumph
Italia 2000 (Vignale)
329 Built
-
Triumph · 1946–1948
1800 Roadster
2,501 Built
-
Triumph · 1967–1968
TR5 PI
2,947 Built
More from United Kingdom
-
Aston Martin · 2013
DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial
1 Built
-
MG · 1985
Metro 6R4 Clubman
200 Built
-
Brabham · 1967
Brabham BT24 (1967)
3 Built
-
Austin · 1967–1971
3-Litre (ADO61)
9,992 Built
134 other makes from United KingdomACAiredaleAlan Mann RacingAllardAlvisArabArashArielArmstrong SiddeleyArrowsAscariAston MartinAtalantaAtlantisAustinAustin-HealeyBedfordBentleyBerkeleyBluebirdBMCBondBrabhamBristolBritish LeylandBroadspeedBrookeBrough SuperiorCampbell-RailtonCaparoCaterhamChevronConnaughtCooperCrayfordDaimlerDavid BrownDawsonDeLoreanDuttonAll makes →