Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1979 Triumph TR8
Estimate
£14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: LVC 359V
Chassis No: TCN150135UCF
MOT: Exempt
Current ownership since 1995
Understood to have been a test vehicle for Pirelli tyres
Rare Triumph TR8 Coupe converted to RHD in 1983
Extensive restoration works completed by S+S Preperations in 1989
Supplied with BMIHT Certificate and fitted with replacement 3. 9 litre engine which is uprated
TR8 Coupes, based upon the original Harris Mann TR7 design, made from 1978 to 1980 are quite rare; it is estimated that only about 400 (from records kept by members of the North America-based Triumph Wedge Owners Association) genuine TR8 Coupes ever existed let alone survive today or are here in the UK, as many went stateside. Add 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) was introduced, and almost all subsequent production TR8s were convertibles. 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.). 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. At this point, British Leyland unexpectedly cancelled the project. The pre-production cars were subsequently sold via the dealer network to the public and are highly collectable. Both the TR7 and TR8 were built until October 1981 when production ceased. Very few genuine TR8s exist outside the United States and Canada.
This TR8 was built by Triumph on 3rd April 1979 to North American specification (left-hand drive). Never shipped to the USA, the car was then registered as a test vehicle on 23rd April 1980 (the registration containing ‘VC’ synonymous with other BL factory development cars). Subsequently sold to Pirelli on 28th April 1980, it was used for tyre testing in Italy. Following its working life, the TR8 was sent to Paul Haywood Motors whereupon the modification to right-hand drive was made, with ‘LVC’ being sold on the open market on 20th October 1983 to a Mr S J Lloyd of Baldock, Hertfordshire, before being sold to a David Smallridge of Milton Keynes, on 12th June 1988.
Mr Smallbridge organised a full body restoration, with the colour change from Blue to Red. ‘LVC’ was also fitted with a 3. 9 litre engine, big valve heads, Piper cam, lifters and Holley carburetor, LSD plus brake and suspension parts etc. With work carried out by S & S Preparations in Lancashire (receipts on file), the intention was to use ‘LVC’ in club race meetings. Purchased by the present owner on 25th August 1995, it has since been garaged and used for family pleasure, attending car events, but not used in motorsport competition. Supplied with a BMIHT Certificate, workshop manual, collection of invoices plus a receipt for £8587. 35 by S+S Preparations and a current V5C.
