British Muscle Car: 1981 Triumph TR8
What do you do with a car that may, in fact, be one of the best examples left but has a limited following? Can it still command top dollar? I suppose it can, but you may need to be the patient type to see the sale price you believe it deserves. This 1981 Triumph TR8 does, in fact, look like one of the better surviving examples out there, but at $19,000, this somewhat obscure British muscle car may be in the owner’s possession for quite a bit longer. Find it here on craigslist near Ocala, FL.
Let me just say, I love the TR8. I had the chance to buy one a few years ago for a fair price – definitely cheaper than this one – but I talked myself out of it. Why? Well, it’s a car with what I see as limited upside. Despite the rarity and the great sounds it makes, the performance wasn’t world-beating, and the entire premium price for one of these over a standard TR7 is because of the engine. Outside of that, it looks like any other wedge-shaped British roadster from the late 70s.
That’s the other challenge: this TR8 came from a truly abysmal era in British car building. To say quality control was an afterthought is a serious understatement, and while I’m sure most everything has a work-around at this point, there’s still the “hang-over” effect of knowing you’re paying $20,000 for a car that was known for non-existent build quality and numerous electrical gremlins – and that was on the new models sitting on the dealer lots! Still, to the seller’s credit, his car appears to be in excellent condition for an example that has been refreshed but not restored.
The TR8 is shown inside a steel building next to another semi-unloved classic, the Dodge Dakota pickup convertible. The seller reports that the fuel system has been gone through, and it sounds like a fresh timing belt has also been installed. The TR8 is a British muscle car rarity, and nice ones certainly deserve our respect; however, the somewhat limited audience for a car like this – no matter how nice it is – will make the asking price a challenge.
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Comments
1981, huh? I worked at a Jaguar-Rover-Truimph dealership in Calgary in 1981, when they were sale-pricing all MGs and Truimphs by a $2K discount to clear out the remaining 80 and 81 models. The 1980 TR8s had the “TR8” decal on the nose and deck lid, as well as plaid seat and door panel inserts. The 1981 TR8s had crushed velour seat and door panel inserts, a shorter shift lever and a small TR8 medallion on the nose. This car is either a 1980 (ie: not an ’81) – or a previous owner really LIKED the plaid, decals and longer shift lever and had it retro-modded accordingly. $19K is definitely too much. But if absolutely concourse it’s worth an easy $14K.
Looked up the car. It’s a documented 1981, built in May 80′. It’s a rare 1981 spec car that was one of a small run (vin #402001 through #402026) built at Canley during May and June of 1980. Has all the ’81 features except for the round enameled nose badge and was fitted with check cloth interior instead of velour.
Has the fuel injection system too. Ought to be a hot ride in FL without A/C and those seats.
I love the TR8 always have. But ill never be able to afford one. And oddly my2004 3.9l mustang makes the same horsepower and most or more of the amenities. Yes a triumph would be lovely, and a triumph. But our mustang convertible does it all and in many ways better.
Timing belt? Not on a Brit-made/formally Buick 215 V8…should be a chain.
I was looking to see if anyone had mentioned the Rover aluminum v8 before I was goning to! I had 2 very low mile 1962 Buick Skylarks, one an award winner, and a 63 Skylark convertible with the same 215 v8. A very capable and lightweight engine, with no real issues unless allowed to overheat!
You could do so much with that engine. Install ’64 Buick (or what ever the small Buick was called) crank to make it a stroker. Then bore it out and put sleeves in it for larger pistons. Now you are at 307 cu. in. Use the ’64 Buick aluminum (block was cast iron) heads. Then you have to decide if you want to use what type intake, Webers, Fuel Injection, or a big 4 barrel.
“and it sounds like a fresh timing belt has also been installed.”
Sorry but when I am buying a used car, unless I see the receipts, I don’t believe anyone re this issue of whether a timing belt has been changed.
I sent this one in to BF because I figure it has to be the cleanest TR8 out there – and the seller knows it.
the key, “…and the seller…”
Whether he finds a buyer or not.
Now w/net sales… 🎶 it’s justa mattera time 🎵
(run 3 mo, off 9; run 3 mo, off 9; run…