The Triumph TR8 was an eight-cylinder version of the "wedge-shaped" Triumph TR7 sports car, manufactured by BL Ltd., British Leyland, and then Jaguar/Rover/Triumph. The majority of TR8s were sold in the United States and very few genuine TR8s exist in other countries. The TR8 was often dubbed as an "English Corvette". In these countries the TR7 is often converted to a TR7V8 with the same Buick/Rover 3.5 litre V8 powerplant (see below). In Australia a popular TR7V8 conversion was to use the 4416 cm³ version of this motor that had been developed for the Leyland P76.
A V8 version of the TR7 was always planned, there is even a prototype as far back as 1972, but British Leyland's financial state and labour problems delayed the project. But by 1978 some 145 cars were built with V8 engines (and usually automatic transmissions). These were tested by the press in the US then sold as used cars. In 1980, a Drophead (convertible) TR8 was added and almost all later TR8s were convertibles.
All TR7/TR8 cars were made until October 1981 when production ceased. TR8s were initially fitted with twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, but 1980 models sold in California and all 1981 models (of which only several hundred were produced) featured a Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection system with a specially designed Lucas ECU.
The TR8 did not use Triumph's own single overhead cam V8 as found in the Stag due to an unreliable service record but instead shared its Rover V8 engine with the top Rover SD1. The engine itself was derived from an early 1960s Buick/Oldsmobile all-aluminum 215 cu. inch V8 unit Rover acquired from General Motors. The carbureted model was rated at 130hp and the fuel injected at 137.
Other differences between the TR8 and TR7 are upgraded brakes, revised axle ratio (3.08:1 on the TR8), battery moved to the trunk, alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and a few minor trim changes.
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