1980 Triumph TR8 Roadster

1980 Triumph Other Additional Info:

1980 Triumph TR8

One of the best in the world. This car has been restored to and maintained at a high concours level. A rust free California car.

Triumph TR8. British Leyland manufactured 2746 Triumph TR8s in 1980 and 1981. Leyland had acquired a 3.5 liter aluminum V8 from General Motors in the mid-1960’s and put it into the TR8 and Land Rover. There are less than 1,000 TR8's remaining. It has shown considerable appreciation over the years; current valuations/recent sales are in the range of mid to high twenties to low forty thousand dollars (Hagerty Valuation Tool shows $40,800 for concours).

History of this car

This car was manufactured in Coventry, England in July 1980. The paint was Persian Aqua metallic and the interior was tan check. This is a federal specification car fueled by dual Stromberg carburetors

I believe that the car was first sold in Connecticut in 1981 to a lady attorney who soon brought the car to San Diego, California. The car has spent 45 of its 46 years in southern California. In the early 1990’s her teenage son had an accident damaging the passenger side front fender and the front valance. The car was parked outside for a number of years with the windows down allowing the car to deteriorate cosmetically. At some point, the attorney decided that the car wasn’t worth fixing and scraped it. The second owner bought the car out of salvage for a project car; he registered the car in 1996 but did little to restore the car. I purchased the car in July 2000. The car has a salvage title.

New speedometer was installed recently which reads 632; actual mileage is 113,485.

In 2001, the engine was disassembled, inspected, rod and main bearings were replaced, and the heads were re-worked. Over the 26 years that I’ve owned the car, I put nearly 50,000 miles on it.

Over the next couple of years after purchase, the car was completely disassembled and restored mechanically and cosmetically.

· Body and Paint. In 2001, after disassembly, the car was sent to Performance Auto Body in Vista California. The front valance, passenger fender, and passenger side close panel were replaced, minor dings were removed, and the car was painted Persian Aqua. The car was completed in September 2001. The 1981 car is a more aesthetically pleasing car with metal badges in lieu of decals and different door and trunk locks. I've configured the car as a 1981. The paint was largely removed and redone last fall resulting in a flawless finish. A new Covercraft car cover comes with the car.

· Interior. As part of the original restoration, a new, correct OEM interior (golden tan check) was ordered from Rimmer Bros in the UK and installed in the car. The carpets were upgraded to Wilton wool and wooden dash accents were added to the dash and instrument surround. The sun visors and center console have been covered in matching color leather. A Blaupunkt radio/CD player and speakers were added to the car. The steering wheel was replaced with a new OEM wheel. The hardura mats in the trunk were replaced as well as all the rubber body seals and gaskets. New tan check OEM seat covers were added last year.

· 1981 Interior. Since I had configured the exterior of the car as a 1981 and the seats and door panels were substantially different from the earlier cars, I purchased new 1981 seats and door panels for those occasions where I wanted the interior to show as a 1981 (see pictures). The 1981 interior comes with the car as well as the new OEM tan check.

· Convertible Top/tonneau/boot cover. In 2001, a new Robbins canvas top was installed; tonneau (2001) is from Robbins; boot cover (2001) is custom made from original cover.

· Suspension. All suspension components were replaced.

· Brakes. All brake components, except the hard lines, were replaced to include the master cylinder.

· Engine

o Replaced main and rod bearings

o Removed heads, inspected, cleaned, lapped and adjusted valves

o Replaced fuel and air pumps

o Replaced alternator

o Replaced clutch, clutch master and slave cylinders

o Replaced exhaust system (stainless steel)

o Replaced gas tank

· Transmission. Replaced nylon bushings and drive shaft

· Power steering rack replaced in 2002 with new OEM rack and pump

· Recent work (last two years/1,000 miles)

o New tires (approximately 600 miles on them.

o New tie rods

o New brake pads

o New upgraded radiator, hoses and coolant

o New suspension bushings

o Alignment

o Replaced brake and clutch master and slave cylinders

o Replaced the clutch

o Rebuilt carburetors, replaced all rubber lines and hoses, converted chokes to manual

o Replaced rear main seal

o Replaced catalytic converters

California smog. The car passed its latest California smog on December 17, 2025. All of the emissions readings left large margins for future smog tests.California buyers can register the car without a new smog inspection thru March 17, 2026.

Air Conditioning. Everything is there except the evaporator; easily available as either a new or used part.

Drive Anywhere. I’ve owned dozens of classic cars over the years. Normally I would not want to take any of them on a long trip. The General Motors V8 and the level of maintenance over the years give me the confidence to say that this car could be driven coast to coast without fear of significant problems. The car does not use or leak fluids. This is a nice, honest car that has been sorted out (by expert shops…receipts go with the car) and maintained over nearly 26 years. Who does the work and what parts used play a major role in creating a reliable, enjoyable classic.

Contact. I’m a retired Marine Corps officer and certified Jaguar Clubs of North America concours judge. The car is sold “As Is Where Is” with no warranty expressed or implied. I encourage potential buyers to inspect or have car inspected.