A Bite of History: by MikeThies

Triumph TR8

The Triumph TR8, introduced in 1978, was often called the “English Corvette.” It was essentially a Triumph TR7 fitted with a Rover 3.5-liter aluminum V8, a powerplant with American Buick origins that had been adopted by British Leyland in the 1960s. With around 135 to 150 horsepower in U.S. emissions trim (more in European specification), the TR8 offered a huge performance leap over the four-cylinder TR7. It was available as a convertible and briefly as a coupe, with most production aimed at the North American market.

Despite its engineering promise, the TR8’s life was shaped by the turmoil of British Leyland in the late 1970s. Production was slow, quality was inconsistent, and labor strikes further hurt output. Only about 2,750 TR8s were built, making it one of the rarest Triumph sports cars ever produced. Still, those who drove them praised their torque-rich V8, comfortable ride, and long-legged cruising ability, a true step forward from the underpowered TR7. The TR8 showed that Triumph still had the ability to build a world-class sports car, if only the company itself had been more stable.

The TR8 became the last new sports car Triumph ever built before the marque disappeared in the early 1980s. For collectors, its rarity, V8 power, and place in British sports car history make it highly significant today. While overshadowed in its day by rivals like the Datsun 280Z or Corvette, the TR8 has gained a cult following as a forgotten gem, a car that combined British style with American muscle. As the swan song of Triumph, it represents both the struggles and the spirit of a brand that once stood proudly among the great names of the sports car world.