TR8 Convertible U.K. Spec
This car has now been sold...I have left this page up as it seems popular!
TR8 DHC RHD...URU287X (now re-registered TR A8 OK)
Bordeaux Metallic TR8 Convertible, Tan hood/Tan Velour Interior, U.K Spec RHD, One of only 18 built.
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| These pictures were taken when I first purchased the car | |
This car has now been sold.
For pictures of the car 19th Nov 2002 click here
For close-up detail pics taken 14th Dec 2002 click here
A brief history of TRA8OK...
The TR8 was never officially released in this country, plans were well advanced to do so when the TR7/8 was axed. Only 18 R.H.D. U.K spec cars were built on the production line at Solihull. These cars were sold at a dealer only auction where a total of 22 TR8's were on offer, of which just 14 were production models, the others being prototypes. This car was the 4th built and it was originally destined for the Press Fleet at Canly where it would have been tested and reviewed by Autocar and the like.
Extract of Heritage Certificate
This car was one of 3 (not 2 as popularly suggested) purchased by the Patrick Motor Group. Based in Solihull P.M.G. were nationwide British Leyland Dealers and owned "The Patrick Motor Collection" ....a car museum in the midlands. Two cars were retained by them but this car was moved south to their dealership "Westover Motors" then on to their subsidiary "Spinks of Bournmouth" (Jaguar dealers), This is possibly because the showroom there was prominently situated to show off this very rare prize! The car was also advertised in "Thoroughbred and Classic Sportscar".
The car was purchased by a Mr. M from Dorset. He was (is) a car enthusiast and owner of numerous classic cars including Bentley Mercedes, Ferrari and Porsche.
Extract from letter from PMG to Mr.M
Extract from Mr M's application to join the TR Register
Mr M kept the car until 1984 when he traded it in to "Tice's of Wimbourne" where he bought a new Vauxhall Nova as an 18th birthday present for his son....and £3000 cash. The recorded mileage at this time was 13,000. The next owner was a Mr. S. then (now?) owner of The Bull Inn, Wimbourne Minster, who purchased the car 10th Jan 1985. It appears that he kept the car in the beer store in the winter months but during the summer it had to live in the pub car park. The Triumph TR8 decals on the boot were worn and the boot lid scratched from drinkers leaning on the car and resting their pints on the boot. This remains unchanged to this day.
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| These pictures were taken when I first purchased the car | |
This car has now been sold
For pictures of the car 19th Nov 2002 click here
For close-up detail pics taken 14th Dec 2002 click here
I purchased the car from him on 19th May 1993. The car was still extremely original, The only changes being a stainless steel exhaust, electric windows, a new OE hood and a change to Koni shock absorbers. The mileage showing at this time was 26,000.
In my 9 years of ownership the car has remained largely original. The paintwork remains original except that the sides of the car have been sprayed after a little old lady put a dent in the offside wing ...and I accidentally scraped the paint off the nearside wheelarch. I also added Spax adjustable dampers and lowered springs and changed the radio/cassette (all parts removed have been retained). I have also fitted TR8 mudflaps, sidemarker lights (as U.S.A. Spec). Mechanically it was recently necessary to renew the petrol tank, The original registration number URU287X was replaced in 1997 with TR A8 OK. This number can remain on the car should it be sold and is included in the asking price. The recorded mileage now is 43,000.
The condition of the car now is sound but needing cosmetics...not suprising really as it is 21 years old.. After 21 years or TR ownership I am torn between restoring the car to it's former glory or moving on to something else. Should there be sufficient interest I will publish pictures of the car as it is now....I also have a large history file for the car which includes many TR8 magazine articles.
Latest news...I have decided to keep the TR8 coupe and work is underway to return it to the road as a "Rally Lookalike". Any help on this front would be appreciated.
Restoration news and photo's can be found here.
phone me (Steve) on 07818/423498 or 0044 (0)1271/890089. or e-mail me at croydebay@aol.com
For further info on TR8's visit this great website.