Lot 551: 1976 Triumph TR7 V8 Coupé

Much delayed by industrial and corporate strife, the V8-engined version of BL’s Triumph TR7 sportscar arrived in 1980, some two years behind schedule. When it did materialise in Triumph guise, Rover’s 3.5-litre V8 engine provided a welcome boost to the latest TR’s performance, but sadly for British enthusiasts the TR8 was a US-market car only, although a handful were completed with right-hand drive. Indeed, the TR8’s UK launch had been scheduled for 1981 but BL’s continuing losses meant that Triumph’s Solihull plant had to close. Fewer than 3,000 TR8s were produced before production ended prematurely in 1981, but such has been the concept’s appeal that V8 conversions of the TR7 continue to be undertaken today, offering potential supercar performance at a bargain price. The person responsible for converting this TR7 is not known, although its 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine is reputed to have been rebuilt circa 1,000 miles ago, incorporating a Crane camshaft, flowed and ported cylinder heads and Janspeed ‘race’ exhaust system. Other specification highlights include a Rover five-speed gearbox, ‘wide arch’ body kit, alloy suspension bushes, new shock absorbers, TR8 rev counter and Compomotive alloy wheels. Reported as reliable and surprisingly docile in traffic, this exciting V8-engined TR7 combines stupendous open road performance with classic car insurability. Offered with MoT to April 2007 and Swansea