American soldiers serving in Europe during the Second World War were awed by the lightweight sports cars they encountered overseas. These fast and agile cars were unlike the hulking behemoths on American roads. So, in the decades that followed the war, sporty small cars from England, including brands such as Jaguar and MG, were the epitome of driving fun.
However, by the 1980s, high fuel costs, increased safety regulations, and stricter emissions regulations spelled trouble for affordable British sports cars.
The era ended with the budget-friendly mass-market 1980 Triumph TR8 roadster. The car recently for sale on eBay was built in the penultimate year for the TR8.
Shop now for Triumph roadsters
The wedge-shaped model was maligned by traditionalists, which was unfortunate. Had the company survived, it might have shown the entire industry the way forward. The wedge design was unusual but was emulated in the ensuing years.
A Legacy Built on Sports Cars
Triumph got its start at the end of the 19th century. The company built bicycles and motorcycles before shifting to cars in the 1920s. After the Second World War, most Triumphs were sporty models with four- or six-cylinder engines.
The TR7 debuted in 1975 with only a coupe body and a four-cylinder engine. British Leyland management also planned an MG variant to replace the venerable MGB.
The Triumph TR8, like the one offered on eBay, arrived in the US in 1979. It was powered by the 3.5-liter Rover V-8 that saw duty for decades in many cars. By this time, most TR7s and nearly all TR8s were convertibles.
The V-8 woke up the TR7’s otherwise sleepy performance, making the car faster and giving it a guttural exhaust note. The wedge-shaped styling was quite distinctive. Triumph marketers called the design “The Shape of Things to Come.” Italian supercars, the Lotus Esprit, and even the Pontiac Fiero carried a similar look through the 1980s and beyond.
In 1981, Triumph left the US. The company closed up shop in 1984.
A V-8 Powered Doorstop
This ‘80 model is one of an estimated 2,700 Triumph TR8s built for worldwide sale. However, over the years, there were several TR7 conversions constructed by enthusiasts due to the ubiquity of the Rover V-8 engine.
This example is nicely restored, with handsome alloy wheels, straight bodywork, and a clean interior. The only flaws are the anachronistic modern stereo speakers in the rear parcel shelf and the blue vinyl wrap over the original gold paint.
Still, the Triumph TR8 is exceedingly rare, so finding one in drivable condition is unusual. This one, which is ready for everyday driving, is a lovely thing to behold. Many Americans yearning for a proper roadster throughout the 1980s found what they wanted with the Mazda Miata, which debuted in 1989. But the foundational TR8 deserves credit for establishing the wedge shape on our shores.
Related: 1954 Swallow Doretti Sounds Italian But It’s a Triumph-Jaguar Blend
