1981 | Triumph TR 7 Europa

The Triumph TR7's development in the mid-1970s was initially focused on modern styling and improved comfort, but performance enthusiasts quickly sought a more powerful version. British Leyland engineers began experimenting with fitting the light and compact Rover 3.5 litre aluminium V8 engine into the TR7's chassis. Early prototypes, often called TR7 V8s, were used for evaluation and competition purposes, including rallying, where the extra power and torque proved highly effective.

These development cars laid the groundwork for what became the Triumph TR8, effectively a production version of the TR7 V8. The V8 engine produced around 135-150bhp, giving the car the performance many felt the TR7 originally lacked. Only a handful of TR7 V8s were produced for testing, management use, and rally development, making them exceptionally rare today. These cars represent the pinnacle of the TR7's evolution and are prized by collectors as the final expression of Triumph's classic sportscar lineage. Pre-production prototypes were built at the Methods Build Department of Longbridge assembled in the early seventies. Predecessor of the Triumph TR8, originally the intention was to build TR7 V8 in the Speke factory in Liverpool for export market.

This examples bodyshell was assembled and painted at the Speke factory in early 1976. It was then transported to the Longbridge factory Methods Build Department for final assembly as a test vehicle. The car was assembled in a way to test the feasibility and variations required for assembly line processes. This vehicle was specifically set up for the American market with looming emission regulations and in a left hand drive variant therefore it has twin two-way catalytic converters, EGR and manifold air blowing systems. Fuel tank sealed vent system and charcoal canister. The emissions from this car are as good as modern-day vehicles. This type of vehicle was meant for manufacture as the TR7 V8 (later known as the TR8) specifically but not ultimately intended for production in the Speke factory. Due to events and industrial relations at the time this never happened.

During development HOJ 156W was initially used as a runabout for Mr Bob Hart of the Longbridge Methods Build Department, he used it for as long as he could get a supply of unleaded fuel sent down at the time from the Speke factory. It was then stored away at the Longbridge factory for some five years. Development vehicles such as this would normally be crushed but because this car had been used by the factory and was road worthy (registered under a factory number HOJ 156W to BL Cars Ltd Longbridge), when BL Cars had a great sale of vehicles on 29th December 1980, it was able to be sold. The first private owner was Mr R K Johnson, he had worked at the factory and had been keeping a good eye on the car, he jumped in and purchased it as soon as it became available on 9th January 1981.

Mr Johnson owned the car for several years then sold it to a close friend who also happened to work at the Longbridge factory, a Mr T C King who purchased on 23rd March in 1988. Mr King thought it would be good to use it for hill climbing racing events and as a result became a lesser vehicle. The car was sold again three years later and suffered a bit more neglect with an owner who didn't understand the importance of the car, indeed the car was in a bad way and required a fair amount of restoration when it was purchased by our vendor, a Triumph Owners Club member, Mr Ian Tinsey on 14th February 1992. Initially, the car was to be a long-term project car, and Ian remembers driving it home hoping it would make it! However, when he started working on the car he noticed rather unusual items/design details that didn't align with the car so he began to research, once the history had been traced it became evident that the car was unique and needed to be restored to the original factory specifications.

Not what he has anticipated but upon every turn he only found more provenance so a full nut and bolt restoration to exacting standards, as it would have been with the Methods Build Department, was undertaken insuring that parts the car was made from were preserved.A left hand drive non-sunroof example, this is as it would have been at the factory…perhaps better! The odometer reads just 27,614 miles and the restoration which was completed in the 90's is still fresh today. The car has graced many club and national events to document the TR7 history, the history file is comprehensive and holds letters from ex-Longbridge employees remembering and detailing the car, one even drawing a map as to where the car was stored.

This restored to original specification, retaining its development/prototype designs example of the TR7 V8 is not only full of Triumph and British history but it is also a car that could be driven and enjoyed should you wish, even the air conditioning runs ice cold. Coupled to the three speed BorgWarner automatic gearbox, this TR7 V8 has to be viewed to be appreciated, put aside an hour to enjoy the history file because this is a very special car. Consigned by Mathew Priddy

Lot details
Year: 1981
Make: Triumph
Model: TR7 V8 Development Car
Registration: HOJ 156W
Chassis No: T044276CG
Odometer: 27,614


* Originally built and registered to Methods Build Department, Longbridge factory

* Full nut and bolt restored to its original prototype specification

* Incredible history file and provenance