Highlights

• Rare and desirable factory TR8 - rather than an aftermarket conversion
• Well sorted mechanically, with uprated suspension and brakes
• The vendor believes the 19,631 indicated miles to be correct
• Folding fabric roof is in very good order and with a clear, undamaged back window
• Judiciously maintained in present ownership and reportedly driving very well

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• Supplied new to the United States of America
• Acquired by the current owner in 2005 and imported by them from Michigan, USA to France
• The vendor carried out a number of mechanical improvements and alterations over the years in order to make it drive as well as it possibly could
• French vehicle registration was approved by the prefecture in January 2005 as “Collection” - this requires an inspection or Contrôle Technique every 5 years
• All Contrôle Technique inspections are available
• French registration documents present

The Interior

• Tan vinyl upholstery with textured inserts
• Very little in the way of wear to the upholstery or controls
• The seat covers were replaced by the previous owner and the vendor reports that the seats themselves are really comfortable
• All the plastics are in very good order, with no damage from UV exposure
• Modern Pioneer DIN stereo installed
• Tactile three-spoke sports steering wheel
• The dash-mounted temperature gauge is not reliable so the vendor fitted an auxiliary gauge with a fan override switch
• The gear change is improved by a shortened gear lever
• Extended handbrake operating lever to improve the effectiveness of the parking brake
• Air conditioning removed so the switch is now redundant
• We’re informed that the indicators for the controls on the cooling / fan / heater unit are precarious and thus really only there for show
• The carpets are in very good condition having been replaced over the years and the door cards are clean and free of any marks or staining
• Well presented boot space
• Spare wheel has not been used and is also 15” MGF though not matching with the road wheels  

The Exterior 

• Gold paintwork in very good overall condition - resprayed in 2008
• The vendor was informed by the previous owner that the car had been Ziebarted from new and this has likely paid dividends
• Straight bodywork and underside, which the vendor believes to be free from corrosion
• A small repair has been carried out by the previous owner to the wheel well in the boot, with a patch riveted to the bodywork
• Large boot spoiler which the vendor informs us is very functional
• 15” Minilite-style alloy wheels from an MG TF as these have the correct offset and provide a more contemporary appearance 
• Roll bar supplied by UK-based TR7/8 specialist S&S Preparations
• The folding hood appears in excellent order and the rear window is clear and undamaged
• Tinted glass in very good shape overall
• The windows wind up and down as they should
• The glass fits well with the hood in place

The Mechanics 

• 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Oil / filter changes carried out at approximately two-year intervals
• As an American export the piston compression is lower than UK spec and the vendor had intended to replace the original V8 with a more powerful unit at some point and renovate the engine compartment in the process
• The original engine runs well and performs strongly, with apparently just shy of 20,000 miles under its belt
• The car is fitted with a manual choke and starts easily, ticks over very evenly once used to the choke setting and runs very well once warm
• Engine temperature is normally very evenly controlled but can rise when in lengthy traffic on a hot day but quickly returns to normal once on the move
• Gearbox is very responsive once the oil is warmed through and there are no whines or unusual noises coming from the differential
• The rear brakes are standard with the exception of a new stainless steel braided hose
• The vendor points out that the engine bay would benefit from some attention due to a leaking brake line affecting the paintwork below the master cylinder
• The exhaust note is quite loud as it is although a larger stainless steel silencer unit is available should the next owner wish to fit it
• Some owners change the bearings in the half shafts so the vendor has acquired the bearings just in case which will be provided along with other useful spares

• Uprated front brakes using the big brake kit from USA which utilises Wilwood 4 pot callipers on a specially designed bracket 
• Slightly larger diameter discs which is thicker and vented to improve the cooling of the brakes
• In the process of fitting this braking kit, the vendor replaced the flexible hoses with stainless steel braided units to improve the pedal feel which previously they found to be a little spongy 
• The vendor opted for the Wilwood compensation unit which allows the setting of the front - rear brake balance to be modified by the driver
• Uprated the front springs and replacement of the suspension leg with a firmer unit imported from a recognised TR8 specialist in the USA 
• To balance this up the vendor also replaced the rear suspension with Spax adjustable units and similarly uprated springs - this provided a really improved stance and much better cornering and handling 
• At a later date, the vendor changed the old rubber suspension bushes which were showing their age with polyurethane units - this applies to the rear suspension legs and also the anti roll bar mountings front and back  
• The bottom ball joints were replaced at the same time and a ‘anti-dive’ kit was fitted to reduce the nose dive on heavy braking 

• Electronic ignition and high performance leads
• New Holley 390 four-barrel carburettor with performance manifold
• Extractor exhaust manifolds and stainless steel exhaust system
• Uprated alternator
• High torque starter motor

• It has been cleaned with core plugs replaced, rebored to +020”, and fitted with Rover Vitesse pistons 
• The crankshaft is standard size and has been polished and fitted with new bearings 
• The camshaft bearings have been replaced and new followers will be provided 
• The replacement cam is Erson RV15H - classed as mild and the whole bottom end has been assembled using engine assembly paste  
• The cam has been dialled in using Cloyes double roller timing gear 
• The sump pan is repainted and ok but with the usual bumps 
• The dipstick tube is fitted but without the actual measuring dipstick present

Summary