In Nov. 1997, I found an ad in the Market Place of the World Wide
Wedge for a 1981 TR8 with 16,000 original miles.

After a few phone calls I sent a deposit and a week later I flew to San Francisco. Upon arrival at the sellers home I saw the poseidon green 8 with golden tan interior and matching top. Other than a couple of minor flaws she was pristine, complete with the original Goodyears, uncracked and half tread left. Needless to say it was "love at first sight".

The following day we completed the paperwork and I was handed the keys. I headed for Santa Cruz for the holidays with friends, dreading the congested freeways I took highway 74(?) and 9 through the rolling hills and redwoods. It was a wonderful curving road with
lots of upshifts and downshifts. The 8 kept calling out for more throttle and less brakes but knowing I had a rare gem and having seen an overturned S10 pickup on the side of the road I fought my urges but still highly enjoyed the drive. What a fun car and road!

The day prior to the holiday I called Wayne Bier, Proprietor of Triumphs Only in San Jose and he cordially accepted the request for a last moments appointment to service the car. The day after the holiday I left for home, 1,700 miles of interstate in two days with no breakage or parts falling from the car. Indeed, the 8 is a rare Triumph. 80 mph and 22 mpg. The 8 is definately best of  breed!

Thanks again to the fine people who maintain the WWWedge site and made my find possible.

John Duggan ( jdstr8@webtv.net )