LHD European spec / Personal Export Derivative TR8 LOC238X

LOC 238X – LHD European Spec / Personal Export Derivative

LOC238X is one of approximately 40 left-hand-drive European-spec / Personal Export Derivative (PED) TR8s registered in the UK in 1981 before being shipped to mainland Europe for delivery to US and Canadian military personnel and diplomats. This example was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Cheryl Rumsey, USA Military, while stationed in Germany.

Its defining feature was the absence of catalytic converters, allowing it to leave the factory configured for leaded fuel and equipped with an open-loop ECU—the closest Triumph ever came to producing a true European-spec TR8. Remarkably, the car has been able to retain its original UK EXPORT registration, LOC238X.

 

Make Triumph

Model TR8

Engine 3528cc, V8

Power 166bhp @ 5040rpm @ the wheels

Torque 198lb ft @ 3400rpm

Top speed 130mph

0-60mph 8.1 seconds

Consumption 28mpg

Gearbox Five-speed manual

Heritage proof of genuine factory LHD Efi TR8

When LOC238X First Arrived With Me In December 2000 It’s Mileage Was 52,211

LOC 238X – Later Build Features and History

LOC 238X was one of the very last TR8s built, featuring the 1982 model-year dash and velour trim, replacing the check-pattern trim of earlier cars. It is also equipped with Bosch/Lucas EFI, which produced 148 bhp, compared with around 135 bhp for the earlier Stromberg carburetor-equipped models.

Unlike some other Personal Export Derivatives, this car was not taken back to the USA when its forces owner returned home. Instead, it was sold to a new owner in the Netherlands, where it remained for several years. In the early 1990s, the Dutch owner brought it back to the UK for a holiday, only for the gearbox to suffer a catastrophic failure. The car was subsequently stored by S&S Preparations, specialists in restoring TR7/8s, while the owner decided its fate. Eventually, he opted not to continue with the restoration and reached a deal to leave the car with S&S in lieu of storage costs.

Old video footage from 2000 captures much of the restoration process of LOC 238X, providing a fascinating glimpse into the work carried out.

When I came across the car it was in a very poor state of repair.

Pretty much LOC238X needed a full body restoration, so that was what was done by S&S Preparations over the next year or so.

Many of the outer panels were changed for either complete new panels or repair sections depending on the amount of corrosion found.

Repainted in its original Silver Leaf paint.

Interior back in and a new hood fitted

LOC238X was completed and back on the road July 2002

LOC238X competed in the TR Register Concours in July 2002 winning best TR7/8.

LOC238X competed in the TR Register MASTERS Concours in July 2003. It was an honour to compete against the best of the best.

We did a TR8 ADVERT of sorts with LOC238X on the North Yorkshire Moors in 2003. Video below.

“In early 2004, I finally tracked down a full, NOS blue velour interior—at a staggering price—and upgraded the car trim. Honestly, finding rocking horse poo would have been easier!”

“In June 2004, the addition of a piggyback ECU and a modern ignition system improved the car’s drivability and performance, boosting output to 166 bhp at the wheels—up from roughly 148 bhp at the flywheel (about 125–130 bhp at the wheels in standard trim, as shown on the rolling road chart below). Not a huge increase—around 30 bhp—but it certainly enhanced fuel economy and overall driveability.”

 

 

Minor update repairs mostly because of issues with seams December 2010

LOC238X June 2021 It’s Mile/kilometre Was 000243 km (The first speedo was dead when we got the car, so we replaced that with a new mph speedo at zero miles for about 13k miles, but that also eventually died as well. At this point difficult parts supply for late model speedos, meant we had to change to a kph speedo) So total miles to this point is the km plus 65k miles.

Minor update repairs rust coming through in some areas October 2021

 

More modern stereo sat nav system installed in late 2021.

LOC238X June 2023 It’s Mileage/Kilometres Was 003074 km (So total miles to this point is the km plus 65k miles = 66,910)

In the interests of holding less different spares for my TR8’s (both now use exactly the same pads and discs) plus a significant improvement in braking, we upgraded LOC238X to the Lockheed 4 pot vented disc system exactly the same as fitted to my TR8 NWK988W by BL Motorsport in 1980. Upgrade was done Jan 2024.

February 2024 it was noticed there had been some  water damage from being under a cover to the header rail and bonnet that winter given it just pretty much rained all the time.

 

Once the car had dried out in the paint shop more blistering appeared, so the decision was made to instead of just doing the bits that needed it as before in 2021, we would bite the bullet and do the whole car back to metal and repaint. That way it would be fine for the next 15/20 years.

Finally after longer than expected the car is now being put back together June 2024.

Interior Trim and Preservation

The original velour trim is now extremely rare, with the last set I saw available selling for nearly £3,000, making preservation essential. One common issue with velour seats over 10–15 years is that the foam behind the fabric dries out and deteriorates, causing the upholstery to sag and hang loosely—giving the “sack-like” appearance seen in many surviving TR8s after 40+ years.

To address this, both seats were removed in June 2024 while the bumpers and trim were being refitted after the new paintwork. The seats were carefully restored with new foam stitched behind the velour, returning them to their original shape and feel. While the seats were away, new blue carpets were fitted, replacing the previous set, which was over 20 years old, slightly faded, and worn.

The result is an interior that now looks almost exactly as it did when the car left the factory, combining originality with careful, sympathetic restoration.

 

LOC238X March 2025 It’s Mileage/Kilometres Was 004098 km (2546 miles) (So total miles to this point is the km plus 65k miles = 67,546)

27/3/25 rear suspension and new handbrake cable fitted.

Leaking steering rack replaced

LOC238X September 2025

Paint Issue – Front Side Seam

A small section of paint lifted along the front side seam, as it hadn’t adhered properly to the undercoat. To their credit, The Motorist have taken the car back to address the issue. The affected area appeared to extend a considerable way up the front panel, and the correction will ensure a seamless finish.