TR8’s with Creative Histories

TR8’s with Creative Histories are the end result of owners understandably wanting their TR8 to be a little more special than any other. As a result, over the years, fact and fiction have often become very blurred, often to the point of being a very long way from the truth. However, when a new owner is led to believe something about a car that is simply not true, the issue moves beyond enthusiasm and into potentially fraudulent territory. It often leads to significant upset for the current owner which then goes on to cause disputes in clubs and amongst other owners.

This section aims to set the record straight on some of these cars, or at the very least highlight the questions prospective buyers should ask themselves when considering a purchase based primarily on a vehicle’s perceived history. In many, if not most, cases, a car may still represent good value regardless of any disputed claims, and ultimately the market will often determine its worth. Nevertheless, buyers should satisfy themselves that the history they believe they are paying for is genuine and supported by evidence.

Rather than offering opinions, we have endeavoured wherever possible to present only the known facts and allow readers to reach their own conclusions independently. Where documentary evidence exists showing that a claim is incorrect, or where well-known figures within TR circles have made statements that conflict with the available evidence, we have identified both the claim and its source.

It is for the reader to draw their own conclusions. We neither seek to make those conclusions on their behalf nor to imply them, as far as is reasonably possible when compiling a document of this nature.

INCORRECT INFORMATION?

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here. However, we recognise we are not infallible and that errors can occasionally occur.

If you believe any information contained on this webpage is incorrect, please provide supporting evidence in the form of factory documentation, official records, and/or an official Heritage Certificate to substantiate your claim. Upon receipt of verifiable evidence, the matter will be reviewed promptly and, where appropriate, the information will be amended and an acknowledgement issued.

Anecdotal accounts, hearsay, statements attributed to previous owners, or claims based solely on the recollections or opinions of club officials, registrars, or other individuals do not constitute acceptable evidence. While such information may provide useful leads for further investigation, it cannot be regarded as proof in its own right.

In the absence of documentary evidence to the contrary, the information presented here will be considered accurate based on the evidence currently available.

Our aim is to maintain the highest levels of accuracy, integrity, and transparency in all our research and reporting. We are always willing to acknowledge and correct mistakes, because the honest preservation of TR8 history and its historical integrity remains our primary concern.

KHP533V

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PLATINUM SILVER

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KHP533V

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This car first appeared on the club scene in 1991, in a partially restored state, as shown above on the Hampshire TRDC club stand. A similar photograph appears on the colour back page of the TRDC magazine issue 4 of 1991,  which you can check to prove no AI has been used.

Of particular note is the second set of wiper spindle holes, which are completely clean and free from any signs of rust. This clearly indicates that, up to that point in 1991, the car had only been fitted with left-hand-drive (LHD) wipers. As production ceased in 1981, this suggests that the vehicle remained in LHD configuration for approximately ten years after production ended.

Furthermore, evidence of significant work around the bulkhead area strongly suggests that this was the point at which the conversion to right-hand drive (RHD) was actually carried out. This appears inconsistent with claims that the conversion was undertaken by the factory ten years earlier, and instead indicates that the RHD conversion was performed much later and most probably at the time of the photo and restoration.

Shown here is KHP532V, a sister car in the identical colour scheme with a sequential registration number. Offered for sale on a garage forecourt, it remains in left-hand-drive (LHD) form and, significantly, carries the same large Triumph laurel emblem rather then the expected TR8 badge. It is registered as a TR7 with DVLA as it KHP533V.

Approximately 1993 A few years later, after the restoration had been completed, Rex Holford (RH), who restored the car and became its first widely recognised owner, made the following statement to fellow enthusiasts:

“This car was used by the factory as a press demonstrator for the automatic TR8. To make it easier for UK journalists to drive, the factory converted it from left-hand drive to right-hand drive.”

Research Article written 2025 –  Martin Cox who was head of the Press Department stated when asked about TR8 press cars in the UK said “To the best of my knowledge we were never  involved in the preparation of a TR8 for the press” See web page HERE

Research Article written  2025 – Factory records show no known LHD cars were ever converted by the factory to RHD. See web page HERE

 

RH, quite a few years later, made the following claim/statement in an article on the TR Drivers Club website indicating the car was a factory methods build car.

“KHP 532V, KHP 533V, KDU 315V and LVC 358V are good examples of the first Californian-specification cars built in 1979 and could be regarded as methods-built vehicles. None of these cars left the UK and they were sold at a later date. All remain on the road today and are reported to be in good condition.” See the web page here: HERE

2022 Sold at Auction September – close to 25K

September 2022, Emrhys Barrell (EB) became the car’s new owner, he later applied for a Heritage Certificate 14th August 2025, expecting it to confirm that the vehicle had been factory-converted to RHD and may have served as a development car. However, when the certificate arrived, it identified the vehicle as a standard USA spec left-hand-drive TR8 fitted with an EFI engine and automatic transmission.

Dissatisfied with this outcome, given the claims that had previously been made about the car, EB challenged the findings and insisted that the Heritage Trust amend the certificate to reflect what he believed to be the vehicle’s true history.

2025 As Heritage was unable to locate any official records to substantiate the claims, it approached the TR Register to seek verification.

The request was subsequently passed to Dr Christopher Kenneth-Smith (CKS) who replied by email to Heritage as follows

This is KHP 533V – the car was a development TR8 BUT it was originally LHD as per the VIN number. Whilst at the factory it was taken and converted to RHD but retains most of it’s LHD legacy It was restored some years go, and, if my memory serves, the remnants of the conversion can still be see on the firewall. It was owned by Rex Halford, died a few years ago, and he was well known in the TR8 world, so there is little doubt out the above being correct This is similar to other cars that ‘claim’ to be factory RHD cars but there is enough evidence (in particular the engine number and body number) that points them to being a development car and not pre-production / genuine RHD.
My thoughts, if they are asking for a certificate, is that your headings remain as below but the notes mention that it was used in the development of the RHD TR8

Research Article written 2025 – Factory records show no known LHD cars were ever converted by the factory to RHD. See web page HERE

Research Article written 2025 – The RHD TR8 project was not given the green light to start until April 1981 so it is impossible for this car to have ever been connected to that project in any way. One of the first RHD EXP cars to be built in April 1980 was automatic to fulfil the role this car claimed to have. See web page HERE

Heritage issued a new certificate to EB 3rd September 2025

Restoration Show March 2026 TRDC stand

 

Below are information sheets on display ay NEC written by EB based on RH original claims but now the claims are further increased and exaggerated with the addition of CKS claims on the Heritage certificate

Research Article written 2025 –  Martin Cox who was head of the Press Department stated when asked about TR8 press cars in the UK said “To the best of my knowledge we were never  involved in the preparation of a TR8 for the press” See web page HERE

Research Article written  2025 – Factory records show no known LHD cars were ever converted by the factory to RHD. See web page HERE

 

Friends sent me the above pictures and said the Heritage certificate with the car which they  hadn’t seen, claimed the car was part of the RHD TR8 project.

March 2026 I spoke to CKS via messenger and he told me he had made sure Heritage were FULLY aware that the car was not converted by the factory and he provided a copy of the email he claimed to have sent to Heritage. However you will note it is different to the one actually sent to Heritage which actually says Whilst at the factory it was taken and converted to RHD

This was the email copy sent to me by CKS

This is KHP 533V – the car was a development TR8 BUT it was originally LHD as per the VIN number. There is no evidence that when it was at the factory it was taken and converted to RHD and retains most of it’s LHD legacy It was restored some years go, and, if my memory serves, the remnants of the conversion can still be see on the firewall. It was owned by Rex Halford, dies a few years ago, and he was well known in the TR8 world, This is similar to other cars that ‘claim’ to be factory RHD cars but there is enough evidence (in particular the engine number and body number) that points them to being a development car and not pre-production / genuine RHD. My thoughts, if they are asking for a certificate, is that your headings remain as below but the notes mention that it was used in the development of the RHD TR8

I questioned CKS further. Just re reading the above you said “This is KHP 533V – the car was a development TR8 BUT it was originally LHD as per the VIN number” how do you know it was a development TR8? I have never found any proof other than what Rex said. Thanks Richard

CKS replied

Basically the same way you reached your conclusion – it’s logical that it was as it was retained by BL – the majority of retained cars were dev or press cars – i didn’t see any articles in the press with it, so logically it was the other – of course, it could be management car, USAF Export retention etc – registration was part of a batch done by the BL office team at the same time as dev cars

At this point, it was clear that something was amiss with what CKS was saying, so I decided to apply for a copy of the Heritage Certificate myself. Somewhat ironically, it arrived on 1 April 2026.

As I knew that CKS had connections within Heritage, and given a previous incident in which he claimed that Heritage had verified information relating to the 22 right-hand-drive TR8s, my initial reaction was that this was an elaborate April Fools’ joke. I contacted CKS and said, “Very funny, now tell Heritage to send me the real certificate.”

However, he appeared genuinely perplexed as to why I had received it, and I quickly realised that this was no joke.

CKS then hurriedly attempted to walk back his earlier statements across the various 7/8 forums he runs or frequents.

I contacted Heritage and requested that they substantiate the information they had provided. Unable to do so, they immediately withdrew the claims supplied by CKS, issued a corrected certificate, and assured me that a similar situation would not arise in the future. They also issued a revised certificate within the next hour.

I considered the provision of unverified information by a club registrar for inclusion on a Heritage Certificate to be a serious breach of responsibility and, at the very least, grounds for resignation. Accordingly, I referred the matter to the TR Register, which undertook an investigation into the issue.

The TR Register report did not appear to achieve anything at all constructive, and It concluded

“I respectfully suggest that this is the end of the matter and we all learn from our mistakes”

I will leave readers to draw their own conclusions from these sorry events. However, I would suggest that this unfortunate episode demonstrates the problems that arise when the true facts are obscured in order to support an owner’s preferred narrative about their car and are then built upon by successive owners. Ultimately this means someone buys a car for a history that does not actually exist, in this case sadly EB. Please learn the lesson.

“Footnote: The records associated with this car have been corrected and the car will be sold with an accurate description.”

Leaving the issues discussed above aside, the available evidence indicates that the car was owned by BL at some point, most likely as a management vehicle or a vehicle retained for legal or administrative purposes, although no records have been found to confirm its precise role.

RH kept the car in excellent condition and enhanced it with a rare blue velour interior. As a result, regardless of any debate surrounding its provenance, it remained a particularly attractive and well-presented example, making the price paid by EB entirely understandable.

Lastly, ALWAYS ASK FOR PROOF. Anecdotal accounts, hearsay, statements attributed to previous owners, or claims based solely on the recollections or opinions of club officials, registrars, or other individuals do not constitute acceptable evidence. While such information may provide useful leads for further investigation, it cannot be regarded as proof in its own right. What is said verbally, without evidence to back it up, is worth no more than the paper that it isn’t written on, because it’s verbal.