Triumph TR7 V8: raw rally power with British roots

De Triumph The TR7 V8 is one of those cars that gives you goosebumps before it even starts. It has less to do with looks and everything to do with anticipation. Because as soon as a Rover eight-cylinder comes to life, you know: this is no longer a good British sports car, this is war. Here's the story of Ton Cornelissen and his uncompromising Triumph TR7 V8, a car built not to look good, but to go fast. And that's exactly what it is.

Photos: Peter Vader for Auto Motor Klassiek

From wedge to weapon

De Triumph The TR7 began its life in the 1970s as a modern successor to the classic TR line. Sleek, angular, with McPherson struts and a fixed roofline, it was initially only available with a four-cylinder engine. Fun, but not exciting. That changed when the Rover V8 came into the picture. Officially, this only happened with the TR8, but in practice, enthusiasts soon found their way. Ton Cornelissen is one of them. For him, the TR7 was the perfect starting point: a solid foundation, a favorable suspension, and affordability, especially compared to the legendary Escort Mk I.

A life around Triumph

Ton is not a one-hit wonder. His love for Triumph The idea originated back in 1977, when he saw Tony Pond's factory TR7 win at the Boucles de Spa. That image has never left him. He has since owned, built, sold, and started over several TR7s. The car at the center of AMK January 2026 is a former rally project that he took over in 2015 and finished in the spirit of its deceased first owner. Not a show car, but a functional rally car, built with a close group of friends, each with their own specialty.

Technology without romance

Under the hood is a 3,5-liter Rover V8, sourced from an SD1. In its current specification, it produces around 180 hp, but the engine is primed for around 240 hp. That's serious power in a car weighing around 1130 kg. The five-speed gearbox, limited-slip differential, and modified rear axle are tuned for rally use. The chassis is anything but standard: reinforced suspension points, adjustable spring plates, modified wishbones, and a fully integrated roll cage. This isn't a conversion using catalog parts; this is a process of thinking, measuring, and welding until it's perfect.

Adjustment is everything

According to Ton, the TR7's strength lies not only in its engine, but primarily in its balance. Many TR7s have a reputation for being a bit of a tail-waver, especially with a V8. That's not a character flaw, but a matter of tuning. When the brakes, suspension, and geometry are right, the car steers with razor-sharp precision. Then you drive the car, not the other way around. That's precisely where this TR7 makes the difference. Hard, direct, and predictable, even on unpaved surfaces.

More than one TR7

Besides the white rally car, there's a second white TR7 V8 in the workshop. Right-hand drive, English in origin, and less extreme. It might become a track day car, or perhaps a new rally project. Nothing is set in stone for Ton, except that everything he builds must drive as intended. He's ignoring the four-cylinder TR7. He's never found it interesting, although he'll make an exception for a TR7 with a Dolomite Sprint sixteen-valve engine. Nice, but in the end, the V8 always wins.

Part of a larger story

This story is not just about a Triumph TR7 V8, but about friendship, craftsmanship, and the joy of building it yourself. About choosing the underdog and making it better than anyone expects. That's precisely why this car fits so well in Auto Motor Klassiek.

The full article about Ton Cornelissen and his Triumph TR7 V8 is in Auto Motor Klassiek, January 2026, the issue that was on the newsstand at the time.

(More photos below.)