The TR Eight Cylinder Experimental Cars

The "wedge", as we know it, was first envisaged in 1969 at Canley and codenamed "Bullet". It was conceived in coupe form to meet strict US regulations. Two engine options were envisaged, the two litre slant four and the Rover V8. Of the latter, the experimental cars were designated X840, X843, X858 and X859. At the same time the Lynx project began to take shape, this being a long wheelbase 2+2 derivative of the "Bullet". Again experimental cars were built and designated X882, X884, X891, and X905. Of these only X905 survives and can still be seen at B.M.I.H.T. Gaydon.
By 1974, pilot production had started on the TR7, but it was not until 1977 that the first batch of approximately 150 TR7V8 coupes (as they were originally known) was built. With changes in USA legislation, work on the convertible version also began at this time and a number of prototypes with the prefix ACT were built - of these two are known to exist in England with possibly two more in Scotland. The experimental cars now began to emerge in fixed head coupe and convertible form:

The first known example is X898, a FHC believed to have been built in 1976/77 with the very early (pre 1977) large fuel filler cap. This was fitted with an EFI engine and was subjected to testing by a club member who then worked for BL. It colour being Triumph White.