1979 Triumph Group 44 TR8 IMSA GTO
Chassis 79-289 | 1 of 2 Factory Group 44 TR8s | 8 Race Wins | 425 HP 3.9L V8 | Ex-Bob Tullius Group 44

Few cars embody the spirit of late-1970s American road racing quite like the Triumph Group 44 TR8 IMSA GTO. Built and campaigned by Bob Tullius’ Group 44 team, British Leyland’s official U.S. racing arm, this car — chassis 79-289 — is one of only two factory TR8s ever constructed. Group 44 remains one of the most successful and instantly recognizable IMSA Teams of all time.

Finished in the unmistakable Group 44 white and green livery, this TR8 is powered by a 3.9-litre fuel-injected Rover V8 producing an impressive 425 horsepower through a close-ratio four-speed gearbox. Weighing just 2,400 lbs, the TR8 combined lightness, torque, and exceptional balance. It was the dominant IMSA car of the 1979-1980 season beating the Car Corvettes and Porsche RSRs.

Debuting at the 1979 Watkins Glen 6 Hours, the car immediately proved its potential, winning its class and finishing 7th overall. Over the 1979–1980 IMSA GTO seasons, chassis 79-289 achieved eight class victories, with its sister car adding one more.

Highlights include:
• 1979 Watkins Glen 6 Hours – 1st in class, 7th overall
• 1980 Sebring 12 Hours – 1st in class, 6th overall
• 1980 Road America 500 – 1st in class, 7th overall
• 2nd overall in the 1980 IMSA GTO Championship

After continued success through 1981, the TR8 retired from active competition in remarkably original condition.

Under Bob Tullius, Group 44 delivered British Leyland’s most successful American racing program — 13 SCCA National Championships, two Trans-Am titles, and a Trans-Am Manufacturers’ Championship. The TR8 program marked the team’s final production based factory effort and demonstrated just how formidable a lightweight, aerodynamic, V8-powered Triumph TR8 could be. Group 44 then went on to develop the Jaguar XJR5 GTP Prototype.

This car remained with Group 44 until 2008, later passing through just three caring private owners, each preserving its exceptional originality and documented history.

Between 2019 and 2021, the car underwent a complete bare-shell cosmetic and mechanical restoration, exceeding $250,000 in documented work.

Highlights include:
• Full bare-shell repaint in original Group 44 livery
• Complete engine rebuild by Top of the Hill (with dyno sheets)
• Rebuilt gearbox, differential, suspension, and brakes
• New fuel cell, fire system, and safety equipment
• Professionally aligned, tuned, and track-tested at Sonoma Raceway

Since completion, the TR8 has appeared at major historic racing events including the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) and Velocity Invitational at Laguna Seca (2021), where it performed flawlessly.

The car is accompanied by four comprehensive binders, containing:

1. Original Group 44 team records, setup sheets, dyno data, and period race results
2. Factory promotional materials and British Leyland correspondence
3. Full restoration receipts and photographs
4. Miscellaneous period and ownership documentation

This 1979 Triumph Group 44 TR8 IMSA GTO is an exceptional piece of motorsport history — factory-built, race-proven, and immaculately restored. With its unmistakable presence, documented provenance, and race-ready mechanicals, it is eligible for leading historic racing events worldwide and would be a highlight in any significant collection.

Key Specifications
• Chassis: 79-289
• Engine: 3.9-litre fuel-injected Rover V8, 425 HP
• Transmission: Close-ratio Triumph 4-speed
• Weight: 2,400 lbs (dry)
• Color: Group 44 white with green stripes
• Provenance: 1 of 2 built | 8 wins to this chassis
• Restoration: Completed 2021 | $250,000+ documented

A landmark in British Leyland racing history —IMSA Group 44, proven performance, and unrivalled originality. Ready to show, race, and celebrate the legacy of Group 44.