Trident Clipper V8 (289 Hi-Po) production prototype

[RedlineConcerto]

Greetings from Florida!

Just wondering if anyone out there would like the opportunity to buy a pretty unusual machine. I have one of the pre-production prototype Trident Clipper V8's for sale. It was found in Texas with 7,300 miles said to be on it, the original paint (at that point, faded out pretty badly ~ photo documented) and drive train, right down to it's original 289 Hi-Po, close ratio, alloy T-10 gearbox and 72 spoke Dunlop wire wheels. The Trident was then sent off for a complete restoration (photo and invoice documented at $70,000+) for eventual application for the annual Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance where it was invited and subsequently judged well. After Pebble Beach it went to the highly regarded Meadowbrook Concours and followed by entry into the Winter Park and Palm Beach, Florida Concours during my watch.

The quality of the restoration is superb, having been stripped down to the bare chassis which was powercoated and to a bare shell. The interior was redone in period correct Connally leather which was still available at the time and exterior refinished in 1967 Ferrari Rossa Corsa (red) lacquer. The origin of the original red was unknown so it was felt this would be period correct and the best choice because of the cars Italian coachwork. It has only done a bit over 500 miles since restoration, just enough to be run in and make some final adjustments. It's extremely fast due to it's Cobra specification motor and light weight of just over 1800 lbs. In the original factory brochures, 0-60 mph was stated at under 5 seconds.

For those of you who are not familiar with Trident history, it was a project started by TVR in Blackpool, England in the mid 60's to compete with the Italian and American supercars of the period however continual funding to produce the car became elusive. The company changed hands and Martin Lilly puchased the creative rights, molds and specially tuned Hi-Po 289 motors that were shipped direct from Ford's Hi-Performance division for the project. Of the (aprox.) 29 V8 Clippers, it has been said only 10 had this special drivetrain. Each of the production prototypes were unique and the only examples designed with a fully tilt-open front end utilizing side bonnet latches like the earliest E-type Jaguars. This example was both a cover and centerfold car in Automobile Quarterly Volume 39 #1. The 12 page color article elaborates on this particular machine's history.

The design is by Fiorre and the first cars were built by Fissore in Italy utilizing the British frame and all American drive train.

I am mentioning this car in the Cobra forum as a past Shelby owner (holdover, October 1965 GT350 # SFM6S119) and FoMoCo enthusiast and would like to see this car end up with someone who appreciates the heart and soul of Shelby/Cobra level of performance. It should be someone who has a touch of rebel in him and likes the idea of owning a handbuilt Italian designed "Speciale" built 40 years ago at the same time Shelby was building his Cobras using the same drive train. I need to stress the fact here that I do not need or aspire to relieve someone of $400,000 for this car to let it go.
I'm feeling $85,000 or a reasonably close offer would do, just a little more than what was spent on the restoration for Pebble Beach.

If anyone is interested in discussing the possibilities of owning this unique machine, please feel free to give me a call and I'll be happy to go over any points that are of interest to you about it. Going with the car will be a voluminous amount of paperwork and reference material, a copy of the old Texas title, restoration receipts and photos of the work in progress, the hard bound Automobile Quarterly that features the car and a copy of the mid '60's sales brochure showing 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Another published article refers to a Trident Clipper V8 being delivered to California and actually outperforming a Cobra in competition at Pomona when both cars were almost new. I'm not mentioning any of this to take away anything from one of the most exciting cars of all time, but rather to put value in perspective for someone who would like to own a very serious, real 1960's one-off (each was a little different) supercar for a relatively small sum.

Thanks for taking the time to read my somewhat enthusiastic ramblings. I hope my commentary is at least well received within the Cobra community as a way of spreading knowledge even if this machine is not a current Cobra owner's cup of tea. It was, after all, being built in Europe at the same time with a similar spirit as Caroll Shelby was exhibiting during his Cobra and Mustang GT-350 projects. Is there someone out there who wants to take this home. Photos are available for the asking.

with best wishes,
Steve Yanoshik
Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA
(ph) 954-761-1801