The TVR Sports activities Automobile
A evaluate of The TVR Sports activities Automobile, masking improvement, vital options, and technical knowledge of every mannequin within the vary, from the Grantura to the Chimaera.On this Article, I provide a nostalgic take a look at The TVR Sports activities Automobile, one in every of an elite group of basic automobiles, which was manufactured throughout the interval 1958 to 1992+.TVR was established in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson.In 1956, TVR began producing its personal glass strengthened plastic (GRP) physique shells, in addition to the chassis. Inside two years, the ground-breaking design of the Grantura was born.The TVR GranturaThe TVR Grantura Sequence 1 was launched in 1958. It used a GRP physique moulded to a metal chassis, with a 1.1 litre Coventry Climax engine.Launched in 1960, the Sequence 2 provided completely different engines, together with that from the MGA, and included rack and pinion steering.The Sequence three, launched in 1963, used both a 1.6 litre or a 1.eight litre MG engine. The Grantura was succeeded by the Vixen.The TVR Griffith 200In 1963, the TVR Griffith 200 sports activities automobile was launched. It was, basically, a TVR Grantura Sequence three wherein the 1.eight litre MGB engine was changed with a Four.7 litre Ford V8, the identical unit as within the AC Cobra.Demand for this rival to the Cobra was such that TVR was inundated with orders.The TVR Griffith 400In 1964, the TVR Griffith 200 was changed by the TVR Griffith 400 sports activities automobile. Like its predecessor, it was a two seater coupe. It used the identical engine, however had the next high velocity on account of its elevated gear ratio.
On account of a chronic dock strike within the US, by 1967, solely 59 Griffith 400 and 10 Griffith 600, with the newer physique design, had been constructed.The TVR TuscanThe TVR Tuscan sports activities automobile, launched in 1967, was a two seater, mounted head coupe.The V8 model used the identical Four.7 litre Ford V8 engine as within the Ford Mustang.By 1970, since solely 72 Tuscan V8’s had been constructed, it was outmoded by the Tuscan V6 sports activities automobile, which used a three litre, Ford V6 engine. When manufacturing led to 1971, it was succeeded by the TVR Vixen.Developed from the TVR Grantura, the TVR Vixen was launched in 1967. It used a 1.6 litre, Four-cylinder Ford engine. The fibre glass physique was constructed onto a tubular body.The TVR M SeriesReplacing the TVR Vixen And TVR Tuscan fashions, the TVR M Sequence sports activities automobiles was launched in 1972. They used a glass strengthened plastic physique on a steel body building. The Sequence included the 1600M, 2500M, 3000M, 3000S and 3000M Turbo.In 1974, the Triumph 2.5 litre engine within the TVR 2500M was changed by a Four.7 litre, Ford V8 engine as used within the TVR Griffith 200.Therefore was born the TVR 5000M. Solely a handful had been ever constructed owing to a hearth on the TVR manufacturing facility in 1975.The TVR TasminIn 1980, the TVR Tasmin, a.ok.a. TVR 280i, was launched. It was wedge-shaped, and out there as a two seater convertible, in addition to a two seater and a pair of+2 mounted head coupe.The Tasmin 280i used a 2.eight litre, Ford V6 engine, while its cheaper counterpart, the Tasmin 200, used a 2 litre, Four-cylinder Ford unit.The Tasmin’s wedge-shape was not nicely obtained, and gross sales had been poor.Based mostly on the Tasmin 280i, the Tasmin 350i sports activities automobile appeared in 1983. Variants of the 350i included:
the three.9 litre 390i
the Four.zero litre 400SE
and the ferocious Four.5 litre, 320 bhp 450SE
The TVR S SeriesIn 1987, TVR launched the S Sequence. This noticed a transfer away from the wedge-shape to the normal TVR styling incorporating curves.The V6 S Sequence used a Ford V6 engine, while the V8 S Sequence used a modified Four litre, gas injected Rover V8 unit.The TVR 2 litre V8 S Sequence was a supercharged model of the V8 S. It used a modified three.5 litre Rover V8 engine, with a diminished displacement of 1998 cc, mixed with gas injection and a supercharger. They had been two seater convertibles.The TVR Griffith 500In 1992, the V8 S Sequence was withdrawn, and was changed by the TVR Griffith 500 sports activities automobile.Just like the Griffith 200 and 400 of the 60’s, it was a light-weight, fibre glass bodied, two seater. Initially, it used the modified Four litre, Rover V8 engine whose capability may very well be simply elevated.
All used a 5 velocity guide transmission. Inside design was of a excessive normal. Manufacturing led to 2002.The TVR ChimaeraAlso in 1992, the TVR Chimaera sports activities automobile was launched. It was a two seater convertible and, just like the Griffith, made use of the identical array of Rover V8 engines.It was designed for lengthy distance motoring, and was due to this fact extra spacious, internally, and its suspension was much less agency than that of the Griffith.The engine spec was as per the Griffith, though there have been minor enhancements in high velocity.This marked the top of the basic TVR sports activities carBeyond 2000, TVR produced a variety of thrilling sports activities automobiles which, sadly, falls past the timeframe of this evaluate.Maybe this stroll down reminiscence lane may need answered, or a minimum of make clear, a potential query:”Which TVR Sports Car Is Your Favourite?”Nonetheless, ought to this query nonetheless stay unanswered, I will likely be reviewing, in some element, in future articles inside this web site, your entire vary of TVR sports activities automobiles which had been featured within the memorable period spanning 1958 to 1992.I hope you be a part of me in my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane”.