Is it an S2 or an S3?

[s3dave]

Can someone clear up a mystery. I always thought I had an S3, it was first registered July 1990, it has wider doors, a S3 dashboard, electric windows but manual wing mirrors. However the DVLA logbook says it is an S2. So which do I have an S2 or a S3?

[RayTVR]

That's an S3 if it has longer doors.

TVR were notoriously unreliable at the registration process and many still have the wrong model or type. Sounds like TVR sent up just a list of chassis numbers with the office junior...

The data in 'How many left' is good, but clouded because of this issue. Many of those registered in 1992 are just registered as 'TVR' so are listed as TVR missing - I've been looking at some data on this for a while and think this can be unpicked but will take a while - the following graph is the year of registration for the TVR missing category;

Edited by RayTVR on Wednesday 12th June 21:10

[phillpot]

My car was ordered on the 4/5/90 as an S2, the invoice dated 1/8/90 is for an S3.

like yours it fell in that changeover period.

Long doors, manual mirrors, electric windows (was it only S1 with wind ups?) and rotaty switches for lights, fan etc.

[v8s4me]

My V8S was registered as '290S'. Or maybe that's why I had two spark plugs left over at the last service

[magpies]

they have mis-registered for years. My 1988 S1 is registered as a TVR. No model etc. just TVR

[AutoAndy]

from the photo the rear hood is up...so it may not even be an "S"...

[Brentford35]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the sizes of the doors in an s2 and an s3? Mine is a 1990 registered one and just wondered if it has wider doors or not. Thanks

[phillpot]

S One/Two ........


S Three/Four/V8.......

[cb500t]

phillpot said:

Long doors, manual mirrors, electric windows (was it only S1 with wind ups?) and rotaty switches for lights, fan etc.

My S Series has the early wheels, 2.9 engine. and wind up windows

[hoppo4.2]

my 1988 has short doors
wind up windows
rotary light switch
early style slot wheels
2.9 (poorly) engine
early style saab brake master
and says s2 on the log book.

as has been said tvr just built with what ever they had to hand and registered it as what ever they fancied.

[moffspeed]

Definitely an S3 you have got there. The DVLA get very confused when it comes to S-Series cars (and most other classic cars for that matter) - the default position seems to be that they describe them all as "290S's" although at one point when I notified a change of address to Swansea the next V5C returned telling me that I owned a Taimar...

I moved on to Lancia Fulvia Coupes and funnily enough there is similar confusion over S2/S3 nomenclatures.

Have enjoyed the Fulvia in historic rally spec but somehow a 1.3 V4 doesn't quite float the boat - although as another owner observed every trip to the newsagent for the daily paper makes you feel as though you've just completed the Targa Florio. The Fulvia will go to the highest bidder at Bonhams in the Autumn and I then have a V8S itch that needs scratching...

[Dave_M]

AutoAndy said:

from the photo the rear hood is up...so it may not even be an "S"...

[s3dave]

Thanks Guys - As I thought it is a S3 (wondered if someone was going to suggest it was a S2.5). I Suppose it does not matter that the log book says S2.

Rear hood up - yes, if i remember right it was a damp trackday - blew the shocks, can't wait to try again with the new Gaz Golds.

[Roy C]

moffspeed said:

The DVLA get very confused when it comes to S-Series cars

Although Swansea aren't known for their accuracy, in this case I believe these inaccuracies are down to Blackpool's paperwork.