TVR Grantura MK2a 240WTD the missing years
Discussion
Last December (2016) purchase a Grantura mk2a as a restoration project in my retirement.
The vehicle has been completely stripped and in 20odd assorted boxes of parts.
The chassis is in extraordinary condition and it looks like the vehicle was stored for a long long time before being stripped over 12 years ago.
The paperwork with the vehicle confirmed it was registered in 1961 in the UK at the Lancaster records office. There is no history of where the vehicle has been from then until vehicle records were computerised in 1997. I have tried to contact the previous owners since 1997 but with no luck. There is a record on the European Grantura register that it was once owned by Cottage Classics at some time before 1997. Cottage classics have ceased trading some time ago.
I know it’s a long shot but I would love to know if anyone has any record, history or information about this vehicle.
TVR Grantura IIA in green, RHD, MGA 1588cc Engine ,UK registration 240WTD in 1961
, Mileage 32,000
The vehicle has been completely stripped and in 20odd assorted boxes of parts.
The chassis is in extraordinary condition and it looks like the vehicle was stored for a long long time before being stripped over 12 years ago.
The paperwork with the vehicle confirmed it was registered in 1961 in the UK at the Lancaster records office. There is no history of where the vehicle has been from then until vehicle records were computerised in 1997. I have tried to contact the previous owners since 1997 but with no luck. There is a record on the European Grantura register that it was once owned by Cottage Classics at some time before 1997. Cottage classics have ceased trading some time ago.
I know it’s a long shot but I would love to know if anyone has any record, history or information about this vehicle.
TVR Grantura IIA in green, RHD, MGA 1588cc Engine ,UK registration 240WTD in 1961
, Mileage 32,000
First of all, congratulations on buying a nice looking project. These are getting hard to find now.
Re: previous owners, I imagine you have already used the DVLA previous owners service, with no luck? I was able to see several previous owners of my car, but, like you, it has proven impossible to find any of them.
Re Cottage Classics: this was previously owned by a chap called Spadge Hopkins, who mostly dealt in old racecars, such as TVRs and Ginettas, but the company went bust several years ago. The guy is easy to find on the net with a google search, and might well be able to help you.
The project looks nice. There is some enjoyment in rooting through boxes and boxes of odd looking bits trying to work out where they go, as I found out! Its good to hear the chassis looks OK, but don't be lulled into a false sense of security, they often rust to buggery under the fibreglass, where its bonded to the chassis. Tell tale signs are bulges in the normally flat underside, where the tube pass overhead. You might want to make some judicious investigations from inside the car.
There are some great experts in the Granturas on here and some do have their own historical records. You could also try the TVR Car Club. The Archivist, Richard Sails might be able to tell you whether any of the previous owners were members. They do have records going back into the mists of time, so you might be lucky.,
best of luck, and do post up your progress, everyone likes resto stories.....
Re: previous owners, I imagine you have already used the DVLA previous owners service, with no luck? I was able to see several previous owners of my car, but, like you, it has proven impossible to find any of them.
Re Cottage Classics: this was previously owned by a chap called Spadge Hopkins, who mostly dealt in old racecars, such as TVRs and Ginettas, but the company went bust several years ago. The guy is easy to find on the net with a google search, and might well be able to help you.
The project looks nice. There is some enjoyment in rooting through boxes and boxes of odd looking bits trying to work out where they go, as I found out! Its good to hear the chassis looks OK, but don't be lulled into a false sense of security, they often rust to buggery under the fibreglass, where its bonded to the chassis. Tell tale signs are bulges in the normally flat underside, where the tube pass overhead. You might want to make some judicious investigations from inside the car.
There are some great experts in the Granturas on here and some do have their own historical records. You could also try the TVR Car Club. The Archivist, Richard Sails might be able to tell you whether any of the previous owners were members. They do have records going back into the mists of time, so you might be lucky.,
best of luck, and do post up your progress, everyone likes resto stories.....
Peter,
Can you please say what date it was registered in 1961 and also the chassis number. I have records of race entries but generally need a owners name to link with a car. If it was raced the date of first registration may help.
It may be worth posting on the Grantura Facebook Group -you may get some help with the restoration.
Regards
Rob
Can you please say what date it was registered in 1961 and also the chassis number. I have records of race entries but generally need a owners name to link with a car. If it was raced the date of first registration may help.
It may be worth posting on the Grantura Facebook Group -you may get some help with the restoration.
Regards
Rob
Hi all
Thanks for your guidance and support – yes chassis number is 7B306
From the Lancaster records office the vehicle was used for a short time in Manchester and then went to Buckinghamshire in July 1962.
As said before the chassis is in fantastic condition no sign of any bulges in fiberglass.
Still had paint on the chassis at the bottom of the A post when I did a trial inspection under the fiberglass.
1/ Already contacted DVLA but they only have records from 1997 when vehicle registration and ownership was computerized. All the owners from this date forward have not responded to letters sent. They may have moved Etc?
2/ I am a member of the TVR club and have contacted Richard Sail. Their records match the DVLA. The club validated the authenticity of the vehicle in order for the DVLA to register it in 1997.
3/ I have seen on the Grantura register that it was previously owned by Spadge of Cottage Classics. This is not on the DVLA records so I assume it was before 1997. Spadge is a now a councilor and I have also written to him but no reply.
4/ I am already a member of the Grantura face book site and have already posted information on the vehicle / project but with no luck.
Having done all the above I thought I would post it on Piston Heads forum as a last resort.
Fingers crossed
Pete
Thanks for your guidance and support – yes chassis number is 7B306
From the Lancaster records office the vehicle was used for a short time in Manchester and then went to Buckinghamshire in July 1962.
As said before the chassis is in fantastic condition no sign of any bulges in fiberglass.
Still had paint on the chassis at the bottom of the A post when I did a trial inspection under the fiberglass.
1/ Already contacted DVLA but they only have records from 1997 when vehicle registration and ownership was computerized. All the owners from this date forward have not responded to letters sent. They may have moved Etc?
2/ I am a member of the TVR club and have contacted Richard Sail. Their records match the DVLA. The club validated the authenticity of the vehicle in order for the DVLA to register it in 1997.
3/ I have seen on the Grantura register that it was previously owned by Spadge of Cottage Classics. This is not on the DVLA records so I assume it was before 1997. Spadge is a now a councilor and I have also written to him but no reply.
4/ I am already a member of the Grantura face book site and have already posted information on the vehicle / project but with no luck.
Having done all the above I thought I would post it on Piston Heads forum as a last resort.
Fingers crossed
Pete
Well, it sounds like you have done everything I could think of. Heres hoping some one comes on to fill in the missing details. The one other thing I did, with no success, was to get a small item inserted in Classic and Sports Car asking for information on the car. Not a dicky bird, so , Like you I am stuck, althoughI do have owners from the 70s, and have written to them all, no luck there either. My only chance now is to see if anyone from the car's past ever thinks of googling it's reg. number, which, just to give it an extra chance is NPY11F
Peter,
I have a copy of a registry which says that 7/B/306 was registered 9660 UG which is a Leeds number.
A previous owner was M Oakman of Liversedge (which is near Leeds).
I'm not sure how accurate this list is but it may be worth speaking to Richard Carter to see is he has more info.
Is there anything saying it was re-registered.
From the chassis number 7/B/306 I guess this is one of the first Mk2a's which was launched at the Racing Car Show in Jan 1961. Do you have a date of the first registration for 240 WTD from Lancashire.
Rob
I have a copy of a registry which says that 7/B/306 was registered 9660 UG which is a Leeds number.
A previous owner was M Oakman of Liversedge (which is near Leeds).
I'm not sure how accurate this list is but it may be worth speaking to Richard Carter to see is he has more info.
Is there anything saying it was re-registered.
From the chassis number 7/B/306 I guess this is one of the first Mk2a's which was launched at the Racing Car Show in Jan 1961. Do you have a date of the first registration for 240 WTD from Lancashire.
Rob
Edited by RobMk2a on Saturday 29th July 15:38
Edited by RobMk2a on Saturday 29th July 15:40
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