Basic TVR Project Info
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm new to the forums here but I thought I'd reach out to get some info surrounding a TVR I found. I was exploring a uniquely small mountain town in Colorado and stumbled upon this old TVR. I'm planning on talking to the owner soon to see if they would be willing to sell it to me. Can anyone shed some light on these cars? I understand that being such a low-production car, nothing is really standard, and I cannot tell what model it is-- Grantura, Vixen, Tuscan, or Griffith. Which of these should I avoid, and what kind of parts availability are there for each? Being based in Colorado/California, certain British parts can be expensive to acquire. What running gear would underpin this car? Jaguar rear suspension/diff and Triumph front suspension? Maybe the mk2 Cortina taillights can lend some cues. The car also has twin exhaust pipes exiting the rear, so I'm tempted to think it might not be a 4 cylinder.
Little bit about me: I'm a Mechanical Engineering student in Colorado, and I grew up in California working at a vintage race car restoration shop and at an electric car startup. I have a 1973 MG BGT running project in California and an old A4 Avant here in Colorado.
I'm looking for a project car to keep in Colorado, so I'm deciding between this TVR and a completely rust-free and mostly complete 1971 Alfa GTV that has been off of the road since the 1980's. I like both cars, but I'm not sure which would be more expensive to get running. My budget is tight because of school and my other cars, so a full restoration is out of the cards for the time being.
Would this be a good project? I'd like to have good (mechanical) parts availability at low cost, but not too concerned with making it shiny. I do have access to the restoration shop where I work here in Colorado.
TVR
Alfa
[url]
I'm new to the forums here but I thought I'd reach out to get some info surrounding a TVR I found. I was exploring a uniquely small mountain town in Colorado and stumbled upon this old TVR. I'm planning on talking to the owner soon to see if they would be willing to sell it to me. Can anyone shed some light on these cars? I understand that being such a low-production car, nothing is really standard, and I cannot tell what model it is-- Grantura, Vixen, Tuscan, or Griffith. Which of these should I avoid, and what kind of parts availability are there for each? Being based in Colorado/California, certain British parts can be expensive to acquire. What running gear would underpin this car? Jaguar rear suspension/diff and Triumph front suspension? Maybe the mk2 Cortina taillights can lend some cues. The car also has twin exhaust pipes exiting the rear, so I'm tempted to think it might not be a 4 cylinder.
Little bit about me: I'm a Mechanical Engineering student in Colorado, and I grew up in California working at a vintage race car restoration shop and at an electric car startup. I have a 1973 MG BGT running project in California and an old A4 Avant here in Colorado.
I'm looking for a project car to keep in Colorado, so I'm deciding between this TVR and a completely rust-free and mostly complete 1971 Alfa GTV that has been off of the road since the 1980's. I like both cars, but I'm not sure which would be more expensive to get running. My budget is tight because of school and my other cars, so a full restoration is out of the cards for the time being.
Would this be a good project? I'd like to have good (mechanical) parts availability at low cost, but not too concerned with making it shiny. I do have access to the restoration shop where I work here in Colorado.
TVR
Alfa
[url]Edited by zackherzer on Saturday 29th June 10:22
It doesn't look too bad from the exterior. Paint just looks like it has suffered from the sun. Most parts are available for these cars in fact. Since its a Series 3 (or maybe a 2500??) it will certainly have a bolt on body. I suppose your first concern should be whether the chassis is OK but I am guessing that since Colorado is a pretty dry state you won't have a horrific rust problem.
Many parts are from the Triumph cars of that era all with pretty good availability. It will either have a Triumph straight 6 or a Ford 1600 four pot crossflow.
There is a huge body of knowledge on here regarding restoring these cars so if you can persuade the owner to part with it, dive in. You certainly won't meet another on the roads!
Also there is an active North American TVR car Club and specialists in the US who can help out with anything you need. Some of them post on here occasionally
Many parts are from the Triumph cars of that era all with pretty good availability. It will either have a Triumph straight 6 or a Ford 1600 four pot crossflow.
There is a huge body of knowledge on here regarding restoring these cars so if you can persuade the owner to part with it, dive in. You certainly won't meet another on the roads!
Also there is an active North American TVR car Club and specialists in the US who can help out with anything you need. Some of them post on here occasionally
Edited by Astacus on Saturday 29th June 14:08
Edited by Astacus on Saturday 29th June 14:09
It's a long wheel base car, so not a Grantura or a Griffith, therefore it must be a 4 cyl Vixen, a 6 cyl Vixen 2500, a Tuscan V6, or if you are really lucky a Tuscan V8
.
As well as the NA TVR CC hav a look at the UK version at https://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk
Get the bonnet open and there should be a chassis plate on the bulkhead, post the number here and you will be told what version of Vixen or Tuscan the car is.
As others have said 'Go for It'.
.
As well as the NA TVR CC hav a look at the UK version at https://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk
Get the bonnet open and there should be a chassis plate on the bulkhead, post the number here and you will be told what version of Vixen or Tuscan the car is.
As others have said 'Go for It'.
great find :-)
love both models, both great cars.
as others say it looks also a bit like a Vixen 2500 most 2500 had also that black part/sills or how you call such :-)
but the Vixen 2500 also has the s3 type side grills...this one has s2 grills so I wonder what it really is...a surprise if your lucky :-)
let us know and make more pictures if its aloud to.
edit, also strange way to fit the mirror, do not believe I've seen that before, also is it RHD or LHD
love both models, both great cars.
as others say it looks also a bit like a Vixen 2500 most 2500 had also that black part/sills or how you call such :-)
but the Vixen 2500 also has the s3 type side grills...this one has s2 grills so I wonder what it really is...a surprise if your lucky :-)
let us know and make more pictures if its aloud to.
edit, also strange way to fit the mirror, do not believe I've seen that before, also is it RHD or LHD
Edited by GTRene on Saturday 29th June 23:46
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