When were the first S cars made?

[Loach1]

This might be a sensitive subject because people tend to worry about sharing info, but wouldn't it be interesting to know a bit more about the early S production cars? I think I have an early one, but apparently not as early as some. I'd like to compare it with other early cars in terms of specification and chassis number to discover more about my car's history.

Mine has a chassis number of 323, was registered in August 1987, has a single bonnet release, no delay wipe, bonnet prop on the drivers side, Smiths gauges, and I think that's about it that changed in the early days. Not sure if it has unleaded heads?

I don't think sharing the chassis number alone makes the car any more likely to be cloned, but that's easy for me to say! It would be great to hear about some quirks of other early cars.

Cheers,
David

[Le TVR]

I think the last time this came up there was little correlation between build date and build standard...

Mine, 132 from 1988:

2 bonnet pulls
Normal guages
digital clock
bonnet prop on LHS
no delay wipe

Plus there are other small variations, like where they fitted the ignition amp and other bits under the bonnet.

[dryden]

Mine appears to be 139 Reg in Feb of 88. And classically has two bonnet pulls, digital clock, no wiper delay and N/S bonnet stay...........

[Ragtop]

Hello David,

Just in case you haven't seen this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You may find it interesting.

Regards,
Graham

[Loach1]

Ragtop said:

Hello David,

Just in case you haven't seen this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You may find it interesting.

Regards,
Graham

Yes, it was that info in the Steve Heath book that got my interest. I'm fascinated by how oddly TVR was run, probably because I have been in car manufacturing for a long time and have got used to how the big boys do it.

I think I have an early car, but it doesn't have all of the early features. It appears to have been restored by someone that knew the cars well and chose some of the later 'improvements', or maybe it was made that way? I'm trying to get to know more about my car (I'm sure the guy that restored it isn't too far from this forum), and at the same time get my head around how TVR apparently had little regard for what we call 'configuration management'.

Cheers,
David

[glenrobbo]

Hi David,
Interesting stuff, early S series cars.
When I bought my Austin ( early S1 ), amongst the huge file of history was a copy of Sprint Magazine from Sept 1991.
Included is a section by Melvyn Larner, then TVR Car Club model registrar, who had faithfully recorded all the TVRs registered [with the TVRCC] from Nov 86- Nov 87.
The factory prototype S ( 1986 ) was -200
The next S listed is -234, then -260, -316, -320, -324, -338, -341, -347, -367, -407, -415, 423, 426, 427, 429, 430, 443, 453 & 457.
Numbers in between were strange Wedge-shaped craft, mostly 350i's.
This list is in no way representative of actual S Models registered with DVLA, just ones that were registered by TVRCC owners.
There are a lot of possible anomalies, as true to form, my S1, -338, is actually registered as a Tasmin, so everything needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

I do believe my Austin (Sept 86 Edit Oops sorry Sept 87 ) was one of the first batch of 20 S Series cars produced.
Two bonnet release pulls
Digital clock
Conventional Speedo & Tacho
No flick wipe
Bonnet stay on LH side

Your chassis no. predates mine, so was def. one of the earliest produced.
The only reason it's not on the list is because the owner chose not to register with the TVRCC.

If you would like a copy of the list, PM me your contact details & I can send it to you by pigeon post. Our local interweb is too expensive for me to run, it burns up too much coal.

Take care now & have a nice day,
Glen.

Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 11th February 23:54

[Loach1]

Glen, I hadn't thought about TVRCC - I wonder if someone there now could run a more comprehensive list? The previous owner of my car was a member, so I guess they have it on record now. I keep meaning to join the North American club, but well.....

I wonder why my car has a single bonnet release, it seems like a lot of trouble to go to, same as the prop being on the driver's side. Maybe if I experienced the other configurations I would understand, or maybe mine has had a replacement body at some point? It seems like mine is the anomaly based on the feedback so far.

It would be great to have a copy of the Sprint article - I'll PM my info!

Cheers,
David

[dryden]

I do not understand the number sequence, as Mine in full is 19139 so cannot fit 200 or 300 sequencing in? .........Registered in Feb 88.

[glenrobbo]

dryden said:

I do not understand the number sequence, as Mine in full is 19139 so cannot fit 200 or 300 sequencing in? .........Registered in Feb 88.

Clive, the VIN year ran from Nov to Nov, so after Nov 87, the Year designator letter changes from H to J, and a starts a fresh build number sequence.

Your 19 is the model code, and yours was the 139 th TVR built that year.

Hope this makes sense.