TVR Grantura Mk3 1963
Details
1958 - In late 1958 TVR became Layton Sports Cars (a district of Blackpool) and a separate company was formed called Grantura Engineering. Things were looking up and Motor even road tested one of the early Grantura cars in 1959. The car became the MkII and MkIIa with MGA engine options. At this time Trevor left the company.
The company name changed, again, TVR Cars, and John Thurner improved the chassis with coil springs replacing the torsion bars of the old car. Grantura Engineering rescued the Car Company and the Mk3 Grantura went to Le Mans, failing within the hour. Meanwhile in the USA an importer Dich Monnich and his friend Gerry Sagermann visited a Long Island Ford dealer called Jack Griffith. Mike Mooney tells the story in his recent book (The Griffith Years) of how a Ford 289ci V8 was matched to a Grantura Mk3 to produce a Cobra beater. Some of these Anglo-American hybrids were sold in the UK, including one to a young man called Martin Lilley. Again the old problem of over optimism returned and a USA Dockers strike killed the Griffith project and the Grantura Company.
TVR Grantura
1961 - The MkII Grantura was available with an MGA engine as standard, although various other engines were offered to clients who wanted something else. In this year you could buy a MkII for £1,298 inc tax.
The MkIII Grantura was produced with a new longer and more well braced chassis and independent coil spring suspension all round. This chassis would be used in various forms up to the 1972 2500M .
1964 - the 1800S was released with a manx tail and the now famous 'ban the bomb' rear lights from the Ford Cortina.
1966 - the MkIV was produced as a slightly longer model with improved trim and bigger fuel tank.
The early 1960s were a hard time for TVR with multiple financial failures and it was after one of these in 1965 that Griffith owner Martin Lilley together with his father Arthur took over the company and renamed it TVR Engineering. The Lilleys undertook to facelift the cars renaming the Grantura as the 1800S MkIV and the Griffith as the Tuscan. Mechanically the two models were very similar to their predecessor models but the new cars were bettered trimmed and finished.
Production Numbers:
MkI - approx 100
MkII - approx 400
MkIII - approx 60
1800 - 30
1800S - 128
MkIV - 78
Information Sourced from TVR Car Club
History
Interesting history, one registered keeper, low mileage and documented.
Mr Howard purchased purchased from small car dealer in Mill Hill, North London. Delivered 1963 used as a demonstrator and driven with trade plates. Registered in July 1967 and sold to Mr Howard, who AC Roney purchased from, so at the moment Mr Howard is the only registered keeper.
- Mr Howard Purchased in July 1967.
- In 1968 he wondered what it would be like to race.So raced at LYDDEN HILL, 8th September, 1968 and again twice at the same circuit later in 1967 and 1968.
- Heard about Rob Longton's light weight Grantura Mk3 race car for sale, purchased in October 1969, for racing in 1970.
- Purchased trailer and fitted tow bar to BTB 329A road car. Used it to tow racer to circuits 1970 - 1975/6.
- 1977 Fitted later Tuscan V6 rear body for extra boot space, also changed vents and wheels.
- This was Howards only road car until purchase of XJ6 in 1976 for race car towing. The road Grantura continued to be main car until 1985, when the chassis rusted through.
- Howard took the car off the road in 1985 for a slow restoration-Tax disc still in car expired 31/3/85. I believe the mileometer to be correct, looking at the last MoT certificate issued March 26 1984 showing 50,579.Currently showing52,875.
One registered engineer and racing driver keeper.
Low documented mileage.
Documented and photographic history.
90% restored for road use, with reconditioned 1800 MGB engine.
Could be Historic Pre 1965 FIA registered Race car (need a new light weight Mk3 body. Yes they are still available!)
Spare engine and gear box available.
For Sale £19,995
