1961 TVR Grantura

The TVR Mk. I, Grantura Mk. II and Grantura Mk. IIA are two-seater coupes produced from 1958 to 1962.

In format, the Mk. I and the Grantura were rear-wheel-drive, front-engine 2-door coupes with GRP coachwork over a tubular steel chassis. Braking was via drums and the suspension was via independent laminated trailing links and torsion bars fore and aft, with a rear anti-roll bar. Power was from a variety of engines matched by various transmission options.

The original TVR Grantura ‘Mk. I’ first appeared in late 1958 and was sourced from a variety of cars: the suspension was Volkswagen-derived, the front windshield was from the Ford Consul Mk. II, and the brakes were from the Austin-Healey 100/6. There was no external access to the luggage compartment.

The TVR was available in either kit or ready-made form, the latter option incurring a considerable Purchase Tax penalty. Options included a heater, a close-ratio ZF gearbox and Weber carburettors in place of the standard SUs.

The second generation version, known as the TVR Grantura Mk. II, was launched in 1960 and improvements included vestigial rear tailfins, different front indicators plus new engine options (see below). By early 1961 the Mk. IIA Grantura came with Girling front disc brakes from the Triumph TR3A and rack-and-pinion steering as standard, plus a further change in the range of power plants. One extra to tempt enthusiasts was an aluminium crossflow cylinder head prepared by HRG Derrington.

An Autocar test from November 1961 of a Coventry Climax powered version found that the Grantura’s top speed was 101mph with 0-60 in 10.8 seconds. ‘Compact dimensions, good manoeuvrability and high performance in the middle ranges make it a very fast cross-country’, the writer observed. By contrast, a Mk. II Grantura fitted with an MGA engine tested by Motor had a maximum speed of 98mph with 0-60 in 12 seconds.

More than 60% of the first TVRs were believed to have been constructed from kits; understandable when a Climax engine Grantura Mk. IIA constructed at the Blackpool factory cost £1,543 19s 9d while a TVR built in your own garage would have set you back a mere £1,045.

TVR also made a quartet of special lightweight competition Mk. IIs, with thin-gauge fibreglass bodies and a stronger, yet lighter chassis.

The TVR Grantura Mk. IIA was succeeded by the Mk. III in September 1962.

The Mk. I was powered by the Ford 100E 1,172cc S4 SV engine in either standard or 56bhp Shorrocks’ supercharged form with a 3-speed gearbox. Other choices, all with a 4-speed box ranged from the Anglia 105E-sourced 997cc S4 OHV unit and the 1,489cc S4 OHV BMC B-series plant as found in the MGA 1500 to the 1,216cc S4 SOHC Coventry Climax engine.

The Grantura Mk. II was mostly fitted with the 1,588cc S4 OHV engine that also powered the MGA Mk. IIAs. The TVR could also be ordered with the 1,340cc S4 OHV engine from the Ford Consul Classic or the 1,622cc S4 OHV plant from the MGA 1600 Mk. II.

Novice TVR drivers may find an early Grantura’s ride a trifle harsh and the steering displaying a marked degree of oversteer. They might also find it the most exhilarating motoring experience that they have enjoyed in years.

The Grantura was famously constructed from parts obtained from a variety of well-known models but two potential problems to be aware of are cracking and general deterioration of the GRP body and poorly maintenance per se. Potential buyers should absolutely examine underneath the car for evidence of grounding and ensure that the chassis is straight.

The TVR Grantura offers more fun per square inch than many sports cars that cost twice as much new. Just don’t expect much in the way of creature comforts.

Rivals to the TVR Grantura included the Elva Courier, the Fairthorpe Electron, the Tornado Tempest and the Warwick.