1966 TVR Grantura

TVR is one of the most enduring names in British sports cars, condensed from the first name of Trevor Wilkinson, an engineer who built his first special in 1947. By 1949 he was selling tubular chassis, which evolved into kit cars and fully assembled models, of which he had sold about 30 by 1954.

That year the basic shape evolved into the familiar Grantura, whose name came from Bernard Williams’ Grantura Plastics company, which built the bodies. The two became partners in 1956, and one of the cars found its way to America, where car dealer Ray Saidel ordered six more and showed one at the 1957 New York Auto Show.

Saidel marketed the cars as Jomar in the US and they proved to be competitive sports racers, being low and wide and weighing only 1,445 lbs. The cars had a tubular backbone chassis, Volkswagen torsion bar and trailing arm suspensions front and rear, and a large choice of four-cylinder power plants. Though devoid of frills, TVRs were praised for their handling.

The base engine in the 1958 Grantura Mk I was a 1,172cc, side-valve Ford 100E four-cylinder, though with a supercharger it produced 56 bhp. The over-square 997cc Ford 105E OHV Anglia engine was good for 55 bhp, but revved easily to 5500 rpm. The best option was the excellent alloy 1,098cc SOHC Coventry Climax engine; with twin carburettors it was good for 85 bhp at 7,000 rpm.

However, TVR couldn’t keep up with orders, and had built only 100 cars by 1960, when it was rescued by Layton Sports Cars; the first of four emergency reorganizations in the 1960s. Engines available in the 1960 Grantura Mk II included 1,340cc and 1,489cc Ford OHV Consul engines, and 1,588 cc and 1,622 cc BMC units. With the latter engine the Mk IIA could top 100 mph, with a quarter mile in 18 seconds.

The Grantura Mk III offered a redesigned chassis with Triumph Herald independent suspension by coil springs and wishbones, front disc brakes and rack-and pinion steering. The 1,798cc MGB four-cylinder engine was generally fitted after 1963, with either 90 bhp or 108 bhp, the latter with an alloy cylinder head and twin Weber carburettors. Again, the most powerful option was the alloy Coventry-Climax SOHC engine, offering 110 bhp and 110 mph, but it was rarely found after 1963.

By 1964 the Grantura Mk III had gained a larger back window and chopped-off Kamm tail, which would remain through Tuscan and Vixen models into the 1970s. The final Grantura was the Mk IV 1800S of 1966, MGB-powered and with 115 bhp and 108 mph top speed. All Granturas were Spartan: fast, noisy and cramped, but remain competitive in vintage racing.

TVR remained a cottage industry throughout these developments, and specifications were as complex as the company’s finances. There were 14 paint colors, and six interiors in 1962 alone, and the company had to be rescued three more times in the early 1960s, with Wilkinson himself leaving in 1962. In 1965 the company was acquired by TVR dealer Martin Lilley and his father Arthur, and by the end of 1966, 796 Granturas had been sold.

Many Granturas were raced, for the same reason as Elva Couriers – they combined light weight and excellent handling, and many have competition history, so be careful to check for accident damage and botched repairs.