1972 TVR 3000M

The TVR 3000M is a two-seater coupe produced from 1972 to 1979.

The 3000M effectively served as a UK market replacement for the TVR 2500M, with the same 2-door GRP coupe body, multi-tubular backbone chassis, rack-and-pinion steering and front and rear independent double wishbones with coil springs. The major change was in the Ford Essex V-6 in place of the Triumph straight-six unit.

TVR introduced the 3000M at the London Motor Show in 1972. Two trim levels were initially available – the ‘base model’ M, priced at £2,278, and the more fully equipped ML, which came with a sunroof and hide upholstery. The 1973 model year saw an improved interior and by 1974 the ML was dropped and the equipment levels of the M were enhanced. An Autocar test of the 3000M November of that year found that the top speed was 121mph with 0-60 in 7.7 seconds – ‘a great deal of performance is offered for the money’. The price was now £2,690.99, with overdrive, reclining front seats, tinted glass and a laminated windscreen on the extras’ list.

In the following year, the TVR 3000M became the first British car to be offered with turbocharging. TVR had approached Broadspeed Engineering and a prototype was exhibited at Earls Court in the autumn of 1975. As compared with the normally aspirated M, the compression ratio was lowered to reduce internal pressure in the engine block. The 3000M Turbo was also fitted with wider tyres and Koni shock absorbers and the power output was raised from 138bhp to 230bhp. The charger was designed to engage at 2,700 rpm and the Turbo boasted a top speed of 140mph with 0-60 mph time in 5.7 secs. TVR built 20 examples of this first ever turbocharged British production car.

The 1976 model year saw a run of 12 special editions ‘Martin 3000M’ cars, to mark 10 years of Martin Lilley owning the TVR company.

The 3000M and the 3000M Turbo were replaced by the TVR Tasmin in November 1979.

The Turbo was never offered in the USA while standard 3000Ms for that market were commonly fitted with detoxed engines to comply with Federal regulations.

Power for the TVR 3000M was from the Ford 2,994 OHV V-6 engine married to a four-speed gearbox. From the 1975 model year, onwards, Laycock de Normanville overdrive was an optional extra.

The 3000M is regarded by many TVR aficionados as being much superior to the 2500M, especially in terms of steering and the engine’s mid-range torque. In the words of Motor Sport in 1973 it was ‘one of the last remaining real sports cars’.

In addition to the rust and body problems common to the 1600M and the 2500M, 3000M owners might find the front brakes inadequate for its performance.

The 3000M is a model that marked a seismic change in the identity of TVR. When it was launched, the company was still offering 4-cylinder coupes that could be home-assembled but by the end of the 1970s, the badge was associated with rather exclusive – albeit very driveable – cars.

Rivals to the TVR 3000M included the Datsun 260Z and 280Z, the Ford Capri 3000 GXL Mk. I and 3000 GT Mk. II, the Jensen-Healey, the Lotus Europa the MGB GT V-8. As for the Turbo, it was certainly a competitor to a certain version of the Porsche 911.