TVR Grantura

The first in a long line of TVR cars TVR was the Grantura, which was offered from 1958. The vehicles were repeatedly developed, so that there were four generations, most recently until 1967 as the 1800S.

The attractive coupe emerged in the TVR factory in Blackpool ( England). The small series was available in different mechanical designs and, inter alia, as a kit car. All of these cars were assembled from parts of various other car manufacturers. Thus came the brakes of Austin- Healey, suspension parts from the VW Beetle and the rear axle by BMC.

The body of the Grantura consisted of fiberglass and had to offer many specialties. The hood was chipped front. There was no trunk lid, but the luggage compartment was accessible from the interior of the car. The spare wheel mounted there had to be taken out by one of the doors. The customers could choose from a range of drive units, for example, different page-and head -controlled Ford engines, one engine from Coventry Climax, or the BMC B engine in the MGA.

Mark I

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The first Grantura had a fiberglass body, which was connected to a central tube frame chassis and the axle suspension of the VW Beetle. Originally, the Coventry - Climax engine type FEW was provided as a drive, but there were several other machines, such as the side-valve 1172 cc four-cylinder Ford or the 1600 cc four-cylinder MG. The drum brakes were from the Austin -Healey 100 and the windshield of the Ford Consul.

A car with the 1.6 -liter engine of the R4- MGA was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1961. He reached a top speed of 158 km / h and acceleration from 0-100 km / h in 12.0 s A fuel consumption of 8,61 l / 100 km was found. The test car cost £ 1298 including taxes.

From Grantura Mark I about 100 copies were built from 1958 to 1960.

Mark II

TVR Grantura Mk II

The Grantura Mk II had the standard engine of the MGA, but customers could also choose various other engines. The Mk IIA had either the MGA engine with 1622 cc or the Ford engine with 1340 cc and in any case, front disc brakes. Also, a rack and pinion steering was standard.

Approx. 400 units were built from Grantura Mk II

Mark III and Mark IV 1800S 1800

TVR Grantura Mk III (1962-1965)

The last series of the cars had a new, longer and stiffer chassis and independently suspended wheels with coil springs. TVR used the same chassis 1972 2500M.

The Mk III had MG engines, with either 1622 cc or 1798 cc capacity. Coventry Climax FWE or Ford engines were also available.

In 1964, out of the car the 1800S with a rectangular comb tail and the round tail lights of the Ford Cortina. The comb tail is called " Manx tail", after the tailless Manx cat. After a brief stop in production 1965, the car appeared again in 1966 as a Mk IV in 1800.

Of the models Grantura Mk III, Mk IV 1800S and 1800 about 300 were built. The Grantura was replaced by Vixen ( with Ford engines ).

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