TVR#History

Trevor Wilkinson ( born May 14, 1923 in Blackpool, † June 6, 2008 in Menorca, Spain ) was an English automobile designer and founder of TVR.

Biography

Wilkinson left with 14 years of school and started an apprenticeship as an engineer in a local repair shop in Blackpool. In 1946 he bought a tire shop in his home town and turned the business around in a workshop with the car business. He called The business Trevcar engine.

In 1947, he developed his first car, a modified Alvis Firebird. He named the company then into TVR Engineering; TVR as an abbreviation of his first name Trevor. The company joined Jack Pickard. In 1949, the first sports car under the name of Mark I, later renamed TVR Grantura.

The cars were very fast and agile for its time. They were equipped with a special fiberglass body and had a strong Coventry - Climax, a BMC or a Ford engine. This approach was followed by the company until the 1980s. The first sale in the United States followed in 1956. In the United Kingdom, the vehicles were sold in kit form, to circumvent the tax laws and obligations. 1960 Wilkinson sold his hundredth car.

In April 1962 Wilkinson was eliminated along with his partner Jack Pickard left the company to found with him a construction company that specialized in fiberglass. His separation from the company took place shortly before the first TVR models were used in the 24 - hour race at Le Mans.