1960 | TVR Grantura Mk I

The  Grantura was the first production TVR. Debuting in 1958, it went through a series of developments, starting with the Mark I through to the Mark IV and 1800S models, the last of which were made in late 1967. These coupés were hand-built at the TVR factory in Blackpool, England with varying mechanical specifications and could also be ordered in kit form. All featured a dizzying cocktail of Austin-Healey brakes, VW Beetle or Triumph suspension parts and BMC rear axles.

These days it’s easy to forget the extent to which TVRs were raced back in the 1950s and 1960s. More often than not, competition cars were bought in kit form to avoid the dreaded Purchase Tax, the seemingly endless variations of mechanical components meaning it was a prolific and frequent entrant in club racing. By 1960, TVR’s enthusiastic customers had firmly established the marque as a force in competition, usually favouring the Coventry-Climax-powered Grantura. 

Mechanically the MkII was identical to its predecessor – multi-tubular backbone chassis with all-independent, VW Beetle-derived trailing arms and transverse torsion bars front and rear, plus Austin-Healey 100 drums all-round – but with a lighter, higher-quality glassfibre body. There were also a few cosmetic differences, including reshaped rear wings and small fins supporting new tail lamps, together with wheel arch flares to match those at the front.

Engine options also changed. The most common fitment was the MGA 79.5bhp 1588cc unit, whilst the 39bhp 997cc Ford and 83bhp 1216cc Coventry-Climax FWE engines were also available.

This TVR Grantura MKII, chassis 7/C/238 and registered AUD 100, was first registered in October 1960 and is one of four TVR works lightweight development cars built for competition use. The Works cars were prepared  for international race meetings and differed to the standard production examples by featuring a lightweight, strengthened chassis, a very thin glass fibre body, lightweight alloy ‘wobbly-web’ wheels, a tuned Coventry-Climax engine and close ratio gearbox.

Finished in blue with a central yellow central stripe, it was very similar to its sibling 1226 RO, and it’s not absolutely clear which car John Woolfe raced at Setterton’s Lombank Trophy and in the Fordwater Trophy in early 1961.

Late in 1961, 7/C/238 was sold to Michael Sargeant who regularly raced the car in British national events from 1962 to 1964, including the BRSCC British Sports Car Championship. William ‘Bill’ Cook bought it at the end of the 1964 season, and continued to campaign the car in club races, mainly at Snetterton and Brands Hatch, until 1971.

The TVR was laid up from the early 1970s until it was purchased in 1996 from Bill Cook where it would join a collection of British sports and racing cars, with the intention of it being restored.  This restoration didn’t materialise until 2013 when the car was sold in its highly original untouched condition.

The new owner, a well known restorer of vintage and classic cars, set about restoring the car from the ground up, back to its original specification but to modern competitive historic racing standards.  When stripped, it was found that the TVR had the original light weight chassis and body, both of which needed little to no repairs.  The car was actively campaigned in Pre-64 GT racing across Europe and has also competed in the Goodwood Members Meeting.     

The current owner has continued to race the Grantura and maintained the car regardless of cost, ensuring it is to the latest specification. In the right hands, it’s one of the quickest early TVR Grantura’s racing today.

A magnificent example with lovely history, ready to race, and presented with current FIA papers dated until 2027.