The first TVR sports car

A review of The Early TVR Sports Car, covering the development, important features and technical data of this, the first model in the TVR range.

In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Early TVR, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was made during the period from 1946 to 1958.

The beginning

In 1946, Trevor Wilkinson founded Trevcar Motors in Blackpool with the aim of manufacturing cars.

However, in 1947 the name of the company was changed to TVR Engineering.

In 1949, the company built its first car based on the mechanics of a Morris Eight saloon, along with an aluminum body, and powered by a tuned 1172cc Ford side-valve engine developing 35hp.

This model was duly named TVR Number One.

1952

By 1952 the original car had been modified, in terms of mechanics and bodywork, to include a 1200cc 4-cylinder overhead valve engine from an Austin A40, developing 40bhp.

This version was dubbed TVR number two and won various awards when it was entered in sprints and club climbs.

TVR Number One and Two were aluminum-bodied open sports cars.

1953

In 1953, TVR built a series of new chassis to accept the A40 engine and mechanicals, combined with a fiberglass body, which they duly sold as kit cars.

This car was called the TVR Sports Saloon and boasted a 0-60 mph time of 13 seconds.

The chassis was built to order and kits were offered with alternative body styles and engines, although the most common units were the 1172cc Ford side valve and the 1200cc top valve unit from the Austin A40.

Early TVR customers often just bought a rolling chassis fitted with their chosen engine and then made alternate arrangements to choose the bodywork.

1955

In 1955, the company designed a backbone-type chassis, while the body was developed by modifying body parts from the Ashley kit car.

1956

In 1956 the Jomar Mark 2, as it is now known, was built as a special order, incorporating aluminum bodywork on the new semi-space chassis and powered by a Coventry Climax FWA engine.

Externally, the Jomar closely resembled the early TVR Grantura.

Later that year a Jomar-style chassis was fitted to restyled bodywork and a Coventry Climax engine, and was dubbed the TVR Open Sports.

A fixed roof coupe version was then built and was called the TVR Coupe.

Engine choices included the 1172cc Ford 100E side valve, to which a Shorrock supercharger could be added, the 1100cc Coventry Climax FWA unit and the 1.5 liter unit used in the MGA.

One of the TVR Coupe models was driven by Mike Hawthorn to promote the company.

1958

In 1958, a six-car team was created in the US to race TVR, while the Jomar sports model was entered in Formula racing.

Following suggestions from the US racing team, the existing bodywork was now redesigned to produce a fastback version using the existing chassis, which featured independent front and rear suspension.

The range of engines included:

  • 1172 cc Ford side valve, which had the option to be supercharged
  • 997cc Ford 105E Overhead Valve
  • Alternate Coventry Climax Units
  • 1489 cc, overhead valve, BMC B-Series unit, as used in the MGA

Since the body was fitted with narrow doors and the steering wheel was quite large and almost vertical, this meant that access to and from the car was not easy.

Cars fitted with a Coventry Climax engine received a luxurious leather interior, while those of a more standard specification were trimmed in vinyl.

Initial production of the restyled fastback version was exported to the US, where they were designated either the Jomar Coupe or Jomar GT depending on engine specification.

Interestingly, some of these cars sported Jomar and TVR badges on the front.

There were two variants on offer:

  • The Jomar Mark 2 sports car was available with fiberglass or aluminum bodywork and a Coventry Climax engine.
  • The Jomar Coupe was equipped with the 1172 cc Ford 105E engine and a fiberglass body.

Both variants used the same chassis.

Almost all production was exported to the US, where the sporty variant was simply named the Jomar.

At the time, it was felt that the Jomar name had run its course and that a more emotive designation was required.

The Grantura name was chosen in recognition of Grantura Plastics, which manufactured the bodies.

Thus the sporty TVR Grantura was born.

This marked the end of Early TVR.

Perhaps this walk down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on a possible question:

What TVR sports car is it? Their Favourite?

However, if this question remains unanswered, I will review, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the full range of TVR sports cars that were introduced in the memorable era spanning 1946 to 1967.

I hope you’ll join me on my nostalgic trips “down sports car memory lane.”

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