1959 TVR Grantura MkII (Development Car)

The first production model TVR in a long line of TVR cars, the Grantura debuted in 1958 and went through a series of developments leading from the MkI to the MkIV and 1800S models, with production ceasing in September 1967. Hand-built at the TVR factory in Blackpool with varying mechanical specifications, the Grantura was also offered in ‘kit form’. The bodyshell was made from glass-reinforced plastic and made use of a variety of proprietary components, with a front-hinged bonnet. Buyers could choose from a range of powerplants which included a choice of side or overhead-valve engines from Ford, a Coventry Climax unit, the engine from the MG A and, ultimately, the 1,798cc BMC B-series engine. Other manufacturers ‘parts-bins’ provided the running gear including Austin-Healey brakes, VW Beetle or Triumph suspension parts and BMC rear axles.

By the middle of 1960, Grantura MkI production was ending (with a total of 100 cars produced), and the MkII bodyshell design was nearly ready. In January 1961, Keith Aitchison and Bryan Hopton (of the Aitchison-Hopton Lotus/TVR dealership in Chester) expressed interest in investing in TVR so, as a bit of an incentive, Bernard Williams offered them a Climax-powered Grantura MkII #7C 119 (the car offered here) to use on a planned press/evaluation run to the Monza circuit in Italy. The trip did not go entirely smoothly but nonetheless, the two men were obviously impressed as, in September of that year, they bought a controlling interest in the company, renamed it TVR Cars Ltd and Hopton had appointed himself as Chairman. Between September 1961 and February 1962, the number of orders for cars had been doubled, and most of the stock of finished cars had been sold.

Correspondence within the car’s extensive history file confirms that #7C 119 had started life as a 1959 Mk I (TVR records show that the chassis number before and after 119 were both MkI Granturas, as well as the electrical parts on the car being dated 1958 and 1959). The company had decided to get involved in circuit racing at club level and had ordered a new Climax 1,220cc FWE engine to power their new race car. The engine was delivered to TVR in May 1959, before being fitted to chassis #7C 119, meaning that the car on offer today is the documented first ever TVR to be fitted with a Coventry Climax engine. Knowing that it may well be sold as a new car one day, it was raced with a series of spurious registration numbers before the first MkII body was created in May of 1960. Chassis #119 was then re-bodied as a MkII, registered under 880 ABM and became effectively a Works car, enjoying some success with Malcolm Wayne.

After the car returned from its ‘jolly’ to Monza, it was prepared for the 1962 Tulip Rally. It was fitted with a B-Series engine with appropriate rev counter, a MkIII bonnet, painted white, roof and front spotlights and a reversing light added set up to deal with the different requirements of a stage rally. Driven by Anne Hall and Val Dolmeo, it was going well until a crash on the Col de Charbonniers ended their hopes. On its return to Blackpool, 880 ABM, was repaired by the factory using parts from another car, blue seats with door cards were fitted, as was a new steering wheel, an original MkII bonnet and the Climax engine, #8409 would return to the car.

In 1962, it was supplied, rather cheekily, by Aitchison Hutchinson as a new car to its first owner, Alan Rhodda, with whom it remained until 2019. We understand that he was under the impression that the car, now registered 603 FM, had been a cancelled order for a client in India who simply couldn't import it. However, there were tell-tale signs that it was not a brand new car, the front flashers were in a different place, the 8,000rpm rev counter was a Works car feature and the 7-inline dial dash was not standard at the time. Similarly, it was reported that there was evidence of crash damage from the rally, but once the engine and rev-counter were adjusted to speak to each other, Mr Rhodda was obviously happy as he kept 603 FM for almost 50 years, during which time it covered just over 20,000 miles.

It re-emerged in 2019 to be sold as a project and its subsequent new keeper undertook a sympathetic restoration, refinished the car in Old English White, and the interior was fully retrimmed in quality pastel blue leather by a Jaguar Heritage engineer. He had the engine (#8409) 'boroscoped' and confirmed as Stage 3 in good condition and undertook a serious amount of investigation and preparation of its now substantial history file. Fascinating reading, the file contains an original sales brochure, buff logbook, Coventry Climax letters signed by Chief Engineer, Wally Hassan, confirming the provenance on the engine and built date, Coventry Climax letters discussing the Stage 3 conversion (completed in 1964) including receipts for all parts from Coventry Climax, numerous Smiths letters discussing the issues with the rev counter and a large collection of receipts for restoration and recommissioning.

Our vendor simply could not resist when offered this car a couple of years ago and is now its third owner. Although the car's second owner had carried out all the work detailed above, personal circumstances meant that he needed to sell the TVR quickly and hadn't completed a mechanical restoration. Over the last few years, our vendor has now set it up well, running and driving nicely although some minor electricals will need to be attended to prior to using it regularly. With a need to reduce his collection, #7C 119 complete with Climax engine #8409 is now looking for a new home. Historically important within the annals of the TVR Car Company, this charismatic little Grantura has enjoyed many adventures over the past 65 years and, we suspect, a few more are on the cards.