1969 TVR Vixen S2

When the TVR Vixen appeared in 1967, the tiny Blackpool carmaker had been around in one form or another for almost 20-years. The formula for every TVR after the first handful was pretty much the same: a fiberglass coupé body over a unique tubular frame with as many high-volume parts from major manufacturers as possible.

Along the way, engines included side-valve Fords, B-series MGs, Coventry Climaxes and Ford V8s but the engine that really helped TVR reach volume status was the Ford Cortina 1,600cc crossflow unit. 12 of the early, short-wheelbase Vixens used up supplies of MG B 1,798cc engines, but the Cortina unit was lighter, revved a bit more freely and came with the slick all-synchro Cortina GT 4-speed gearbox. If it gave up a few horsepower to the MG unit, it gave away nothing in performance.

When the S2 Vixen came along in 1968, the chassis and body rode on a 90'' wheelbase, which enlarged the doors and made the interior roomier, and, for the first time, a TVR body was bolted - not bonded - to its chassis, greatly easing collision repairs and restoration. The body was uniquely TVR, with a wraparound rear window that made for a very bright cockpit. Also unique were the tidy corner bumpers, aluminium window frames and the alloy wheels that came on virtually all S2 Vixens. Electrical components (such as the Cortina taillights) and switches came from Lucas, while the front uprights, differential and brakes were from Triumph.

This is one of 438 hand-built Series 2 examples and is powered by the venerable 1,600cc crossflow ‘four’ paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Remarkably, it has been owned for the last 50-years by the same person, our vendor. After manufacture at the TVR Bispham factory, it was bought by her in June 1974 from a garage in Alderley Edge then used as a ‘normal’ everyday car, filling it with microwave ovens (when she worked for Toshiba) or cases of wine when she set up her own wine business.

By the early 1980s, the chassis had been shot-blasted and galvanised, whilst the engine was ‘fettled’ and very possibly 'developed' by David Gerald TVR of Inkberrow; she never had a complete breakdown of the work done, but suffice to say, a few years later she had to have a ‘tamer’ cam fitted.

Between 1999 and 2001, the car was fully restored by local engineer and car/rally enthusiast, Peter Kukainis of Crickhowell, with the work totalling around £6,000, accompanied by a full photographic record and invoices. Since then, the car has routinely been serviced (again, with all invoices) and used regularly in the summer months, whilst always being garaged when not in use. It is running and driving as well as you would want and presented in very authentic condition, with just the right amount of patina.

The hope is that this little TVR will be bought by a similar enthusiast, as it has lots of driving fun and miles yet to offer; a special car coming from a very special ownership.