 OT - front mid engined |
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| wonkipop |
 Feb 23 2026, 08:21 PM
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#1
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914 Guru  Group: Members Posts: 5,418 Joined: 6-May 20 From: north antarctica Member No.: 24,231 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille 
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interesting end to the afternoon yesterday.
we decided to roll the TVR out of its corner and start it up to turn the engine. hasn't been started for a couple of years. TVR grantura mk 111. delivered to australia in 1965. think its a 64 build. made in UK. front mid engined layout. fibreglass body bonded to space frame ladder chassis similar to a lotus. original cars ran a variety of 4 cylinder engines. often coventry climax similar to lotus or MGA or MGB engines depending on the years built. this one is a bit unique. later in life in aus fitted with Leyland P76 V8 dating from the 1970s. 4.4 L aluminium engine. derived from the same engine as used in Rover 3500 and in Range Rovers. originally a Buick design that Rover bought from GM in the 1960s. approx 190-200 hp. car weighs 800ib with engine. the engine weighs roughly the same as the heavy old 60s 4 bangers - so handling balance etc theoretically not compromised.    started up with no hesitation even after a a couple of years. ran and idled sweet. warmed up to operating temp. looks like might be next spare time workshop project to see if it can be put back on the road. been off the road since 86. could be a bit of a challenge given the body and space frame construction. its tiny. i'm 5 foot 11 and even i can hardly fit in it. |
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Replies(1 - 5)
| mepstein |
Feb 23 2026, 08:41 PM
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#2
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 20,470 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
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800lbs - ?
kilos? |
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| Ninja |
Feb 23 2026, 08:50 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 156 Joined: 25-September 25 From: Granbury Texas Member No.: 29,004 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Over here that was called the BOP V8 Buick/Oldsmobile/Pontiac.
In 62 it was one of the first cars to have a turbo in the Oldsmobile "Jetfire". The turbo also had water/methanol injection from the factory. My dad designed and helped build a Can-Am car that used one of these. It was stroked/bored up to 5.0l and made north of 400hp in the early 70s. The English (Rover I believe) bought the rights to it and put it in a bunch of stuff. Neat little engine! That would be WICKED to drive! |
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| bkrantz |
Feb 23 2026, 09:00 PM
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#4
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 8,608 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains
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Cool. What's the max driver size?
I always felt that Colin Chapman had no use for guys like me (6-2 American, 188 cm). I remember barely squeezing into a Europa, and getting just part of one leg into an Elan. Do TVRs work the same? |
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| wonkipop |
Feb 23 2026, 09:41 PM
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#5
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,418 Joined: 6-May 20 From: north antarctica Member No.: 24,231 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille
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QUOTE(mepstein @ Feb 23 2026, 08:41 PM)  800lbs - ? kilos? yeah sorry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
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| wonkipop |
Feb 23 2026, 09:45 PM
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#6
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,418 Joined: 6-May 20 From: north antarctica Member No.: 24,231 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille
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QUOTE(bkrantz @ Feb 23 2026, 09:00 PM) Cool. What's the max driver size? I always felt that Colin Chapman had no use for guys like me (6-2 American, 188 cm). I remember barely squeezing into a Europa, and getting just part of one leg into an Elan. Do TVRs work the same? pretty much. i have trouble fitting into a lotus elite and i am not exactly a big person at 5 11 tvr felt just like that. |
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