OT - front mid engined Options

[wonkipop]

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.

[bkrantz]

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?