The TVR Tuscan V8 (1967-1970)
TVR built three series of TVR Tuscans V8 between 1967 and 1970. The three series can be distinguished by their body styles, interiors and engine choices. The first series (200-001 …) had a short wheel base (SWB) body. These cars were quite similar to the Griffith 400 they replaced. The second series (LWB001 …) were built on a long wheel base (LWB) chassis and had a modified interior. The third and last series (MAL001 …, MAL stands for Martin Lilley) was the most diversified batch. Most of the 22 (or 21?) cars were carrying a Vixen S2 style body, current research indicates that MAL15 most probably was the last car with this body style, while later cars were built with a wide and more modern body similar to the later M cars. The interior of the early MAL cars were similar to the LWB cars, Laster MAL series car though already show an interior similar to the Vixen S2/S3. With MAL007 or 008 the transition from bonded to bolted bodies was done.
Given TVR only built 58 of these Tuscans V8 overall during four years (book author Robson though claimed 73, investigations by Colin Lyons in 1991 (letter in Sprint June 1991) indicate a lower number though) it can be assumed that they assembled the pieces they had on stock at the time the car was built. The TVR Tuscan V8 all had Ford 289 V8 engines with various power outputs. While early cars had the lower powered 195 bhp version, SE (special equipment cars) had a higher tuned 271 bhp version. It seems that the MAL series only used the stronger engine options, some literature also indicates that the 302 BOSS engine was used for few cars, but this is not proven. Of all the MAL-cars roughly ten are known to have survived Most of these cars are left hand driven, it’s assumed that only 2 MAL-RHD cars were built over all.
Maintenance of the car is straight forward and you are able to find most parts for the engine and the drivetrain. Many bits and pieces of the interior, suspensions, etc. were shared with British mass production vehicles. So desite being rare and exclusive the car is not a prima donna. And if maintained well they should last for ever.
1 comment:
I owned Mal 007 and the pictures your showing are a later of the two . It had a250 hp 302 not the 289.
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