1976 TVR 3000M

Highlights 

  • Chassis and body in great condition 
  • Fantastic paintwork condition
  • MOT & Tax exempt 
  • Original parts supplied 
  • Well maintained example

The Background


TVR introduced the M series line of cars in 1972 to replace the outgoing Vixen and Tuscan. The M series was characterised by excellent road handling whilst being loud and fast and having the usual foibles that made a small section of the motoring community love them. 
The 3000M was the higher performance alternative to the 1600M and the 2500M, it debuted at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in 1972 using the Ford Essex V6 mated to a four-speed manual. The reception for the little TVR in the 1972 motor show was likely to have been met with much anticipation after TVR famous publicity stunt the year previous although motoring journalists of the time were likely met with much less nudity. 
Around 2,500 M series cars were produced over the 9 years of production and due to the low volume and hand built nature of the vehicles, many had small and undocumented variations which made them truly unique. 

The History


The current owner purchased the car in 2015 after looking around for a suitable car to be a father son project. The TVR in question was chosen due to having a solid chassis with a recent respray done to a high quality.

It was mostly complete with a few jobs here and there that needed tying up, which the father/son duo completed to get the car up and out on the road whilst they slowly sourced the parts to return the car to original specification.

Before their ownership however, the car had been restored in 2010 with a respray in 2013 with the previous owner modifying the car to compete in road rallies and sprints, without unfortunately getting to use it in anger before selling to the current owner through a classic car dealer.

The current owner has recently started new employment, taking up much of their time and resulting in the little TVR being side-lined. 

IMG_2783.jpeg 1.78 MB


The Paperwork


Registered first in 1976 means the TVR is now Tax and MOT exempt and comes with the V5 updated to reflect its historic vehicle status. 

The TVR has MOT and servicing receipts to show some work completed to the car. The majority of the evidence for the work comes from a written summary from the owner completing the restoration. There are receipts for works as summarised below:

  • Refurbished rear wheel bearings, drive shaft set, universal joints, diff carrier brackets, front top and lower bushes, rear bush set – Exactly TVR Ltd – 21/03/2011 – (previous owner)
  • Ignition lead separator kit, Oil filter, water pump, thermostat, rocker valve covergasket, Thermostat gasket – Burton power – 10/06/2016 – (current owner)

The Interior


Inside the TVR is just as race focused as the exterior with the figure-hugging seats and four-point harnesses, although the black vinyl trim adds a slight comfort to the raucous little TVR. The current seats are not original TVR units, but the current owner has sourced some original M Series items (in need of refurbishment) that were destined to go into the car should they have kept it longer. These will be included with the sale should the next owner wish to continue along the route of putting this car back to original specification. 
The dashboard looks to have been retrimmed at some point during the car’s life and has plenty of padding and the trim is in good condition, the carpet and centre console is all in good condition also. The three-spoke steering wheel looks to be an aftermarket addition and looks to be in good serviceable order with the trim not fraying or showing excessive wear. 

The switches have been relocated and placed in a stainless-steel pod; however, the dials may need a bit of TLC, a coat of paint for the bezel surrounds and possibly even rewiring as they are intermittent at the moment. This should be a satisfying and easily achievable job for the home mechanic. 
To start the car, there is no ignition barrel, the TVR has a fuel cut off switch with the electrics wired accordingly, most likely in line with the previous owner’s aim to set up the car for competition. The current owner however is including in the sale a set of lockable handles for the exterior of the car and an ignition barrel. 

The Exterior


The striking red exterior of the TVR is what draws the eye first of all, the body being one of this car’s highlights. The red is complimented with the white and blue stripe, a little homage to the TVR badge on the front, the stripe is just vinyl as well so should the next owner decide a little cosmetic freshen up is in order then it should not be too troublesome to remove. 
The tiny car is predominately housing for the 3.0l V6 under the long sweeping bonnet, however TVR back in the day managed to craft in some fantastic lines and details into the relatively small body. The bonnet bulges and vents add to the drama this car even when stationary without being too aggressive. The shut lines and gaps are all uniform and tight which is a good sign on a car of this age. 

The wheels on the car are Wolfrace Slot Mags and were optional extras at the time, the owner again has sourced a set of original T-slot wheels which are in need of a refurb but will complete the exterior of the car. 
Currently the car is without bumpers, giving the car a cleaner look but perhaps to the TVR trained eye a naked one, the current owner has thought of this too and is supplying a set of original bumpers (in need of reconditioning) with the sale of the car. Around the back of the car, the main talking point is that fishbowl rear window, a beautiful piece of design that really sets off the rear and side profile of the car. 

The fabric roof works well and is believed to be watertight although the current owner avoids driving the car in the wet. The movement is stiff but not sticking and is thought to be a natural element of the design. The twin exit exhaust tips tie the rear end of the car together, adding the ‘cherry on the cake’ of this V6 sports car, giving it its voice, turning heads and ears everywhere it goes. 
An important note to highlight is that the car is currently kept under a cover in a dry and dehumidified garage. 

The Mechanics


The 3.0L V6 in the TVR is running, driving and working well, the current owner has suggested that it would benefit from a thorough tune and set up from a professional or specialist shop. Aside from that the engine is otherwise healthy. The running gear is all working well too with the car having new driveshafts from a well-known and trusted TVR specialist ‘Exactly TVR Ltd’.

Exactly TVR also supplied the car with new wheel bearings, diff carrier bracket, a front and rear bush set so the transfer of power to the road should be as efficient as possible. During the current owner’s time, the radiator has been re-cored with the addition of cooling fans and replacement thermostat meaning the car’s cooling system is now working as intended.

Despite not having seen much use over the past 2 years, the car is regularly started and moved to avoid seizing of any of the parts. 

IMG_2796.jpeg 3.75 MB


The Appeal


A 46-year-old car that looks this good and has clearly been taken care of this well is a joy to behold at the best of times. This TVR has been treated to some trick modifications to make it perform better, albeit without seeing proper competition, which should mean it’s ready to keep pace with modern traffic whilst being infinitely more enjoyable. 

With TVR set to make a comeback in the next few years with their new factory opening it could mean that residual values could become stronger, not that being a collectable investment is strange to any TVR. 

TVRs have been the joy of many petrolheads around the world due to their unconventional ways of building a car, this one is no different, fantastic to look at, wonderful to drive all while emitting a glorious soundtrack bringing smiles and joy to all it passes. 

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1976
  • Make TVR
  • Model 3000M
  • Colour Red
  • Odometer 106,057 Miles
  • Engine size 2994
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location Hertfordshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
31 bids
  • Al•••• £13,750 06/02/22
  • di•••• £13,500 06/02/22
  • Al•••• £13,213 06/02/22
  • ch•••• £12,900 06/02/22
  • Al•••• £12,589 06/02/22
  • di•••• £12,200 06/02/22
  • Al•••• £11,889 06/02/22
  • ch•••• £11,600 06/02/22
  • Al•••• £11,339 06/02/22
  • Al•••• £11,001 06/02/22
Message C&C Auction Team

The gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.