Note to bidders: the engine bay features pictures with both the old and new carburettors.
Highlights
Maintained in excellent mechanical condition
Newly fitted triple Weber carburettors
A very rare sight on the road today
French registered
The Appeal
There’s a real purity to the 2500M: the gutsy straight-six, the juicy carbs, the outstanding weight distribution, the tactile interior, the oh-so-seventies body design. It ticks so many boxes.
In the current owner’s tenure, a lot of money, time and effort has gone into keeping it mechanically tip-top, always usable and – most importantly – reliable. the focus was to keep it at the top of its game as a pure driver’s car, and that’s precisely what it is.
Interior design has always been TVR’s forte, and this 2500M’s cabin is certainly a pleasant and cosy place to be. The carpets are all new, including the rear shelf where the spare wheel lives. The cubbyhole beneath houses the warning triangle and tools.
The dash design is charming with its repeated-circle motif and, aside from a small knock on the edge above the centre console, it’s all in good condition. The dials and switchgear are all functional, the radio works, and the heaters have been overhauled and they’re working well.
The car is fitted with new seat belts, but you’ll have spotted that the seats don’t match: when the car was bought it was fitted with Pontiac Fiero seats, and the owner asked the guys at Str8 Six to fit some genuine TVR items – these are what they had on the shelf and, while they’re different from one another, they are period-correct. (A popular upgrade is to fit a pair of Corbeau Classics, so that might be something to consider for the future.)
The sunroof is also working, and fully water-tight. However, we didn’t open it to test as the owner says that the runners could do with oiling – they’re not corroded, just a bit sticky – so it opens easily but is harder to close. This shouldn’t be a tricky thing to remedy.
One of the main attractions of a TVR, of course, is that the body can’t rust: the fibreglass is all in pretty decent condition too, considering that it’s an unrestored 1974 car. It would benefit from a respray, as there are a few marks, scratches and blemishes across the bodywork as the photos demonstrate. There are a few areas of spidering, particularly on the driver’s door, but this shouldn’t be too challenging to sort out.
There are no chunks or gouges missing, all the panels are in generally good shape and they all sit well. (Panel gaps are never perfect on low-volume fibreglass classic cars like this, but they’re about as straight and tight as they can be.)The owner highlights that the bonnet fixings will need attention, as they’re just starting to experience a little corrosion.
The original 14” alloy wheels are fitted and in excellent condition, with good quality Falken Ziex tyres on the front and Dunlop D60s on the rear. All the correct chrome trim is in place; there’s a little surface corrosion to the quarter bumpers, particularly the rears, but otherwise it’s all in good order.
The window glass and light lenses are all good, and the car appears to be reassuringly solid underneath. Overall, it’s a neatly presented TVR – a little love and care to the bodywork would turn a very good car into a great one.
More than 5000£ spent on mechanical overhaul in the last 5 years
Clutch overhauled and brakes serviced
It’s a simple but robust package in here, with proven Triumph mechanicals offering just the right amount of grunt for such a lightweight car.
In factory form the 2500M was fitted with twin Zenith carbs, but this car has ben fitted with three new Webers
A pair of new radiators (engine and transmission) have been fitted within the last few years, so it’s now more than happy to keep its cool even when stuck in London traffic.The car has been fitted with electronic ignition, and all the electrics have been overhauled.
The engine is strong and dependable, and reportedly has never leaked oil or fluids in this owner’s time; there’s a sheen of oil beneath but we’re assured this has never made the transition from sheen to drip, the car’s eager to keep all its fluids where they should be.
The owner points out that there may be a minor leak from the exhaust system (spaghetti manifold into an Ansa system which sounds...the business) to be addressed, but on the whole it’s a thoroughly dependable and reliable thing that’s also oodles of fun to hustle down country lanes.
The overdrive works correctly so it’s happy to cruise on motorways, and the clutch has been overhauled. The brakes were serviced in 2019 so they’re all working well.
This TVR has clearly been well cared for by its current owner, with a keen focus on keeping the car in excellent mechanical condition. It’s a true driver’s car and can be used as a classic British sportscar should: enthusiastically.
We’re sure that this 2500M will bring a smile to the face of anyone who gets behind the wheel. It will make an exciting addition to any collection.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
