Highlights
• One of only 410 V8S models made
• Only 17,394 miles from new
• Restored chassis
• Impressive history file
• Full-Service history
• Full leather cabin
The Appeal
First introduced in 1986, the TVR S Series instantly struck a chord with the open-top sports car buyer, due to its retro-themed styling, back to basics appeal and keen pricing in an increasingly sophisticated range of TVR cars.
The S Series not only helped TVR get back on track financially, but its raw talents also provided the driver with a memorable driving experience.
While its styling was reminiscent of the previous 3000S models, the multi-tube chassis, semi-trailing arm rear suspension and in the later cars known as the V8S, the well-proven Buick derived 3.9-litre V8 engine made it a serious contender as a supercar chaser.
The V8S was regarded as a suitable bookend by the time the last cars came off the line in 1994, as the car transferred the baton to the Griffith and Chimaera to keep the brand relevant into the 1990s.
The S Series not only helped TVR get back on track financially, but its raw talents also provided the driver with a memorable driving experience.
While its styling was reminiscent of the previous 3000S models, the multi-tube chassis, semi-trailing arm rear suspension and in the later cars known as the V8S, the well-proven Buick derived 3.9-litre V8 engine made it a serious contender as a supercar chaser.
The V8S was regarded as a suitable bookend by the time the last cars came off the line in 1994, as the car transferred the baton to the Griffith and Chimaera to keep the brand relevant into the 1990s.
This 1994 Brooklands Green with a full hide interior V8S was actually built in late 1993 and has just 17,394 recorded miles since new. It comes with full-service history and evidence that each one of its owners has kept on top of the issues, with chassis, body, gearbox and suspension kept in check.
The current owner has owned it for three years and has invoices documenting that he has spent £6,500 pounds to ensure it stays in the best possible condition.
The current owner has owned it for three years and has invoices documenting that he has spent £6,500 pounds to ensure it stays in the best possible condition.
The History and Paperwork
• £6,500 spent in the last three years
• Chassis and partial body restoration
• Overhauled gearbox and suspension
• Full-Service History
The owner had initially owned a similar version of the V8S when the car was current and regretted selling it, to selflessly accommodate a growing family.
He diligently waited until 2019, when the right vehicle happened to appear via a sports car specialist in East Sussex.
The car's outstanding number of invoices, documentation, and service stamps, as well as the car's very low mileage and general condition, gave him confidence that this was likely to be the best example available to him at the time.
A cursory scan of the invoices outlines the work carried by the previous owners and shines a positive light on the mechanical aspect of the car, including new bushes, slave cylinder, cooling hoses and oxygen sensors which were all replaced in the early 2000s.
A commonly known source of anxiety on these cars is the chassis and fibreglass finish, however a chassis strip-down, steam clean and acrylic repaint, along with a bulkhead fix and paint spruce up in 2002 should alleviate any concerns in regards to any structural integrity or presentation of the car.
Since taking on the car, he hasn’t covered much more than 1000 miles in it but has treated it to regular servicing, with the most recent one carried out in October 2021.
In addition, the car has received a set of new dampers, suspension adjustments and a gearbox overhaul totalling £6,500. It has been kept in a climate-controlled garage during his ownership, but it is now being sold due to its lack of use.
It comes with an MOT to November 2022 and has two keys as well as press material, handbooks and manuals included in a big file of invoices.
The car's original header tank and two spare alloy wheels also come as part of the sale.
He diligently waited until 2019, when the right vehicle happened to appear via a sports car specialist in East Sussex.
The car's outstanding number of invoices, documentation, and service stamps, as well as the car's very low mileage and general condition, gave him confidence that this was likely to be the best example available to him at the time.
A cursory scan of the invoices outlines the work carried by the previous owners and shines a positive light on the mechanical aspect of the car, including new bushes, slave cylinder, cooling hoses and oxygen sensors which were all replaced in the early 2000s.
A commonly known source of anxiety on these cars is the chassis and fibreglass finish, however a chassis strip-down, steam clean and acrylic repaint, along with a bulkhead fix and paint spruce up in 2002 should alleviate any concerns in regards to any structural integrity or presentation of the car.
Since taking on the car, he hasn’t covered much more than 1000 miles in it but has treated it to regular servicing, with the most recent one carried out in October 2021.
In addition, the car has received a set of new dampers, suspension adjustments and a gearbox overhaul totalling £6,500. It has been kept in a climate-controlled garage during his ownership, but it is now being sold due to its lack of use.
It comes with an MOT to November 2022 and has two keys as well as press material, handbooks and manuals included in a big file of invoices.
The car's original header tank and two spare alloy wheels also come as part of the sale.
The Interior
• Full leather option
• Near-pristine cabin
The cabin is in excellent shape and maintains a decadent element of plushness, all correlating with the car's careful ownership profile and low mileage.
The leather seats are firm and in good shape, with no rips or significant blemishes noted on the hide. Naturally, there is a little ageing of the leather but it certainly doesn’t distract. The green piping is intact.
The carpets and headlining are in very good shape, with no signs of dampness noted. The car comes fitted with TVR mats, with beading to complement the interior colour-coding.
The leather seats are firm and in good shape, with no rips or significant blemishes noted on the hide. Naturally, there is a little ageing of the leather but it certainly doesn’t distract. The green piping is intact.
The carpets and headlining are in very good shape, with no signs of dampness noted. The car comes fitted with TVR mats, with beading to complement the interior colour-coding.
The full hide trim dashboard is kitted out with a tasteful combination of leather and walnut effect and is in a very presentable condition with no signs of weather exposure or age.
The stitching is all intact, with the door cards and wood capping all in good shape and free from scuffs. The prominent centre console houses a Panasonic CD player and is connected up to a fully functional electric aerial and a four-speaker set-up.
The car also comes with a TVR embossed CD storage case. The dials and switches are in very good condition, with virtually no signs of wear. All are said to function, including the electric windows, boot release and mirrors.
All of the gauges work, although the owner has pointed out that the fuel gauge, despite it currently having a full fuel tank, is reading 3/4 full. The gear knob and handbrake are in superb shape, with the Chimaera Personal leather rimmed steering wheel being free from any wear.
The boot looks virtually unused, with no significant marks or suggestion of dampness.
The stitching is all intact, with the door cards and wood capping all in good shape and free from scuffs. The prominent centre console houses a Panasonic CD player and is connected up to a fully functional electric aerial and a four-speaker set-up.
The car also comes with a TVR embossed CD storage case. The dials and switches are in very good condition, with virtually no signs of wear. All are said to function, including the electric windows, boot release and mirrors.
All of the gauges work, although the owner has pointed out that the fuel gauge, despite it currently having a full fuel tank, is reading 3/4 full. The gear knob and handbrake are in superb shape, with the Chimaera Personal leather rimmed steering wheel being free from any wear.
The boot looks virtually unused, with no significant marks or suggestion of dampness.
The Exterior
• Chassis renovation
• Excellent bodywork
• Pristine and fully operational hood
One of the many highlights of this car is the solidity of the multi-tube space frame, having been subjected to a renovation in 2002, and having only covered an additional 10,000 miles since then.
As a result, the finish is in good shape, with its red acrylic finish still looking good, with evidence of minor wear noted just below the left side of the radiator. All of the outriggers, trailing arms and suspension mounts look good.
The underside and inner wings of the fibreglass shell are solid, with no significant signs of damage observed. The body is in good shape, with very little evidence of sinking or crazing.
The classy Brooklands Racing Green paint has an even glossy coverage with no significant impediments, other than the odd road chip noted on the nose. There are no signs of overspray, crazed or matted paint.
The door opens and closes without effort, the passenger doors hang well and show the slightest of drops, but certainly not enough to interrupt what is a remarkably cohesive fit. The bonnet and boot are flush fittings.
The windscreen is probably the only minus side to the exterior presentation, with a minor chip noted. There is also evidence of slightly unsightly lamination damage around the edges but no water ingress or condensation was observed on the day.
The seals around the doors and windows are very good. The neat and simple Targa/convertible roof raises and retracts perfectly and the rear bars carry out their task with no issues.
The mohair roof is in very good shape and provides a snug decent seal when fixed in place., There are no notable issues with the state of the stitching, the rear plastic screen is clear with no fogging or cracks.
The twin Targa roof panels offer a very good fit and come with their respective roof panel bags. The headlamps and chrome trim are in very good shape, and the car's lower driving lamps are intact with TVR logos in place.
Minor cracks were noted on both of the front bumper indicator lenses but the rear items are intact and all of the lighting works. The trim is complete, with no outstanding issues with the condition of the chrome door handles or badging.
The bumpers are scuff-free with their trim intact, with minor signs of age on the rubber trim. The 5 spoke alloys are Chimaera style wheels, which are correct factory fitting for a late model V8S.
They're in very good shape, with decent Uniroyal tyres fitted throughout, the nearside tyres are both less than 3 years old, and all have a good level of thread.
As a result, the finish is in good shape, with its red acrylic finish still looking good, with evidence of minor wear noted just below the left side of the radiator. All of the outriggers, trailing arms and suspension mounts look good.
The underside and inner wings of the fibreglass shell are solid, with no significant signs of damage observed. The body is in good shape, with very little evidence of sinking or crazing.
The classy Brooklands Racing Green paint has an even glossy coverage with no significant impediments, other than the odd road chip noted on the nose. There are no signs of overspray, crazed or matted paint.
The door opens and closes without effort, the passenger doors hang well and show the slightest of drops, but certainly not enough to interrupt what is a remarkably cohesive fit. The bonnet and boot are flush fittings.
The windscreen is probably the only minus side to the exterior presentation, with a minor chip noted. There is also evidence of slightly unsightly lamination damage around the edges but no water ingress or condensation was observed on the day.
The seals around the doors and windows are very good. The neat and simple Targa/convertible roof raises and retracts perfectly and the rear bars carry out their task with no issues.
The mohair roof is in very good shape and provides a snug decent seal when fixed in place., There are no notable issues with the state of the stitching, the rear plastic screen is clear with no fogging or cracks.
The twin Targa roof panels offer a very good fit and come with their respective roof panel bags. The headlamps and chrome trim are in very good shape, and the car's lower driving lamps are intact with TVR logos in place.
Minor cracks were noted on both of the front bumper indicator lenses but the rear items are intact and all of the lighting works. The trim is complete, with no outstanding issues with the condition of the chrome door handles or badging.
The bumpers are scuff-free with their trim intact, with minor signs of age on the rubber trim. The 5 spoke alloys are Chimaera style wheels, which are correct factory fitting for a late model V8S.
They're in very good shape, with decent Uniroyal tyres fitted throughout, the nearside tyres are both less than 3 years old, and all have a good level of thread.
The Mechanics
• Recent suspension work
• Gearbox overhauled
• Engine beautifully presented
The owner has continued to retain the positive mechanical upkeep of the car, and it has been subject to plenty of attention in his care.
This is very clear to see by the engine's positive presentation. The car starts up instantly, with no signs of smoke, other than minor cold engine condensation which dissipated quickly, once the engine was left to idle.
The V8 burble retained its beat, with no undulations or hiccups. The water and oil gauges remained static, with the owner mentioning that the oil pressure remains low under normal driving conditions.
No unwanted noises were heard from the engine, with the exhaust intact. No fluid leaks were observed. The standard all-round disc brakes perform well with no issues reported by the owner.
The gearbox has been subject to a recent overhaul and along with the clutch, is fault-free. The steering is said to be compliant with minimal play and no squeaking or knocking, said to come from the wheels.
The car has been confirmed by the owner to drive well, with no issues, other than the occasionally ‘TVR rattle’ due to the characteristics of the firm suspension, the car sounds visceral on the move and the experience of that engine note pounding the open road will guarantee to put a smile on your face.
This is very clear to see by the engine's positive presentation. The car starts up instantly, with no signs of smoke, other than minor cold engine condensation which dissipated quickly, once the engine was left to idle.
The V8 burble retained its beat, with no undulations or hiccups. The water and oil gauges remained static, with the owner mentioning that the oil pressure remains low under normal driving conditions.
No unwanted noises were heard from the engine, with the exhaust intact. No fluid leaks were observed. The standard all-round disc brakes perform well with no issues reported by the owner.
The gearbox has been subject to a recent overhaul and along with the clutch, is fault-free. The steering is said to be compliant with minimal play and no squeaking or knocking, said to come from the wheels.
The car has been confirmed by the owner to drive well, with no issues, other than the occasionally ‘TVR rattle’ due to the characteristics of the firm suspension, the car sounds visceral on the move and the experience of that engine note pounding the open road will guarantee to put a smile on your face.
Summary
The V8 variant of the S should be viewed as TVR’s 1990s take on the traditional British V8 sports car, without the premium prices or antiquated mechanics.
The V8S's understated style, raw performance, good parts network, plush interior, and the personality of a classic older car simply add to the appeal of this low mileage car with a near-perfect maintenance history.
The V8S's understated style, raw performance, good parts network, plush interior, and the personality of a classic older car simply add to the appeal of this low mileage car with a near-perfect maintenance history.
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.
