Highlights

Early 3litre M-car in very presentable and usable condition
Smart refurbished interior
MOT and tax exempt
Recently recommissioned after hibernation
Light, torquey and very entertaining low volume British sports car

The Appeal

Perhaps it was the naked women on the Motor Show stand or perhaps it was the new backbone chassis, but TVR’s new M-cars quickly delivered what new owner Martin Lilley hoped: sales. Top of the tree was the 3litre Ford ‘Essex’ equipped V6 which, combined with that new chassis and low weight delivered performance and thrills to match anything available on the British sports car scene.

Just 654 3000Ms were built and this is one of the earliest. Recently recommissioned from hibernation it is in very presentable but eminently usable condition, making it ready to exploit and enjoy.

The History and Paperwork

First registered on 23rd October 1972
2 sets of keys
The vendor says that there is lots of history which includes old invoices
Vendor states that the brakes have been overhauled
Older respray with some marks visible
We understand that the dashboard and trim have been reconditioned
There is no MOT history but the car is MOT and tax exempt
Vehicle handbook supplied with car
The M-cars were named after Martin Lilley and featured a new backbone chassis with revised Vixen-influenced bodywork
The vendor tells us that the original engine was replaced with a Ford V8 during the car’s life
The car is now back with a correct Ford ‘Essex’ V6 3litre engine

The Interior

The interior is generally in very good condition and we understand the dashboard and trim have been refurbished
Appears to be factory standard including the door cards and dashboard
Original Smiths dials with clear faces and some marks to black rims
Black carpets with matching over mats piped in red
Carpets would benefit from a clean to further improve the interior appearance
Original headlining in good condition
Folding sunroof looks well kept and workable with clear aluminium trims
Pioneer aftermarket stereo fitted
Centre console trim well preserved with no visible scuffs or rips
Dashboard in similar condition with clean top and fascia
Aluminium gear knob
Rear load area continues the sense of preservation being very presentable
Some marks on the door cards but not unsightly and there are no rips

The Exterior

Attractive dark blue metallic paintwork appears to be an older restoration that has held up well
There are some marks around the car including stone chips, edge chips and scuffs to the vulnerable lower areas under the front and rear
The black painted bumpers are generally good but with small scratches on two of the ends
Glasswork and lights are complete and appear undamaged and with clear lenses
Stylish TVR-branded alloy wheels are very presentable but with age-related marks and deterioration
Underside appears to be in good condition with solid structures and some flaking of underseal and surface corrosion visible

The Mechanics

2,994cc Ford ‘Essex’ V6 engine but not the original factory supplied unit
4spd manual gearbox
Backbone chassis with perimeter tubes
Lightweight, weighing only 950kg
0-60mph in 7.7seconds
We are told that the brakes have been overhauled
The car was in storage for some time and has been recently recommissioned

Summary

TVR established its reputation with lightweight cars that maximised the potential of their relatively small engines. With the 3000M, TVR moved into a new era that retained the light weight but added the option of much bigger engines.

This early 3000M is factory standard and recently recommissioned after hibernation. It is smart and presentable but not immaculate, so you can really use and enjoy it. Which is surely what these great cars were built for.

Notice to bidders

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