• Only 350 were built

• Just 29,900 miles

• Great handling and performance
• Fantastic bodywork

Trevor Wilkinson founded TVR in 1947 and began building his first multi-tubular chassis cars in 1949. He designed his own metal body shell but soon realised that a GRP body would be more cost effective. The MK1 Grantura was his first in-house produced GRP car, appearing in 1958.

    

Moving swiftly on, the Tamora followed the Chimaera and Griffith and was first shown at the Birmingham Motor Show in 2000. Sold from 2002-2006, it was TVR’s more practical entry level model and was based on the Tuscan Speed-Six platform. TVR’s then boss, Peter Wheeler described the Tamora as a relatively soft option for TVR addicts who like to use their cars for commuting.

The two-seater Tamora still had some get up and go with it’s impressive power to weight ratio and was a very competitive price compared to the likes of a Porsche Boxster. Only 350 Tamora’s were hand-built at the Blackpool factory making it a desirable and usable proposition today.

First registered on the 15th August 2002, the early history of this highly desirable Tamora is currently unknown. Having had eight previous keepers, this Tamora has moved around from the West Country to Surrey and few other places in between. However, with less than 30,000 miles on the clock (or an average of around 1,500 miles a year), this TVR appears to have been very well looked after.

The current owner, who has owned other TVR’s and classic vehicles, purchased this stunning Tamora on the 19th March 2016 from a gentleman in Bedfordshire. He tells us that although he has enjoyed driving it and polishing it!, work commitments mean, he isn’t able to get it out of the garage as often as he would like. Hence he has decided to pass it on to someone else to enjoy. 

The up to date V5 is present in the current owners name and reassuringly, a ‘Pass’ MOT has recently been issued with no advisories and expires on the 11th November 2022. Looking online and going back to 2006, the previous MOT’s certainly seem to corroborate this Tamora’s extremely low mileage. The car is currently on Sorn.

Accompanying paperwork also includes the original Owners Handbook and some receipts for parts and servicing by TVR specialists dating back to 2007 plus a copy of an HPI check from 2015. The correct matching numbers are displayed on the I.D. plate under the bonnet.

TVR’s unconventional design approach is clearly evident with the user-friendly Tamora. The simple and ergonomic cabin is a drivers delight. Once you’ve entered via the mirror button and are seated in the snug two-tone leather seats, you are surrounded by aluminium, carbon fibre and even more leather - all of which is in very good condition aside from a few scratches on the glove box and some age-related wear to the drivers seat base. Carbon fibre trim sits on the transmission tunnel and lines the doors.

An analogue speedo and rev counter is joined by a multifunction digital display and beautiful aluminium switchgear, gear knob, handbrake and adjustable floor-hinged pedal box.

Other features include central locking, electric windows, electric door mirrors, electric boot release and happily a Meta System alarm and engine immobiliser. A Kenwood CD/radio/MP3 audio system is included but airbags are not! (as with all TVR’s), but we believe this model does

have an ice detector!. The carpeting is very tidy as is the boot space.

 

The Tamora’s silky-smooth and curvy styling continues the TVR tradition and looks especially stunning in black. Despite it’s age, the fibreglass and gel coat shows no signs of crazing or cracking and the paintwork is, by and large, free of any significant stone chips or scratches. The panel fit also appears very good. 

The minimal front design includes covered headlights and ‘frenched’ in side and indicator lights. The ‘stubby’ rear end, again, incorporates an array of individual lights along with an adjustable low spoiler and ‘nardy’ twin exhausts. 

The practical Tamora easily transforms from a coupe into a convertible by removing the one-piece roof which can then be comfortably stowed away in the deep and spacious boot. The rear soft roof and plastic window can also be lowered by folding the vertical support bars. Other than a small tear on the offside of the material (see photo), the roof and plastic rear window are in good condition. The windscreen does have a crack on the nearside, which the owner informs us, is a common issue. 

From what we can see, the chassis and floor appears to be very clean and corrosion free and the larger refurbished 18” wheels are in excellent shape and are shod with a set of Toyo Proxes T1 Sport with a good level of tread remaining. (225/35 ZR18 fronts and 235/40 ZR18 rears).  

TVR’s Speed Six 3,605cc all alloy engine is a work of art. This 24 valve short stroke engine has 350bhp on tap and should get you to 62mph in around 4.4 seconds and top out at about 170mph. Despite only having six cylinders, this Tamora sounds fantastic and is sure to offer flexible power delivery and brutal ‘old school’ performance.   

Electronic aids are scarce, but power-assisted rack and pinion steering is provided for help with those sharp turn-in’s - but beware, there is no traction control or ABS. There are huge and competent four pot ventilated disc brakes all round though, along with independent suspension and chunky anti-roll bars. The engine is matched to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Regular servicing is crucial with all TVR’s, but being relatively simple this shouldn’t be arduous and there is plenty of servicing expertise out there nowadays. Under the bonnet, this example is very clean with it’s sparkling gold Speed Six rocker cover. The owner assures us that he has attended to any maintenance requirements during his five year ownership and it drives well. Also, having just passed it’s MOT, this Tamora should, technically, be on the button and ready to enjoy.

Often overlooked, the Tamora is one of the best generation of TVR’s. Sharing it’s underpinnings with the highly rated Tuscan means it encompasses all the performance attributes of it’s bigger brother but, as intended, with a little more ‘everyday’ practicality built in.

20 years on, this very low mileage example, undoubtedly offers a great opportunity to enjoy the thrills of driving a classic well balanced and responsive sports car with an exhaust note more akin to a ’60’s racer than a contemporary supercar. Also, since just 350 or so Tamora’s rolled out of TVR’s Blackpool factory, this fine example should represent a solid fun investment too.