If you want to own a rare car with strong performance and relatively affordable parts, it’s hard to go wrong with a TVR. The British brand is known for building sports cars that combine light weight with spirited performance, and as the years wore on, what was already a limited supply of cars became smaller – making a 2500 like this an entrypoint into an exclusive pool of owners. The seller doesn’t list a price here on craigslist but encourages offers. With under 70K miles and said to run well, what do you think it’s worth?
The hunched-up proportions of the 2500 is one of its best features, looking ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. It should come as no surprise that a batch of 5000M’s were made with Ford 302 V8s under the hood, and those little hell raisers are sought after to this day and available in even more limited quantities than a 2500M like this. And lest you think this is just some sort of silly British kit car, let me correct you: TVR incorporated a rigid chassis with independent suspension to create a legit sports car, and the six-cylinder under the hood was more than enough to deliver stirring performance.
Despite its hand-crafted qualities, the TVR interior was nicely appointed with full instruments, a center console, and leather-covered surfaces. Considering how small-scale the TVR production facilities were at this time, it’s even more impressive how finished the cabin is. The low mileage claims seem to hold up here, as these cabins can look downright tired when the car in question has been used hard and put away wet. The interior features Smiths gauges and a Mountney steering wheel, all of which appears to be in good order. When you enlarge the photos, there are no obvious cracks in the dash.
The 2.5L Triumph engine sounds quite mean when fired up, with an audible bark from the exhaust pipes. There are numerous carburetor setups to choose from via the aftermarket; dual Strombergs seem to be the popular choice, but you can get downright wild with a triple Weber manifold plus six Mikunis! I’m no expert on the best setup for this Triumph engine, but it seems your options are fairly limitless if you want to make the performance even more blistering out of the box. Would you make a hot setup out of the Triumph running gear or swap in a 302 and build your own 5000M? Thanks to Barn Finds reader numskal for the find.
No price? GLWS.
Nice examples sell for mid-teens, usually. I would use it as-is rather than swapping motors, though I like the idea of Mikunis, just maybe not six, yikes!
I always liked this car but never owned one. I drove one and it was a fun drive albeit the driving position is a bit crooked. I like the 6 cyl which is good for going through the gears. I never needed high end, I prefer acceleration. It looks like a nice example. Price could be any number. Where do you start?
usually
LHD is more expensive
than RHD….
Not in England, Australia, South Africa, need I go on?
you have already seen a lhd tvr 2500 in Australia or South Africa – amazing!!!
By the way – rare british LHD sportscars are often more expensive in Great Britain than RHD….
So this is a “I don’t really know what it’s worth, and I’m not going to bother learning about this car” sort of deal. Estate liquidation, inheritance. Something along those lines. Or it could be “I want a ridiculous amount for it and know it will scare people away” deal.
I’d leave it as is. I make many, non-permanent changes to my MGB, but there are plenty of them. This is a rarity, it probably deserves to stay that way.
That said, I’m not the buyer. The buyer can do what he/she wants with it.
Writer – I have to dispute your opening sentence – it’s very easy to go wrong with a TVR – just get one with a rusted frame, very common by the way, and you’ll rue the day you ever saw the car!
Yes, I’ve owned a TVR, albeit the “ultimate,” a Griffith 200 model
For starters use the price of a comparable Pontiac Aztek . . . I believe some of the parts are interchangeable.
I owned the twin to this car. I taught both my daughters how to drive a stick shift in the TVR. When my oldest daughter was learning we went to the high school parking lot one Saturday. She popped the clutch and gunned the gas at the same time consequently breaking the gas cable. I was able to pop the bonnet and tie a piece of rope onto the connected gas cable and drive home using my left hand to operate the gas. We were just talking about this the other day. That was 27 years ago and the car long gone but the memories remain.
I have a fully restored 1974 2500 M coming on BaT in a few weeks. It is a stunner on top and underneath. ……………..Jim.
The car is now on BaT. Have a look if interested. …………..Jim.