UPDATE – This one sold for $6k back in June and made its way from Texas to New York. The new owner went through the fuel system and the V6 started up. They also went through the brakes so they could drive it around. They claim that the engine runs well and that the transmission shifts as it should, but they feel it needs a complete restoration and that’s more than they want to take on at this time. So, they have listed here on eBay with bidding starting at $5k and no reserve.
FROM 6/6/18 – TVR has survived much longer than a typical cottage manufacturer. Part of that reason is that they have always built exciting cars with great fun to dollar ratios, and this Taimar is no exception. It’s located in Joshua, Texas and you’d better hurry because there’s not much time left in its no reserve auction here on eBay. Thanks to reader JustACarGuy for sending in this great find!
You don’t see any rust because a Taimar, like almost all TVRs, has fiberglass panels. Unfortunately, there’s a metal frame under there that is prone to rusting. Ideally one would get a good look before purchasing, but the good thing is that almost all of the frame is just plain box tubing — if there is a repair needed any good welder can make it.
One thing to remember is that these cars are small inside. Very nicely laid out, but very small, and that includes the door opening. I have a friend who is well over six feet that somehow folds himself into a 2500M (same body shell, TR6 engine/transmission) on a regular basis and I drop my jaw each time!
It’s nice to see one of these with the original wheels; they are usually long gone.
You will recognize many “British motor industry standard” switches, gauges and handles in here. Once you are in (if you fit) it’s a pretty comfortable place to be. Getting the Webasto sunroof repaired may take some doing, or at least a creative upholstery shop.
This shot surprised me on several fronts; the Ford V6 makes this a later car, and I don’t ever remember seeing any TVR of this vintage with air conditioning! The seller tells us that the engine is free and that they don’t think it would take much to get the car running — does this rare British find appeal to you? Is it a gold nugget or fool’s gold?
Nice car.
Just a test, my comments don’t register on the early access,,again. Go through this long schpiel, just to not have it register, this is what I’m paying for?
“Any car enthusiast would be proud to own this car.”
Apparently I am not a car enthusiast.
“Sliding sun roof has weathered away.”
And no pictures of the sun roof or any potential damage that has resulted.
I know the seller is crazy busy, what with building a house and selling one and trying to sell stuff but more time invested into photos that detail what potential buyers are truly interested in based on the description would be helpful.
I am the owner of the car and i actually feel pretty bad about the listing. I should have taken more pride and been more thorough with the photos. my intention was actually to upload more photos and edit the description a bit but once the listing gets a bid it can no longer be edited. So…. all that to say, here are some photos of the frame….
Passenger side front frame….
Rear frame…
What a cool car, pretty much guranteed to be the only TVR at any car meet you attend (if that’s important to you) anyhow this looks like it may have been sitting outisde uncovered for an extended period of time, what a shame!
Sharp little car!! Should be a hoot to drive with minimal work & time. Get it up and running while having the seats recovered. The 3.0 Ford should give it plenty of get up & go. Only time to see one Might be a British car show. LOTS of go fast parts for the 3.0. Great find.
They are kinda easy to work on once you tear into them. Almost like the factory built them with fairly basic tools. While it’s apart you figure out how to put it back together better than TVR.
To me this motor is the sweet spot for this car. The 1.6 had great balance but you had to push it to go fast. The 2500 had the TR6 lump and was heavy and under powered. The 5000 scared me silly. This V6 allows one to enjoy the great handling of the chassis and scoots right along. Not quite Lotus 7 fun but darn near close.
The V8 Griffith is the ultimate TVR. This photo is of number 36 of the 192 built.
Oh, I want!!
Friend had a Griffith in the 60s. it was scary fast. Later burned to the ground- that was not an uncommon fate for those!
And that’s why they’re so rare today, more so than a Cobra (which was slower than a Griffith too.) By the way, my Griffith is now in U.K. being restored by a well-known racer and no doubt will terrorize the tracks again someday!
Back in the day, I knew someone with a Capri with this engine and he added an ansa exhaust system. It made sweet noise. This car needs that exhaust!
The Ford Essex V6 was and still is a great engine when tuned … there are some out there with in excess of 500hp!
How much did it go for? I just saw the listing now.
Me thinks this a great garage project, not big, nothing too complicated, great upside. Good dad kid project.
Build quality was always a problem with TVR.
The “newer version” Taimar makes a lot of sense. I love the older V8 TVR, but if you think about what you would improve to keep it from killing you…. Well maybe the Taimar is the right answer.
when I was around 19-20 years old and just starting out as a self employed mechanic I rented a small yard with a shed from a roofing company, strutt roofing, Walthamstow east London, in the shed was a 289 TVR Griffith drag race car (Santa pod) he got me to make it road “legal” and get it MOT tested, I drove it to my old school to pick up my girlfriend one lunch time, it was very loud and had a race clutch, certainly left an impression, been married 44 years now,