Are you looking for an alternative to an MGB or a TR6 – something you won’t see at every car show? A rare car with common mechanical components that will put its peers to shame on a track? Perhaps this TVR 2500M would do, advertised here on Craigslist for $27,000 and located in Chepachet, Rhode Island. TVR was founded in 1946 by Trevor Wilkinson and Jack Pickard as an engineering and auto service firm. TVR made its first car in 1949 on top of a home-grown chassis. By 1953, the company was ready to launch its “sports saloon,” sold in kit form. The car was engineered for Austin A40 components, but most were customized at the factory for the end user, accepting a variety of motors. Over the next decade, the company was sideswiped by a rotating cast of characters in management, organizational changes, financial troubles, and meager market success. Martin Lilley purchased the company in 1965, trial-and-erroring his way finally to the M series, launched in 1972. Production quality took a leap, and TVR gained a bit of traction. Thanks to T.J. for finding this rare car for us to review!
TVR relied on engines from Austin, Ford, Triumph, and MG before finally tapping the venerable Rover V8 in 1983. It didn’t make its own engine until the early 1990s, when the 4.2 liter Al Melling-designed V8 was installed in the Cerbera, having had a stint or two in TVR race cars before that. But we digress. For the M series, TVR used Triumph’s 2.5 liter straight six, normally found in the TR6 engine bay. The TR6 also donated its brakes, four-speed gearbox, and differential. The chassis was newly engineered, with improved rigidity. The fiberglass-bodied 2500M is quick, reaching 60 mph in less than ten seconds thanks to a 2250-pound curb weight. This example is dressed with three Webers and is said to run and drive well. Note, though, that the space to accommodate that spare tire in the nose of the car is courtesy of making the radiator small – so ensure that its fans are working.
The interiors of most vintage TVRs are odd, sharing that demeanor with many Lotus cars. The wood dash is buried in a shroud of upholstery; the layout is sophomoric. The occupants sit deep into the car, well below the center console. That said, the surfaces here are in fine condition. Left-hand drive is not unusual; the American market was critical to TVR, and the majority of its 1970s production was sold here.
The 2500M could be ordered with a vinyl sunroof, typically supplied by Webasto. By 1976, the quaint Cortina tail lights were replaced by more mundane TR6 units. This tidy example might struggle at the asking price – only the finest examples sell over $20k. What do you think of this rare British coupe?
Nice car. Problem I have had with them is by the time I got to where I could afford them they were out of my price range again. Been drooling over an early race car for sale for years but at 50K plus l couldn’t afford it… again.
Saw one of these (or rather a Griffith with basically the same body) on Wayne Carini’s Chasing Classic Cars show and was surprised at how large these actually are. The proportions (especially the stubby door and side window IMO) make them seem tiny in photos, but Wayne and his buddy appeared to have ample head and elbow room sitting in one together.
Large is quite relative here, not bad for room on the inside. The 2500M is larger overall than the early cars, Grantura, Griffith, Vixen, Tuscan. My Vixen, stem to stern, is 12′ long.
The Griffith and the TVR used that same squat body. I always liked their styling but never got to drive one but did sit in one, once. It was an offset feeling with my feet not lined up with my body. This one looks to be in good shape but out of my price range… Definitely a neat vehicle!!
The taillights were changed in 1975. My 75 TVR has the Triumph taillights.
Yes, I do like them. This generation is sort of the bridge between a GT6 and the TR6.
I just finished restoring a1974 2500m. Red over Black, and a real stunner. Runs and drives like it was new. I removed the spare and installed an oil cooler. The spare goes with the car. I’ll sell it to a good home. $24,500. Jim – Liberty Motorsports, Costa Mesa CA. 949-375-1888
The 2500 was a much more sane car than the Griffith or the Tuscan. That said it didn’t have the V8 or the level of performance that the 8 cylinder versions had. In all it was a step backwards. Nice cars that drive and handle well, but it needs an injection of vitamin V8 to be a true show stopper. The Webers help, but 2.5 liters isn’t going to get you great performance. I like the longer rear end of the 2500, it doesn’t look like as C&D described it at the time “a ferret with and oversupply of Y chromosomes”… Better to find one with a bad motor and go for a engine swap.
More HP is never bad, plus the sound of a V-8. I suspect I can get into trouble with the 6. I have a 1953 Sunbeam Alpine MK-I on the way for my next restoration. I just love the look of that car. …………..Jim.