Grantura Racing History

[luckycarter]

Good stuff Rob, keep up the good work and research

[RobMk2a]

I've found reference to this car now.

156 AD Barrett 1216 cc

Brands Hatch BRSCC meeting 19th May 1963.

John Davy Trophy Race. 10 Lap Race.

Winner WJ Shaw Lotus Elite.

Pooks have a copy of the programme.

This is nearly 2 years after the 6 hour race in 1961 so it could be the John Brown (Betty Haig) car after repairs to the side vent?

Rob

[spadriver]

Didn't Jim Lowry have this car for sale a few years back? Pretty sure his had wobblies fitted.

[RobMk2a]

Hi,

If you view the beginning of this thread you will see the Ex Jim Lowry (owned) car which is now restored / owned by Ivan Dutton.

The car at Brands Hatch 156 driven by AD Barrett may be 10c in the 6 Hour race as driven by John Brown.

There were atleast 4 full lightweights (body & chassis) some of which also had Electron (wobbly web) wheels.

Rob

[GTRene]

just came across this ad, maybe it fits in this thread?

its says mk3 but has the rear under look from a mk2? or is it a early mk3? anyways, the car>>

said:

TVR Grantura ex Watkins Glen & Sebring test car For Sale (1963)

A very early chassis number TVR Grantura RHD MK3, Originally shipped by the USA raced by Ben Warren from 1962 until 1965.

Sister car to the 3 works cars, still retaining correct lights as per work spec and other original features.

Eligible for all events and rallies including Le Mans Classic.

Recently finished by Sam Thomas Racing to a very original spec and ready to race.

but no picture of its presence? state...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C613721

[RobMk2a]

Whilst Ben Warrens car has period race history and he was a member of the RM Imports team I don't think it is the Sebring reserve car -

The reserve car looks more like one of the ex Le Mans cars.



Of course the vendor may have more information.

Source Racingsportscars

Rob

[RobMk2a]

If and it is big IF the reserve Sebring car is one of the Ex Le Mans cars it is likely to be YFR 752 (No 65 at Le Mans) as I understand that Tommy Woods purchased YFR 751 and was entered at Harewood hillclimb in Sept 1962 and Sept 1963 (and possibly April or June 63) Sebring is in March 1963.

Interestingly the registration YFR 752 was transferred to the Road Test 1800 Mk3. Which appeared on the RAC Rally in Jan 1964 and Tulip Rally in April 64. I think the earlier YFR 752 (ex Le Mans car)was entered by G Humble in the 1962 RAC Rally. no 77.

Was YFR 752 sent to US between Nov 62 and March 63.

Also I don't think the reserve car is a Mk2 from 62 Sebring the window treatment is different.

Source photo on Stanford Revs Gallery./ Harewood Hill History. / Racingsportscars.

Rob

Edited by RobMk2a on Friday 15th May 12:14

[RobMk2a]

There is an article on p28 of this months Classic and Sports Car about Brian Barr's MkII 232 PMA. This car has extensive racing history in 1961 at Oulton, Rufforth and Silverstone. There are some period photos in the article one at Oulton and one on a trailer towed by I assume Brian's Mk1 Jaguar (very Terry Thomas!).

Owned by Grahame Clough it is to be restored by Mike Botherwood including refitting a Coventry Climax engine (from the replacement MGA) The article states Brian bought the car from the factory as a kit but also says it is a lightweight. I've seen a programme from March 1962 at Silverstone which says it is blue (now red).

Does anyone know more about the car or know Grahame it would be good to see the chassis to see if it is a lightweight and check the chassis number.

Brian Barr is reported to have part exchanged the Grantura for a Lotus 23 was this in 1962.

Rob

[RobMk2a]

Out of interest Brian Barr's car 242 PMA had a MGA 1,588 engine in March 1962 when entered the Commander Yorke Trophy at Silverstone.

Whilst it's not my car interesting dilemma on which engine is more correct one it potentially had in early 1962 or a replacement engine similar to the one it had in 1961?

Rob

[le chouan]

Hello I'm a french guy and owner of a grantura.

It is a V8 converted car the registration was GFV182D it seem's to be TVR press car.
I've seen a page here talking about her:
https://www.duckhams.com/story-tommy-entwistle-duc...

I'm not sure about the tommy entwistle owning and racing thing, does anyone know something about this car?

[GAjon]

Well, Tommy certainly stood next to it for that photo.
Unfortunately the rest is , to be generous, inaccurate but more precisely fictitious.

[le chouan]

Just what i thought!

So no pity on the LS1 swap she's gonna have!

[GAjon]

It’s still a real nice piece of TVR history to own isn’t it?

LS???? Wow, now that would be interesting, if not suicidal !

[le chouan]

For now it's striped down the project is a new chassis from tvr classic with bolted body conversion fitted with an ls1 6 speed gearbox and salisbury lsd diff. Front vented disc conversion and rear solid disc conversion.

[GTRene]

wow, sounds cool :-) make it a little, scary love monster, I like it already.
keep us posted, with pictures and info if you like.

Does it also get LHD as well?

[le chouan]

I post everything there:
http://www.tvrcarclub-france.net/forum/viewtopic.p...

But i can repost here!

[RobMk2a]

From memory your car is an 1800s but converted later on with Mk2 body and a Rover V8. When it was new It was a road test car in one of the magazines. I think Tommy just featured in an advert with the car but it is not his race car.

Rob

[timelord]

Your Grantura had been used as a hillclimb car with the Rover V8 fitted but an auto box, I remember it being for sale in this condition in the early 80s in Cornwall after being returned to the road

[le chouan]

I knew that and the engine's number says that it was fitted with autobox at the beginning.
So i suppose someone just take it all from a auto p6.
When i've get the car a borgwarner t5 was in.

[Daggsy]

Hi

does anyone know if RNL 455 is still in existance ?

An old TVR friend is desperately trying to locate all of his ex TVR's

Many hopeful thanks in advance.