LHD 3000S Survivors?

[SquashedCat]

According to Wiki 67 LHD 3000s models where originally produced. Forty nine US legal models imported into the US with the balance going to other parts of the continent, mostly Germany.
How many LHD models are still survivors. According to TVRCCNA, 17 3000S models are registered members, some owners may have either never joined or dropped out? Would current LHD 3000S owners be willing to contribute to a list of frame numbers and locations worldwide to try to gauge how many are still out there? Thank you.

[SquashedCat]

Hi Prideaux,

Yes, that is my point exactly, only 49 cars were legally imported to the US, the balance were taken back to the factory, reworked and sold as 1979 models mostly in Germany. I have contacted car dealers and individuals of the 3000S models when they come up for sale, basically all I am asking if they would be so kind to provide the frame number, to keep track of how many of the original LHD cars are still out there. The location of the car becomes rather irrelevant as they are eventually traded, and sold. The only thing would that would be nice to know if they end up at the wreckers and are no longer in circulation. Some dealers and individuals have been most kind and provided their frame number. I have just started to do this, so it is a work in progress. But, any information would be welcome. I am canvassing the EU as well.

Edited by SquashedCat on Tuesday 23 June 16:59

[SquashedCat]

Hi GTRene,

Thank you, for the information. Last I had checked the website, three models were for sale. I have sent requests to the car dealer with the Turbo, but have not heard back about the frame number. I did hear from the one dealer who has the gold/sand colored model and he gave me the frame number. I also contacted the person with the black model, but no reply. I will have to check out the website to see about the fourth model. Thank you.

[SquashedCat]

Hi Blueezeland,

Thank you for the update, I believe I read somewhere that approximately 60 3000S models were shipped to the US, 11 cars impounded and sent back? (anyone really know the correct number?) And yes, some models (7 cars?) were sold to the continent directly from the UK. The frame number range for all the 3000S cars is listed, so I am trying to match frames numbers, as many as I can from owners or people selling them. I will have to contact TVRCCNA to see if they have any former 3000S owners who are no longer members, to see if they know of more than 17 cars. And at least 18 cars ended up on the continent, and either sold as LHDs or were converted to RHD. Anyone have a figure for how many of the LHD were converted to RHDs?

[SquashedCat]

Hi Adrian,

Great, four cars. Thanks

[SquashedCat]

So, 49 us legal cars, 4 cars converted back to RHD, 7 cars direct to the continent, another 7 cars reworked and sold in Germany? 67 cars total.

[SquashedCat]

Well, once a frame number is recorded and can be matched with the production frame number, it should not be hard to fill in the blanks. The real problem or area where the blanks may never be filled are the cars that will be hard to trace; cars held in storage or collections where there s little contact with TVR people, the barn find, under a tarp behind a shed, lying in field, cars that were wrecked, parted out, or just destroyed at the wreckers. One of the fastest ways to find out in the US is via law enforcement, a quick check of automobile registries (one for each of the 50 states) to find out if any TVR 3000S are actually registered in a state. They would not provide any personal information as to the who, where or even the car information beyond model and make. That could yield currently registered models but would not be able to distinguish if they were LHD or RHD cars. But it would be a good start.
The other way is to contact TVR clubs, British car clubs, and search the car classifieds, and try to contact the sellers to see if they would be willing to provide frame numbers of their cars. And some people are happy to help, others are not so keen. So, it is unlikely to be a complete list every car traced, or history as to its fate, but it is a start, at least most of the cars should be found, there will still be some MIA's.

[SquashedCat]

Hi Bluezeeland,

Thank you for the helpful tips and contacts. Much appreciated.

[SquashedCat]

Hi davepen,

There is a really nice website based out of Germany that has a very good basic foundation for registering TVR's, he has several German and some Dutch LHD 3000S models registered, as well as many other classic models. Frame numbers, photos of the cars, which country they are based. http://tvrpre80s.de/

[SquashedCat]

I checked the German TVR register www.tvrpre80s.de did not see either frame number on their site, which is pretty extensive for 3000S models. I will check to see if TVRCCNA will provide just a list of registered frame numbers.

[SquashedCat]

Gentleman, thank you for the additional information. I have sent information requests to all of the major TVR club organizations worldwide. So far over half have responded and very positively. What I am missing and need, is the factory build data, frame numbers, build dates of the LHD 3000s builds. I have sent a query to Richard Sails, but who actually has the old TVR factory records in which to ask for the information and make the formal requests???? I think I should have at least 40 cars from all sources, maybe a couple more. I would also like to identify the four original LHD units that were converted to RHD units and sold in the UK. But, I also need to be able to identify any RHD units that were converted to LHD units as well. Thank you and any additional information or sources are more than welcome.

[SquashedCat]

Frank, thank you, its worth following up.

[SquashedCat]

Hayduke, thank you, and thank your friend, the information is much appreciated. Sorry, for the slow response, have not logged on in while.

[SquashedCat]

I came across this 1978 3000S in a garage in Tennessee. It has cracked windscreen, and is not stored in the best of conditions, but in pretty good shape. This car is pretty much off the radar and has not be driven in several years. Unfortunately, the owner doesn't seem motivated to sell or restore. Shame.