S1

Friday 1st January 1999

The 'S' or 'S1' as it later became known was introduced shortly after Peter Wheeler took over at TVR. For several years previously TVR had been producing the 'Wedges', distinctive cars with incredible performance from modified Rover V8's. These had evolved through several generations into the incredible bespoilered, composite bodied 450 SEAC's. Great cars though they were, their styling was unusual and not to everyone's tastes. Towards the end of production, TVR were only building 25 cars a month. 

The 'S' represented a return to the styling cues of TVR's cars of the 1970's, particularly the 3000S. In many ways it looked very similiar, but was in fact a very new car. Based on the traditional British sports car concept of a large burbling engine in a small curvaceous body, this boosted TVR's output to over 50 cars a month.

The engine was the 160 bhp, 2.8 litre Cologne V6 from the Ford Capri. This propelled the GRP bodied, 900 kg car from 0 to 60 mph in just over 7 seconds. Twin exhausts ensured that the Ford engine sounded infinitely better than when installed in the Capri.

The 'S' continued with the now well proven TVR roof design of a fold down rear section, with two hard roof sections overhead. These could be extracted and stored in the (small) boot. The rear section could then be left up or folded flat.

Pictures courtesy of Paul Cottingham