2500M Chassis Number

[mel-s3]

Can anybody tell me how to decipher a chassis number on a 2500M. Would like to know build date, number in the model series, etc. Many thanks

[davidy]

mel-s3

It will be a four digit number followed by TM where T = Triumph Engine and M = M series (the first 2500M only had the T, 2090T)

The four digit number reflects the numbers of cars that TVR had built from when they started the numbering system, but there are gaps in the sequence and duplicate numbers (but thats another story!)

2500Ms started at 2240TM (1972) and finished at 4094TM (1977) but remember that this sequence includes all M's (including Ford Engined Ones)

Regarding the actual build date/year it is best to contact the TVR Car Club Model Register who has copies of the factory records, though some are missing due to the 1975 fire.

Hope that helps

davidy

[taimar78]

And, just a postscript to David's worthwhile information, the serial number sequences, as he said, included the Ford engined models, which carried 'FM' suffixes, instead of the 'TM' suffixes. Also, the great majority of the 2500M models were sent to, and sold in, the United States and many of them are tracked in the club registry there, in addition to those in the TVRCC Registry here in the UK.

[mel-s3]

Thanks chaps. I wrote the Chassis number down as 2571RM and the car was registered in the UK in 1976. Possibly think it was built earlier than that now. Will have to check the last 2 suffixes, or were there any RM's? It has vixen finned alloys, Cortina rear lights, but with black bumpers. And it has a note in the history file to say it has a early chassis, with a large cross member over the bell housing - if i remember correctly. Anybody shed further light on these points?

[taimar78]

First of all, the suffix, if you check again, should be TM, not RM to indicate Triumph engined M series for the 2500m. Yours is one of the early series for 1972 with the features you specified before they adopted the TR6 taillights, the Gemini wheels, etc. The black bumpers....are they painted or are they rubber? If they are painted, then they originally came chromed and probably a previous owner painted them after the chrome chipped off.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Marshall

[mel-s3]

Many thanks Marshall. The bumpers are rubber. I guess they could be a replacement for the original chrome ones. Will try and contact the TVRCC for the correct date of manufacture.

Melvin

[richard sails]

mel-s3 said:

Many thanks Marshall. The bumpers are rubber. I guess they could be a replacement for the original chrome ones. Will try and contact the TVRCC for the correct date of manufacture.

Melvin

Listening......

PS from your chassis number .... built early 73

email me with your details...............

Cheers

Richard Sails
TVRCC Archivist & M Series nut

[sprintmp]

richard sails said:

M Series nut

....and we actually saw one of them at Back Home!

[taimar78]

Yes,and it was nice to see some of the 'early TVRs' amidst all the Chims, Griffs, Tuscans, Cerbs, Tamoras, T350s, Sagaris and all the rest.

[mel-s3]

I have checked the chassis number on the car and V5, and it definitely ends in RM. Could this be a mistake, or is there another explanation?

Thanks Richard, YHM to your TVRCC address

Edited by mel-s3 on Friday 21st July 12:26

[taimar78]

Well, that certainly is curious because all my information is that 2871 was built with a 'TM' suffix. Maybe Richard has more information available at his disposal.

[stigproducts]

Is it 2571 or 2871???

If it is any help I looked up Sprint from September 1990, which has

2500M 2571TM NCN179R belonging to Karen McGuinness of East Grinstead.

HTH, if you want it removed then will edit.

[taimar78]

Sorry, my error, I inadvertently typed 2871 instead of 2571.

[mel-s3]

Steve, Marshall - thanks again

Guess it is a mistake on the log book. The plate on the car is not very clear.

I would like to find out where the car had been for nearly 4 years. It was registered new with the DVLA in 1976, but is was manufactured in late 72 early 73. Any ideas? I have e-mailed Richard Sails, lets hope he can shed some light on it.

[ATE399J]

mel-s3 said:

The plate on the car is not very clear.

For its first 20 years my log book had the chassis number as LUX instead of LVX so I guess it does happen.

[richard sails]

Hi Melvin,

I have emailed you back with the few details that I have.

I have seen a number of cars with incorrect chassis numbers on the V5's.

I don't know why there is a three year gap between build and registration, the car would have been sold as a kit, however even in kit form it was half built and would only take a couple of weekends to put together.

Cheers