Grantura MK3, do any dispatch records exist ?

[TVRinCanada]

Hi, I have a pile of Grantura MK 3 parts here in Western Canada. But no frame. The story that came from the previous owner is that the frame was damaged and of course suffered from the normal bonded in rust. So around 30 years ago the frame was scrapped.
Do any records exist that say what MK 3's were sold in Canada ?
It would be great to figure out what car this was , there can't have been too many sold here.

[RobMk2a]

I'm not aware of any dispatch records. Unfortunately there aren't any complete records.

Do you still have the body this may help date the car.

You should join the Grantura facebook Group - there are a few Mk3 owners who may be able to help.

Rob

[Granturadriver]

Maybe you can get more details from the TVR car club.

However, with approx. 60? Grantura Mk 3 its chassis number should not be one of these 44 https://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel/mk3.htm.

Edited by Granturadriver on Monday 10th May 18:42

[TVRinCanada]

Too bad to hear the records have not survived. Not very much of the body came along with the parts. Much was damaged in a serious crash many years ago. The car was used for parts on a second one that was restored 20 years ago or so and when the restoration was complete the big chunks of the remainder { frame , most of the body } was thrown away. But they stripped almost everything off and I have all suspension , and several boxes of small parts.

[RobMk2a]

New bodies and chassis are available- however it may difficult to prove which car it used to be.

So if 'restored' you may only be able to use as a track car.

A few raced in the Vancouver area in period by Bill Taylor and Dave Cooper.

Rob

Edited by RobMk2a on Monday 10th May 18:47

[TVRinCanada]

Hi Rob, thanks for the reply. The racing part took place too long ago . I only moved here as a grade school lad in 1967. TVR's were something I first encountered in about 1970, and by then all I saw on the road were a few Vixen's . I didn't get up to Westwood until the early 1970's and was more interested in the V8 sedans and open wheel cars.
But by about 1975 I started to seriously hunt for a project TVR. So any lead that was cheap and local was investigated. I found a few round tails but never was able to put a deal together. Ended up with a transition model 2500 Vixen { the M style chassis }, sold many years ago. Today a couple of 1974 M's . The early cars have become quite scarce around here . A number of them have been sold out of the area over the years.
I will just keep looking. If worst comes to worst I can use one of my M frames as a rough guide and make up something that is close enough for a bitsa. There is a reasonable amount of photos of mk 3 / 1800 bare frames on the net these days.

[RobMk2a]

If you are thinking of making a new chassis it may be worth speaking to Mark Brown who races 2 Vixen in Canada.

You can also source a new Mk3 chassis from TVR Classics - Duncan Reuben. As I'm sure you are aware the M chassis are different.

You should join the International TVR Grantura Facebook Group - there are a few who could help including a few US based Mk3 owners.

Link to the Mark Brown's Vintage and Historic TVR Racers Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/693291174206182


Rob

Edited by RobMk2a on Tuesday 11th May 08:32

Edited by RobMk2a on Tuesday 11th May 08:34

[TVRinCanada]

Hi Rob, I appreciate the suggestions. Shipping to Canada on a new frame really makes that route impractical. But I do have the skills to make one . I am working on a seriously rusted early 1980's Formula Ford frame at the moment. Smaller but more complex than a TVR. Rocker arm suspension so many, very close tolerance features.
I will look into the facebook link , but not really involved with social media . Not sure I want to get involved with all the baggage that tags along with facebook.

Thanks!

[Astacus]

Am I correct in thinking that the mk3s chassis number was on a bulk head plate, rather than the chassis? I am guessing you have searched through your box of small parts for the plate?
My vixen came in a box of bits and I found the chassis plate inside the heater!

[TVRinCanada]

Unfortunately no plate. Believe me , I went through all the parts and various boxes with a fine tooth comb. It probably ended up as a souvenir, screwed to a previous owners tool box front panel .

[TVRinCanada]

Also, as far as a date is concerned, several of the electrical components have dates of very late 1964 - the first month of 1965. So I expect the car was built somewhere from Feb. 1965 - perhaps Summer of 1965. So a late MK 3 bob tail or a early 1800 S Manx tail.

[RobMk2a]

I understand that David Shannon may have a car of a similar age. He may have more information on imports to Canada.

Rob