What is it, a 66' 1800S or 67 1800S MkIV
Discussion
Hello Everyone,
I hope that you can help clarify some things for me.
I purchased this TVR (VIN 18042) back in February and have experienced a delay in transferring the title to the State of Georgia. With the low production numbers and volume of TVRs here in the USA I guess this is somewhat understandable, but I now need to give them some clarification and proof that this is a production car.
Here are some older photos of the car that were posted on this site by GTRene on Sept 11, 2014:
CY5-N279 = 1800s
And here are some photos that are a bit more recent (which also have already been posted on this site):
The California title that I received from the previous owner, and provided to my home State of Georgia, has the vehicle type listed as a '1967 TVR'. I found it listed on the Grantura registry as a MkIV: http://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel/mk4.htm
Doing some reading tonight I am now questioning if this is a 1966 1800S or a '67 1800S MkIV?
Or is it a 1966 production 1800S titled here in the USA as a 1967?
Referencing Graham Robson's book (TVRs Volume 1: Grantura to Taimar), it states on page 32 that, "In July 1966, however, after the first 26 Lilley-type 1800S cars had been built, the first of a new derivative - the 'Mark IV' 1800S - was built. Chassis numbers between 18/027 and 18/044 were intermingled, but thereafter the 'Mark IV's took over completely".
The book also has a chart on page 121, if I understand correctly, also showing VIN 18042 could be a 1966 1800S?
If it helps, my car does not have the wood dash but it does have cancelling turn signals which I believe started with the Mk IV? It also does not have the MGB style heater but the heater blower that mounts to the inner fender. What are the details that I should be looking for to determine this?
What do you think, which year/TVR model is this car exactly?
Thank you!
Joe
I hope that you can help clarify some things for me.
I purchased this TVR (VIN 18042) back in February and have experienced a delay in transferring the title to the State of Georgia. With the low production numbers and volume of TVRs here in the USA I guess this is somewhat understandable, but I now need to give them some clarification and proof that this is a production car.
Here are some older photos of the car that were posted on this site by GTRene on Sept 11, 2014:
CY5-N279 = 1800s
And here are some photos that are a bit more recent (which also have already been posted on this site):
The California title that I received from the previous owner, and provided to my home State of Georgia, has the vehicle type listed as a '1967 TVR'. I found it listed on the Grantura registry as a MkIV: http://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel/mk4.htm
Doing some reading tonight I am now questioning if this is a 1966 1800S or a '67 1800S MkIV?
Or is it a 1966 production 1800S titled here in the USA as a 1967?
Referencing Graham Robson's book (TVRs Volume 1: Grantura to Taimar), it states on page 32 that, "In July 1966, however, after the first 26 Lilley-type 1800S cars had been built, the first of a new derivative - the 'Mark IV' 1800S - was built. Chassis numbers between 18/027 and 18/044 were intermingled, but thereafter the 'Mark IV's took over completely".
The book also has a chart on page 121, if I understand correctly, also showing VIN 18042 could be a 1966 1800S?
If it helps, my car does not have the wood dash but it does have cancelling turn signals which I believe started with the Mk IV? It also does not have the MGB style heater but the heater blower that mounts to the inner fender. What are the details that I should be looking for to determine this?
What do you think, which year/TVR model is this car exactly?
Thank you!
Joe
Edited by AtlantaTVR on Wednesday 16th December 05:26
This is all really great information and the feedback coming back so quickly! Thank you all, I really appreciate this!
Right now, I can trace the car owner history back to Colorado (Ian Rainford), then Texas for 3 years (Piers Gormly), California for 1 year (William Stuart), and now with me.
Grantura MkI, does /041 have a 10 or 15 gallon fuel tank? /042 has a 15 gallon tank installed.
-Joe
Right now, I can trace the car owner history back to Colorado (Ian Rainford), then Texas for 3 years (Piers Gormly), California for 1 year (William Stuart), and now with me.
Grantura MkI, does /041 have a 10 or 15 gallon fuel tank? /042 has a 15 gallon tank installed.
-Joe
Great news this AM, I got a call from the State and the title is now being processed. I don't know what model type they are going to put on the paper but I should have it next week.
Looking at photos online, it appears that the 1800S MKIV cars have the shifter noticeably forward in the tunnel as compared to mine., almost inline with the parking brake lever. But then the same cars engine compartment looks about the same (other than the MGB blower), it's really hard to tell from pics. There is probably a 1.5" difference in the shifter locations fore/aft.
I am by no means an expert, but right now I think 18/042 is a 1800S but not quite a MKIV, I think that this would make sense with all the goings on at the factory during this time period.
Wasn't there a MKIII, a 1800S, and then a 1800S MKIV? If so, with the chassis number of this car being later I don't think it is a MKIII, but just a pre-MKIV 1800S.
By the way, I am seeing that this car has been discussed online many times before, (pretty much every time it is listed for sale). FIA eligibility/vehicle value/whatever is not my goal here. I have wanted a TVR for 20+ years, ever since Don Ensley introduced me to the brand and gave me an opportunity to drive his "Ol'Blue". Now I have one that I couldn't be happier to own and I forget all my troubles as soon as I take it for a drive. Midlife crisis? Maybe, but I sure am enjoying it and have no intentions of parting with it!
Looking at photos online, it appears that the 1800S MKIV cars have the shifter noticeably forward in the tunnel as compared to mine., almost inline with the parking brake lever. But then the same cars engine compartment looks about the same (other than the MGB blower), it's really hard to tell from pics. There is probably a 1.5" difference in the shifter locations fore/aft.
I am by no means an expert, but right now I think 18/042 is a 1800S but not quite a MKIV, I think that this would make sense with all the goings on at the factory during this time period.
Wasn't there a MKIII, a 1800S, and then a 1800S MKIV? If so, with the chassis number of this car being later I don't think it is a MKIII, but just a pre-MKIV 1800S.
By the way, I am seeing that this car has been discussed online many times before, (pretty much every time it is listed for sale). FIA eligibility/vehicle value/whatever is not my goal here. I have wanted a TVR for 20+ years, ever since Don Ensley introduced me to the brand and gave me an opportunity to drive his "Ol'Blue". Now I have one that I couldn't be happier to own and I forget all my troubles as soon as I take it for a drive. Midlife crisis? Maybe, but I sure am enjoying it and have no intentions of parting with it!
Thurner Fan said:
I have tracked down the June 1991 TVR Sprint magazine containing the relevant data. According to the accompanying note this information was extracted directly from factory records. Hope it helps clarify things a bit. NB : I have masked out the names of the owners.
TF
This is amazing, great work Thurner Fan! TF
So 18/042 is either the second from last or the last MKIII produced? What ever happened to 18/044?
I reached out to the TVRCCNA and have some more details, "Your car, 18/042, is not the very last Mk. III 1800S produced, but the next to last. The very last one was 18/044. 18/043 was a Mk. IV 1800S. Factory records indicate that your car shows a build date of Aug. 13, 1966 and that its original color was Sherwood Green. There is also a note attached that the car was fitted with a Vixen bonnet. Incidentally, the last Mk. III 1800S built was also left hand drive and was Riviera Blue in color (originally) and shows a build date the same as your car."
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