LMGT TVR Tuscans to compete at Le Mans in 2003-2005 were arguably the coolest-looking cars in their class. While none of the privately-run cars ever collected silverware in France, the model wore GT racing addenda so well that they were always dramatic to behold. With power coming from a supercharged version of TVR's 4.0-litre Speed Six motor, memories of flames popping from the car's side exit exhausts still loom large. The TuscanRs were fast around Circuit de la Sarthe, too.
The T440R is a spin-off of that story. Ostensibly created to fulfill FIA regulations, the model was intended to be the more powerful version of the T400R - a car which eventually became the Typhon. The road-legal model was an homologated TuscanR, sharing its exotic, part carbon architecture and slated to get the supercharged 4.0-litre unit. But the T440R was fitted with a naturally-aspirated 4.2-litre engine - the largest ever fitted to a Tuscan. And thanks to sale of TVR and the subsequent dismantling of its motorsport programme, no further examples were produced.
Obviously that makes both the car and its straight-six a significant milestone in TVR history. To go with its bigger block, the T440R’s motor got a carbonfibre airbox, 12 injectors (six upper and six lower) and bespoke exhaust headers, as well as a bigger bore exhaust that extends to the rear rather than the nearside. It ran nothing like any other motor to go under a Tuscan body – and appropriately, the surrounding structure ensured the car also drove like no other. This was TVR motorsport embedded directly into a road car.
A 1,047kg kerbweight was ensured with a carbonfibre chassis wrapped in carbon skin, with a front splitter, almost completely flat floor and rear diffuser ensuring downforce at speed. Despite working the air for more grip, the T440R’s sculpted form enabled a drag coefficiency of 0.32. Flat out, with the engine spinning around its 7,600rpm peak, the car could sprint from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds with a five-speed manual and reach a top speed in excess of 200mph. Fast, capable and gorgeous.
The T440R was produced in 2003 for then Team LNT boss, Lawrence Tomlinson (now the owner of Ginetta) before being sold to a TVR aficionado. It’s covered a respectable 25,000 miles although not without a complete overhaul, including a body-off respray. In the pictures it looks almost as fresh as it would have 17 years ago. A car with such a unique history and huge level of performance - let alone one this immaculate - is obviously going to be on the pricey side. Apart from pointing out that it's a 'fraction of the cost' of an F40 or McLaren F1, the selling dealer isn't saying. Anyone care to have a guess?
SPECIFICATION | TVR T440R
Engine: 4,200cc, straight-six
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 440@7,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 350@6,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 25,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: POA
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