Imagine the scene at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show. Among a sea of '90s rep mobiles, '80s supercar hangovers and more straight edges than a ruler factory, is the TVR stand. Slack-jawed onlookers gather around for a peek at the new Griffith 500 (like this one we have up for auction), parked at the front of a line of Wedges to hammer home just how radical of a design it was. Beautiful curved surfaces, doors without handles and an interior resembling the flight deck of an alien spaceship. An extraordinary piece of automotive design, and an almighty statement of intent from a company that hadn’t released an all-new model since the '70s.
TVR would go on to wow motor show-goers with a spate of new releases, starting with the Chimaera in 1992 before following it up with the Cerbera four years later. Then came the Tuscan, featuring a design so outlandish and cutting-edge that it could debut at a motor show tomorrow (if they still existed) and still be the centre of attention. The company then replaced the Chimaera with the open-top Tamora in 2000, with the T350 arriving as a hard-top alternative in 2002 - and it’s this very car that Peter Wheeler drove onto the stage at that year’s British Motor Show.
Believed to be one of only two T350 prototypes, this former press, media and development car has lived quite a life. As outlined in the ad, the car is said to have been the first T350 registered (though the owner believes it’s the second chassis built), appearing alongside the second prototype during its motor show debut. It was then whisked off to the TG studios at Dunsfold, appearing in a piece featuring Richard Hammond and the original Stig (aka Perry McCarthy). Once its press and media duties were finished, it was converted to Targa spec before falling into the hands of Mr Wheeler himself, who used it ‘regularly’ until its sale outside the TVR family in 2005.
So it’s pretty special, then, and we’ve only just scratched the surface. Being a development prototype means there are some choice upgrades not found on any standard T350. Lurking under the bonnet isn’t the 3.6-litre that powered every other T350, but rather a 4.0-litre straight-six from the Tuscan S. That means at least 365hp, though forged pistons, a steel crank, Red Rose exhaust and a Tuscan race car-sourced ECU means it’s probably putting out a fair bit more than that. The owner has also fitted a new back box from JP Exhausts, which 'sounds incredible.' No arguing with that.
The seller has also had a fair bit of work done recently, including a gearbox rebuild with a modified fifth gear, a new clutch, a wheel refurb and a full service. The exterior and interior are described as ‘7.5 out of 10’, which is refreshingly honest, with the seller noting ‘the odd mark here and there’, notably on the roof where, apparently, TVR removed the targa panels before the roof paint was fully dry. Nothing out of the ordinary by TVR standards, really. Meanwhile, the interior has been given a good going over, with re-trimmed driving seat bolsters and fresh carpets. As ever, the all-Oxford Blue cabin with Chameleon Green exterior remains the ultimate TVR colour combo.
This is a seriously cool slice of TVR history then, and one that could be yours for £45,000. And with it, you get a ‘huge’ poster signed by Wheeler that originally hung in the factory, photos of its build on the run-up to its motor show debut and the factory build sheet, plus many other bits and pieces that’ll have any TVR fan salivating. Yes, it’s carrying a modest premium, with this 4.0-litre swapped car available for a £10k discount, but none will come with the unique provenance of the prototype. And because of that, it's difficult to see it hanging around for much longer. You know what to do...
SPECIFICATION | TVR T350 PROTOTYPE
Engine: 3,999cc straight-six
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 395@7,000rpm (specs of Tuscan S)
Torque (lb ft): 309@5,250rpm (specs of Tuscan S)
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 38,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £45,000
1 / 6
