My father had a Vixen in the late 70s and very early eighties. A few pieces of useful consumer advice you’ve missed from your review: 1. You can fit two four year old twin boys in the space behind the seats, if you take a 1970s approach to parenting 2. The petrol filler cap is not locked and, as such, is susceptible to said four year old boys filling the tank up with stones 3. Ownership of a Vixen will pass on a financially ruinous obsession with TVRs to your sons that endures at least five decades or so. Other than that, pretty bang on. (Thanks for the review- lovely lovely motor).
A mate of mine owned two TVR's and I asked what they were like (As he strolled about in his GTS manual 928) - his reply, "The thing about the TVR is the excitement. You never really know if it will go round the corner, and then it does, and you feel a huge surge of adrenalin on top of the relief!"
Exactly what i found out with my Vixen S2 when i took a familiar corner at some 70 mph leaving my friend in his GT6 in awe so far behind.. Next evening out on a visit to another friend i pulled up at a junction in a suburban area and the front trunnion upright snapped a 5 mph ..A lucky escape from certain death if it had happened the day before. Reason for the hub upright breaking was because someone had fitted the trunnion incorrectly ..Not the TVR`s fault .
Brake fail lights of that period were usually a simple switch in the brake lines. If there was a difference in pressure between the front and rear circuits during brake use, it would trip the switch to let you know (in case you'd missed the pedal disappearing towards the floorboards) that there was a likely fluid leak in one of the brake circuits.
You are completely correct. TVR used many Triumph parts. I think the steering rack and the front suspension vertical links are Triumph. The differential also, i think, but I can't swear to that. The dual circuit brakes were fitted with a shuttle device that if one circuit lost pressure, it would warn the driver. It was used on TR6's, 2000, 2500 and Stags. I know Datsuns 240z, etc, had a similar device, too.
Your videos are a delight... I haven't found a dull one yet. Very few people get their hands on cars like this and it's a treat to join you for a drive...Thank you!
0-60 times in all of your 'pulls' would really add interesting information. I love these TVRs since I saw one taking its owner to work every early morning in Friesland, The Netherlands, around 1980.
As an owner of an S2 Vixen, I can tell you that the best upgrade on that car is the vents in the rear screen. There is no proper through flow ventilation without them. The clutch should not be that heavy, mine has a hydraulic system derived from a TR6, works a treat. You forgot to mention that the fuel tank is in the cabin with you, only an I’ll fitting sheet of plywood as protection. Lots of cars smell a bit fumy. Very different attitude to risk in the 60’s. Despite all this, it’s a car with great character.
If it's a cross flow engine then it's from the 1.6 Escort ....so is probably the steering assembly and rack and the pedal box. It's the same on Duttons and a lot of Escort mk1 and 2 based specials ..the heavy clutch is usually due to a dry clutch cable especially with tubular manifolds generating heat near to the clutch cable outer. The other possibility is worn plastic bushings in the peddle box pivots and cable pin support clip.. A slight misalignment of where the clutch outer cable is held on the bulkhead to where the peddle anchor pin fits through the cable top eye can also increase wear and drag. All standard stuff For old uncle Henry's RWD Escorts.. That engine basically went on till the S African built Ford Ka was done..but in FWD set up. Best engine to replace it is a Ford Zetec/ Duratech twin cam double the power better fuel economy and the wt is virtually the same.
Lovely little Vixen and a great review. I've recently dipped my toe into TVR ownership with a 3000M which I'm loving very much but the earlier Vixens do look great and must be great to drive being so much lighter than the M series cars. Plus the old Ford crossflow with twin Webers always sound great.
Great video! The successor of the Vixen was the M Series TVR which got a longer wheelbase and an improved chassis. They are great grand tourer / sport cars that are much more comfortable than you would expect once you sit inside... Im glad to be the caretaker of a 74 2500M variant... @tvrclassiccar
The M had the same wheelbase as the S3 he's testing. In fact the last 23 Vixen bodies were fitted a different floor try and mounted on the M chassis they were badged S4s. It was the earlier Grantura that had the shorter wheelbase.
Always associated TVRs with the V8’s and latterly with the Melling 6’s. Got to admit I had dismissed the early four pots as not up to much. This short video has completely changed my mind, that Vixen looked and sounded gorgeous. Incidentally my first job as a teenager was in a TVR dealership in the 80’s. It was all about the 420 / 450 SEAC for me then! Hooligan of a car!
Always had a soft spot for the early crossflow TVR's that looks like a great example and with a Harris Performance Engineering engine must go very well it sounded special when you started it up another great review Jack.
Hi Jack! Been watching your channel since you bought and starting fixing your S1 Elise and I was a recent new owner of Lotus, great stuff! BUT, prior to that (and currently), starting 40 years ago I've had and have 6 TVRs here in the USA with my favs being my Taimar Turbo, 3000S and my 68 Tuscan SE V8. When you mentioned some of the S2 Vixens were Tuscans.. with V6's, here in the states they were V8's. Mostly 289, but mine is supposedly the 1st 302. I sure WISH my body was bolt on!! I had a Griff 200 project car (sold on and racing in the UK now) and as you noted, entry and exit was quite a pain. I know plenty of people have referred to (particularly) the early wishbone TVRs as the the "poor mans Lotus" and it is an accurate moniker. The light weight and very respectable handling made a car that is addictive once you drive one Thanks again for a fun, accurate review!
I was passenger in one of these early TVRs - I think it was a Tuscan. It had a brand new crate ford v8 with close to 400 hp. Still the craziest ride I have had on a public road! Very cool cars :)
Remember seeing a new '64 TVR Griffith back in 1964 at local MG dealer here in Toledo, Ohio, USA... wanted one, but as a high school student saving for college, couldn't afford one... do still have my '75 MG Midget with Buick 215 V8, T50 5 speed...
I can echo this comment - just fetched a cold one from the fridge & spotted a new No27 Vid! I nearly bought a Grantura years ago, but picked-up a S2 Lotus Europa instead. I loved the Lotus, but always wondered what I missed out on with the TVR. Loved this vid - thanks.
Great video Jack, nice to see one of these featured. by the way I think the rear lights changed because the Cortina model changed, as these have the MK2 Cortina lights.
I remember lusting after the TVR Tuscan in the 1960s - very impressive performance. It produced about 271 hp in the V8 version. The Ford Kent in the Vixen produced 88 hp in the S1, and 100 to 110 in the Sports and Super Sports versions of the S2.
3:34 TVR changed from the Cortina Mk1 "ban the bomb" rear lights to Cortina Mk2 rear light clusters for the S3, so keeping that Ford connection there Jack. 5:08 I spotted Triumph Herald/Vitesse/Spitfire/GT6 pedals and indicator & full/dipped beam stalk switches.
As an 35 year owner of a Vixen Series Three (GPB 16J) I much enjoyed this review. Both the Series Two and Series Three chassis were NOT bonded to the GRP of the body shell but the Series One was. The factory fitted a glass Triplex rear screen optionally with a tint and a heater element. Many have been upgraded to a Ford Type Nine five speed gearbox and mine has a Quaife ATB limited slip differential and various other improvements. I fitted a Poly(methyl methacrylate)rear screen with events when rallying the car but it now has an original glass rear screen as the Poly(methyl methacrylate) degraded from UV light exposure. Keep up the videos and perhaps you could review a Grantura or Griffith 400 from the 1960s. John Upham
I enjoy tests of this sort of car more than the glut of 800HP supercars. One can use a car like this, wring it out, have some fun. You can't do that with a supercar, you're going too fast too soon, they are track day cars only, unless it's just a d##k measuring thing. Sure, I drive an MX-5, but I also have a Jaguar F-Type. The Jag is for special occasions, perfect weather, the MX-5 is a daily car.
Delightful car. Hugely entertaining video. I have a soft spot for those ultra-modifiable 4-bangers - especially when the caburation is bigger than the cylinder head! Surprised that the short wheel base doesn't compromise the handling more than it does. And that 'cam tail' is a perfect adjunct to the overall design. Well done!
Jack this series is excellent - as you clearly have a relationship with TVR owners, road testing a Taimar Turbo would be such a blast! I remember CAR magazine tested a black convertible. If you could get a hatch back it would be so interesting to get your modern prospective….
Great video. I am not sure what I like the most, is it the look of the car or the sound as both intoxicating. Shame you never mentioned the tuner for the engine. Harris performance engines. HPE. World renowned ford tuner's.
I love the TVR Vixen a well designed car. I like the 'ban the bomb' Cortina Mk 1 light clusters but I also like the Cortina Mk 2 light clusters just as much. Obviously if you are going to make a new car then new lights are the order of the day. The Ford cross flow engines are robust and still used today in historic rallying. I think (and this is just my opinion with no evidence to back it up) that people didn't like the V6 so much as it was heavier and therefore gave the impression of slowing the cars down. These on the other hand made it feel nimble but still stable as you say. I don't remember those rear vents on road cars but I may be wrong, you did see them on race cars though. A great review Jack thank you for your work. 👍👍
Great video, as always, of a car I've always found intriguing. We did see these in the States early on. Almost always in the British racing green. Back then, I was driving an MGB, so I had a soft spot for British sports cars that's continued even today. Thanks Jack, for finding these interesting machines you review. Thanks to the legendary owners for bringing them to you to share with us! ✌️
Friend of mine has a '68 Tusacn, same colour as this. The brake warning lights are one for the handbrake on/off and one is linked to a valve linked across the dual circuit brakes. If one circuit fails a shuttle valve moves and trips the switch illuminating dash w/light. Though why you need a light to tell you half the brakes have failed beats me! Pedal travel is a sure fire indicator I'd have thought.
This was a very enjoyable review. Glad you got used to the driving position quickly. The engine had a wonderful, lively sound. Wonder what clutch(es) and flywheel it has.
Saw a red one, I think about four years ago in Lidl's car park, Llanelli. Had seen a wedge and also a TVR3000M not long before that but none at all since. Surprising really, as they're all a great way of avoiding the dreaded road tax now.
Ah... I LOVE TVRs. I was USA National Sales Manager for them twice, in 1979 and 1985. The cars never did very well in the States, but they were character-filled and a joy to drive. One of the real reasons they went to the Ford crossflow was that it had so much more tuning potential. The BMC engines just weren't in the same league. A healthy, tuned 1600 crossflow could generate over 150bhp; the BMC could not. I wonder how large your feet are? I'm a size 12E, and any TVR before the 3000S or Taimar presents a problem in that my feet don't fit - too long AND too wide. The pedal assembly is from a TR3/4, and my feet fit those just fine, so TVR did something to it. Perhaps repositioned the throttle...I dunno, but this mis-fit made the Griffith 200 I drove way-back-when a VERY dicey proposition. Interestingly, one of the nicest period TVRs I ever drove was a 2500M with a bespoke crossflow head made by Repco in Australia. It made a world of difference in the breathing of that old lump of a TR engine, and the sound was glorious. It was and still is owned by an Aussie who worked for Repco at the time ('60s-'70s). Repco just could not justify the cost of tooling for something that might never recoup the initial investment. Having managed a TR dealership in the '70s, I can guarantee you something like that would have transformed the moribund TR6...but BL never had much money. And what they DID have went into the TR7...and we know how that worked out.
@@Number27 One thing I shluld have mentioned was that I believe the Ford engine was also about 30 pounds ighter than the BMC. Imagine if Ford had made their own sports car...they could have saved us all the sturm-und-drang of BL, and god knows the quality would have been better! What if...
Martin and Arthur chose the Ford engine because Ford offered them credit. The TR6 engine was hopelessly heavy, it weighed over 400lbs. But it could be sold in the US. The later use of the Essex V6 was only viable once they had got Olson Labs to certify the emissions for US sales.
@@01menyou The Essex V6 only lasted 11/2 years in the USA because of the FMVSS bumper standards. As a low-volume manufacturer, TVR got an exception to the 5mph bumper standards...but that expired at the end of the 1979 model year. There was a young man who instigited the import of "1980" 3000S roadsters and actually sold a few of them...and wound up getting a stunning fine and even doing some prison time for his bogus certifications. I don't remember his name, but he was a genuine jerk. The 2500 with the Repco head lost almost 60 pounds, all of it over the front wheels. EVERYTHING about it was better, but it was not to be. Pity BL didn't talk to Repco, as the TR6 could have enjoyed several more years, outdated though it was. Interstingly, Repco had tested the emissions for the head and found it to be a LOT cleaner than the original - better chamber shaping, etc. On the bright side, I had a couple years bombing around the USA in a clever little British roadster and frightening the maidens...until it rained. The 3000S leaked worse than even a Bugeye Sprite. Plus, I didn't make much money...but I was fairly young with few expenses. I probably remember the times as being better than they were, bu I'm old enough now that I treasure ANYTHING I can remember! Cheers from KiwiLand...
@rustyturner431 yes, I know who was behind the imports with dodgy certificates, but I won't name him. He caused Martin a huge problem by doing that. The cars were impounded and deteriorated badly. The cash flow issues added to the crisis and culminated with the MAL100 failure in loosing the company to Peter Wheeler, all very sad.
Surely the double wishbone front suspension was also true of the older Triumph Herald/Spitfire/GT6 and all round in the Elan? Interesting comment on the straight 6, identical to views on the GT6. The Spitfire driving position was superb. The Vixen 'characterful' driving position sounds beyond nostalgicly forgiving
I had a Vixen S3 - bored out to 1760cc with A2 cam stage 2 head and twin Weber DCOE’s, it was a hoot to drive. Then I went to a Taimar, which seemed tame in comparison..
Beware heavy clutches. 20 years of driving a Z3M Roadster has given me minor left knee & left hip issues. It's a form of RSI. Only autos for me now. Sold it & have R231 SL500
Jack, I like any shape tail lights as long as they're round. I think the Mk1 Cortina lights look great. Ford crossflow engine is better developed than a BMC B series, the B series can be made to go, but for a production type situation I'd be guessing the Cross flow was a better choice. Love them TVR's.
I worked in the machine shop during that era. (bonded chassis) It was only in later life that I came to realise just how agricultural they really were.
This is the right kind of weekend funwagon - lighter than an MX5, for instance, but not as crazy as a Lotus. The seats look fine - you need something better than the kind of rubbish they usually put in small cars back then. The plastic rear screen must make insurance a lot less expensive - couldn't imagine trying to get a replacement for a glass screen of that age and shape if it were ever damaged (I remember people tut-tutting over a Renault 11 I owned back in the mid '90s - "hope you never need a replacement for that..." pointing at the back window).
I was about 19 (I'm 69) and emerged from (?) Buxton pop festival- a guy was squatting by his green TVR asking 350 quid; I happened for once to have 350 and I didn't buy it; I'm still having counselling...I think it was the ban-the bomb version.
I'm not 100% sure coz I'm not that old 😊 wouldn't £350 50 years ago have been a shit load of money!? Especially when you think that a pint of beer was probably around 15 pence, which would now cost you £5. I'm sure you are gutted you didn't buy it though 😢
If the TVR was similar to the MGs of the period there's a switch in the proportioning brake valve that would detect fluid and pressure drop. There was a little shuttle inside the valve that would bias toward either front or rear brake circuits. Typically by the time the light would come on (if the switch worked at all) you were already one among the cattle as you left the road in a curve because the brakes failed.
So, basically they replaced Cortina Mk1 tail lights with Cortina Mk2 tail lights when the former went out of production. Better still, they tossed out the MG's Austin-Morris lump and put in the 1600cc Cortina Mk2 engine as well.
My classic Mini also has a brake fail switch. It is a self cancelling switch, so after pushing it in it pops right back when you release it. My mechanic explained that it is a brake test that you can do right before driving off. If the light within the switch turns on, everything is fine. If it doesn't, don't drive. Makes me wonder: What if the light in the switch fails and not the brakes ?🙂
The original fibreglass bodied TVR’s were modelled from moulds taken from the Rochdale Olympic,a beautiful little fibreglass monocoque car that doesn’t get enough publicity.
"Brake fail" likely means it has a dual circuit master cylinder and lights the warning if you loose pressure in one of the circuits. That was becoming more common in the late 60's. My '69 Camaro has a dual circuit master.
my fried Luckins had one in 1968 and it cost him 1500 quidments. Annual insurance was 1700 quidments. we did great wheelies in it, whilst blind drunk. Things have gone down hill ever since
I hope the three rear window vents do a good job of venting the smell of petrol fumes out of the cockpit like most TVR's tend to have. A friend had a rare same shape car (2500M?) that also had a turbo fitted from the factory. White with blue stripe if anyone knows.
Fibre made body and body panels. If you think about it this could be the solution and/or answer to the to heavy EV’s of nowadays. If farmers are allowed to grow marihuana, only the plant not the buds/flowers, then these super strong environment friendly fibers can be, together with a resin, used to mold bodies/panels from. Together with Tesla’s Italian invented Alu molding process could give us light weight EV’s. This will expand their range, lower emissions of production, save on raw materials for producing batteries etc. etc.
My Dad had a yellow coloured prototype S1 in Blackpool around 1969/70. The back windows are from a certain model of ice cream van and rotated so the lay flat. (Once you see it you can’t unsee it) My Dad’s being a prototype, the back window was flimsy plastic and would fall out whenever he accelerated hard. He got the car from TVR as payment as him and his Dad had a crash repair place behind TVR and would fix crashed TVRs (they were good with fibreglass)
Now thát is a car I like. Still in the intro, maybe it's a total lemon... But I like things, not just cars, from the era when every little invention was a huge leap forward. Not just increments. The 20's and 30's are my favourite, but there are other times as well. Exciting times.
I had a Vixen S1 chassis no VX181 ‘68, a mustard yellow one which reputedly had starred in the the TV Show ‘TheSaint’ in which it competed against a Marcos. In the show the cars were portrayed as specialist prototypes with Roger Moore eventually winning in the TVR. Sadly, I skidded mine on an icy country road on my way to work early one morning in 1981, and crashed it: much to my regret. After this I got a TVR 2500M. I loved this car for 3 years until I lost it on loose gravel on a corner......... I’ve still got a Tasmin 280i now in my garage, but haven’t actually driven it for about 12yrs. I’m hankering after an MG Midget 1275 now, as the modern cars I drive are much too big, efficient and boring: the Midget would be a dose of fresh air. I’d love another Vixen, but after paying £1000 for my first one I can’t pay £20,000 for another one.
My father had a Vixen in the late 70s and very early eighties.
A few pieces of useful consumer advice you’ve missed from your review:
1. You can fit two four year old twin boys in the space behind the seats, if you take a 1970s approach to parenting
2. The petrol filler cap is not locked and, as such, is susceptible to said four year old boys filling the tank up with stones
3. Ownership of a Vixen will pass on a financially ruinous obsession with TVRs to your sons that endures at least five decades or so.
Other than that, pretty bang on.
(Thanks for the review- lovely lovely motor).
😂 Brilliant. I too am a TVR fan and owner.
Love those wheels....Enkei or Mini-lite?
Those stones in the fuel tank were a great afternoon well spent.
@@gairnmclennan5876 Probably fake Minilites,,Factory wheels were much better looking and unique in 2024
that classic TVR looks alot more stylish than the new TVRs you have shown in the beginning of the video.
A mate of mine owned two TVR's and I asked what they were like (As he strolled about in his GTS manual 928) - his reply, "The thing about the TVR is the excitement. You never really know if it will go round the corner, and then it does, and you feel a huge surge of adrenalin on top of the relief!"
Exactly what i found out with my Vixen S2 when i took a familiar corner at some 70 mph leaving my friend in his GT6 in awe so far behind..
Next evening out on a visit to another friend i pulled up at a junction in a suburban area and the front trunnion upright snapped a 5 mph ..A lucky escape from certain death if it had happened the day before.
Reason for the hub upright breaking was because someone had fitted the trunnion incorrectly ..Not the TVR`s fault .
The naked ladies at the TVR stand is also a part of the heritage. I loved the 2500 and 280i TVR's that I owned.
Brake fail lights of that period were usually a simple switch in the brake lines. If there was a difference in pressure between the front and rear circuits during brake use, it would trip the switch to let you know (in case you'd missed the pedal disappearing towards the floorboards) that there was a likely fluid leak in one of the brake circuits.
Exactly correct. Also easy to trip the light if pressing too hard on the brake pedal when bleeding the brakes. Been there done that.
You are completely correct.
TVR used many Triumph parts. I think the steering rack and the front suspension vertical links are Triumph. The differential also, i think, but I can't swear to that.
The dual circuit brakes were fitted with a shuttle device that if one circuit lost pressure, it would warn the driver. It was used on TR6's, 2000, 2500 and Stags. I know Datsuns 240z, etc, had a similar device, too.
This rear lights in the S3 are actually mk2 Cortina lights I’d say as opposed to the earlier car mk1 Cortina lights.
Your videos are a delight... I haven't found a dull one yet. Very few people get their hands on cars like this and it's a treat to join you for a drive...Thank you!
My mother-in-law had a Vixen in the early eighties - a race car with crazy small fuel tank - she was (and still is) bonkers...
0-60 times in all of your 'pulls' would really add interesting information. I love these TVRs since I saw one taking its owner to work every early morning in Friesland, The Netherlands, around 1980.
Thanks Jack, and glad you like the car
Thanks so much for being it down Pete!!
As an owner of an S2 Vixen, I can tell you that the best upgrade on that car is the vents in the rear screen. There is no proper through flow ventilation without them. The clutch should not be that heavy, mine has a hydraulic system derived from a TR6, works a treat. You forgot to mention that the fuel tank is in the cabin with you, only an I’ll fitting sheet of plywood as protection. Lots of cars smell a bit fumy. Very different attitude to risk in the 60’s. Despite all this, it’s a car with great character.
If it's a cross flow engine then it's from the 1.6 Escort ....so is probably the steering assembly and rack and the pedal box. It's the same on Duttons and a lot of Escort mk1 and 2 based specials ..the heavy clutch is usually due to a dry clutch cable especially with tubular manifolds generating heat near to the clutch cable outer. The other possibility is worn plastic bushings in the peddle box pivots and cable pin support clip..
A slight misalignment of where the clutch outer cable is held on the bulkhead to where the peddle anchor pin fits through the cable top eye can also increase wear and drag. All standard stuff For old uncle Henry's RWD Escorts.. That engine
basically went on till the S African built Ford Ka was done..but in FWD set up.
Best engine to replace it is a Ford Zetec/ Duratech twin cam double the power
better fuel economy and the wt is virtually the same.
Lovely little Vixen and a great review. I've recently dipped my toe into TVR ownership with a 3000M which I'm loving very much but the earlier Vixens do look great and must be great to drive being so much lighter than the M series cars. Plus the old Ford crossflow with twin Webers always sound great.
Great video! The successor of the Vixen was the M Series TVR which got a longer wheelbase and an improved chassis. They are great grand tourer / sport cars that are much more comfortable than you would expect once you sit inside... Im glad to be the caretaker of a 74 2500M variant... @tvrclassiccar
The M had the same wheelbase as the S3 he's testing.
In fact the last 23 Vixen bodies were fitted a different floor try and mounted on the M chassis they were badged S4s.
It was the earlier Grantura that had the shorter wheelbase.
Always associated TVRs with the V8’s and latterly with the Melling 6’s. Got to admit I had dismissed the early four pots as not up to much. This short video has completely changed my mind, that Vixen looked and sounded gorgeous. Incidentally my first job as a teenager was in a TVR dealership in the 80’s. It was all about the 420 / 450 SEAC for me then! Hooligan of a car!
Great memories there.. I was the same as you about the 4 pots originally!
Always had a soft spot for the early crossflow TVR's that looks like a great example and with a Harris Performance Engineering engine must go very well it sounded special when you started it up another great review Jack.
Hi Jack! Been watching your channel since you bought and starting fixing your S1 Elise and I was a recent new owner of Lotus, great stuff! BUT, prior to that (and currently), starting 40 years ago I've had and have 6 TVRs here in the USA with my favs being my Taimar Turbo, 3000S and my 68 Tuscan SE V8. When you mentioned some of the S2 Vixens were Tuscans.. with V6's, here in the states they were V8's. Mostly 289, but mine is supposedly the 1st 302. I sure WISH my body was bolt on!! I had a Griff 200 project car (sold on and racing in the UK now) and as you noted, entry and exit was quite a pain. I know plenty of people have referred to (particularly) the early wishbone TVRs as the the "poor mans Lotus" and it is an accurate moniker. The light weight and very respectable handling made a car that is addictive once you drive one
Thanks again for a fun, accurate review!
I was passenger in one of these early TVRs - I think it was a Tuscan. It had a brand new crate ford v8 with close to 400 hp. Still the craziest ride I have had on a public road! Very cool cars :)
I have always liked these early TVRs. As a kid I thought these cars were really distinctive. Thanks Jack!
Yep.. great little piece of history!!
Right on time!
Let me get a fresh beer out of the fridge and I'll sit down and enjoy this new video.
Thanks Jack.
Greetings from the Netherlands
Hope you enjoy it Sebastien!!
@@Number27 I definitely am, what a great little car!
Remember seeing a new '64 TVR Griffith back in 1964 at local MG dealer here in Toledo, Ohio, USA... wanted one, but as a high school student saving for college, couldn't afford one... do still have my '75 MG Midget with Buick 215 V8, T50 5 speed...
I can echo this comment - just fetched a cold one from the fridge & spotted a new No27 Vid! I nearly bought a Grantura years ago, but picked-up a S2 Lotus Europa instead. I loved the Lotus, but always wondered what I missed out on with the TVR. Loved this vid - thanks.
Love these early TVRs was looking at some at Croft wonder how well they drove so thanks for sharing.
Used to see these at race tracks in the late 90s. We were running a TR4. We could not catch the TVRs
Yep.. many were raced!! Thanks for watching!
Lovely little car. Looks like they swapped the MK1 Cortina rear lights for ones similar to the MK2 ones.
They did! Still Cortina lights, just newer.
The round lights were also used on the mark 6 Lola GT, which begat the Ford GT40.
They are Cortina Mk2 lights just used upside down. They did this with a number of models to make them less rechargeable.
A TVR is on my to-do list at some point. They say you're not a petrol head if you haven't owned an Alfa but a TVR occupies that space in mine.
Great video Jack, nice to see one of these featured. by the way I think the rear lights changed because the Cortina model changed, as these have the MK2 Cortina lights.
What a beauty! Thanks for showcasing so many interesting and beautiful cars ❤
I remember lusting after the TVR Tuscan in the 1960s - very impressive performance. It produced about 271 hp in the V8 version. The Ford Kent in the Vixen produced 88 hp in the S1, and 100 to 110 in the Sports and Super Sports versions of the S2.
3:34 TVR changed from the Cortina Mk1 "ban the bomb" rear lights to Cortina Mk2 rear light clusters for the S3, so keeping that Ford connection there Jack.
5:08 I spotted Triumph Herald/Vitesse/Spitfire/GT6 pedals and indicator & full/dipped beam stalk switches.
Thank you for this video! TVR need to return to the simplicity and charm of this car to save the farm.
Back to a time when machines were works of art.
Cheers dude.
As an 35 year owner of a Vixen Series Three (GPB 16J) I much enjoyed this review. Both the Series Two and Series Three chassis were NOT bonded to the GRP of the body shell but the Series One was. The factory fitted a glass Triplex rear screen optionally with a tint and a heater element. Many have been upgraded to a Ford Type Nine five speed gearbox and mine has a Quaife ATB limited slip differential and various other improvements. I fitted a Poly(methyl methacrylate)rear screen with events when rallying the car but it now has an original glass rear screen as the Poly(methyl methacrylate) degraded from UV light exposure. Keep up the videos and perhaps you could review a Grantura or Griffith 400 from the 1960s. John Upham
I think it is a great design! A very handsome car!
Very much so!
I enjoy tests of this sort of car more than the glut of 800HP supercars. One can use a car like this, wring it out, have some fun. You can't do that with a supercar, you're going too fast too soon, they are track day cars only, unless it's just a d##k measuring thing. Sure, I drive an MX-5, but I also have a Jaguar F-Type. The Jag is for special occasions, perfect weather, the MX-5 is a daily car.
Just started watching your videos and they are very enjoyable. We also love the way you present the facts about the cars
Delightful car. Hugely entertaining video. I have a soft spot for those ultra-modifiable 4-bangers - especially when the caburation is bigger than the cylinder head! Surprised that the short wheel base doesn't compromise the handling more than it does. And that 'cam tail' is a perfect adjunct to the overall design. Well done!
Jack this series is excellent - as you clearly have a relationship with TVR owners, road testing a Taimar Turbo would be such a blast! I remember CAR magazine tested a black convertible. If you could get a hatch back it would be so interesting to get your modern prospective….
Cool looking car, wasn't aware of these!
Can't beat the sound of twin 40s!😁
Great video. I am not sure what I like the most, is it the look of the car or the sound as both intoxicating. Shame you never mentioned the tuner for the engine. Harris performance engines. HPE. World renowned ford tuner's.
Always loved these, I’ve as of yet never had one come in. Nice review. That clutch though, always hard work to drive well when they’re that heavy.
I love the TVR Vixen a well designed car. I like the 'ban the bomb' Cortina Mk 1 light clusters but I also like the Cortina Mk 2 light clusters just as much. Obviously if you are going to make a new car then new lights are the order of the day. The Ford cross flow engines are robust and still used today in historic rallying. I think (and this is just my opinion with no evidence to back it up) that people didn't like the V6 so much as it was heavier and therefore gave the impression of slowing the cars down. These on the other hand made it feel nimble but still stable as you say. I don't remember those rear vents on road cars but I may be wrong, you did see them on race cars though. A great review Jack thank you for your work. 👍👍
Great video, as always, of a car I've always found intriguing. We did see these in the States early on. Almost always in the British racing green. Back then, I was driving an MGB, so I had a soft spot for British sports cars that's continued even today. Thanks Jack, for finding these interesting machines you review. Thanks to the legendary owners for bringing them to you to share with us! ✌️
Friend of mine has a '68 Tusacn, same colour as this.
The brake warning lights are one for the handbrake on/off and one is linked to a valve linked across the dual circuit brakes. If one circuit fails a shuttle valve moves and trips the switch illuminating dash w/light. Though why you need a light to tell you half the brakes have failed beats me! Pedal travel is a sure fire indicator I'd have thought.
Great review of a great car. I have a 1968 Marcos, one of its main rivals. Wonderful roads as well - somewhere in Wiltshire?
Thanks Jack. She actually sounds really great. Seat looks like it's kind of wobbly
Gorgeous I remember the road test for the taimir turbo 0-60 in 6 I think was a big thing then
This was a very enjoyable review. Glad you got used to the driving position quickly. The engine had a wonderful, lively sound. Wonder what clutch(es) and flywheel it has.
Saw a red one, I think about four years ago in Lidl's car park, Llanelli. Had seen a wedge and also a TVR3000M not long before that but none at all since. Surprising really, as they're all a great way of avoiding the dreaded road tax now.
Ah... I LOVE TVRs. I was USA National Sales Manager for them twice, in 1979 and 1985. The cars never did very well in the States, but they were character-filled and a joy to drive. One of the real reasons they went to the Ford crossflow was that it had so much more tuning potential. The BMC engines just weren't in the same league. A healthy, tuned 1600 crossflow could generate over 150bhp; the BMC could not.
I wonder how large your feet are? I'm a size 12E, and any TVR before the 3000S or Taimar presents a problem in that my feet don't fit - too long AND too wide. The pedal assembly is from a TR3/4, and my feet fit those just fine, so TVR did something to it. Perhaps repositioned the throttle...I dunno, but this mis-fit made the Griffith 200 I drove way-back-when a VERY dicey proposition.
Interestingly, one of the nicest period TVRs I ever drove was a 2500M with a bespoke crossflow head made by Repco in Australia. It made a world of difference in the breathing of that old lump of a TR engine, and the sound was glorious. It was and still is owned by an Aussie who worked for Repco at the time ('60s-'70s). Repco just could not justify the cost of tooling for something that might never recoup the initial investment. Having managed a TR dealership in the '70s, I can guarantee you something like that would have transformed the moribund TR6...but BL never had much money. And what they DID have went into the TR7...and we know how that worked out.
Amazing… thanks so much for the memories and for watching the video!!
@@Number27 One thing I shluld have mentioned was that I believe the Ford engine was also about 30 pounds ighter than the BMC. Imagine if Ford had made their own sports car...they could have saved us all the sturm-und-drang of BL, and god knows the quality would have been better! What if...
Martin and Arthur chose the Ford engine because Ford offered them credit.
The TR6 engine was hopelessly heavy, it weighed over 400lbs.
But it could be sold in the US.
The later use of the Essex V6 was only viable once they had got Olson Labs to certify the emissions for US sales.
@@01menyou The Essex V6 only lasted 11/2 years in the USA because of the FMVSS bumper standards. As a low-volume manufacturer, TVR got an exception to the 5mph bumper standards...but that expired at the end of the 1979 model year. There was a young man who instigited the import of "1980" 3000S roadsters and actually sold a few of them...and wound up getting a stunning fine and even doing some prison time for his bogus certifications. I don't remember his name, but he was a genuine jerk.
The 2500 with the Repco head lost almost 60 pounds, all of it over the front wheels. EVERYTHING about it was better, but it was not to be. Pity BL didn't talk to Repco, as the TR6 could have enjoyed several more years, outdated though it was. Interstingly, Repco had tested the emissions for the head and found it to be a LOT cleaner than the original - better chamber shaping, etc.
On the bright side, I had a couple years bombing around the USA in a clever little British roadster and frightening the maidens...until it rained. The 3000S leaked worse than even a Bugeye Sprite. Plus, I didn't make much money...but I was fairly young with few expenses. I probably remember the times as being better than they were, bu I'm old enough now that I treasure ANYTHING I can remember! Cheers from KiwiLand...
@rustyturner431 yes, I know who was behind the imports with dodgy certificates, but I won't name him.
He caused Martin a huge problem by doing that. The cars were impounded and deteriorated badly.
The cash flow issues added to the crisis and culminated with the MAL100 failure in loosing the company to Peter Wheeler, all very sad.
Gotta love the long hood sort rear deck thing.
I love these old TVR's.
Yet again another excellent review of the car nimble and so tiny well done
That's a lovely car. There was a 2500 that looked like this, and even a Ford V8 powered one. Tuscan maybe?
Griffith I think?
Such a beauty. THAT BACK, THAT BACK.
Always wanted a TVR. Thanks Jack for the video.
That’s a gorgeous little thing and fun to drive I’d imagine
So many lovely cars back in the days compared to the streamlined cars today 🙃
Surely the double wishbone front suspension was also true of the older Triumph Herald/Spitfire/GT6 and all round in the Elan? Interesting comment on the straight 6, identical to views on the GT6. The Spitfire driving position was superb. The Vixen 'characterful' driving position sounds beyond nostalgicly forgiving
I had a Vixen S3 - bored out to 1760cc with A2 cam stage 2 head and twin Weber DCOE’s, it was a hoot to drive. Then I went to a Taimar, which seemed tame in comparison..
Beware heavy clutches. 20 years of driving a Z3M Roadster has given me minor left knee & left hip issues. It's a form of RSI. Only autos for me now. Sold it & have R231 SL500
Excellent review, Jack!
Jack, I like any shape tail lights as long as they're round. I think the Mk1 Cortina lights look great. Ford crossflow engine is better developed than a BMC B series, the B series can be made to go, but for a production type situation I'd be guessing the Cross flow was a better choice. Love them TVR's.
Jack, fyi; I saw the great mark Donahue racing an MG powered tvr at Watkins Glen in the early 60'S, at the start of his racing career.
I worked in the machine shop during that era. (bonded chassis) It was only in later life that I came to realise just how agricultural they really were.
This is the right kind of weekend funwagon - lighter than an MX5, for instance, but not as crazy as a Lotus. The seats look fine - you need something better than the kind of rubbish they usually put in small cars back then. The plastic rear screen must make insurance a lot less expensive - couldn't imagine trying to get a replacement for a glass screen of that age and shape if it were ever damaged (I remember people tut-tutting over a Renault 11 I owned back in the mid '90s - "hope you never need a replacement for that..." pointing at the back window).
That's lovely. Is the fox colour deliberate? Looks great either way.
looks cool! I do prefer those Cortina light clusters if I'm being honest
They are cool in their own right but for me the later ones are more cohesive! Thanks for watching 👀 dude!
I prefer the old Cortina light clusters too!
Aren’t both versions of cortina clusters, mark 1 then mark 2 ?
@nealadsett8484 look like Mk2 lights on the back
Sunbeam Alpine? No, being constructed as it was, especially with double-wishbones, it was clearly aimed at Lotus. :D
I was about 19 (I'm 69) and emerged from (?) Buxton pop festival- a guy was squatting by his green TVR asking 350 quid; I happened for once to have 350 and I didn't buy it; I'm still having counselling...I think it was the ban-the bomb version.
I'm not 100% sure coz I'm not that old 😊 wouldn't £350 50 years ago have been a shit load of money!? Especially when you think that a pint of beer was probably around 15 pence, which would now cost you £5.
I'm sure you are gutted you didn't buy it though 😢
TVR they made great looking cars I had a reliant scimitar & it had a brake fail light & it was a wire that was imbedded in the front pads
If the TVR was similar to the MGs of the period there's a switch in the proportioning brake valve that would detect fluid and pressure drop. There was a little shuttle inside the valve that would bias toward either front or rear brake circuits. Typically by the time the light would come on (if the switch worked at all) you were already one among the cattle as you left the road in a curve because the brakes failed.
Excellent review, you have to love TVR.
Pedals offset from the steering wheel is something you'll have to get used to in your Pantera.
So, basically they replaced Cortina Mk1 tail lights with Cortina Mk2 tail lights when the former went out of production. Better still, they tossed out the MG's Austin-Morris lump and put in the 1600cc Cortina Mk2 engine as well.
My classic Mini also has a brake fail switch. It is a self cancelling switch, so after pushing it in it pops right back when you release it. My mechanic explained that it is a brake test that you can do right before driving off. If the light within the switch turns on, everything is fine. If it doesn't, don't drive. Makes me wonder: What if the light in the switch fails and not the brakes ?🙂
The original fibreglass bodied TVR’s were modelled from moulds taken from the Rochdale Olympic,a beautiful little fibreglass monocoque car that doesn’t get enough publicity.
Nice car. I think it looks good and I think I’d prefer it to the big engined TVR’s or the later models
"Brake fail" likely means it has a dual circuit master cylinder and lights the warning if you loose pressure in one of the circuits. That was becoming more common in the late 60's. My '69 Camaro has a dual circuit master.
my fried Luckins had one in 1968 and it cost him 1500 quidments. Annual insurance was 1700 quidments. we did great wheelies in it, whilst blind drunk.
Things have gone down hill ever since
Another great review Jack!
Thank you buddy!!
Thanks. Never saw one before today
Really can't wait to see the De Tom'.
One day.
I hope the three rear window vents do a good job of venting the smell of petrol fumes out of the cockpit like most TVR's tend to have.
A friend had a rare same shape car (2500M?) that also had a turbo fitted from the factory.
White with blue stripe if anyone knows.
Still a great looking / sounding car ! TVR will always stir emotions (for the better) even if no longer in production
Those rear lights look a lot like a Mk2 Cortina to me but mounted the other way round.
Got a Vixen outside , S2 1968 was a 1600cc 4 speed , now 4.5 V8 5sp Cosworth T5 Gearbox , 400bhp ....
00:58: I think that’s Steph from idriveaclassic on the left! Some used car dealer on the right.
Great review
Are the replacement rear lights not still Cortina but from MK2
I think they might be yes!
Yes the rear lights are from a Cortina Mk2 - which, in my opinion, are preferable to the Mk1 Cortina types.
❤❤❤love your videos and review ❤❤❤
Mk2 Cortina taillights. Earlier TVRs ran Mk1 Cortina taillights.
If memory serves correct, the '90s Griffith ran Mk3 Fiesta taillights, mounted upside down.
The Griffith sported Cavalier rear light clusters, it was the Chimaera that had the Fiesta's
"Just add lightness." Colin Chapman
Looks like they upgraded from Mk1 too Mk2 Cortina rear lights. Then bought pretty much the reast of the Tina and bolted it on.
Built-in Kammtail. Very forward thinking for the time.
Reminds me of the Taimar which they introduced around 1976. Think it had the Essex 3.0 V6 though, so a bit more pokey.
Yes. It much heavier…
They look like the mk2 Cortina rear lights?
Lovely looking car and great colour
Love a TVR, a mate has a Cerbera 4.2, it's wild.
I never loved the Vixen though I thought it was ugly.
As James May said, TVR's are a glorious festival of speed and plastic death. 😂😂
Fibre made body and body panels. If you think about it this could be the solution and/or answer to the to heavy EV’s of nowadays. If farmers are allowed to grow marihuana, only the plant not the buds/flowers, then these super strong environment friendly fibers can be, together with a resin, used to mold bodies/panels from. Together with Tesla’s Italian invented Alu molding process could give us light weight EV’s. This will expand their range, lower emissions of production, save on raw materials for producing batteries etc. etc.
My Dad had a yellow coloured prototype S1 in Blackpool around 1969/70. The back windows are from a certain model of ice cream van and rotated so the lay flat. (Once you see it you can’t unsee it)
My Dad’s being a prototype, the back window was flimsy plastic and would fall out whenever he accelerated hard.
He got the car from TVR as payment as him and his Dad had a crash repair place behind TVR and would fix crashed TVRs (they were good with fibreglass)
Hi, not heard that rear window story before.
Do you have pictures or know what the van was?
@@01menyou No sorry. I'll ask my Dad when I next speak to him and get back to you.
@@AnthonyRosbottom thank you very much. Any leads would be appreciated.
Now thát is a car I like. Still in the intro, maybe it's a total lemon... But I like things, not just cars, from the era when every little invention was a huge leap forward. Not just increments. The 20's and 30's are my favourite, but there are other times as well. Exciting times.
I had a Vixen S1 chassis no VX181 ‘68, a mustard yellow one which reputedly had starred in the the TV Show ‘TheSaint’ in which it competed against a Marcos. In the show the cars were portrayed as specialist prototypes with Roger Moore eventually winning in the TVR.
Sadly, I skidded mine on an icy country road on my way to work early one morning in 1981, and crashed it: much to my regret.
After this I got a TVR 2500M. I loved this car for 3 years until I lost it on loose gravel on a corner.........
I’ve still got a Tasmin 280i now in my garage, but haven’t actually driven it for about 12yrs.
I’m hankering after an MG Midget 1275 now, as the modern cars I drive are much too big, efficient and boring: the Midget would be a dose of fresh air.
I’d love another Vixen, but after paying £1000 for my first one I can’t pay £20,000 for another one.