TVR Vixen S3

The TVR story is littered with myths and legends. The early development of the cars on a shoestring budget shows the determination and enthusiasm shown by Trevor Wilkinson and his small team, although in truth they were better designers and one-off builders than production engineers.

The number of early cars actually delivered to customers was too few to make it a viable business and history shows a veritable roll call of managers and financiers all sucked into the fray through the romance of small volume production.

Trevor Wilkinson was to take a back seat fairly early in the game, thankfully not before introducing the delightful Grantura in 1958. Ten years on it had grown into an 1800cc sports car of considerable merit, and was to be the basis for the next generation, the effective and very pretty Vixen.

Early Vixens were to all intents and purposes slightly updated Grantura 1800s fitted with a 1,599cc Ford Kent engine from the Cortina GT. By 1968 the Vixen S2 had been unveiled, using the longer wheelbase 7’6” chassis from the V8 Tuscan. This gave more predictable handling and increased cabin space, losing the famous round rear lights in the process. The 88bhp engine was replaced by the slightly more powerful 92bhp unit from the Capri 1600GT and new wheels in the 1970 S3 model, which carried on until the S4 arrived in late 1972 with a later chassis from the new 'M' Series cars.

Closely resembling the original Wilkinson-conceived Grantura in many ways, these later TVRs were to remain glamorous and successful right up until the brave new wave of wedge-shaped models hit centre stage in 1980.

This lovely S3 has been in one family ownership from new. First registered in April 1972, it was used and enjoyed by the father before passing to his son as a result of a divorce. Garaged for 10 years or so, the son emigrated and passed it to his mother’s partner who has re-commissioned it. A complete respray by an ex-TVR (Blackpool) painter has brought the exterior up to a very high standard and it has had a recent battery, shock absorbers and springs. The fuel tank also came out for a thorough clean and flush. It sits on its correct 'Fan' alloy wheels with excellent tyres and comes with its correct and original owner's manual.

This Vixen is a nice original example which has been well cared for throughout its life having covered some 69,000 miles from new. MOTd until June 2014 it has just been serviced and is described by the vendor as being mechanically excellent. It comes complete with an 8-track player and a selection of period tunes to bring the new owner the full ‘70s experience. Early TVRs have enjoyed a marked rise in value since TVR ceased to trade in 2006 and this lovely example looks a very tempting prospect at the guide price suggested.