Stored Since the ’90s: 1970 TVR Vixen
Despite their limited production, vintage TVR models seem to pop up for sale as recent barn find projects with surprising regularity. The 1970 Vixen shown here is like most of them, however, which is to say in incomplete condition with evidence of having been previously disassembled and not put back together again. The seller notes this one has been stored since the 90s and comes with its original engine. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000 in Hilton, NY.
With the seller noting it has a 2.5L engine under the hood, that means this is likely the 2500 model, which was powered by a 2.5L inline-six. The truly raucous cars were the ones that had much more powerful mills shoved into the lightweight chassis, so while anything can kill you, this version of the Vixen will likely have to work harder to do so. The listing doesn’t tell us much about the car’s history, but it’s clear you’ll be hunting for some glass.
The interior is fairly rough, with no carpeting, console, or much of anything besides a shifter, steering wheel, and loosely-fitting dashboard and fascia. TVRs in almost any form were built for competitive driving events, so many of them often have some association with the local SCCA chapter. That could explain why a car like this is so rough inside and missing its glass, as perhaps it was stripped down to become a weekend racer at some point.
Power was modest at just over 100 horsepower, but that wasn’t the point of a car like this. You didn’t need much to go fast in a TVR, and while the temptation is always there to add more power, at least you can enjoy this one without the fear of wondering if you’ll stuff it into a wall on the first drive after the fresh paint is applied. The car community may love TVR as a brand, but is the same community willing to restore these cars anymore, given how many appear for sale as projects?
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Comments
100bhp is indeed very modest from 2.5 litre Triumph 6. Suspect US smog laws are reason for this.
This is a fairly rare variant, but tempts me not.
There were no smog laws in 1970 in the US, at least none that would effect a car like this.
I remember getting into one of those TVR’s one time. Getting out of one was the part that nobody tells you about. Shall we say not for anyone over 5′
The price is to high, seeing its rough shape, the glass is going to cost you, the interior needs a lot of work, I think you could end up putting another 10k at least into this one.
Just off the top of my head, I’m betting that the rear glass, if you can find it, will cost more than the buy-in price of the whole car.
New rear glass is available through Grays Motoring Solutions. Andrew also handles window and door seals as well as many other hard to find bits.
Polycarbonate rea glass is available and cost < $500
The problems with commenting on things one knows nothing about; the rear “glass” (actually plexiglass) is easily available as is just about everything else. The tube chassis rust easily and terribly though so that’s the bigger concern but if it checks out (and how can you measure internal corrosion) put a 302 V8 for your own “Griffith” conversion – and that will scare you silly! I owned a 1965 Griffith 200.
How DO ppl do it… get the glass?
Used? Where?
Have a company do a one-off?
Which companies do that?
Chad – LotuS777 beat me to it, but there are other TVR specialists as well.
Griffithmotorcars.com
I had a pair of 2500 Ms. Both were 1974 models. We were moving them to a friend’s garage and while on the interstate the rear window popped out of my parts car. I can’t testify about a 1970 but the rear window was most assuredly glass as it exploded into thousands of pieces.
I am 5 feet 6 and never gave thought about getting in or out.
I loved the car but it really needed a/c here in Alabama.
Polycarbonate is the material