Winning bid
£7,200

1972 TVR 3000M

Highlights

  • Early 3litre M-car in very presentable and usable condition 
  • Smart refurbished interior 
  • MOT and tax exempt 
  • Recently recommissioned after hibernation 
  • Light, torquey and very entertaining low volume British sports car 

The Appeal 

Perhaps it was the naked women on the Motor Show stand or perhaps it was the new backbone chassis, but TVR’s new M-cars quickly delivered what new owner Martin Lilley hoped: sales. Top of the tree was the 3litre Ford ‘Essex’ equipped V6 which, combined with that new chassis and low weight delivered performance and thrills to match anything available on the British sports car scene. 
Just 654 3000Ms were built and this is one of the earliest. Recently recommissioned from hibernation it is in very presentable but eminently usable condition, making it ready to exploit and enjoy. 

The History and Paperwork

  • First registered on 23rd October 1972
  • 2 sets of keys
  • The vendor says that there is lots of history which includes old invoices 
  • Vendor states that the brakes have been overhauled
  • Older respray with some marks visible 
  • We understand that the dashboard and trim have been reconditioned 
  • There is no MOT history but the car is MOT and tax exempt 
  • Vehicle handbook supplied with car 
  • The M-cars were named after Martin Lilley and featured a new backbone chassis with revised Vixen-influenced bodywork 
  • The vendor tells us that the original engine was replaced with a Ford V8 during the car’s life
  • The car is now back with a correct Ford ‘Essex’ V6 3litre engine 

The Interior

  • The interior is generally in very good condition and we understand the dashboard and trim have been refurbished
  • Appears to be factory standard including the door cards and dashboard 
  • Original Smiths dials with clear faces and some marks to black rims
  • Black carpets with matching over mats piped in red
  • Carpets would benefit from a clean to further improve the interior appearance 
  • Original headlining in good condition 
  • Folding sunroof looks well kept and workable with clear aluminium trims 
  • Pioneer aftermarket stereo fitted
  • Centre console trim well preserved with no visible scuffs or rips
  • Dashboard in similar condition with clean top and fascia
  • Aluminium gear knob
  • Rear load area continues the sense of preservation being very presentable 
  • Some marks on the door cards but not unsightly and there are no rips 

The Exterior

  • Attractive dark blue metallic paintwork appears to be an older restoration that has held up well
  • There are some marks around the car including stone chips, edge chips and scuffs to the vulnerable lower areas under the front and rear
  • The black painted bumpers are generally good but with small scratches on two of the ends
  • Glasswork and lights are complete and appear undamaged and with clear lenses
  • Stylish TVR-branded alloy wheels are very presentable but with age-related marks and deterioration 
  • Underside appears to be in good condition with solid structures and some flaking of underseal and surface corrosion visible 

The Mechanics 

  • 2,994cc Ford ‘Essex’ V6 engine but not the original factory supplied unit
  • 4spd manual gearbox 
  • Backbone chassis with perimeter tubes
  • Lightweight, weighing only 950kg
  • 0-60mph in 7.7seconds
  • We are told that the brakes have been overhauled
  • The car was in storage for some time and has been recently recommissioned 

Summary

TVR established its reputation with lightweight cars that maximised the potential of their relatively small engines. With the 3000M, TVR moved into a new era that retained the light weight but added the option of much bigger engines. 
This early 3000M is factory standard and recently recommissioned after hibernation. It is smart and presentable but not immaculate, so you can really use and enjoy it. Which is surely what these great cars were built for. 
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
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Auction Details

  • Year1972
  • MakeTVR
  • Model3000M
  • ColourBlue
  • Odometer13,444 Miles
  • Engine size2994cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownInchmarlo
  • CountyScotland
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

7 Bids from 4 bidders

Alastai••••
Bid
£7,200
22/08/23
mbipswi••••
Bid
£7,100
21/08/23
Jckosmi••••
Bid
£7,000
20/08/23
DBoxwel••••
Bid
£6,750
19/08/23
Jckosmi••••
Bid
£6,250
17/08/23
DBoxwel••••
Bid
£6,000
17/08/23
Jckosmi••••
Bid
£5,000
17/08/23

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