2001 TVR Tuscan T400R

2001 TVR Tuscan T400R

For the very first time the Museum now has a TVR on display – the 2001 TVR Tuscan T400R is on loan from owner John Hartstone for 2 years.

This T400R was first raced in 2001 in the British GT championship and again in 2002 and 2003 in the hands of new owner John Hartshorne. For 2004 the car began a three-year stint in the Le Mans Endurance Series, which included the infamous 24 hour race. In 2005 a seventh place in class was a great result and the car became the last ever TVR to race at the Le Mans 24 hour race. After a few races in 2006, the car was finally retired from competition.

TVR is typical of Britain’s successful, small volume, sports car industry. Started in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson – whose first name was the basis of the company’s name – TVR began making fibreglass bodied, tubular frame, two-seater cars, powered by off-the-shelf engines. The cars could be bought either as kits or assembled at the TVR works in Blackpool.

Like many of the smaller motor manufacturers, TVR’s fortunes varied but perhaps the most successful period was from the early 1980s, when entrepreneur and TVR enthusiast Peter Wheeler, headed up the company. More recently, TVR has fallen into the hands of a Russian investor, although no new cars have been offer since 2006.

The Tuscan was introduced in 1999, powered by TVR’s own design of 6 cylinder, 4 litre engine. With plenty of power for its light weight, carbon fibre body and trademark aggressive styling, the Tuscan was naturally suited to motorsport. The competition model was known as the T400R and this particular car was the first of seven chassis produced in 2001, specifically to go racing.