1977 TVR 3000M Coupé

Description

This vehicle will be sold via live auction on Saturday 12th September at the Castle Combe Autumn Classic with auctioneers Dore & Rees Motoring. The price listed is the bottom auction estimate, bids will start at around 25% below this figure on the day. You can email us at [Email address removed. Click Email button to contact us.] or go to [Website URL removed] for more details.

1977 TVR 3000M Coupé

Registration Number: TEF 215S
Chassis Number: 4016-FM
Recorded Mileage: 11,264 miles

- Comprehensive 3-year restoration, completed in 2024
- Classic TVR styling with Ford V6 muscle

Few British sports cars of the 1970s capture the character of the period quite like the TVR 3000M. Combining lightweight glassfibre construction, a sophisticated tubular backbone chassis and the muscular Ford Essex V6, the 3000M offered a distinctly analogue alternative to the increasingly sophisticated sports cars of its era. Introduced at the 1972 Earls Court Motor Show, the 3000M became the flagship of TVR's M-Series range. Its 2,994cc Ford V6 produced approximately 138bhp and 174lb ft of torque, sufficient to propel the lightweight coupé to around 125 mph, with 0–60 mph in the region of 7.8 seconds. Independent suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and front disc brakes contributed to the model's reputation for speed, character and entertaining road manners. With only 654 examples of the 3000M produced between 1972 and 1979, the model has become an increasingly collectable member of TVR's early M-Series family.

The appeal of the 3000M lies in its combination of qualities. The glassfibre body keeps weight low, while beneath it lies the multi-tubular backbone chassis developed under TVR technical director Mike Bigland. The M-Series chassis was designed to provide improved rigidity over the earlier TVR architecture, while retaining the company's traditional emphasis on relatively sophisticated independent suspension and direct steering. Contemporary road tests praised the 3000M for its combination of performance, sound and road-holding, while the model's low-volume construction ensured that it remained a relatively rare sight even when new. Today, the 3000M occupies an appealing position within the classic TVR market - the visual drama and mechanical involvement of an earlier British sports car, yet its Ford V6 provides plentiful torque and a familiar mechanical foundation. Unlike the later wedge-shaped TVRs, the M-Series retains the compact, muscular styling of the marque's earlier period.

This beautiful 1977 TVR 3000M has undergone a ground-up restoration between 2021 and 2024. The work was undertaken to a high standard, with the body removed from the chassis to allow the underlying structure and mechanical components to receive proper attention. The suspension was comprehensively renewed, whilst the car sits on a full set of five correct T-slot alloy wheels, fitted with new tyres. Presented in striking Nightfire Red Metallic, the car is complemented by a beautifully retrimmed tan interior with contrasting red piping.

At the heart of the 3000M is Ford's celebrated 2,994cc Essex V6, a characterful powerplant that became synonymous with TVR's larger M-Series cars. The engine's strong mid-range torque, distinctive exhaust note and relatively simple mechanical architecture make it particularly well suited to the lightweight TVR. This example has been fitted with a stainless-steel exhaust system, which is said to produce a particularly evocative note.

The result of all of this effort is a car that combines the raw, mechanical character expected of a 1970s TVR with the reassurance of a comprehensive recent restoration, supported by a photographic record and history file of the works undertaken. Supported by a substantial history file and photographic restoration record, TEF 215S would make an engaging addition to any collection of significant British sports cars, while remaining very much a car to be driven and enjoyed.



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Dore & Rees run regular auctions of classic and collectors cars, motorcycles and automobilia, in addition to art and antiques auctions. For a full calendar of our auctions please go to the website.

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