Topic: Solved - NEH 2361: TVR Tina Coupé - 1966

[Carnut]

Although this car has been pictured somewhere on AP before it has never been a puzzle in its own right.
So - what is it, who designed it, who built it, what powers it and from when does it date - for 1 point?:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS GLEANED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[Carnut]

A gift for an Expert!

[dzima1985]

TVR Tina Coupe Prototype?

[dzima1985]

TVR Tina Coupe Prototype?

In November 1966 TVR unveiled the Sunbeam Imp Sport chasis-based, Tina at the Turin Motor Show. It was designed by Trevor Fiore.

[Carnut]

Yes, that's the car.  In my book one of the biggest wastes ever.  A really pretty little car, but it never had a chance.  The cost of making such a car with only an Imp engine meant it could never be viable.  Plus it was made in steel, which TVR could never produce in quantity, but I suppose if they had ever made it they would have changed it to GRP.

Why Fioré got involved with TVR again after the Trident fiasco (for which I believe he was never paid by TVR) is a mystery; I'll ask him if he regrets it when I see him in the summer!

The Tina, which was named after racing driver Gerry Marshall's daughter Tina, is currently under restoration by its owner - Tina Marshall!  Progress is slow, but at least the car is being rescued.

There was also a convertible, also shown at Earl's Court in 1966 with a front which was later changed to match the Coupé's but with different lights, which also still exists in the USA.

Here are some front views:

[dzima1985]

Thanks for the story and point. TVR Tina now:

[Carnut]

Thanks dzima but not quite!
Below is a very up-to-date photo of its restoration (which Gregor Marshall, Tina's brother, sent me just yesterday!)

Also there is another picture of it back in 1966 and a picture of the convertible as it was originally shown.
The convertible converted to its later appearance can also be seen here:

www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=4423.0

[Carnut]

And here's Fioré's original drawing of the design:

[dzima1985]

Your puzzle "TVR Tina Coupe" in colour:

[Carnut]

Yes, I've been looking for a colour shot for years because Gregor didn't believe me when I said it was originally painted in Rootes Group beige (they were wanting to restore the car to original..)

This colour photo finally came to light recently and I think it is now on the TVR Tina restoration website; now I think they are going to source the same colour to restore it to that colour.  It didn't look too bad back in 1966 I recall, but whether beige is a colour I would use now is another matter...!

The original colour of the convertible at the 1966 Motor Show was a bright Rootes Group blue, almost French racing blue but a little bit darker.

[pnegyesi]

The recently restored TVR Tina coupe will appear in the Summer, 2024 issue of Rare & Unique Vehicles courtesy of one particular AP member !