Jasper's TVR 3000M formed part of a three model line-up that carried TVR through the 1970's. The entry level 1600M had a Ford Kent engine, the 2500M had a Triumph straight six (a lot went to America) and the 3000M had the trusty Ford Essex V6 which was also seeing duty in the Ford Granada, Capri. Another variant was the rare Turbo version, which had the distinction of being the UK's first production "Turbo" engined car.

The M Series debuted at the London Motor Show in 1971 although it is unclear how many people looked at the cars on Press day, adorned as they were with naked models. The world had to wait almost a year for the first 3000M to be built in September 1972 and production continued until 1979 by which time 654 3000Ms had been built - second only to the 2500M (947) in TVR production numbers up to that time.

This car originally left the factory in 1974 in Mercedes metallic blue. The bonnet vents and air extractor vets in the bonnet sides identify it as an early car, built before the fire which destroyed much of the factory the following year. By 1986 BAK21L had had 7 owners, one of whom had had it resprayed grey - a respray that could have been a contender for the worst respray ever! In 1986 it failed its MOT and was taken off the road to have a few jobs done. The current owner bought it in 1992 and commenced a total strip down. The chassis was sent to Planet Flowline in Peterborough who replaced rotten tubes and zinc sprayed it as well as fitting new mountings to allow the TR6 diff to be replaced by a Salisbury Unit. Roll Centre Racing then fitted a roll cage as the plan was to restore the car for Sprints, Hillclimbs, Trackdays and energetic road use. Apsley Transmissions used their drag racing expertise on the engine and initial parts of the rebuild were undertaken at Exactly TVR where Adrian Venn's expertise was invaluable. As time went by the wiring loom was replaced, the rear window replaced in Perspex to offset the weight of the rollcage and most of the suspension, steering and driveshafts were replaced or rebuilt and a custom exhaust was obtained. The most difficult part to replace was the sunroof and after extensive searches in the UK and USA the owner located one less than 10 miles from home! All the way through the objective has been to sensitively match modern technology with a period approach - we'll find out how we've done when we get it on track!

The car is now presented less than a fortnight from the end of its rebuild at Horizon Motorsport in Stourbridge, ready to go and bought back to life after nearly 20 of its 32 years off the road.

SPECIFICATION
Engine: Ford Essex V6
Capacity: 2994cc
Power: 190bhp
Max Speed: 120mph+
0-60mph: 6.0 seconds