Jonathan Thomson’s Grantura – 18/001
Last
updated - 06/07/2009
It was built in December 1965 and was first
registered in 1966. It's chassis number is 18/001, and it is the first car to be
built by Martin Lilley after he and his father bought the TVR company in
November 1965. The car is currently in
mid-restoration, although I have owned it for about 12 years. It was first used
as a works car for racing as well as being used as a demonstrator at the Barnet
Motor Company. It was raced by Gerry Marshall and Peter Clarke at this
time. Peter Clarke then bought it and sold it to Mary Wheeler, who also raced
it. Mary founded the British Women's Racing Drivers' Club and went on to
be its president until her death in 2001 by which time she was in her 90s.
After her ownership the car was raced as a Modsport and sprinted until about
the mid-1980s, from which time it sat unused in a garage, and as a result has a
genuine low mileage of 26000 miles, and has no rot or damage to the chassis.
I've attached a couple of photos showing the car being raced by Mary Wheeler,
and also what it looked like when I bought it. I'll add some of what it looks
like now as soon as I can. My plan is to return it to its original condition
and it will be for road and track-day use.
Current Owner:
Jonathan Thomson (UK)
To
contact the owner, please route inquiries through the registar.
Registar:
serel@zeelandnet.nl