Olav Hønholt's
Grantura – 7C224
Last
updated - 9-3-2009
7/C/224 is a
very early model of the Grantura MK II series. The car was first registered
under “513 PRB” in Surrey, UK, in August 1960. According to its chassis number,
the car had a Coventry Climax engine. At this time, the car supposedely has
been painted in “maroon” based on UK information, however no trace of such
color has been found on the car which is british racing green today (and has
been for many years). When exactly the engine was changed to the still installed
MG A 1’588 ccm unit (No 8746) is unclear. Also it’s not sure whether the car
already received the HRG Derrington cross-flow head in the early 60ies or
later. Alson ucnlear is when the color changed from maroon to green. For what
we know the car stayed with the first owner in the UK until 1987, when Mats
Bergenhov bought the car and brought it to Sweden. Apparently the car was
restored by Mats during the 90ies and for use on the road registered as
HKS 633.
During the
following years 7/C/224 changed possession a number of times and was raced
under Nivshand and Henning Riise many times.
In 2007 Henning
Riise sold his car to the two Danish petrolheads Olav Hoenholt and Erik Jensby.
They did
quite a bit of work on the car, to bring it back to the race track. They also
had the car accepted for road usage in Danmark.
Today the TVR
Grantura MK II (7/C/224) is in its homologated historic configuration with a
1588 ccm MG A engine and a cross flow head, disc brakes in the front (why
not a Mk2a?) and drum brakes for the rear wire wheels.
The early race history of
7/C/224 is not documented, based on the initial configuration it can be assumed
that the car was raced in the 60ies though.
During the 90ies and after the
Grantura was frequently raced in Sweden, and with quite some success,
specifically under Henning Riise. In 2008 the car was raced by Olav Hoenholt
and Erik Jensby in Danmark a number of times.
Today the car needs some major
restoration work to make it race worthy again, including some work on the
chassis. And when you start you better do the complete job. This will take a
bit of time so I don't expect the car on the road before 2010.
Owner:
Bruno von Rotz (Switzerland)
To
contact the owner, please route inquiries through the registar.
Registar:
serel@zeelandnet.nl