Notoriety and Rarity
Automotive brands come and go – some are completely forgotten, while others retain some sort of recognition through the remaining models still seen on the road. TVR is one such brand. A formerly formidable British sports car maker, it’s had its fair share of ups and downs, eventually leading to total brand closure a few years ago.
Throughout its storied history, TVR has churned out models that are revered for their simplicity, relying mostly on the driver’s wits to keep the car in control. As a result, TVRs have a reputation for being tricky but fun things to drive – a purist’s sports car, if you will.
Built With Le Mans In Mind
A true TVR product has just been unearthed and put up for sale, and it’s something truly special: the T440R – a model that leans heavily into Le Mans lore. To better put things into context, TVR has always been chasing the Le Mans dream. There is, of course, the Speed 12 (pseudo-hypercar) that was supposed to be a Le Mans racer, but the rules suddenly changed.
Cue the T440, which is based on the TVR Tuscan two-door coupe. This model was the brand’s second attempt at entering the endurance race, with a car that would race in the GT class against the Ferrari 360 and Porsche 911. According to FIA rules, two variants of a model must be made for sale before it can be approved for racing. TVR developed a T400R with a 4.0 straight-six engine, and the T440R with a 4.2-liter V8.
Strangely, the car in question might have been the only T400R ever built. However, in this case, the old engine has been replaced with a 4.4-liter straight-six that makes 440 hp, hence the T440R classification.
Despite the engine change and upgrade, the whole car remains basically the same; it retains the tubular chassis plus the honeycomb aluminum floor. It also features an integrated roll cage and carbon fiber panels. With its lightweight, highly aerodynamic body, the T440R was said to be able to hit over 200 mph – an incredible feat for what was, at the time, considered a boutique car maker.
Shrouded in Mystery
What could be considered interesting about the T440R is that nobody really seems to know the full story. There isn’t a definitive number of models made, with former employees’ information spotty at best.
However, this particular model has some star power; it served as the press car and had apparently been in Jeremy Clarkson’s hands prior to the new-age Top Gear. With rarity and star power accounted for, this car is currently up for grabs on Piston Heads for £249,990, or around $327,420 at current exchange rates.
