History
This is a 1971 TVR Vixen S3 Coupé, one of only 168 produced, which I have owned since 1987 (37 Years). In summary, during my ownership I have restored it and continuously modified / modernised the mechanicals and electrical components to make it more drivable, reliable, faster and safer. It currently has an unmodified 170 BHP Ford Zetec 2.0 litre engine coupled to a modified Ford Sierra 5 Speed Gearbox with a Ford Sierra Cosworth Viscous Limited Slip Differential (3.89).
When I purchased the car in 1987, it was fitted with the original Ford Kent 711M, 1.6 litre (1599 cc) Crossflow engine (92 BHP) coupled to the standard Ford 4 Speed Gearbox and standard Triumph Spitfire differential (3.89).
In 1989, I modified the car to give it improved performance by upgrading the existing engine to 1.7 litre (1696 cc / 138 BHP), fitting a Ford Sierra 5 Speed Gearbox and a Triumph Spitfire Limited Slip Differential (3.89). Engine modifications included having the block overbored + 90″ thou, fitting a GSC Stage 3 Big Valve Cylinder Head and Kent 234 Camshaft. It was also fitted with twin 40 Weber DCOE Sidedraft Carburettors, up-rated brakes: 4 pot calipers with twin vented discs (front) and vented drums on rear, plus many more upgrades to numerous to mention.
January to May 2018 saw the car modified to its current specification, which has significantly improved its performance and driveability. Summary of specification detailed below:
Engine Specification
Ford Zetec 2.0 litre (1989 cc)
Straight 4 Cylinder, 16 Valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC)
Compression 10:1
Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Lightened Flywheel
Raceline Aluminium Lowered Sump
170 BHP as Rolling Road Tested November 2018.
Fuel System
Fuel Injection System with Emerald Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
Exhaust System
Custom Stainless Steel 4 into 2 into 1 Exhaust Manifold (2” diameter).
Custom Straight Through Stainless Steel Exhaust (2¼” diameter).
Gearbox Specification
Ford Sierra 5 Speed Gearbox (Type 9) with modified 1st gear (lowered ratio of 1st gear from a short 3.65:1 to 2.98:1):
Gear Ratios: 1st – 2.98:1, 2nd – 1.97:1, 3rd – 1.37:1, 4th – 1:1 and 5th – 0.82:1.
Differential Specification
Ford Sierra Cosworth Viscous Limited Slip Differential: Gear Ratio 3.89 with 40 Nm Pre-Load.
Custom Propshaft, Driveshaft’s and Uprated Quill Shafts (TVR).
Brakes Specification
Front (Triumph TR6) Rear (Ford Granada / TVR Griffith)
Wilwood Dynalite Twin Vended Disks Ford Unvented Disks
Wilwood Dynalite Four Pot Callipers Ford Two Pot Callipers
Wilwood Dynalite Brake Pads MBD1796-M1144 Standard Brake Pads
Cooling System
Custom Aluminium Radiator
Automatic Electric Fan
Silicon Hoses
Body, Chassis and Suspension
The body is made of fibreglass, which is bolted to a tubular-frame chassis with double wishbone suspension front and rear. Shock absorbers and coil springs all round that are fully adjustable (height and pressure).
2 number Front Coil Springs 10½” x 2½” (255 lbs per side)
4 number Rear Coil Springs 10½” x 2¼” (160 lb per side)
6 number AVO PD418 performance shock absorbers
Cockpit (Interior)
Interior finished in Black Leather and Wilton Carpets edged with Black Leather
Classic Black Leather Seats
TVR Vixen Aluminium Roll Cage
Total Restraint Systems Four Point Harnesses
Classic Aluminium / Wood Steering Wheel
Kenwood KDC-DAB41U Hi-Fi System