| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1972 |
| Production Years: | 1976 - 1980 discontinued in 1980 |
The TVR Taimar is a distinctive British sports coupe produced between 1976 and 1980. As a model designed to bridge the gap between earlier TVR designs and emerging modern cues, the Taimar showcases typical 1970s styling with its sharp lines and sleek profile. Though compact in size, the Taimar offers an engaging driving experience characteristic of TVR's focus on lightweight performance vehicles. It features a coupe body style that enhances aerodynamics and provides a sporty silhouette. While specific dimension data varies, typical TVR coupes from this era measure approximately 4,200 mm (165.4 inches) in length and around 1,620 mm (63.8 inches) in width, making it nimble and easy to handle on winding roads. The Taimar’s lightweight construction, usually under 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), contributes to its agility and responsiveness. Under the hood, the Taimar often utilized British inline-four engines providing sufficient power for enthusiastic driving, while maintaining the strong character and raw feel fans expect from a TVR. Inside, the Taimar emphasizes driver engagement over luxury, with a minimalist but functional interior focused on the essentials. Its compact dimensions, lightweight frame, and sporty coupe configuration make the TVR Taimar a compelling choice for collectors and enthusiasts interested in iconic British automotive design and spirited driving dynamics from the late 1970s era.
Discover the standout features that make the 1972 TVR Taimar a leader in its class
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The TVR Taimar, produced from 1976 to 1980, features compact and sporty dimensions typical of classic British coupes of its era. It measures approximately 4,165 mm (164 inches) in length, 1,625 mm (64 inches) in width, and around 1,140 mm (45 inches) in height. These dimensions contribute to its low-slung stance and agile handling, making it well-suited for spirited driving on narrow British roads and European circuits.
In comparison to other mid-1970s British sports coupes such as the Triumph TR7 and the MG B GT, the TVR Taimar is slightly more compact. While the Triumph TR7 measures around 4,190 mm (165 inches) in length and the MG B GT around 4,115 mm (162 inches), the Taimar’s length of 4,165 mm (164 inches) places it comfortably within this segment. Its relatively narrower width at around 1,625 mm (64 inches) gives it a slender profile, aiding its sporty dynamics and aerodynamic performance.
The TVR Taimar has a wheelbase measuring approximately 2,286 mm (90 inches). This relatively short wheelbase contributes to the car’s nimble handling characteristics, allowing it to respond quickly to steering inputs and remain agile on twisty roads. Shorter wheelbases generally increase maneuverability but can impact ride comfort over rough surfaces, making the Taimar best suited for spirited driving on smoother roads or tracks.
The curb weight of the TVR Taimar is around 950 kg (2,094 lbs), which is quite light compared to many contemporaries. This relatively low mass enhances acceleration, braking, and overall responsiveness, contributing to a sporty driving experience. The lightweight construction combined with a potent engine allows the Taimar to deliver an engaging performance typical of TVR sports cars from that era.
Yes, the TVR Taimar fits comfortably into a standard garage, both in the UK and the US. Typical single-car garage sizes are about 2.4 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) wide and 4.8 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) long, and with the Taimar’s dimensions of approximately 4.165 meters (13.64 feet) in length and 1.625 meters (5.3 feet) in width, it leaves adequate clearance for easy parking and door opening within these spaces.
The TVR Taimar is a two-door coupe designed primarily as a sporty driver’s car rather than a spacious GT, so the interior space is snug but driver-focused. Passenger space is adequate for two occupants with limited rear storage and seating for occasional passengers or extra luggage. The compact cabin emphasizes a low driving position and sporty feel, with moderate headroom and shoulder room reflecting the car’s coupe silhouette and low roofline.
While the Taimar was introduced after the Tasmin model line, it targeted a niche within TVR’s coupe offerings with distinct styling and size differences. The Tasmin was generally longer and more angular with a more modern wedge shape, measuring around 4,420 mm (174 inches) long, making it larger than the Taimar’s approximately 4,165 mm (164 inches). The Taimar’s design harks back to the more classic British sports coupe ethos with a smaller, lighter, and more traditionally curved body compared to the Tasmin’s more contemporary styling and larger footprint.
Compared to similar sports coupes from the mid to late 1970s, like the Lotus Elite (Type 75) and the Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior, the TVR Taimar is competitive in terms of size but generally lighter. The Lotus Elite was about 4,000 mm (157 inches) long, slightly shorter but with a similar width, while the Alfa Romeo GT measured close to 4,200 mm (165 inches) in length. In terms of weight, the Taimar, at approximately 950 kg (2,094 lbs), often weighed less than many contemporaries, which typically hovered around 1,000 to 1,100 kg (2,200 to 2,425 lbs), enhancing its agility and driving dynamics.
The TVR Taimar was designed with a modest boot capacity, typical for sporty coupes of the 1970s. It offered roughly 200 liters (7 cubic feet) of luggage space, adequate for light touring or weekend trips but limited for extensive travel or carrying large amounts of gear. The rear hatch design provided reasonable access, but the compact cargo area meant the Taimar was more ideal for two passengers with light baggage rather than as a long-distance tourer with extensive storage needs.
The TVR Taimar was designed to offer a low, sporty driving position accentuated by its 1,140 mm (45 inch) height, which improved aerodynamic performance but resulted in a relatively low roofline. The slender width of 1,625 mm (64 inches) and compact window area emphasized style over all-around visibility. While the design prioritized driver engagement and road feedback, it presented modest outward visibility compared to more practical vehicles, particularly in rear quarters, a commonplace tradeoff in sports coupes of its time.
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