2003 TVR Tuscan T400R
Pilots: G. Evans, L. Tomlinson, N. Greensall Team: Chamberlain / Synergy Motorsport
Race: 22nd overall (3rd in LMGT class) at Le Mans in 2004
Spark - SCTR15 (resin)
Published 06/23/17
TVR, an independent British manufacturer, was founded in 1947, and since it’s founding it has been associated with high-end performance sports cars. After the outrageous Cerbera Speed 12 of 1997, TVR needed a more sensible racer. Though quite astonishing, the Cerbera was just too much for a race car, and the manufacturer wanted to sell more models. With that, TVR needed something more down-to-earth (and cheaper) to campaign in various GT championships and even in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. So in 2003, based on the current Tuscan passenger model, TVR revealed the new T400R. To power the new race car TVR used the in-house designed & built engine called the Speed Six. The Speed Six was the same 3996 cm³ inline-6 with 24 valves and DOHC that powered the road-going Tuscan. However, prepared for racing, it produced 400 hp, number that gave the car it’s name.
Between 2000 and 2004 TVR built a total of 7 race cars, and the cars raced from 2001 to 2006. This T400R #96 is chassis #SDLGA18A528001249. In the Le Mans race of 2004 it came in 22nd place overall and 4th in it’s class. Looks like I’m specializing in oddballs, right ? Well, I have to admit it’s enticing to have a purple Le Mans car from a small manufacturer. In scale, it’s a pretty neat effort from Spark, but once again a model for a very specific crowd.