TVR Car Club
  • Home
    • Join
  • News
  • Shop
    • Enter Shop
    • Memberships
    • Events
    • Clothing >
      • 60th Anniversary Range
      • Jackets
      • Hoodies
      • T-shirts & Polo Shirts
      • Headwear
      • Ladies & Junior Clothing
      • Sale
    • Bags
    • Mugs
    • Gifts
    • Stickers
    • Posters
    • Fire Safety Sticks
    • Garage Products
    • Official TVR Branded
    • TVRs for sale
  • Events
  • Find out about:
    • The TVRCC
    • Why you should join
    • TVR
    • Regions >
      • UK Regions
      • International Regions
      • Region Details update
    • The TVR Models >
      • Early TVRs
      • TVR Grantura
      • TVR Vixen
      • TVR Griffith (early)
      • TVR Tuscan (early)
      • TVR M series
      • TVR Tasmin / Wedges
      • TVR S Series
      • TVR Tuscan Racer
      • TVR Griffith
      • TVR Chimaera
      • TVR Cerbera
      • TVR Speed 12
      • TVR Tuscan
      • TVR Tamora
      • TVR T350
      • TVR Sagaris
      • TVR Typhon / T400 / T440
      • TVR Prototypes
      • TVR Griffith LE 2017
    • Sprint Magazine >
      • In Sprint
      • Photo Competition Winners
      • Photo Competition
    • Monthly eNewsletter
    • TVR Motorsport
    • TVR Motorsport History
    • TVR Colours
    • Classifieds
  • Members Area:
    • TVRCC Forums
    • National Members Events >
      • Millbrook 2025
      • NEC Classic & Sportscar Show
    • TVRs in print
    • Digital Sprint Magazines
    • Archives >
      • Archives - Brochures
      • Archives - Factory
      • Archives - Pre M
      • Archives - M Series
      • Archives - Tasmin Wedge
      • Archives - Tuscan Racer
      • Archives - S Series
      • Archives - Griffith
      • Archives - Cerbera
      • Archives - Chimaera
      • Archives - T350
      • Archives - Tamora
      • Archives - Tuscan
      • Archives - Sagaris
      • Archives - Prototypes
      • Archives - Rover V8
      • Archives - Miscellaneous
      • Add to Archives
    • Technical >
      • Technical - Pre-M Series
      • Technical - M Series
      • Technical - Wedges
      • Technical - S Series
      • Technical - Chimaera
      • Technical - Griffith
      • Technical - Cerbera
      • Technical - Sagaris
      • Technical - Speed Six
      • Technical - T350
      • Technical - Tuscan
      • Technical - Tamora
    • Committee >
      • Minutes & accounts
      • Chairman
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Editor
      • Deputy Editor
      • Archivist
      • Model Registrar
      • Events Manager
      • Events Team
      • Competition Secretary
      • RO Co-ordinator
      • Sales Manager
      • Marketing Communications
      • Office Manager
      • Website Designer
      • Magazine Designer
    • Travel Tours >
      • Scenic and Continental Car Tours
      • Drive Espana
      • Fast Track Tours
      • Organise Your Own Tour
    • Benefits
    • Insurance
    • Valuations
    • Trade links >
      • TVR Dealers
      • Bodywork Servicing Repairs
    • RO Resources >
      • Organised Runs
      • RO handbook
      • Regional Websites & Emails
      • Region website update request
      • Forum Rules & Guidelines
      • Naming and shaming policy
      • Authorised Logos
      • Region Details Change Request
      • Region Events Form
      • Region Business Card Order Form
    • Logout
  • Contact Us

NEWS

2004 Le Mans Classic – the Grantura Story

20/8/2004

 
Picture
The 1963 ex Paddy Gaston/Rod Longton lightweight Mk. III Grantura completed a successful run at this year’s Le Mans 24 hour Classic event. The car, now owned by Phil Hooper, was rebuilt in 2001-02 after he discovered the Grantura lurking in the back of a barn in need of total restoration. This is a brief outline of what happened as described by Phil’s Co-Driver Malcolm Wood – the full report will appear in Sprint.
Prior to this year’s classic, the car had raced at le Mans twice in recent years – the first 24 hour Le Mans Classic in 2002 and and the 2003 one hour Legends race held just prior to the “real” 24 hour event. Both of these events proved that the car needed improved power and better cooling so in late 2003 a full engine rebuild together with modifying the exhaust system and installing a larger fuel tank was undertaken to bring the car up to a competitive level. The TVRCC assisted with some not insignificant sponsorship which paid for a much larger aluminum radiator to be fitted prior to our departure for Le Mans.Around 370 entrants were due to appear in six different plateaus divided by years in this year’s 24 hour Le Mans Classic. In our plateau we were up against seven Ford GT 40s, six AC Cobras, one Ferrari 250 LM, six Ferrari 275 GTBs plus Bizzarinis, Jaguar E-Types, Alfa Romeo TZs, Alpine M63 and M64s, Porsche 904/6s and 911s, Sunbeam Tigers, Lola GT, etc. Our real competitors were few and far between – Sunbeam Alpine, MGBs, Deep Sanderson and a couple of CD Panhards. The Index of Performance however was our real chance of competing with the big boys and it was with this thought that we started practice on the Friday night with a positive frame of mind. 
​
Sadly our optimism was short lived. Phil went out first and was going great guns on the first lap until he experienced loss of power at the end of the Mulsanne straight. It wasn’t overheating as the temperature was low and oil pressure was excellent and therefore we suspected an electrical, carburetion or rev-limiter problem. We eventually discovered that the problem was dirt and residue in the new fuel tank but by then it was too late to avoid a slow practice time. It meant that we had to start each race from near the back of the grid.

After changing filters and partially draining the fuel tank the first race started well with Phil catching and passing several of our competitors with ease in the first few laps as it was starting to get dark. The result of this first race saw us finishing 44th in outright classification ahead of two Ferrari 275 GTBs, an AC Cobra, a Porsche 911, the Deep Sanderson and the CD. Our position on Index of Performance was an encouraging 28th behind two Ford GT 40s but ahead of Barry Sidery-Smith’s and Rod Longton’s MGBs and Keith Hampson’s Sunbeam Alpine. 

Our second race started late – around 4.45 a.m. – and needless to say dawn was still some way off. I took the wheel for the first stint and managed to pass several of our competitors when on the third lap fuel starvation gremlins struck again just prior to our pit stop to change driver. Phil started his first lap quickly but experienced loss of power half way down Mulsanne. He managed to creep back to the pits with his heart in his mouth trying to keep out of the way of fast approaching GT 40s and the like. It was decided that it was too dangerous to continue and it was with disappointment and frustration that we headed back to the paddock with two laps uncompleted. As a result we dropped down to 50th in outright classification and 49th on the Index of Performance.

Around 11 a.m. on the Sunday we were all ready to go with the tank fully flushed. Phil took the first stint and it was obvious that the Grantura was performing as it should even though we were limiting the revs to around 6,800. Our lap times were now improving and when Phil came in to hand over to me he reported that the car was running fantastically. I then set off enthusiastically hoping that our troubles were behind us and was following an Alpine through the first Mulsanne chicane when I lost the rear end and spun off into the gravel. I really thought that I’d blown it but the marshals quickly towed me out onto the grass verge and after a few anxious moments trying to restart the engine, I was once again back in the race. Although a good result was out of the question, we did manage to finish this last race 39th in outright classification and 34th on the Index of Performance.

The overall result for our beleaguered team was 41st on scratch and 34th on index – not too bad out of the 70 cars on our plateau. The most encouraging aspect though was that when the car was running properly our speed has greatly improved since the 2003 Legends race. On the last lap of the last race the Grantura was lapping 25 seconds a lap faster than our fastest lap of last year.

Our heartfelt thanks must go to our main sponsors BCR Yachts of Antibes, France, without whose support we could not have competed at this prestigious event since 2002. The TVR Car Club also supported us in this year’s event and we convey our thanks to them also.
​
Malcolm Wood
Antibes August 2004

Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Awards
    Events
    Motorsport
    News
    Offers
    Parts
    Products
    TVR News

    News Archives

    June 2025
    July 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    April 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    June 2009
    March 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    October 2007
    September 2007
    August 2007
    July 2007
    June 2007
    May 2007
    April 2007
    March 2007
    February 2007
    January 2007
    December 2006
    November 2006
    October 2006
    September 2006
    August 2006
    July 2006
    June 2006
    May 2006
    April 2006
    March 2006
    February 2006
    January 2006
    December 2005
    November 2005
    October 2005
    September 2005
    August 2005
    June 2005
    May 2005
    April 2005
    March 2005
    February 2005
    January 2005
    December 2004
    October 2004
    September 2004
    August 2004
    July 2004
    June 2004
    May 2004
    April 2004
    March 2004
    February 2004
    December 2003
    November 2003
    May 2003
    April 2003
    May 2002
    July 2001
    March 2001
    October 2000
    July 2000
    May 2000
    April 2000
    October 1999
    December 1998

    RSS Feed

Picture
If you are looking for TVR - www.tvr.co.uk
​• Best Contribution to Charity 2022
• ​Star of the future 2021
• Car Club of the Year 2017
​• Best Magazine 2016
• Car Club of the Year 2015
• Best website 2012
• Club Personality 2011
• Best Selection of Cars 2007
​
• Best Website 2007
• Best Event 2006
• Club Personality 2005
• Best Magazine 2004
• Car Club of the Year 2000 ​​
Picture
Multiple Award Winners

HOME
News

Shop
Events
​Subscribe to eNews
Contact Us

FIND OUT
​About The TVRCC
Why Join 
About TVR
UK Regions
​International Regions
​
Region Update Form
Sprint Magazine
In Sprint
​Picture this winners
Picture this Competition
TVR Motorsport
​​TVR Motorsport History​
​TVR Colours
TVR MODELS
Early TVRs
​Grantura
Vixen
Griffith (early)
Tuscan (early)
M Series
Tasmin/Wedges
S Series
Tuscan Racer
Griffith
Chimaera
Speed 12
​​Cerbera
Tuscan
Tamora
T350
Sagaris
Typhon/T400/T440
​Prototypes
Griffith LE 2017​
MEMBERS AREA
TVRs in print
​Annual Events
> Le Mans Classic
> Pre-80's Extravaganza
> Classic Car Show NEC
​
Archives
Digital Sprint
Committee
​
Committee Minutes
Travel Tours
Members offers
Insurance
​
TRADE LINKS
>TVR Dealers
>Bodywork, Servicing & Repairs

​
TECHNICAL
Pre M
M Series
Tasmin/Wedges
S Series
​
Griffith
Chimaera
Cerbera
Tuscan
T350
Tamora
Sagaris

ARCHIVES

Factory
Pre M
M Series
Tasmin/Wedges
Tuscan Racer
S Series
Griffith
Chimaera
Tuscan
Prototypes
Rover V8 engine
DISCUSSION FORUMS
​
General forum
Model Areas
Suggestions
Regional forums

​
RO RESOURCES
Regional Organisers Resources
Handbook
Organised Runs
Regional Websites & Emails
​Region website update request
Forum Rules & Guidelines
Naming & Shaming Policy 
Authorised TVRCC  logos
Region contact change form
Region event form
​Business card order

POLICIES
Data Policy
Safeguarding Policy
​Cookies Policy

TVR Car Club
The TVR Car Club Ltd
Suite 5, Nova House, Audley Avenue Enterprise Park
Newport, Shropshire
​TF10 7DW
United Kingdom
Telephone: 01952 822126

email: [email protected] 
© The TVR Car Club 1999-2025
​unless otherwise stated
​All contributions to this website are the personal opinions of the individual members concerned and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Club or its committee unless specifically stated. The TVRCC accepts no responsibility for advice or information given on this website or by its members.

​Website design and hosted by Treble3  since 1999
  • Home
    • Join
  • News
  • Shop
    • Enter Shop
    • Memberships
    • Events
    • Clothing >
      • 60th Anniversary Range
      • Jackets
      • Hoodies
      • T-shirts & Polo Shirts
      • Headwear
      • Ladies & Junior Clothing
      • Sale
    • Bags
    • Mugs
    • Gifts
    • Stickers
    • Posters
    • Fire Safety Sticks
    • Garage Products
    • Official TVR Branded
    • TVRs for sale
  • Events
  • Find out about:
    • The TVRCC
    • Why you should join
    • TVR
    • Regions >
      • UK Regions
      • International Regions
      • Region Details update
    • The TVR Models >
      • Early TVRs
      • TVR Grantura
      • TVR Vixen
      • TVR Griffith (early)
      • TVR Tuscan (early)
      • TVR M series
      • TVR Tasmin / Wedges
      • TVR S Series
      • TVR Tuscan Racer
      • TVR Griffith
      • TVR Chimaera
      • TVR Cerbera
      • TVR Speed 12
      • TVR Tuscan
      • TVR Tamora
      • TVR T350
      • TVR Sagaris
      • TVR Typhon / T400 / T440
      • TVR Prototypes
      • TVR Griffith LE 2017
    • Sprint Magazine >
      • In Sprint
      • Photo Competition Winners
      • Photo Competition
    • Monthly eNewsletter
    • TVR Motorsport
    • TVR Motorsport History
    • TVR Colours
    • Classifieds
  • Members Area:
    • TVRCC Forums
    • National Members Events >
      • Millbrook 2025
      • NEC Classic & Sportscar Show
    • TVRs in print
    • Digital Sprint Magazines
    • Archives >
      • Archives - Brochures
      • Archives - Factory
      • Archives - Pre M
      • Archives - M Series
      • Archives - Tasmin Wedge
      • Archives - Tuscan Racer
      • Archives - S Series
      • Archives - Griffith
      • Archives - Cerbera
      • Archives - Chimaera
      • Archives - T350
      • Archives - Tamora
      • Archives - Tuscan
      • Archives - Sagaris
      • Archives - Prototypes
      • Archives - Rover V8
      • Archives - Miscellaneous
      • Add to Archives
    • Technical >
      • Technical - Pre-M Series
      • Technical - M Series
      • Technical - Wedges
      • Technical - S Series
      • Technical - Chimaera
      • Technical - Griffith
      • Technical - Cerbera
      • Technical - Sagaris
      • Technical - Speed Six
      • Technical - T350
      • Technical - Tuscan
      • Technical - Tamora
    • Committee >
      • Minutes & accounts
      • Chairman
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Editor
      • Deputy Editor
      • Archivist
      • Model Registrar
      • Events Manager
      • Events Team
      • Competition Secretary
      • RO Co-ordinator
      • Sales Manager
      • Marketing Communications
      • Office Manager
      • Website Designer
      • Magazine Designer
    • Travel Tours >
      • Scenic and Continental Car Tours
      • Drive Espana
      • Fast Track Tours
      • Organise Your Own Tour
    • Benefits
    • Insurance
    • Valuations
    • Trade links >
      • TVR Dealers
      • Bodywork Servicing Repairs
    • RO Resources >
      • Organised Runs
      • RO handbook
      • Regional Websites & Emails
      • Region website update request
      • Forum Rules & Guidelines
      • Naming and shaming policy
      • Authorised Logos
      • Region Details Change Request
      • Region Events Form
      • Region Business Card Order Form
    • Logout
  • Contact Us