The T-Rex RVR project car is back! Neither supply chain issues, pandemics, nor changes in Lead Content Creator could keep this dinosaur down.

There are “reality TV” programs that would have you believe a first-rate build can be accomplished in a week. On the other hand there are real-world experience that paint a very different picture. Case in point is JF Launier’s awesome Ridler-winning 1964 Buick Riviera, which is said to have taken 22,000 hours of blood, sweat and tears over a course of many years. Most builds lie somewhere in-between. The T-Rex TVR falls somewhat into the latter category.

A 10-point cage and 2×4 frame rails connect the Art Morrison Enterprises Multi-Link I.R.S. and AME Sport I.F.S. Big 18-inch wheels replaced the original 15s.

T-Rex is a restomod 1974 TVR 2500M sports car fitted with an enhanced 5.0L Ford Coyote V8 in place of the factory 2.5L Triumph-based inline-6 that was rated at 106 HP when new.

On the bright side, the TVR came from the factory in Blackpool, England, with a fiberglass body and tubular chassis with independent front and rear suspension. The North American importer for TVR opted to build a limited amount of M-series cars with a 302 cubic-inch Ford small-block in place of the tepid OEM powerplant — reminiscent of the hairy “Griffith”
Anglo/American concoctions that terrorized Shelby’s Cobras back in the mid-1960s.

Here’s your basic 1974 TVR 2500M when it arrived at its new home after languishing behind a barn for some 20 years. (Photo by Bill Holland)

The limited edition 5000M was the inspiration for T-Rex.

The build started in earnest some seven years ago, but thanks to a multitude of factors that included Covid-19, massive supply chain issues, moving the shop three times, and detouring with a couple vintage racing projects, the build stalled.

That said, I’m happy to report that work is once again progressing — with a realistic goal of completion this year. Early stages of the project were covered in a series of articles that an be found in the archives of www.StreetMuscleMag.com/author/billholland

The project began by stripping the body and lifting it off the OEM tubular chassis. A 2.5L Triumph I-6 originally powered the TVR. (Photo by Bill Holland)

Behind The Scenes Happenings

In short, the body was lifted off the chassis and everything remaining was shipped to a buyer inAustralia. A new chassis was built that comprised of an Art Morrison Enterprises Multi-Link IRS and AME Sport IFS clips that were joined by John Schiess of
Custom Built Machines, in Chatsworth, California, along with a 10-point roll cage fabricated to fit within the tight confines of the TVR body.

Suspension is handled by VariShock double-adjustable coil-overs front and rear. Needless to say, there were a myriad of tasks that laid ahead. The first step was to install the hydraulic brake and clutch systems, which is where the project stalled eons ago. This included installing the stainless steel lines that connected the master/clutch cylinders to their respective calipers and the McLeod hydraulic throw-out bearing. Also included in the plumbing are a pair of thermocouples to monitor the front and rear brake
pressure. They system incorporates a Wilwood front/rear bias adjuster and a pair of Classic Instruments Autocross series gauges to pinpoint the pressure levels.

Another important aspect of the project was undertaken by expanding the rear wheel tubs and fabricating a pair of inner fender panels (or “wings” in British terms). The TVR came from the factory with 165R15 tires that were about 6.5-inches wide and just over 25-inches in diameter. T-Rex is shod with rather sizable Yokohama meats (Advan series with a 200 tread racing that’s accepted for Optima Ultimate Street Car competition) on 18-inch diameter Team III rims that are influenced by the 8-spoke “Minilite” wheels that dominated road racing back in the day. This required building a wooden mold (male) that had a 30-inch diameter and 12-inch depth, with rounded corners.

The front wheelwells attach to the frame, and feature ribs on the inside and top for both aesthetics and added rigidity. Only half-sections were employed in the rear and mated with the widened factory tubs.

The build the enlarged inner fender panels a mold was constructed. It’s covered with wax paper and sprayed with no-stick cooking compound to aid releasing the fiberglass. (Photo by Bill Holland)

Next on the agenda is fabricating a rear diffuser that will aid in aerodynamics and accommodate the burly Borla “Boomer” mufflers,
installing a McLeod multi-disc clutch assembly and configuring a driveshaft to connect the McLeod 5-speed transmission to the AME Multi-Link IRS, and more.

Stay tuned. The resurrection of the T-Rex TVR continues and this time it will not be stopped!