TVR has had an eclectic historical past of manufacturing beautiful British sports activities vehicles. However not the whole lot created by the corporate was destined for the monitor. Within the early 2000s, TVR’s proprietor, Peter Wheeler, considered an amphibious car able to serving a number of roles. A brand new video from Harry’s Storage captures the one current Scamander prototype beginning up and driving for the primary time in over a decade.
The Scamander final ran in 2012 or 2013, in response to Wheeler’s son Joe. Time is often unkind to even essentially the most dependable vehicles that haven’t moved, however the amphibious automotive appears principally unaffected, chilling by means of the 2010s with out a lot decay.
The Ford-sourced 3.0-liter V6 engine begins up with out hesitation. The flip indicators, brakes, and windshield wiper works too, whereas the cover opens and closes with out difficulty. One of many rear-view cameras works as nicely, however the digital display screen for the sprint must be mounted, so the Scamander removed from excellent. It’ll require work earlier than it’s road-legal once more, the brief take a look at drive revealing a attainable difficulty someplace within the driveline.
You’d suppose a beastly machine able to treading water would have four-wheel drive, however Wheeler stored the Scamander to two-wheel drive to save lots of weight, with an automated gearbox channeling the ability.
The cabin has three seats, with the motive force sitting within the center. The engine is straight behind the passenger compartment, separated by a skinny, detachable cowl. The 2 passenger seats fold down to hold stretchers, and the steering wheel flips as much as support the motive force in getting out and in of the gangly machine that appears virtually beetle-like.
Wheeler offered TVR in 2005 earlier than finishing the Scamander, however he continued engaged on it till he died in 2009. Hopefully his son can get it road-ready someday within the close to future.
