Skip to content
THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

TVR Tina Spyder

1966Coachwork by Carrozzeria Fissore

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1966
Body style
Coupé / Cabriolet
Type
Prototype
Displacement
875 cc

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The TVR Tina Spyder’s first version faced widespread criticism, particularly for its front-end design. This criticism highlighted the design’s inability to meet American regulatory standards, had the car ever been intended for that market. Consequently, the TVR Tina Spyder returned to Carrozzeria Fissore for modifications, alongside its still uncompleted fixed-head coupé sister. Designed by Trevor Fiore, the TVR Tina Spyder was a unique blend of British engineering and Italian styling. Fiore’s design brought an Italian flair to the British spyder, aiming to create a vehicle that was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. However, the initial design did not resonate well with critics or meet the practical requirements necessary for broader market acceptance. The modification process at Carrozzeria Fissore sought to address these shortcomings. Fissore, known for its skill in automotive design and coachbuilding, was tasked with refining the Tina Spyder to enhance its appeal and functionality. This collaboration aimed to balance the original design’s artistic elements with the practical aspects required for market viability. Despite the efforts to improve it, the TVR Tina Spyder remained a one-off creation. This rarity adds to its allure and historical significance, marking it as a notable example of mid-20th-century automotive design experimentation. The Tina Spyder’s story reflects the challenges and intricacies involved in car design, particularly when blending diverse stylistic influences and meeting stringent regulatory standards. The TVR Tina Spyder’s first version serves as a fascinating chapter in automotive history. Designed by Trevor Fiore and modified by Carrozzeria Fissore, it embodied a unique fusion of British and Italian design philosophies. Although it never reached mass production, its journey from initial criticism to refined modification illustrates the complexities and challenges of automotive design and engineering.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Prototype
Mechanical platform
Hillman Imp Sport

Engine & performance

Displacement
875 cc
Transmission
4-speed manual
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
TVR Tina prototype programme uses Hillman Imp Sport floorpan/mechanicals; 875 cc engine, four-speed manual transmission and 2083 mm wheelbase are shared programme facts. Body-specific dimensions and later auction-condition details are not generalized.

Dimensions & accommodation

Wheelbase
2,083 mm

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Carrozzeria Fissore
Designer · Candidate
Trevor Fiore
Manufacturer · Documented
TVR

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Road & Track — TVR prototypes that were never built www.roadandtrack.com Automotive periodical
TVR Car Club — TVR Tina prototype details www.tvr-car-club.co.uk Marque club technical history

THE CONVERSATION

Comments 0

Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.

Join the conversation