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.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 1 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source 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
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