TVR Trident

The TVR Trident was a fascinating car born from a combination of innovation and international collaboration. Built on the chassis of the TVR Grantura Mark III, the Trident featured sleek steel and aluminum bodywork crafted by the Italian firm Fissore, with a striking design by Trevor Fiore. Powering this stylish machine was a robust 4.7-liter Ford V8 engine, promising impressive performance for its time. The project garnered strong enthusiasm, particularly from the US distributors Dick Monnich and Jack Griffith, who saw potential in the Trident for the American market. Their support helped push the creation of four prototypes, one of which was uniquely built on an Austin-Healey 3000 chassis at the suggestion of WJ Last, a TVR dealer. In March 1965, the Trident made its debut at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show, where it was showcased in both coupé and convertible versions. The car was an immediate head-turner, with its modern design and powerful specifications capturing attention. It held promise as a bold step forward for TVR. Unfortunately, this promise was never fully realized. TVR soon found itself in a financial crisis, forcing the company into bankruptcy. The Lilley family eventually took over the brand, but the Trident project was left behind in the turmoil. However, the story didn’t end there. WJ Last, already experienced in acquiring and reviving niche automotive projects, saw an opportunity. He purchased the rights to the Trident, founded Trident Cars in Woodbridge, and took the project into his own hands. This was not Last’s first venture into reviving unique cars—he had previously acquired the rights to the Peel Viking and produced it under the name Viking Minisport. Although the Trident never reached mass production under TVR, its legacy lives on as an ambitious and beautifully designed car that showcased the innovation and craftsmanship of its time. It remains a captivating piece of automotive history.