Last updated on October 22, 2026
Today’s car is a 1973 TVR 2500M owned by Stephen DeMocko, which I photographed at the Golden Cove British car gathering in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Finished in black with a black interior, it is powered by a Triumph 2,498 cc inline-six producing 106 hp, equipped with twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors and backed by a four-speed manual transmission. The independent front and rear suspension is fitted with newly installed adjustable GAZ shock absorbers, while front disc and rear drum brakes provide the stopping power.
TVR traces its beginnings to 1947, when Trevor Wilkinson built his first sports car in Blackpool, England. The company took its name from the letters in Trevor’s first name and developed a reputation for lightweight, fiberglass-bodied sports cars built on tubular steel chassis. Financial difficulties led to several changes in ownership, and in 1965, Arthur and Martin Lilley acquired the business and established TVR Engineering Ltd. Under their leadership, TVR continued developing its small, hand-built sports cars, eventually introducing the M-series in 1972.
The M-series was developed to replace TVR’s aging Vixen and Tuscan models. Mike Bigland, a TVR dealer and engineer, designed an entirely new tubular steel backbone chassis that was stronger and easier to manufacture. The fiberglass body retained the basic shape of its predecessors, with Bigland redesigning the front bonnet and Martin Lilley styling the rear, assisted by longtime TVR employee Joe Mleczek. Lilley also designed the interior. The result was a compact two-seat sports coupe that retained TVR’s distinctive styling. Another unique feature was the location of the spare tire, carried beneath the forward-tilting bonnet, ahead of the engine.
The TVR 2500M was produced from 1972 through 1977, with just 947 examples built, including 388 in 1973. Weighing approximately 2,000 lbs (907 kg), the lightweight coupe could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in about 9.3 seconds and reach a top speed of approximately 110 mph (177 km/h). The original selling price in 1973 was approximately $5,400, reflecting the specialized, hand-built nature of the car.
Stephen DeMocko grew up in San Diego, CA, surrounded by British sports cars. His father, Jim, was a Triumph enthusiast who owned several models, including Spitfires, TR3s and TR4s, and served as president of the San Diego Triumph Club in the early 1980s. Stephen spent time working on these cars alongside his father, developing an appreciation for British sports cars that would eventually bring him full circle.
When Stephen began looking for a British sports car to restore, he initially considered another Triumph, but the examples he found were either too expensive or required extensive rust repairs. His attention turned to the TVR Vixen and 2500M. After nearly a year of searching, he found a 1973 TVR 2500M for sale in Michigan and purchased it sight unseen on June 14, 2024. When the car arrived in CA, it was the first TVR Stephen had ever seen in person.
When Stephen’s TVR arrived from Michigan, it had approximately 32,000 miles on the odometer and had reportedly spent about 25 years in storage. Although the previous owner had gotten the engine running, the car was not safe to drive. Stephen discovered numerous problems, including deteriorated wiring, a damaged sunroof, a rusted steel framework inside the fiberglass bonnet, and a fuel tank that needed replacing. The mechanical skills Stephen developed working alongside his father have served him well as he tackles the repairs and continues restoring the TVR.
Stephen has made considerable progress on the TVR, repairing electrical problems, replacing the fuel tank, repairing the sunroof, installing a new headliner, and fitting new seals around the front and rear glass. One of the more challenging jobs involved removing the rear window to gain access to the fuel tank, then reinstalling the glass. Although there is still work to be done, Stephen has made three round trips from Orange County to San Diego in the TVR, each covering more than 200 miles (322 km).
Stephen’s TVR is currently finished in black, although it originally left the factory in a metallic color called Silvery Green. Stephen hopes to eventually return the car to its original Silvery Green, but the original paint formula is no longer available, so he may have to settle for a close match. There are still mechanical and cosmetic issues to address, but Stephen continues to enjoy driving the TVR while working through his restoration plans. He has also documented his progress in a series of videos on his DEMO Garage YouTube channel. Click here for DEMO Garage Link
Stephen’s 1973 TVR 2500M may still be a work in progress, but it is back on the road and being enjoyed as a British sports car should be. Whether attending a British car show, a local Cars & Coffee, or taking a weekend drive along the coast, Stephen has plenty of opportunities to enjoy his TVR while continuing to make it his own.
Thank you for riding along with me and for being part of the Frank’s Cars in the Hood community.
Frank