A year-or-so in the life of a TVR owner
Discussion
Make a coffee, sit back, put your feet up, and let's begin...
Last Summer I joined PH make sure I didn't get stung when buying a car I'd dreamed of owning for years - a full-fat hounds-from-hell V8 Cerbera. 10 months and precisely 1,000 posts later, I ended the dream and handed the (lack-of) keys over on Friday night.
I've spent the last couple of weeks getting everything as close to how I'd expect the car to be if I were buying it as possible... I've driven all the way down to Coventry to have it serviced by TVR Power rather than a less-capable local dealer, had a new starter motor fitted even though the current one was still working, spent an entire weekend on my back touching up stone chips, had all the discolourations professionally taken out of the leather, and so on. The only thing left was a stuck odometer and some noise coming from the rear shocks that I just didn't have enough time to sort out. Finally, on Friday evening, I washed and waxed it, topped up all the liquids, and drove it to meet its new owner. I don't think it's ever looked so timelessly beautiful/venomous, and in the last 7,000 miles it's never sounded sweeter. I was truly gutted to see it go. The only saving grace was that I didn't have to hear it start up and drive off - listening to the rumble from the pipes drowning out the 737s in the East Midlands Airport carpark would've just been too much. May it contine to bring as much pleasure for him as it did me.
Selling the car was something I thought I had to do at the time, and once I get an idea into my head, I always follow it through. It's not until we have to do without something like our TVRs that we realise how much we take them for granted and how much we love them - both despite and because of their flaws. Thinking about it, if it wasn't for the unique, temperamental character of TVRs how many people would be members of this site? Who initially joined up because they wanted to know about the potential pitfalls, or to diagnose a problem?
I think the last week of having the car sat outside the house but not being able to drive it has been the 2nd hardest of my week after waiting to pick the car up to begin with. Realising that as I took the deposit on it last Saturday, I started looking at replacements for the future, including much more practical alternatives - Boxster Ss, 350Zs, etc. Somewhere along the way it dawned on me that there are two types of TVR owners: those who want one, can afford one, and buy one, and those who have to own one whether or not they can afford or justify it. It really is a lifestyle choice - I can't think of any other marque that'd give this much enjoyment or introduce me to so many new friends.
With that thought in my mind I vowed I would return to TVR ownership as soon as was physically possible. And as I said, once I get an idea in my head...
Exactly 24 hours after parting with the Cerb, I found myself thundering up the M1 in the pitch-black night, through siling rain, blustering gales, standing water, and all the white-vans satan could throw at me - tearing up the tarmac from Sussex to Derby to the howling soundtrack of a straight-six in full song, relishing every moment in my new (Porsche) Zenith-blue Tuscan Red Rose.
Sod the bank-balance - April 5th's my birthday, I deserve a present, and I'm not turning up to a restaurant for a birthday meal in a normal car!
We only live once - there's barely enough time to fit everything in as it is. If you're ever in doubt and question the justification for indulging yourself, just ask the question "What would I do if I wasn't afraid?"
Roll on the Summer!
(And before I get the obligatory "this thread is worthless...", I'll be posting the pics tomorrow night!)
[Edited because I hate bad spelling
]
[Edited again because I'm a stickler for grammar too
]
>>> Edited by j_s_g on Monday 5th April 19:21
Last Summer I joined PH make sure I didn't get stung when buying a car I'd dreamed of owning for years - a full-fat hounds-from-hell V8 Cerbera. 10 months and precisely 1,000 posts later, I ended the dream and handed the (lack-of) keys over on Friday night.
I've spent the last couple of weeks getting everything as close to how I'd expect the car to be if I were buying it as possible... I've driven all the way down to Coventry to have it serviced by TVR Power rather than a less-capable local dealer, had a new starter motor fitted even though the current one was still working, spent an entire weekend on my back touching up stone chips, had all the discolourations professionally taken out of the leather, and so on. The only thing left was a stuck odometer and some noise coming from the rear shocks that I just didn't have enough time to sort out. Finally, on Friday evening, I washed and waxed it, topped up all the liquids, and drove it to meet its new owner. I don't think it's ever looked so timelessly beautiful/venomous, and in the last 7,000 miles it's never sounded sweeter. I was truly gutted to see it go. The only saving grace was that I didn't have to hear it start up and drive off - listening to the rumble from the pipes drowning out the 737s in the East Midlands Airport carpark would've just been too much. May it contine to bring as much pleasure for him as it did me.
Selling the car was something I thought I had to do at the time, and once I get an idea into my head, I always follow it through. It's not until we have to do without something like our TVRs that we realise how much we take them for granted and how much we love them - both despite and because of their flaws. Thinking about it, if it wasn't for the unique, temperamental character of TVRs how many people would be members of this site? Who initially joined up because they wanted to know about the potential pitfalls, or to diagnose a problem?
I think the last week of having the car sat outside the house but not being able to drive it has been the 2nd hardest of my week after waiting to pick the car up to begin with. Realising that as I took the deposit on it last Saturday, I started looking at replacements for the future, including much more practical alternatives - Boxster Ss, 350Zs, etc. Somewhere along the way it dawned on me that there are two types of TVR owners: those who want one, can afford one, and buy one, and those who have to own one whether or not they can afford or justify it. It really is a lifestyle choice - I can't think of any other marque that'd give this much enjoyment or introduce me to so many new friends.
With that thought in my mind I vowed I would return to TVR ownership as soon as was physically possible. And as I said, once I get an idea in my head...
Exactly 24 hours after parting with the Cerb, I found myself thundering up the M1 in the pitch-black night, through siling rain, blustering gales, standing water, and all the white-vans satan could throw at me - tearing up the tarmac from Sussex to Derby to the howling soundtrack of a straight-six in full song, relishing every moment in my new (Porsche) Zenith-blue Tuscan Red Rose.
Sod the bank-balance - April 5th's my birthday, I deserve a present, and I'm not turning up to a restaurant for a birthday meal in a normal car! We only live once - there's barely enough time to fit everything in as it is. If you're ever in doubt and question the justification for indulging yourself, just ask the question "What would I do if I wasn't afraid?"
Roll on the Summer!
(And before I get the obligatory "this thread is worthless...", I'll be posting the pics tomorrow night!)
[Edited because I hate bad spelling
] [Edited again because I'm a stickler for grammar too
] >>> Edited by j_s_g on Monday 5th April 19:21
BCA said:
You are absolutely mad, I salute you sir.
Good luck with the six, as soon as dad sees one with 80k and no rebuilds we'll be selling the Cerb too. Sagaris or Typhon, hmmmmmm...
Thankyou. The engine's running a little lumpy (previous owner inflicted 95 RON on it - still emptying the tank of the filth), but the straight-six feels like one hell of a piece of engineering. This one was back at the factory for a rebuild 12,000 miles (2 years) ago, so I've got my fingers crossed. I've also bought a warranty just in case.
Chris Neils is selling a Tuscan with 42k on the clock at the moment. Might be worth checking with them to see how many rebuilds its had/when.
Congrats mate,
I am so close now I can taste it. Just one more poxy week in this country before I will be welcomed home by the scowling faces and "right pissed off" attitude of all the poor buggers that work in Heathrow
Absolutely nowt like coming home
I too have my eye on a blue one. What's your interior?
Congratulations again, give the throttle a blip from yours truly and may she run as well as you treat her.
MARA
I am so close now I can taste it. Just one more poxy week in this country before I will be welcomed home by the scowling faces and "right pissed off" attitude of all the poor buggers that work in Heathrow
Absolutely nowt like coming home I too have my eye on a blue one. What's your interior?
Congratulations again, give the throttle a blip from yours truly and may she run as well as you treat her.
MARA
JS, fantastic news and a fantastic post!
Your observations about TVR ownership are so true. I realised if I opted out of TVR ownership I'd only want one again in a couple of weeks. The Tuscan and I bonded again this weekend, consequently I couldn't imagine being without it. So for now, the Tamora will have to wait, the Tuscan is staying.
Now all we need is some sunshine.
Is now a good time to confess to having taken a test drive in a Boxster S.
Your observations about TVR ownership are so true. I realised if I opted out of TVR ownership I'd only want one again in a couple of weeks. The Tuscan and I bonded again this weekend, consequently I couldn't imagine being without it. So for now, the Tamora will have to wait, the Tuscan is staying.
Now all we need is some sunshine.
Is now a good time to confess to having taken a test drive in a Boxster S.
If you got into work a bit earlier, you could have joined the mini TVR meet in the car park...
Does Ted do any business cards that we could stick under the wipers of any TVRs we park next to, inviting them to visit Pistonheads. We have an ugly-arsed* Tamora at work that doesn't seem to be on here.
*only joking
Does Ted do any business cards that we could stick under the wipers of any TVRs we park next to, inviting them to visit Pistonheads. We have an ugly-arsed* Tamora at work that doesn't seem to be on here.
*only joking
chim_girl said:
Is now a good time to confess to having taken a test drive in a Boxster S.
Oooh, hang her from the rafters I say
It may be 4am here but I spotted that. I want to sleep so badly
However, got to stay up just a little while longer until the dealers have had their breakfast and tea and decide to pick up their phones and help get me into the TVR gang
Hey JS
Chuffed for you man.
I know it was a real wrench for you to sell the Cerbera but I must confess,
gobsmacked that you were only TIVless for 24 hours.
Think I'd be the same...already eyeing a second TVR that I can't afford!
I hope it all works out with the new car, looking forward to seeing it and
finally meeting up for that long over due drink.
Make sure you do 'hang with us' over in the Cerbera forum or we'll come looking for you!
Chuffed for you man.
I know it was a real wrench for you to sell the Cerbera but I must confess,
gobsmacked that you were only TIVless for 24 hours.
Think I'd be the same...already eyeing a second TVR that I can't afford!
I hope it all works out with the new car, looking forward to seeing it and
finally meeting up for that long over due drink.
Make sure you do 'hang with us' over in the Cerbera forum or we'll come looking for you!
Mrs Fish said:
Congrats JS, that was a great post. TVR's just get in your blood don't they
We will definitely have to do that lunchtime drink at some point, so I can have a gander
It's up in the pray & display so it's not too far to walk for a gander. Drop me a mail/give me a call - should be free for lunch most days this week.
God bless the ship of madness and all us mere mortals that sail in her!chim_girl said:
Is now a good time to confess to having taken a test drive in a Boxster S.
Must admit that I've been in the seat of some very, very dubious motors this last two weeks... Not only taking my mate's Z3 for a spin, but test driving a Boxster S too. Maybe I shouldn't mention the 645 in the BMW dealership that I drive past every day and just had to try out... x2Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff