TVR branded brakes
Discussion
Until now, the only way to get brake callipers branded with TVR written on the Calliper's was to buy the AP calliper's from a later TVR.
Now it seems that we may have an alternative.
A couple of us are in the process of getting brakes from Hi Spec. These normally come with the Hi Spec logo.
It occurred to me to ask if this could be replaced with TVR.
Hi Spec is willing to do a batch with TVR branding, but would require a minimum order for 20.
Additionally, the possibility of a group buy discount exists.
We would need more idea on numbers before getting firm prices.
Hi Spec has a good reputation and is local to us. They make the brakes for Radical cars.
There are 4 or 6 pot kits for the front, but also a matching 2 or 4 pot handbrake callipers for the rear.
Kits are available for Tasmin, Griffith, Chimaera and Cerbera.
Is there enough interest for a group buy?
Rear
Front
Now it seems that we may have an alternative.
A couple of us are in the process of getting brakes from Hi Spec. These normally come with the Hi Spec logo.
It occurred to me to ask if this could be replaced with TVR.
Hi Spec is willing to do a batch with TVR branding, but would require a minimum order for 20.
Additionally, the possibility of a group buy discount exists.
We would need more idea on numbers before getting firm prices.
Hi Spec has a good reputation and is local to us. They make the brakes for Radical cars.
There are 4 or 6 pot kits for the front, but also a matching 2 or 4 pot handbrake callipers for the rear.
Kits are available for Tasmin, Griffith, Chimaera and Cerbera.
Is there enough interest for a group buy?
Rear
Front
Edited by Uncle Fester on Friday 20th March 07:18
Bluebottle said:
Are those rear callipers a direct replacement to the standard rears Fester?
If so I would be interested in those definately (already have TVR AP's up front).
I have left the catalogue at home but, IIRC the hose union are different so you need new hoses. Other than that, one of the 2 pot's goes straight on. If so I would be interested in those definately (already have TVR AP's up front).
The handbrake cable connection and mounting bolts are identical to the original Ford.
A large part of the need to get 20 orders is the costs of the artwork and conversion to a suitable format.
Some Logo’s can be done by etching on their CNC machines as part of the manufacturing process. Other designs require outsourcing to a specialist engraving firm, which is more expensive.
I have a couple of TVR logo’s in .EPS format; can anyone on here convert them into the formats that are used for CNC machining?
If we can supply this then it will certainly reduce the price and may mean we can get away with fewer initial orders.
If we get the initial run, the option to buy brakes with the TVR logo on them, will be guaranteed, even after the supply of branded Tuscan callipers run out.
It also means that those people wanting to do the fronts now and make the rears matching later will be able to do so.
Even those people who have put bigger front callipers on are left with the nasty looking original rear calliper. Here is our chance to finish the job with something better looking.
A large part of the need to get 20 orders is the costs of the artwork and conversion to a suitable format.
Some Logo’s can be done by etching on their CNC machines as part of the manufacturing process. Other designs require outsourcing to a specialist engraving firm, which is more expensive.
I have a couple of TVR logo’s in .EPS format; can anyone on here convert them into the formats that are used for CNC machining?
If we can supply this then it will certainly reduce the price and may mean we can get away with fewer initial orders.
If we get the initial run, the option to buy brakes with the TVR logo on them, will be guaranteed, even after the supply of branded Tuscan callipers run out.
It also means that those people wanting to do the fronts now and make the rears matching later will be able to do so.
Even those people who have put bigger front callipers on are left with the nasty looking original rear calliper. Here is our chance to finish the job with something better looking.
hiltonig said:
yep put me down for the rears, is there any problem with them using the TVR logo ??
I wondered that too, but they haven't raised it as a problem.I notice they also do lightweight aluminium hubs to replace some models of Ford hubs.
Anyone know which hub was originally fitted to the Griff?
Edited by Uncle Fester on Saturday 21st March 20:36
blackiepaul said:
I was going to go down the highspec route but I have been told that they are not great quality and thei service is not as it should be. Do not want to liable myself here, it is a shame as it was great to be able to get four pot rears with the handbrake cable fitment
Is that just hearsay or is there something substantive that I should know, please PM me through my profile.They came recommended to me a local TVR specialist that I trust. Radical don’t seem to have a problem with them.
G1ABB said:
Just be careful that you don't get caught out for using TVR IP rights. I've no idea if you could be chased or not but if so it could be expensive.
I would presume that any issues would be raised with Hi Spec, not me. I'm not selling them, I'm buying them.All I have done is point out to Hi Spec that there is a market for callipers that are visually optimised for use with TVR’s.
Beyond that, image files of the logos that are now in Hi Spec’s possession are freely available on the internet.
If we get enough orders and the branded callipers do get produced, then I think it might be prudent to have the cheques all payable directly to Hi Spec. That way I’m not selling them.
If the TVR logo is too problematic, the idea of something similar might be feasible. My understanding is that you cannot copyright an existing word. Imagine the chaos if someone copyrighted a word like ‘and’. Then every time anyone used the word ‘and’ they would have to pay the copyright holder.
Words like Griffith, Chimaera, Cerbera and Tuscan are all old words. There should be no impediment to a calliper with Griffith on it.
No, what I got was some emails from some of Hi Spec’s customers. There has been a post in this thread alerting us to be cautious.
Some are well pleased. And others are not. One was mentioning bargepole’s. My feeling is that when they get them right, they’re very good. But they don’t always do so.
I am trying to find out the strength of the problems people have had. I’m reluctant to be responsible for pushing forward a group buy on something as critical as brakes, without being certain.
The responses from Hi Spec are less professional than I would have hoped for and this has further dented my confidence.
I am trying to find time for another visit to their factory and get to the bottom of this.
If you notice, I have never said that I have supplied them with anything to help with the manufacture of something that is the intellectual property of TVR. I said that I had a copy of something that is freely available on the internet. They are able to download the same file.
If I help them locate something on the web that is no different to what Google does all the time, without prosecution.
Hi Spec's last email said they are working on a kit for Tuscan's.
Some are well pleased. And others are not. One was mentioning bargepole’s. My feeling is that when they get them right, they’re very good. But they don’t always do so.
I am trying to find out the strength of the problems people have had. I’m reluctant to be responsible for pushing forward a group buy on something as critical as brakes, without being certain.
The responses from Hi Spec are less professional than I would have hoped for and this has further dented my confidence.
I am trying to find time for another visit to their factory and get to the bottom of this.
If you notice, I have never said that I have supplied them with anything to help with the manufacture of something that is the intellectual property of TVR. I said that I had a copy of something that is freely available on the internet. They are able to download the same file.
If I help them locate something on the web that is no different to what Google does all the time, without prosecution.
Hi Spec's last email said they are working on a kit for Tuscan's.
After discussing this with a few people, I have now approached TVR seeking their position on the use of their logo.
If they refuse and indicate an intention to get litigious then the idea is dead.
Despite little appearing here, things have been going on in the background.
We may now not need to get the 20 orders for the group buy as originally posted. This is due to a well known supplier of TVR parts wishing to sell them, provided they are not going to get into litigation.
The bulk of interest here has been for the rear callipers. Provided the front brakes have been upgraded this will be fine. I am advised by someone who has experienced fitting the Hi Spec rears that they noticeably increase the rear braking, even with a standard size rear disc. This would move the brake bias too far to the rear if fitted in conjunction with standard front brakes.
However, the handbrake function on the Hi Spec rear callipers is no better than the original standard Ford callipers. This is disappointing considering that the standard is nothing special. I gather that it’s more to do with the leverage in the rest of the system than the callipers.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found a TVR locally with the rear callipers fitted for me to check out the handbrake. Does anyone here have the rear callipers fitted around the Kent area? Or, can anyone who has them comment on them please?
The adverse comments seem to mostly come from early days of the company. Hi Spec is only about 7 years old. It looks like early issues were addressed and the fronts are now good. Even if given a good long track session. However, a tendency to not send out the right parts is still apparent.
There were two different types of rear brake fitted to the Griff. Sending out the wrong one poor, but sending out two brackets for the same side of the car is just silly.
On that point, people will need to specify which type rear brake their car was originally fitted before ordering.
If they refuse and indicate an intention to get litigious then the idea is dead.
Despite little appearing here, things have been going on in the background.
We may now not need to get the 20 orders for the group buy as originally posted. This is due to a well known supplier of TVR parts wishing to sell them, provided they are not going to get into litigation.
The bulk of interest here has been for the rear callipers. Provided the front brakes have been upgraded this will be fine. I am advised by someone who has experienced fitting the Hi Spec rears that they noticeably increase the rear braking, even with a standard size rear disc. This would move the brake bias too far to the rear if fitted in conjunction with standard front brakes.
However, the handbrake function on the Hi Spec rear callipers is no better than the original standard Ford callipers. This is disappointing considering that the standard is nothing special. I gather that it’s more to do with the leverage in the rest of the system than the callipers.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found a TVR locally with the rear callipers fitted for me to check out the handbrake. Does anyone here have the rear callipers fitted around the Kent area? Or, can anyone who has them comment on them please?
The adverse comments seem to mostly come from early days of the company. Hi Spec is only about 7 years old. It looks like early issues were addressed and the fronts are now good. Even if given a good long track session. However, a tendency to not send out the right parts is still apparent.
There were two different types of rear brake fitted to the Griff. Sending out the wrong one poor, but sending out two brackets for the same side of the car is just silly.
On that point, people will need to specify which type rear brake their car was originally fitted before ordering.
I have now heard back from TVR.
TVR are willing to consider the use of the logo, but would want payment.
This will have to be contracted between Hi Spec and TVR. I have therefore put the two companies in touch and stepped back to see what they come up with.
TVR said
I would suggest there are 2 possible positions for using the logo:
1. That the callipers are TVR branded 'mechandise', but not approved technically for use on TVRs and TVR would take no technical responsibility at all.
2. That the callipers are 'approved' as an upgrade for use on TVRs and able to be marketed as such. This would be more expensive as it would require involvement from ourselves in the process to gain technical approval. There would need to be some sort of contract in place whereby the manufacturer would take technical and legal responsibilty for the parts due to their safety critical nature.
TVR are willing to consider the use of the logo, but would want payment.
This will have to be contracted between Hi Spec and TVR. I have therefore put the two companies in touch and stepped back to see what they come up with.
TVR said
I would suggest there are 2 possible positions for using the logo:
1. That the callipers are TVR branded 'mechandise', but not approved technically for use on TVRs and TVR would take no technical responsibility at all.
2. That the callipers are 'approved' as an upgrade for use on TVRs and able to be marketed as such. This would be more expensive as it would require involvement from ourselves in the process to gain technical approval. There would need to be some sort of contract in place whereby the manufacturer would take technical and legal responsibilty for the parts due to their safety critical nature.
Another group buy from Hi Spec achieved a 25%discount. I would be looking for similar levels.
However, we are talking about something new. They sell brake callipers with other brand marks on them like Radical, but don’t currently have the TVR logo option. They have the ability to make them, but not the intellectual property rights permissions.
The holdup is ongoing negotiations with TVR for permission to use the TVR logo. Price and availability will depend upon successful concluding those negotiations and the level of royalties.
The good news is that backing for the deal has been offered by one of the leading suppliers of TVR parts. They have expressed an intention to market TVR branded Hi Spec callipers via their website if they become available. This company already is an established Hi Spec retailer and therefore Hi Spec is keen to help them increase sales. If this deal comes off then the branded callipers should therefore remain available.
However, we are talking about something new. They sell brake callipers with other brand marks on them like Radical, but don’t currently have the TVR logo option. They have the ability to make them, but not the intellectual property rights permissions.
The holdup is ongoing negotiations with TVR for permission to use the TVR logo. Price and availability will depend upon successful concluding those negotiations and the level of royalties.
The good news is that backing for the deal has been offered by one of the leading suppliers of TVR parts. They have expressed an intention to market TVR branded Hi Spec callipers via their website if they become available. This company already is an established Hi Spec retailer and therefore Hi Spec is keen to help them increase sales. If this deal comes off then the branded callipers should therefore remain available.
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