TVR Barn Rumour Sparks Rumour
TVR barn near Blackpool gets local tongues wagging
The mystery barn...
Member ‘TVR 26S’ opened the PH thread by saying: ‘Yes folks its true, TVR is setup is Wesham, about 15 miles from Original Blackpool. I know this because one of the chief foremans who lives round the corner from me who shall remain nameless has admitted to it. No cars are being made but the design aspect of it is taking place there.’
Is this another new TVR building?
Mr Smith added: ‘We have it on good authority the Kirkham site is going to be used as a design studio, a kind of design and research development office. ‘They have approached an engineering company in Kent to supply the engines, but it is still unsure where they are going to be built.’
One former TVR employee, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It's an open secret, about 10 former workers are there doing design and research. I've heard they have two cars on the go, but it's all hush-hush.’
However, many TVR fans have dismissed the rumours as exactly that, rumours, and want to see real evidence of TVR’s return. It is thought that re-launching the brand simply isn’t financially viable.
One source close to the company told PistonHeads: ‘Whatever the situation with TVR, it doesn't alter the reality of the wider situation - ie the company was lost in late 2005 and it won't be coming back. There is zero business case for TVR as we knew it to return.’
According to the Blackpool Gazette, Wesham House Farm was previously the home of Submarine Manufacturing and Products Ltd and the site is owned by local businessman Phil Connolly. His company MSS Holdings is said to have given planning permission by Fylde Council for a new storage and workshop building at the farm last autumn.
He would not comment on who was now running a business in the workshop. Coun Roger Small, Fylde Council's portfolio holder for Development and Regeneration, said: ‘If the rumours are correct and TVR have some presence in Fylde, it's only to be welcomed.’
Not quite what I said. I started, and finished the brief telephone conversation with the statement that I knew nothing and that I had only heard the rumours that were in the public domain. I said I had heard from one source that TVR were setting up a design studio but had no idea how much wait to put on it. I also said I doubted that, if there was going to be a low level production started, the Speed 6 would be a non-starter and we discussed the LS2 and LS7 crated engines - which I felt are too low on power, but that you could get what are virtually all-English internals in very nice packages.
Good authority? Rumours, rumours and more rumours. I'm afraid I know little more than I've read in thses pages. And the little extra I do know is of little interest but I did say I would not repeat it.
It was a wandering conversation which I ended by apologising for not giving him any information that was not on various threads.
I did say something that wasn't true though. I said I would let him know if I did hear something concrete. I've changed my mind. Not that it matters. My opinion is that I will not hear anything concrete about TVR starting manufacturing in the near future.
te, as one would expect from such discredited people. My only interest is seeing TVRs hand built in Blackpool with an owner who is passionate about the marque and well respected. End of. A sign hung on the side of a barn does not in my opinion herald the start of the latter.Julian
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