Why doesn't someone do this...
Discussion
Last time I check, TVR power were seperate to Smolenski. He didn't own them. I have also been told that someone else owns the right to all cars before Smolenski took over. So, why doesn't someone start building new, but old model, TVRs with engines built by TVR power? Or praps improt engines. I don't understand why this hasn't been though of. Oh, and to get round Smolenski having the rights to the name, think of a new one! It'll still be a TVR....
Nickthebassist said:
Last time I check, TVR power were seperate to Smolenski. He didn't own them. I have also been told that someone else owns the right to all cars before Smolenski took over. So, why doesn't someone start building new, but old model, TVRs with engines built by TVR power? Or praps improt engines. I don't understand why this hasn't been though of. Oh, and to get round Smolenski having the rights to the name, think of a new one! It'll still be a TVR....
return on investment required.... lack ofI've no idea what went on but I remember that there was a 'change of heart'(sic) on the deal NS did with Dom and loads of TVR spares were taken from TVR Power. That was propabably a precurser to the deal they've done with Multipart. Perhaps that change of heart included the body moulds and the rights that went with them?
RumbleBee said:
Using the old body moulds would be a good start. A very modern looking car could be created from them with a few tweeks. Even if they have disappeared, its not such a massive deal to make new moulds as everyone seems to think. They could call it a RVT.
There's a thin line between a kit car, a 'reproduction' and a 'production car'what you're suggesting is a low volume replica.What made TVR 'special' has been lost I'm afraid and that was the pool of longstanding staff (in no particular order as they're all important in the scheme of things) talented fabricators, engineers, trimmers, GRP specialists, designers, sprayers etc,etc
They've all gone their seperate ways and that's what's never coming back unless it's a well finded operation that could tempt people back. I'd think about £20m should get it started and you'd need to hit the nail on the head first time and be able to make money from low(ish) volumes. Not easy as Ascari, Marcos, Jenson, Riley, (others) and indeed TVR will confirm.
Nickthebassist said:
I still think there's a market for TVR. Infact, the marketi s crying out for TVR. All we have is fat overweight cars these days.
You say the market is crying out for TVRs but what sort of TVR? Easy statement for you to write but as ncs says why didn't 'the market' buy TVRs?What made TVR 'special' has been lost I'm afraid and that was the pool of longstanding staff (in no particular order as they're all important in the scheme of things) talented fabricators, engineers, trimmers, GRP specialists, designers, sprayers etc,etc
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This is one of the saddest parts of the demise of TVR. If...and its a very very big 'IF' TVR ever start again....all of the expertise unique to the marque that has been passed down over the years has gone, those that have left and found other work would be extremely unlikely to return....it will never be the same and IMO any new cars would be very different. Part of what makes (made) the cars special for me is the out and out traditional sportscar with all its quirky raw britishness (is that a word? and if so am i allowed to say that these days). All in all i think given the current economic climate and environmental issues etc and also the increasing number of better built, relatively cheap to buy, faster mainstream 'sports' cars we wont see the likes again ( all IMHO of course)
[/quote]
This is one of the saddest parts of the demise of TVR. If...and its a very very big 'IF' TVR ever start again....all of the expertise unique to the marque that has been passed down over the years has gone, those that have left and found other work would be extremely unlikely to return....it will never be the same and IMO any new cars would be very different. Part of what makes (made) the cars special for me is the out and out traditional sportscar with all its quirky raw britishness (is that a word? and if so am i allowed to say that these days). All in all i think given the current economic climate and environmental issues etc and also the increasing number of better built, relatively cheap to buy, faster mainstream 'sports' cars we wont see the likes again ( all IMHO of course)
I think your right to say that so much of the majic of TVR was about the skilled craftsmanship and design. But to get this back, it doesnt need to be the same geezers in their brown labcoats. The UK has a wealth of skilled engineers who would jump at the chance to work on such a project. These engineers, many of them young are around but all too often are either being under used or have diverted from the industry in search easier and better paid jobs. What im trying to say is that, just because we have a minimal automotive industry, it doesnt mean that there is no expertise.
RumbleBee said:
I think your right to say that so much of the majic of TVR was about the skilled craftsmanship and design. But to get this back, it doesnt need to be the same geezers in their brown labcoats. The UK has a wealth of skilled engineers who would jump at the chance to work on such a project. These engineers, many of them young are around but all too often are either being under used or have diverted from the industry in search easier and better paid jobs. What im trying to say is that, just because we have a minimal automotive industry, it doesnt mean that there is no expertise.
I agree but I meant the 'special mix' of those talent people was the 'uniqueness'. Guys who'd been there for 30 odd years working with guys straight out of college creates something different than a bunch of fresh shiney graduates or indeed a collection of 'geezers in brown coats' 
Probably the 'Britishness' referred to in the post above.Nickthebassist said:
I still think there's a market for TVR. Infact, the marketi s crying out for TVR. All we have is fat overweight cars these days.
So with a statement like that - it kind of implies that you are in the market for a new TVR ?Your profile does not say what car you currently have..
As NCS has said the market for TVR has been shrinking for several years and there are many reasons for that and with the credit crunch coming (or is it here ?) then the market for people with cash to spare gets ever smaller.
They would not have lasted as long as they had - if not for Moleskin and his cash and the spirit of the TVR workforce and TVR's loyal customers.
I absolutely believe that several models, one to start with, could be re-introduced, using low cost Chevy.
All the development and hard work has been done - TVR Power is now on top of chassis fabrication and hopefully if they own the moulds and rights, this cant be far away - I would even accept them as top end component cars.
£19k complet + 200 hrs work for a Sag with a Chevy anyone? - This and Tuscan 2 are very much current design, whereas Griff and Cerby are now classics. - Offered as component cars, the set-up costs would be very modest (have a look at the kit car market - most of thosed start from owners back yard.)
These cars (available with colour impreganted bodies) would fly out of the door at suitably low prices. - Thats where TVR struggled - prices kept going up and reliability down. - Correct those two and the market is still there.
Putting my money where my mouth is - I would offer my services for expenses only for 6 months next year to get them back up and running
All the development and hard work has been done - TVR Power is now on top of chassis fabrication and hopefully if they own the moulds and rights, this cant be far away - I would even accept them as top end component cars.
£19k complet + 200 hrs work for a Sag with a Chevy anyone? - This and Tuscan 2 are very much current design, whereas Griff and Cerby are now classics. - Offered as component cars, the set-up costs would be very modest (have a look at the kit car market - most of thosed start from owners back yard.)
These cars (available with colour impreganted bodies) would fly out of the door at suitably low prices. - Thats where TVR struggled - prices kept going up and reliability down. - Correct those two and the market is still there.
Putting my money where my mouth is - I would offer my services for expenses only for 6 months next year to get them back up and running
Edited by Lone Granger on Thursday 13th December 16:23
Lone Granger said:
£19k complete + 200 hrs work for a Sag with a Chevy anyone?
I'm sure they would, but I bet you're way out on the component costs to produce a Sagaris to a decent standard.Lone Granger said:
These cars (available with colour impreganted bodies) would fly out of the door at suitably low prices. -
Have you sever seen the finish on just pure gelcat cars? Usually, they're very poor needing a load of work to remove the flashing etc. Unless you invest in VERY expensive moulds.Lone Granger said:
Putting my money where my mouth is - I would offer my services for expenses only for 6 months next year to get them back up and running
Putting your money where your mouth is working for 6 months without expenses then getting your expenses once they're up and running.Lone Granger said:
£19k complete + 200 hrs work for a Sag with a Chevy anyone? -
Good luck, I cant build a Racer from scratch, using an existing Tuscan Challenge car chassis for less than 25-30k excluding labour.. ok some of the parts may be higher spec than for a road car ( i.e. gearbox) and you wouldnt need a full spec cage, but thats still without any kind of interior trim, glass windscreen, opening glass side windows etc..I'd like to see it but I dont see how you can build a quality low volume car, even using a crate motor in the uk and sell it for less than 40k and make a profit. which is the problem that TVR and Marcos ended up with...
Paxo1 said:
What made TVR 'special' has been lost I'm afraid and that was the pool of longstanding staff (in no particular order as they're all important in the scheme of things) talented fabricators, engineers, trimmers, GRP specialists, designers, sprayers etc,etc
This is one of the saddest parts of the demise of TVR. If...and its a very very big 'IF' TVR ever start again....all of the expertise unique to the marque that has been passed down over the years has gone, those that have left and found other work would be extremely unlikely to return....it will never be the same and IMO any new cars would be very different. Part of what makes (made) the cars special for me is the out and out traditional sportscar with all its quirky raw britishness (is that a word? and if so am i allowed to say that these days). All in all i think given the current economic climate and environmental issues etc and also the increasing number of better built, relatively cheap to buy, faster mainstream 'sports' cars we wont see the likes again ( all IMHO of course)V8 GRF said:
Lone Granger said:
£19k complete + 200 hrs work for a Sag with a Chevy anyone?
I'm sure they would, but I bet you're way out on the component costs to produce a Sagaris to a decent standard.Have a closer look at the kit car scene...
Lone Granger said:
These cars (available with colour impreganted bodies) would fly out of the door at suitably low prices. -
Have you sever seen the finish on just pure gelcat cars? Usually, they're very poor needing a load of work to remove the flashing etc. Unless you invest in VERY expensive moulds.As above - Ultima is an example you will have heard of - however there are many near perfect (TVR standard) examples of this - look at the DNA Ferrari replica (thats 3 lads not much more than playing at it) - low fabrication cost and 1st class quality coloured gel coat bodies
Lone Granger said:
Putting my money where my mouth is - I would offer my services for expenses only for 6 months next year to get them back up and running
Putting your money where your mouth is working for 6 months without expenses then getting your expenses once they're up and running.Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff