Got my first TVR: Cerbera 4.2

[Except]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd introduce myself here. I imagine reading many of your posts and helpful advice in the future, and hopefully contributing as well.
I'm a 36 year old sustainability expert (yes) and entrepreneur from the Netherlands. Hi there!

I'm Dutch and still live in the low lands. I've driven an Alfa GTV6 2.5 V6 from 1981 for 20 years. I imported it from the USA when I was 19 and restored it mysel f. In 2005 I built it up to a 3.0 V6, Absolutely tremendously wonderful car, and amazing engine. It's hard to beat that Busso V6 in sound, and character. I brought it with me from the NLs to the US, when I lived and studied there in the early 2000's, for 4 years. Put 300k on it without failing once. I can't imagine a better car to tour the states with.




I wrote a travel report on my 5 month journey from coast to coast USA in the GTV6 here: http://except.nl/overig/roadtripusa/

GTV6... awesome. Yes electrical problems but... TVR people can't really complain, can you? Except for rust. As this old rust bucket was becoming too unreliable and falling apart after sitting in the weather for another 10 years, I thought it was time for something new. But how do you gear up from this pocket dynamite? As I get older I desire more power to tame. So I bought a Cerbera 4.2 from TVRSportscars in the Netherlands one month ago. In the hope to jump a generation or two from 1981 to 1998.




This is supposedly one of the best Cerberas driving around this side of the pond. It has a galvanized chassis, and looks as new. I've upgraded the stereo (whoopdedoo) and nothing else, and hope to do many trouble free GT journeys through Europe with it.

Some niggling issues to start off with, I don't actually have it in my hands as we speak. After standing still for a year and a half it's performing like a Lada. Some ignition/injection issue. But the guys at TVRSportrscars.nl seem to know their business and are going out of their way to be super helpful and supportive and promised to deliver the goods as it's supposed to be. It's getting a full service as we speak. Yay! I'm confident I get to take her on the road with full happiness soon and join you crazy lot.

The comparisons with the GTV6 are eery, actually. Both very light, both near ideal weight distribution, both out of proportion power/weight ratio, both heavy to operate and niggling in their basic detail. Both have zero driving aids (Alfa doesn't even have any power steering). Both exhilarating to drive. But that's where the comparison seems to end. The feel is totally different. The GTV6 was an easy daily driver. It handled abuse well, in any weather, any time. Everything is heavy but it is practical, easy to start, always wonderful and never a funky surprise. Handling wise, it signaled its limits clearly ahead of time, allowing even the untrained to do a drifting corner, in control.

The Cerbera seems more tough to handle. More erratic. It sounds like a diesel when cold, and it's like sitting on a rocket engine when warm. Want to have a conversation? step outside. Nice! Not a bad thing at all. I look forward to developing a good feel for this beast. I've not had the full Cerbera experience. Only thing I can come up with now is that the girlfriend parts are harder to reach .

I can't wait to join the ranks with you crazy lot.

Just saying hello this is. Hello!

Edited by Except on Thursday 20th October 03:59

[Except]

Thanks for all the warm welcome everyone

I love in Driebergen in the Netherlands for those who want to know.

I don't think anything is wrong with the handling per se. It's just a completely different experience. Not necessarily worse. Just looking at the specs that surprised me a little.

Looking forward to enjoying every bit of it.

[Except]

so called said:

I will be passing close by on the way to HvH. I normally take the A28 but could drop down to Arnheim (see if I can find my dads parachute on the way through ) and take the A12 if theirs a free cup of tea going.
Anyway, not really sure on my time of travel yet.
Enjoy your Cerbera

When you know your itinerary drop me a line on my email, on the chance i can offer you a cup of tea in my home. Not keen at posting a direct email address here, but on this page it's posted in a protected form: Profile

Ah I see now where I went wrong in describing the behavior of the Cerby. I meant more 'erratic to handle' as in day to day dealing with the car ('handling'), rather than its actual road handling. My bad, English isn't my first language. I think it handles great so far. My apologies