Calling TVR Blackpool
Discussion
The first time I visited PistonHeads, I thought, TVRs were dodgy plastic cars with Rover V8 and Ford components; where only one model is available to drivers who constantly try to keep all bits bolted together.
I have learned that TVR has a big range of cars to choose from, self-developed engines, supercar-performance and an appearance which looks highly sophisticated, and not like a copied standard design.
Why are they not seriously available on the continent? (Have a look at the websites of the two German dealers; looks like my first impression
)
Why are Tuscans and Cerberas not available as LHD (is the Tamora?)?
Why not have a franchise/contract/own business on the continent to assemble LHD 'completely knocked down' cars to customers spec.?
I just remind the success of the Lotus Elise, which is of a similar breed (except for the size); TVRs could be a winner on the continent!!!
Please discuss.
Cheers,
Bodo
I have learned that TVR has a big range of cars to choose from, self-developed engines, supercar-performance and an appearance which looks highly sophisticated, and not like a copied standard design.
Why are they not seriously available on the continent? (Have a look at the websites of the two German dealers; looks like my first impression
) Why are Tuscans and Cerberas not available as LHD (is the Tamora?)?
Why not have a franchise/contract/own business on the continent to assemble LHD 'completely knocked down' cars to customers spec.?
I just remind the success of the Lotus Elise, which is of a similar breed (except for the size); TVRs could be a winner on the continent!!!
Please discuss.
Cheers,
Bodo
Gaffer said: Cerbies are available in LHD. Christops is a prime example (fingers crossed that it is a LHD).
Claire
If you mean Christof's, then I'm sure it's rhd. Well, it looked it at Brands last year.
edited to say that there are other lhd cerbs, though. Wasn't there a dealer in Switzerland or somewhere doing conversions?
www.pistonheads.com/tvr/cerbera/default.asp?p=1
>> Edited by whatever on Friday 18th October 18:08
>> Edited by whatever on Friday 18th October 18:09
You'll probably find that if he was selling to the military then they would be UK spec cars and rhd - The old man was in the RAF and bought his first new car in Germany - in those days you payed pretty much no tax - and as long as you had the car for 3 years you did not pay any tax when you sold it on. I gusess things have changed now (thats was about 12 years ago), but i'm sure there are still incentives. I learnt to drive (and passed my test) in and around Munchen Gladbach in a RHD MG Maestro - had to go on the autobahn to get there (quite legel for a learner in DE) always remeber my first practise test - didn't go below 90mph the whole way there and did not break a law - not many uk learners can say that ! (did break a law during the test tho' - did a 3 point turn which was not allowed, but couldn't pass without doing one)
The Tuscan will be available end of November in LHD.
It seems that homologation has been finished succesfully now. To start, only the 3.6 will be available with EG approval. Maybe the Tuscan S will
follow later.
The Swiss importer is building Cerbera LHD conversions, but at a price... Maybe it is worth to buy
a 2nd hand Cerbera in England at a reasonable price, and transform into LHD.
I don't know about the Tamora, but I expect LHD cars
within 2 years.
It seems that homologation has been finished succesfully now. To start, only the 3.6 will be available with EG approval. Maybe the Tuscan S will
follow later.
The Swiss importer is building Cerbera LHD conversions, but at a price... Maybe it is worth to buy
a 2nd hand Cerbera in England at a reasonable price, and transform into LHD.
I don't know about the Tamora, but I expect LHD cars
within 2 years.
Gaffer said: Cerbies are available in LHD. Christops is a prime example (fingers crossed that it is a LHD).
Claire
And what a SENSATIONAL vehicle this looks too!
I was drooling over his profile a couple of days ago: I can just imagine this monster screaming through the Black Forest, it's pilot warbling with delight as Flight of The Valkyrie crescendos in the simultaneous moment of automotive equinox: 200mph...
Joy.
Derestrictor said:
Gaffer said: Cerbies are available in LHD. Christops is a prime example (fingers crossed that it is a LHD).
Claire
And what a SENSATIONAL vehicle this looks too!
I was drooling over his profile a couple of days ago: I can just imagine this monster screaming through the Black Forest, it's pilot warbling with delight as Flight of The Valkyrie crescendos in the simultaneous moment of automotive equinox: 200mph...
Joy.
I second all of the above... an amazing machine!
Nice imagary too.
Thanks, guys.
I know I'm a happy chappy ...
More pics on
www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291841271
Cheers,
Christof*never ever will buy a LHD british sports car*
I know I'm a happy chappy ...
More pics on
www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291841271
Cheers,
Christof*never ever will buy a LHD british sports car*
Cheers for your replies! LHD conversions were already discussed in the past. Verplast and Koen seem very dedicated in that topic.
However, I've already seen photographs of an LHD Cerbera and an LHD Tuscan. I think, adapting the steering mechanically would not be the biggest challenge.
I wonder why TVR Blackpool does not expand their sales over the continent with factory-made LHD vehicles - as Lotus alraedy does.
Is it because of type approval?
I understand that selling cars in the American Dollar Area mean a lot of adaptions to stricter laws - technically and socially; but I can't see what TVR stops from selling their cars europeanwide, increasing their productivity, production volume and profit.
(I just want to make sure, there's a well developed TVR-infrastructure, when I'm going to buy my first new TVR, regardless from where in Europe I will be that day
)
Bodo
>>edited to influence my future
>> Edited by Bodo on Monday 21st October 23:02
However, I've already seen photographs of an LHD Cerbera and an LHD Tuscan. I think, adapting the steering mechanically would not be the biggest challenge.
I wonder why TVR Blackpool does not expand their sales over the continent with factory-made LHD vehicles - as Lotus alraedy does.
Is it because of type approval?
I understand that selling cars in the American Dollar Area mean a lot of adaptions to stricter laws - technically and socially; but I can't see what TVR stops from selling their cars europeanwide, increasing their productivity, production volume and profit.
(I just want to make sure, there's a well developed TVR-infrastructure, when I'm going to buy my first new TVR, regardless from where in Europe I will be that day
) Bodo
>>edited to influence my future
>> Edited by Bodo on Monday 21st October 23:02
!!! To sell cars in the UK TVR use the UK laws on companies that produce less than 500 cars of a certain model, this means they dont need to do the same extensive testing as is required for full EU approval. Also, to sell left hand drive cars, TVR would need to build and crash test/get approved a LHD as WELL as a RHD model, and the demand within Europe does not warrant it at the moment (allegedly, although as mentioned below, a LHD Tuscan is due by the end of the year)
With the expected move in to the USA market, the demand for LHD TVRs will be a lot higher, making the expense of type approval a lot easier to justify, hence things are starting to happen now.
As for the dealer infrastructure, well would YOU sign up to be a dealer when you have no cars to sell?
MB.
With the expected move in to the USA market, the demand for LHD TVRs will be a lot higher, making the expense of type approval a lot easier to justify, hence things are starting to happen now.
As for the dealer infrastructure, well would YOU sign up to be a dealer when you have no cars to sell?
MB.
Personally, the LHD / RHD feature is irrelevant to me - although I know it ranks high in many people's mind. I've covered many thousand miles in France with the Chimaera and RHD was never a problem. Put it that way, I'd rather have drive an RHD beast which can take-over almost anthing at scortching pace, rather than a LHD Eurobox which will require a couple miles to build up appropriate speed. Now there is one problem: motorway tolls and car park entries. Walking around the car to get your ticket isn't very convenient. However, even this is improving as you can now purchase a nationwide motorway pass, which allows you drive slowly through tolls without stopping!
My biggest concern if I was running a TVR on the continent would be the lack of support from dealer or specialist - currently it is Paris, Cannes and Bordeaux. I'd say one is desperatly needed in Lyon (hint).
Cheers
Roms
My biggest concern if I was running a TVR on the continent would be the lack of support from dealer or specialist - currently it is Paris, Cannes and Bordeaux. I'd say one is desperatly needed in Lyon (hint).
Cheers
Roms
Ozren,
you're right with that, but a decent maintenance would make a TVR even fabulous in the long run
MB.,
very interesting contribution!
I conclude that UK laws explain the multitudinousness of TVR's model range; 4 different models would allow TVR to produce 2,000 cars p.a. vor the UK market.
Selling cars abroad would probably be a quantum jump, as it would make sense to have all type approvals for all important markets in one go, is it?
For having not enough customers: If I'd already sell Lotus and Morgan, then yes
Roms,
I myself couldn't use an RHD sportscar on continental roads appropriately, because it is nearly impossible to overtake cars without windows (vans, HGVs, SUVs, etc.) on roads with one lane and oncoming traffic. These roads are traditionally most fun to drive
However, this would be my only problem; I wouldn't bother driving an RHD Landrover, which does only 55mph anyway.
BTW: my parents had a house in Dept. Dr^ome when I was a child -
lurrrvely roads there!
Cheers, Bodo
you're right with that, but a decent maintenance would make a TVR even fabulous in the long run
MB.,
very interesting contribution!
I conclude that UK laws explain the multitudinousness of TVR's model range; 4 different models would allow TVR to produce 2,000 cars p.a. vor the UK market. Selling cars abroad would probably be a quantum jump, as it would make sense to have all type approvals for all important markets in one go, is it?
For having no cars delivered: in all likelihood not
As for the dealer infrastructure, well would YOU sign up to be a dealer when you have no cars to sell?
For having not enough customers: If I'd already sell Lotus and Morgan, then yes
Roms,
I myself couldn't use an RHD sportscar on continental roads appropriately, because it is nearly impossible to overtake cars without windows (vans, HGVs, SUVs, etc.) on roads with one lane and oncoming traffic. These roads are traditionally most fun to drive
However, this would be my only problem; I wouldn't bother driving an RHD Landrover, which does only 55mph anyway.
BTW: my parents had a house in Dept. Dr^ome when I was a child -
lurrrvely roads there! Cheers, Bodo
I myself couldn't use an RHD sportscar on continental roads appropriately, because it is
nearly impossible to overtake cars without windows (vans, HGVs, SUVs, etc.) on roads
with one lane and oncoming traffic
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bodo, try it!
Close your eyes and push the pedal - works 95%.
Don´t forget to put a huge Teddy-bear on the left seat,
because everybody is blaming the Bear for bad driving then.
nearly impossible to overtake cars without windows (vans, HGVs, SUVs, etc.) on roads
with one lane and oncoming traffic
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bodo, try it!
Close your eyes and push the pedal - works 95%.
Don´t forget to put a huge Teddy-bear on the left seat,
because everybody is blaming the Bear for bad driving then.
[quote
I myself couldn't use an RHD sportscar on continental roads appropriately, because it is nearly impossible to overtake cars without windows (vans, HGVs, SUVs, etc.) on roads with one lane and oncoming traffic.
This was always the reason Brits didn't buy LHD cars. However these days you see loads (well comparitively speaking) LHD Porkers, dancing donkeys and the like... Why? Well, when you have a car that has that much power, you simply drop back a few metres (which eliminates the fact that your head is 600mm too close to the verge) and blast past the offending item.
Also I have had comments from European collegues about the difficulty of changing gear with the left hand, to which I ask if they have difficulties using the indicators? (obviously the spanish guys look confused at this concept
)
Anyhoo just my opinion.
Cheers Dan
I myself couldn't use an RHD sportscar on continental roads appropriately, because it is nearly impossible to overtake cars without windows (vans, HGVs, SUVs, etc.) on roads with one lane and oncoming traffic.
This was always the reason Brits didn't buy LHD cars. However these days you see loads (well comparitively speaking) LHD Porkers, dancing donkeys and the like... Why? Well, when you have a car that has that much power, you simply drop back a few metres (which eliminates the fact that your head is 600mm too close to the verge) and blast past the offending item.
Also I have had comments from European collegues about the difficulty of changing gear with the left hand, to which I ask if they have difficulties using the indicators? (obviously the spanish guys look confused at this concept
) Anyhoo just my opinion.
Cheers Dan
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