The Bulletproof TVR?
Discussion
Howdy! New poster here from Seattle, Washington over in the US. I've been a lurker for more...quite some time, but I'm coming up on one of those milestone birthdays and I had a completely crazy idea that I wanted to run past a group of folks who might help me touch grass if it's too out there.
When I was a kid I remember reading an article about a Cerbera in Automobile Magazine when it first debuted and - being that I was 10 years old and as much obsessed with cars then as I am now - it might have been the coolest thing I'd ever seen. Anywho, I'm turning 40 here and I'm in a bit of a unique position where I can (in my out-of-warranty brain) justify finally owning one.
I understand that there are now some folks who dabble in imports from Blackpool - TVR Garage, TVR Imports, and I think the folks over at Robin Hood - so I'm not entirely short on resources that are several thousand miles closer to my garage. The dream would be to source a Cerbera or Tuscan that's past the 25 year rule here in the US, buy it across the pond, make a road trip out of it across the continent, and ship it home to the Pacific Northwest to put it to use up and down the West Coast as my next backroad tool of choice.
My questions for y'all:
1. Is this a completely crazy idea?
2. If I was going to do this, I'd like to get something that is - *in the context of broader TVR ownership, and accepting all that comes with that* - somewhat reliable. Should I stick to just the Speed Sixes or is there a combination that might hold up better given parts are a long boat ride away? The PH buyers' guide is an excellent resource for both but stops short of suggesting the more reliable combination.
3. Is the right answer just to go to the folks over at Str8six and get something that's been gone over by their skilled hands?
All that said - quite enjoy this place and all y'all who make it what it is!
When I was a kid I remember reading an article about a Cerbera in Automobile Magazine when it first debuted and - being that I was 10 years old and as much obsessed with cars then as I am now - it might have been the coolest thing I'd ever seen. Anywho, I'm turning 40 here and I'm in a bit of a unique position where I can (in my out-of-warranty brain) justify finally owning one.
I understand that there are now some folks who dabble in imports from Blackpool - TVR Garage, TVR Imports, and I think the folks over at Robin Hood - so I'm not entirely short on resources that are several thousand miles closer to my garage. The dream would be to source a Cerbera or Tuscan that's past the 25 year rule here in the US, buy it across the pond, make a road trip out of it across the continent, and ship it home to the Pacific Northwest to put it to use up and down the West Coast as my next backroad tool of choice.
My questions for y'all:
1. Is this a completely crazy idea?
2. If I was going to do this, I'd like to get something that is - *in the context of broader TVR ownership, and accepting all that comes with that* - somewhat reliable. Should I stick to just the Speed Sixes or is there a combination that might hold up better given parts are a long boat ride away? The PH buyers' guide is an excellent resource for both but stops short of suggesting the more reliable combination.
3. Is the right answer just to go to the folks over at Str8six and get something that's been gone over by their skilled hands?
All that said - quite enjoy this place and all y'all who make it what it is!
Hi, there are plenty on here with knowledge and experience of running the AJP8 & Speed 6 cars, (Cerbera and Tuscans) but my $0.02 worth would be don't overlook a Rover V8 engine car.
The Rover V8 as you probably know is developed from the Buick 215, and as such the experience of running a relatively mass produced pushrod V8 vs a low volume engine, which can be problematical in the UK for parts etc would make sense to me.
The Griffith or Chimaera are great cars.
Best thing to do is fly over and visit on of the UK specialists and try a couple.
I personally love my Griffith 500, and did look at Cerbera and Tuscan when I was deciding what to buy.
Good luck and keep us posted!
The Rover V8 as you probably know is developed from the Buick 215, and as such the experience of running a relatively mass produced pushrod V8 vs a low volume engine, which can be problematical in the UK for parts etc would make sense to me.
The Griffith or Chimaera are great cars.
Best thing to do is fly over and visit on of the UK specialists and try a couple.
I personally love my Griffith 500, and did look at Cerbera and Tuscan when I was deciding what to buy.
Good luck and keep us posted!
If I was in your position, given the age of cars you'll be looking at, I'd be searching for a S6 engined car with a recent rebuild by either Powers Performance or Str8six and a very well checked or refurbished chassis. I don't have first hand experience on the AJP8 engine, but parts availability doesn't seem as good as the S6.
I know people will jump on about not all early engines needing rebuilds etc etc but given where you are, I would rather have the peace of mind for a few grand extra on the purchase price.
I know people will jump on about not all early engines needing rebuilds etc etc but given where you are, I would rather have the peace of mind for a few grand extra on the purchase price.
Hey there - I have no experience with the Cerberas/T-cars, but there are two of us Chimaera owners in the Seattle area, myself and Dale (dalecan on here I believe) who would be more than happy to share our experiences with you sourcing and importing the cars.
Even though there are now some dedicated TVR importers over here, they appear to be quite expensive and the import process isn't too bad if you do your own legwork and hire your own customs broker to fill out the appropriate paperwork (not expensive relative to the cost of the car and worth it to have all your ducks in a row when the car shows up here). There may already be a car over here that fits your needs, but as other posters recommended it's probably worth a flight over to England to check out a few cars in person and speak to the experts, so you can find the perfect car for you.
Sourcing parts isn't as difficult over here as you might expect, but I'd highly recommend getting one that's had all the major work done by a specialist in the UK before you bring it over.
Otherwise, feel free to shoot me an email via my profile and we can chat more. Dale might be along as well to send the same message, or I'll text him and one of us can take you for a drive in the Chimaeras.
Even though there are now some dedicated TVR importers over here, they appear to be quite expensive and the import process isn't too bad if you do your own legwork and hire your own customs broker to fill out the appropriate paperwork (not expensive relative to the cost of the car and worth it to have all your ducks in a row when the car shows up here). There may already be a car over here that fits your needs, but as other posters recommended it's probably worth a flight over to England to check out a few cars in person and speak to the experts, so you can find the perfect car for you.
Sourcing parts isn't as difficult over here as you might expect, but I'd highly recommend getting one that's had all the major work done by a specialist in the UK before you bring it over.
Otherwise, feel free to shoot me an email via my profile and we can chat more. Dale might be along as well to send the same message, or I'll text him and one of us can take you for a drive in the Chimaeras.
andrewbr said:
Hey there - I have no experience with the Cerberas/T-cars, but there are two of us Chimaera owners in the Seattle area, myself and Dale (dalecan on here I believe) who would be more than happy to share our experiences with you sourcing and importing the cars.
Even though there are now some dedicated TVR importers over here, they appear to be quite expensive and the import process isn't too bad if you do your own legwork and hire your own customs broker to fill out the appropriate paperwork (not expensive relative to the cost of the car and worth it to have all your ducks in a row when the car shows up here). There may already be a car over here that fits your needs, but as other posters recommended it's probably worth a flight over to England to check out a few cars in person and speak to the experts, so you can find the perfect car for you.
Sourcing parts isn't as difficult over here as you might expect, but I'd highly recommend getting one that's had all the major work done by a specialist in the UK before you bring it over.
Otherwise, feel free to shoot me an email via my profile and we can chat more. Dale might be along as well to send the same message, or I'll text him and one of us can take you for a drive in the Chimaeras.
Howdy neighbor!Even though there are now some dedicated TVR importers over here, they appear to be quite expensive and the import process isn't too bad if you do your own legwork and hire your own customs broker to fill out the appropriate paperwork (not expensive relative to the cost of the car and worth it to have all your ducks in a row when the car shows up here). There may already be a car over here that fits your needs, but as other posters recommended it's probably worth a flight over to England to check out a few cars in person and speak to the experts, so you can find the perfect car for you.
Sourcing parts isn't as difficult over here as you might expect, but I'd highly recommend getting one that's had all the major work done by a specialist in the UK before you bring it over.
Otherwise, feel free to shoot me an email via my profile and we can chat more. Dale might be along as well to send the same message, or I'll text him and one of us can take you for a drive in the Chimaeras.
The prices those importers are offering are what got me searching back on here again - and I made a buddy in Southampton this week, so hopefully I've got the export worked out. I know Adam over at SoDo Moto does freelance paperwork, so I think that completes the import circuit. Now just to find the right car and make sure I've got my ducks lined up - that should only take me several months of sleepless indecision!
And I'd love to grab you and Dale and buy y'all a round if you're in this neck of the woods to get some better ideas about what I'm getting into. I know I ran into a Chimera on Dexter back about a year ago up here in Queen Anne and might have had a whole moment on the sidewalk, that wouldn't happen to have been one of you?
bennno said:
I’d not import a cerb, had two when nearly new and hugely unreliable.
I’d not walk past many us cars to have one, why not a viper gtsr, mustang gt350, dodge challenger
On the other hand I've had mine for 19 years and it's been more reliable than two news cars, both of which had new engines under warranty... I’d not walk past many us cars to have one, why not a viper gtsr, mustang gt350, dodge challenger
If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
Byker28i said:
On the other hand I've had mine for 19 years and it's been more reliable than two news cars, both of which had new engines under warranty...
If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
So by your own hand its been more reliable than two very unreliable cars you've owned?If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
I had two new engines in my first, replacement diffs in both, ribbon wires to steering wheel, imobilisers, collapsed wheel bearings / hubs, snapped springs etc etc
bennno said:
Byker28i said:
On the other hand I've had mine for 19 years and it's been more reliable than two news cars, both of which had new engines under warranty...
If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
So by your own hand its been more reliable than two very unreliable cars you've owned?If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
I had two new engines in my first, replacement diffs in both, ribbon wires to steering wheel, imobilisers, collapsed wheel bearings / hubs, snapped springs etc etc
bennno said:
I’d not import a cerb, had two when nearly new and hugely unreliable.
I’d not walk past many us cars to have one, why not a viper gtsr, mustang gt350, dodge challenger
Many owners of new S6 and AJP cars feel the same. The cars had problems in the early days, now well documented - crank failures, hub recalls etc.I’d not walk past many us cars to have one, why not a viper gtsr, mustang gt350, dodge challenger
Unlike other cars, TVRs tend to get more reliable as they get older, being worked on and improved over the years.
Popular reliability upgrades include a Tilton clutch slave conversion, electric power steering and Powers rebuild/upgrade.
bennno said:
Byker28i said:
On the other hand I've had mine for 19 years and it's been more reliable than two news cars, both of which had new engines under warranty...
If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
So by your own hand its been more reliable than two very unreliable cars you've owned?If its the car you want I wouldn't discount it,but then cars are a personal choice. Either way you'll stand out as there won't be many there, especially if you go something like a Tuscan, which still looks current
I had two new engines in my first, replacement diffs in both, ribbon wires to steering wheel, imobilisers, collapsed wheel bearings / hubs, snapped springs etc etc
a one year old Mazda 6 needed a new engine, turbo under warranty. Apparently they built a bunch of engines with soft camshafts and just waited for them to detonate...
I had that go into limp mode twice, which only allows minimal distance then shuts down.
A two year old Nissan they forgot to put the oil in when it went for it's first service, and then test drove it...
And the current Seat Leon had a fault on a seat detector, which then showed as an airbag warning/fault, which then shut down other stuff on the canbus (safety feature apparently) so the car was undriveable.
Modern cars eh?
I had the clutch go on the Cerbera at Bicester Scramble, drove it an hour home with no clutch. It's been recovered once in rush hour when the immobilser failed on the M4, but resetting the battery restarted it, but I took the lift home as a precaution. For the first 7 years it did lots of track days.
Was yours early days? Ribbon cables and imobiliser are known issues after several years. I doubt theres any of the cars that are 20-25 plus years old now that haven't had those done.
FarmyardPants said:
bennno said:
I’d not import a cerb, had two when nearly new and hugely unreliable.
I’d not walk past many us cars to have one, why not a viper gtsr, mustang gt350, dodge challenger
Many owners of new S6 and AJP cars feel the same. The cars had problems in the early days, now well documented - crank failures, hub recalls etc.I’d not walk past many us cars to have one, why not a viper gtsr, mustang gt350, dodge challenger
Unlike other cars, TVRs tend to get more reliable as they get older, being worked on and improved over the years.
Popular reliability upgrades include a Tilton clutch slave conversion, electric power steering and Powers rebuild/upgrade.
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