The French & TVRs
Discussion
Just had a quality weekend , myself and a mate took our Chimaeras over to France for a proper blast , excellent weather and fantastic roads ! 
Coupled with just a hint of 
One thing I did notice is the French reaction to TVRs , they are quite simply stunned by them , jaws drop like they are going out of fashion , they wave as you go past and gather around the cars when parked , has anyone else experienced this , is it the lack of TVRs in France that make them do this or are they just more excited by cars than the English ?
Coupled with just a hint of One thing I did notice is the French reaction to TVRs , they are quite simply stunned by them , jaws drop like they are going out of fashion , they wave as you go past and gather around the cars when parked , has anyone else experienced this , is it the lack of TVRs in France that make them do this or are they just more excited by cars than the English ?
Its the rarity - coupled with the stunning good looks of course!
I took our Chimaera to Eire two years back. Drove around Kerry and so on. People pointed, waved, actually stopped their cars in the road to look.
Every petrol station we stopped at involved pointing and staring.
At a petrol station that was a Daewoo garage the three mechanics rushed out and asked could they possibly look under the bonnet: "Jeez. Would you look at the size of dat!" Lovely chaps....
I took our Chimaera to Eire two years back. Drove around Kerry and so on. People pointed, waved, actually stopped their cars in the road to look.
Every petrol station we stopped at involved pointing and staring.
At a petrol station that was a Daewoo garage the three mechanics rushed out and asked could they possibly look under the bonnet: "Jeez. Would you look at the size of dat!" Lovely chaps....
frenchtvr said: The people out here do seem to have a much better attitude towards loud anti-social cars etc. my neighbours have never complained about my wedge, even though the wife reckoens she can hear me coming nearly 10 minutes before i arrive!
Now that's what I call Foreplay!!!
Just came back from the Loire yesterday after a 5 day break. The French just gazed in amazement as the Chimp and Tuscan roared past. The truckers were particular fans, hanging out their windows and giving the thumbs up. Instead of fly's around the smelly stuff, it was 50cc scooters driven by teenagers.
stopped for fuel is a little place on the way to Le Mans last year in the wedge and the whole place came to a stand still! After I had filled up and paid, I checked the oil and found I needed about a litre, they found some fully synthetic 10 - 40 elf stuff and gave it to me! Completely refused payment! They even applauded when I started it up! Well, you've got to give it some large when you've got an appreciative audience like that haven't you?! 
Now there is a corner of a french road that is forever carpeted with Goodyear Eagle F1, courtesy of the beast.
Andy 400se
Now there is a corner of a french road that is forever carpeted with Goodyear Eagle F1, courtesy of the beast.
Andy 400se
Sounds like there were a lot of TVR's in France over the weekend. 8 cars from Suffolk and Essex areas toured the champagne region over the weekend. The weather was glorious and the reaction of locals in the small villages was amazing. This might have something to do with the noise echoing off the walls along the narrow streets.
We managed to secure some parking outside Moet & Chandon and were told that numerous visitors were asking what make of cars were parked outside.
The site of 8 TVR's pulling into a petrol station in Epernay brought the traffic to a standstill.
Can't wait till next year when we go again.
Sitting in Reims on Sunday afternoon enjoying a beer in the sun we watched 12 911's drive through the centre, nobody looked interested! Would have been completely different if it was 12 TVR's.
We managed to secure some parking outside Moet & Chandon and were told that numerous visitors were asking what make of cars were parked outside.
The site of 8 TVR's pulling into a petrol station in Epernay brought the traffic to a standstill.
Can't wait till next year when we go again.
Sitting in Reims on Sunday afternoon enjoying a beer in the sun we watched 12 911's drive through the centre, nobody looked interested! Would have been completely different if it was 12 TVR's.
We did Mont St Michael last summer, about 15 TVR's parked up at a restaurant drew such a crowd that it became embarassing, they loved it when we gave it some leaving. Everywhere you go you hear 'aaaaaaaahh's' and 'oooooooohh's', 'regardez le tres jolie voiture'or summink like that.
The Brits seem pretty inhibited about showing an interest in other peoples cars (unless they're gonna nick em off course) keeping up with the jones's attitude I spose
The Brits seem pretty inhibited about showing an interest in other peoples cars (unless they're gonna nick em off course) keeping up with the jones's attitude I spose
Having gone with Corin I can add yet more weight to this. I was simply astounded at the French willingness to gawp and stare without worrying about looking uncool.
i particularly liked the bit when the two young ladies literally screamed and gasped as we drove past. Still telling myself it was us and not the cars that drove 'em wild though mate!
i particularly liked the bit when the two young ladies literally screamed and gasped as we drove past. Still telling myself it was us and not the cars that drove 'em wild though mate!
Being the french owner of a 4.0 Chimaera, I think there are several reasons for French people to like TVRs...The first one is that the only importer in France has 3 shops only (Paris, Cannes, Bordeaux, and you have therefore very few Tivs in France. The second one is that only the Griff and Chims seem to be available with left drive. Finally, TVRs are pretty loud and sound beautiful when compared to any other car you can find in France (Xcept maybe Astons and Lamborghinis).
Exclusiveness + sound + look = lots of people looking at your car...
Have fun... !
Exclusiveness + sound + look = lots of people looking at your car...
Have fun... !
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