A Good Day....
Discussion
Hi All,
With all the bad news on the TVR front recently, (I for one am truely gutted by what has happened of late and i never even worked at the factory) i thought i'd share a good day in the life of TVR ownership.. So apologies to anyone whose not interested. you may want to skip this.
Anyway, i had to take a trip down to my other 'baby' down at the Marina today so was a good opportunity to give the Chim a good run down some of my favourite Essex country lanes. (ones i've spent many early sunday mornings down doing the motorbike run for an early bacon roll!! )
The weather was good so no concerns of sliding around like a drunken ice skater.
The first thing that struck me as i reversed out of the driveway was that after near 2 years of ownership i still have a silly grin on my face every time i pop the door release under the mirror and sit in the drivers seat. Yes i'm less shocked by the acceleration than the 'early days' but driving my TVR is still a real occasion for me. And considering that i normally get bored of things about 25 seconds after i've bought 'em thats quite an achievement.
Anyway, i cruised through my local '30 limit' roads keeping pretty much to the speed limit listening to a few songs and strangely being aware of what i was driving. I have to say whoever is responsible for the interior design of the Chim deserves a prize. Everthing sits exactly where the arms go naturally and i can even perch my elbow comfortably on the top of the door.. Happy days. 9 years since it was built and i still cant think of many places that feel better to sit in than the Chim.
Anyway, soon i'm onto the national speed limit dual carriageway and i can let the car stretch its legs.. Thats the other marvel that still keeps my attention. The exhaust note!! How it blends from a deep tone to a howl through the midrange.. Its the only car i know where i actually turn the stereo DOWN to hear it. I then have to negociate a couple of sweeping sliproads and 2 or 3 roundabouts and being in the somewhat unusual position of Not having PAS i can feel everything the wheels are doing.. Smashing!! I also notice just how all the other cars seem to be trundling from somewhere to somewhere else with as little involvement with the car as possible whereas i'm relishing actually 'Driving' the car and keeping just a degree below the car driving me..
I soon reach the long country roads to Burnham.. Mostly 60 limits with the odd calming areas of 40 and even 30 at times. There's a great mix of decent straights to accelerate down, sweeping bends and a section of what must be atleast 8 near 90 degree bends. Even keeping things fairly legal, accelerating between bends, holding the throttle round the bend and then accelerating out using the great dollops of torque available is a whole lotta fun..
I arrive at the Marina in a jolly good mood. And after locking up i take a chance to have a quick look over the car and really admire the styling. I still think the Chim with the late lights etc has one of the best looking Backsides in the business. Also from the side profile, everything curves and swoops and is in near perfect proportions..
Then of course the indicators. Yes they changed a touch over the years but i still think its the 'Mutz' that i have a car that was partially designed by a dog!! Ned (if i remember the name right) should of had a design award himself..
Then i sum up the whole thing knowing a bunch of guys and gals in Blackpool achieved all that by hand! Man!! you guys built some bloody good cars!!
I know TVR pushed the envelope further with the Cerb, Tuscan, Sagaris etc but until i have the pleasure (and resources) to own one of them i'll keep my comments to what i know.
Anyway, after returning home, i had a chance to reflect. Many criticise TVR's on details. Yes my wipers like to wander over about 80 and the mileometer had a rest for a few miles at 49,999. The reversing light works depending on the phase of the moon and if i hunt long enough i'm sure i can find the slightest hint of glue where the carpets are stuck.. (lightening strikes!!
)
I also know, in the days of some pretty ordinary cars having huge BHP plus more toys than NASA to keep the car going in the right direction, on a timed lap of Silverstone i may not win. (heaven forbid!!) but thats not the point.
To this day, and i've been lucky to drive alot of fast cars, no car i've driven makes me enjoy driving as much as the TVR. It is the ONLY car where i actually look forward to the next journey...
All this from a company from blackpool which for all of its 60 years seems to have been fighting for its life against political correctness and the powers at be who think we should be protected from ourselves.
I'm not going to comment in this little journal about the current owner of the 'badge' or the future..
But, and this has been repeated many times, the people who have had the vision over the years and the guys n gals who have built the cars deserve a great deal of praise..
TVR's built at Blackpool really are 'The Spirit of Driving'
cheers,
Nick
ps. those who got bored of my ramble can wake up now...
With all the bad news on the TVR front recently, (I for one am truely gutted by what has happened of late and i never even worked at the factory) i thought i'd share a good day in the life of TVR ownership.. So apologies to anyone whose not interested. you may want to skip this.
Anyway, i had to take a trip down to my other 'baby' down at the Marina today so was a good opportunity to give the Chim a good run down some of my favourite Essex country lanes. (ones i've spent many early sunday mornings down doing the motorbike run for an early bacon roll!!
) The weather was good so no concerns of sliding around like a drunken ice skater.
The first thing that struck me as i reversed out of the driveway was that after near 2 years of ownership i still have a silly grin on my face every time i pop the door release under the mirror and sit in the drivers seat. Yes i'm less shocked by the acceleration than the 'early days' but driving my TVR is still a real occasion for me. And considering that i normally get bored of things about 25 seconds after i've bought 'em thats quite an achievement.
Anyway, i cruised through my local '30 limit' roads keeping pretty much to the speed limit listening to a few songs and strangely being aware of what i was driving. I have to say whoever is responsible for the interior design of the Chim deserves a prize. Everthing sits exactly where the arms go naturally and i can even perch my elbow comfortably on the top of the door.. Happy days. 9 years since it was built and i still cant think of many places that feel better to sit in than the Chim.
Anyway, soon i'm onto the national speed limit dual carriageway and i can let the car stretch its legs.. Thats the other marvel that still keeps my attention. The exhaust note!! How it blends from a deep tone to a howl through the midrange.. Its the only car i know where i actually turn the stereo DOWN to hear it. I then have to negociate a couple of sweeping sliproads and 2 or 3 roundabouts and being in the somewhat unusual position of Not having PAS i can feel everything the wheels are doing.. Smashing!! I also notice just how all the other cars seem to be trundling from somewhere to somewhere else with as little involvement with the car as possible whereas i'm relishing actually 'Driving' the car and keeping just a degree below the car driving me..
I soon reach the long country roads to Burnham.. Mostly 60 limits with the odd calming areas of 40 and even 30 at times. There's a great mix of decent straights to accelerate down, sweeping bends and a section of what must be atleast 8 near 90 degree bends. Even keeping things fairly legal, accelerating between bends, holding the throttle round the bend and then accelerating out using the great dollops of torque available is a whole lotta fun..
I arrive at the Marina in a jolly good mood. And after locking up i take a chance to have a quick look over the car and really admire the styling. I still think the Chim with the late lights etc has one of the best looking Backsides in the business. Also from the side profile, everything curves and swoops and is in near perfect proportions..
Then of course the indicators. Yes they changed a touch over the years but i still think its the 'Mutz' that i have a car that was partially designed by a dog!! Ned (if i remember the name right) should of had a design award himself..
Then i sum up the whole thing knowing a bunch of guys and gals in Blackpool achieved all that by hand! Man!! you guys built some bloody good cars!!
I know TVR pushed the envelope further with the Cerb, Tuscan, Sagaris etc but until i have the pleasure (and resources) to own one of them i'll keep my comments to what i know.
Anyway, after returning home, i had a chance to reflect. Many criticise TVR's on details. Yes my wipers like to wander over about 80 and the mileometer had a rest for a few miles at 49,999. The reversing light works depending on the phase of the moon and if i hunt long enough i'm sure i can find the slightest hint of glue where the carpets are stuck.. (lightening strikes!!
) I also know, in the days of some pretty ordinary cars having huge BHP plus more toys than NASA to keep the car going in the right direction, on a timed lap of Silverstone i may not win. (heaven forbid!!) but thats not the point.
To this day, and i've been lucky to drive alot of fast cars, no car i've driven makes me enjoy driving as much as the TVR. It is the ONLY car where i actually look forward to the next journey...
All this from a company from blackpool which for all of its 60 years seems to have been fighting for its life against political correctness and the powers at be who think we should be protected from ourselves.
I'm not going to comment in this little journal about the current owner of the 'badge' or the future..
But, and this has been repeated many times, the people who have had the vision over the years and the guys n gals who have built the cars deserve a great deal of praise..
TVR's built at Blackpool really are 'The Spirit of Driving'
cheers,
Nick
ps. those who got bored of my ramble can wake up now...
Hi
Great to hear how much your car means to you and you will understand why us ex workers are upset not just finacailly losing our jobs but because we put so much more into building each car which brings home the true "spirit of driving" meaning.
It has been reassuring to read various threads on PH about how people feel about their cars and to know that our work is appreciated by owners and enthusiasts alike.
Gareth
Great to hear how much your car means to you and you will understand why us ex workers are upset not just finacailly losing our jobs but because we put so much more into building each car which brings home the true "spirit of driving" meaning.
It has been reassuring to read various threads on PH about how people feel about their cars and to know that our work is appreciated by owners and enthusiasts alike.
Gareth
Great piece of writing - a picture well painted. 
I shall bookmark this topic for inspiration to get on with repairs. Just need to get this little party out of the way, my holiday, catch up with the housework...
Seriously though, I love these 'feel good' posts
I shall bookmark this topic for inspiration to get on with repairs. Just need to get this little party out of the way, my holiday, catch up with the housework...
Seriously though, I love these 'feel good' posts
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 15th January 08:41
ads said:
Fantastic post, sums it up perfectly. To the people who built our cars - a very big thank you. 
Edited by ads on Monday 15th January 08:24
I took mine to the Autocar show yesterday at the NEC, these car get so much attention from the public, it is a pleasure to own one and still puts a smile on my face every time i drive one. Thankyou all you blackpool workers, YOU will be sadley missed in the motor car world.
TOV!E said:
ads said:
Fantastic post, sums it up perfectly. To the people who built our cars - a very big thank you.
Edited by ads on Monday 15th January 08:24
I took mine to the Autocar show yesterday at the NEC, these car get so much attention from the public, it is a pleasure to own one and still puts a smile on my face every time i drive one. Thankyou all you blackpool workers, YOU will be sadley missed in the motor car world.
Hello Tov!e, Thanks for the drive around Silverstone November last year. Sorry I haven't posted pictures up, I have been very busy lately. Hope to meet up with you again soon.
I too enjoyed a trip out yesterday with the wife in the Chim.
Whilst we were driving she asked how long I intended to keep it, reply was " about another 7 or 8 years at least".
We saw an SLK. I said that if we had one of those I don't think it would do it for me. Followed by a burst of acceleration and those wonderfull sounds that only a TVR owner knows. " it wouldn't do that either". "No, it wouldn't" she replied.
On seeing a TT and an MX5 at the garage whilst i was pouring £45 worth of Tesco's finest down its throat I said, "Do you think that if we had one of those I would go out to the garage just to look at it?" This evoked a similar reply.
"The only thing is this car is a bit bumpy for me to sleep in" she said.
"You don't need to go to sleep whilst we're out for a couple of hours" I said.
"No, but if we went on holiday to France in it I suppose I'd just have to stay awake", came the response.
Joy oh joy. She's thinking about it.Just maybe we will get to take this fabulous car abroad and drive it on proper roads, something that I have only dreamed about before.
TVR's will always have their admirers and their critics. But only those fortunate few of us who have the privilage to own one can really understand the buzz of owning and driving a car like this.
Hell, it looks so good even when standing still, and from any angle.
On the move it is fantastic, I've never had a car before that I wanted to just keep driving and driving.
I think that Jeremy Clarkson summed it up when he said," If it wasn't for the need for sleep and food it would be quite feasible to drive this car non stop between services"
As you will gather, I'm passionate about my Chimaera.
Whilst we were driving she asked how long I intended to keep it, reply was " about another 7 or 8 years at least".
We saw an SLK. I said that if we had one of those I don't think it would do it for me. Followed by a burst of acceleration and those wonderfull sounds that only a TVR owner knows. " it wouldn't do that either". "No, it wouldn't" she replied.
On seeing a TT and an MX5 at the garage whilst i was pouring £45 worth of Tesco's finest down its throat I said, "Do you think that if we had one of those I would go out to the garage just to look at it?" This evoked a similar reply.
"The only thing is this car is a bit bumpy for me to sleep in" she said.
"You don't need to go to sleep whilst we're out for a couple of hours" I said.
"No, but if we went on holiday to France in it I suppose I'd just have to stay awake", came the response.
Joy oh joy. She's thinking about it.Just maybe we will get to take this fabulous car abroad and drive it on proper roads, something that I have only dreamed about before.
TVR's will always have their admirers and their critics. But only those fortunate few of us who have the privilage to own one can really understand the buzz of owning and driving a car like this.
Hell, it looks so good even when standing still, and from any angle.
On the move it is fantastic, I've never had a car before that I wanted to just keep driving and driving.
I think that Jeremy Clarkson summed it up when he said," If it wasn't for the need for sleep and food it would be quite feasible to drive this car non stop between services"
As you will gather, I'm passionate about my Chimaera.
I also agree with what has been said on this thread - many, many thanks to all the Blackpool workforce for bringing our P&Js to life. 
The Tamora is the only car I've ever owned where I almost never have the radio/CD on, as I much prefer to listen to the engine note. She's also the only car where actually I don't mind driving slowly (if I have to!), as it means that I can spend longer driving her.....
Julian
The Tamora is the only car I've ever owned where I almost never have the radio/CD on, as I much prefer to listen to the engine note. She's also the only car where actually I don't mind driving slowly (if I have to!), as it means that I can spend longer driving her.....
Julian
Fire99 said:
Hi All,
With all the bad news on the TVR front recently, (I for one am truely gutted by what has happened of late and i never even worked at the factory) i thought i'd share a good day in the life of TVR ownership.. So apologies to anyone whose not interested. you may want to skip this.
Anyway, i had to take a trip down to my other 'baby' down at the Marina today so was a good opportunity to give the Chim a good run down some of my favourite Essex country lanes. (ones i've spent many early sunday mornings down doing the motorbike run for an early bacon roll!! )
The weather was good so no concerns of sliding around like a drunken ice skater.
The first thing that struck me as i reversed out of the driveway was that after near 2 years of ownership i still have a silly grin on my face every time i pop the door release under the mirror and sit in the drivers seat. Yes i'm less shocked by the acceleration than the 'early days' but driving my TVR is still a real occasion for me. And considering that i normally get bored of things about 25 seconds after i've bought 'em thats quite an achievement.
Anyway, i cruised through my local '30 limit' roads keeping pretty much to the speed limit listening to a few songs and strangely being aware of what i was driving. I have to say whoever is responsible for the interior design of the Chim deserves a prize. Everthing sits exactly where the arms go naturally and i can even perch my elbow comfortably on the top of the door.. Happy days. 9 years since it was built and i still cant think of many places that feel better to sit in than the Chim.
Anyway, soon i'm onto the national speed limit dual carriageway and i can let the car stretch its legs.. Thats the other marvel that still keeps my attention. The exhaust note!! How it blends from a deep tone to a howl through the midrange.. Its the only car i know where i actually turn the stereo DOWN to hear it. I then have to negociate a couple of sweeping sliproads and 2 or 3 roundabouts and being in the somewhat unusual position of Not having PAS i can feel everything the wheels are doing.. Smashing!! I also notice just how all the other cars seem to be trundling from somewhere to somewhere else with as little involvement with the car as possible whereas i'm relishing actually 'Driving' the car and keeping just a degree below the car driving me..
I soon reach the long country roads to Burnham.. Mostly 60 limits with the odd calming areas of 40 and even 30 at times. There's a great mix of decent straights to accelerate down, sweeping bends and a section of what must be atleast 8 near 90 degree bends. Even keeping things fairly legal, accelerating between bends, holding the throttle round the bend and then accelerating out using the great dollops of torque available is a whole lotta fun..
I arrive at the Marina in a jolly good mood. And after locking up i take a chance to have a quick look over the car and really admire the styling. I still think the Chim with the late lights etc has one of the best looking Backsides in the business. Also from the side profile, everything curves and swoops and is in near perfect proportions..
Then of course the indicators. Yes they changed a touch over the years but i still think its the 'Mutz' that i have a car that was partially designed by a dog!! Ned (if i remember the name right) should of had a design award himself..
Then i sum up the whole thing knowing a bunch of guys and gals in Blackpool achieved all that by hand! Man!! you guys built some bloody good cars!!
I know TVR pushed the envelope further with the Cerb, Tuscan, Sagaris etc but until i have the pleasure (and resources) to own one of them i'll keep my comments to what i know.
Anyway, after returning home, i had a chance to reflect. Many criticise TVR's on details. Yes my wipers like to wander over about 80 and the mileometer had a rest for a few miles at 49,999. The reversing light works depending on the phase of the moon and if i hunt long enough i'm sure i can find the slightest hint of glue where the carpets are stuck.. (lightening strikes!!)
I also know, in the days of some pretty ordinary cars having huge BHP plus more toys than NASA to keep the car going in the right direction, on a timed lap of Silverstone i may not win. (heaven forbid!!) but thats not the point.
To this day, and i've been lucky to drive alot of fast cars, no car i've driven makes me enjoy driving as much as the TVR. It is the ONLY car where i actually look forward to the next journey...
All this from a company from blackpool which for all of its 60 years seems to have been fighting for its life against political correctness and the powers at be who think we should be protected from ourselves.
I'm not going to comment in this little journal about the current owner of the 'badge' or the future..
But, and this has been repeated many times, the people who have had the vision over the years and the guys n gals who have built the cars deserve a great deal of praise..
TVR's built at Blackpool really are 'The Spirit of Driving'
cheers,
Nick
ps. those who got bored of my ramble can wake up now...
What a breath of fresh air that was, how privileged we TVR owners are. With all the bad news on the TVR front recently, (I for one am truely gutted by what has happened of late and i never even worked at the factory) i thought i'd share a good day in the life of TVR ownership.. So apologies to anyone whose not interested. you may want to skip this.
Anyway, i had to take a trip down to my other 'baby' down at the Marina today so was a good opportunity to give the Chim a good run down some of my favourite Essex country lanes. (ones i've spent many early sunday mornings down doing the motorbike run for an early bacon roll!!
) The weather was good so no concerns of sliding around like a drunken ice skater.
The first thing that struck me as i reversed out of the driveway was that after near 2 years of ownership i still have a silly grin on my face every time i pop the door release under the mirror and sit in the drivers seat. Yes i'm less shocked by the acceleration than the 'early days' but driving my TVR is still a real occasion for me. And considering that i normally get bored of things about 25 seconds after i've bought 'em thats quite an achievement.
Anyway, i cruised through my local '30 limit' roads keeping pretty much to the speed limit listening to a few songs and strangely being aware of what i was driving. I have to say whoever is responsible for the interior design of the Chim deserves a prize. Everthing sits exactly where the arms go naturally and i can even perch my elbow comfortably on the top of the door.. Happy days. 9 years since it was built and i still cant think of many places that feel better to sit in than the Chim.
Anyway, soon i'm onto the national speed limit dual carriageway and i can let the car stretch its legs.. Thats the other marvel that still keeps my attention. The exhaust note!! How it blends from a deep tone to a howl through the midrange.. Its the only car i know where i actually turn the stereo DOWN to hear it. I then have to negociate a couple of sweeping sliproads and 2 or 3 roundabouts and being in the somewhat unusual position of Not having PAS i can feel everything the wheels are doing.. Smashing!! I also notice just how all the other cars seem to be trundling from somewhere to somewhere else with as little involvement with the car as possible whereas i'm relishing actually 'Driving' the car and keeping just a degree below the car driving me..
I soon reach the long country roads to Burnham.. Mostly 60 limits with the odd calming areas of 40 and even 30 at times. There's a great mix of decent straights to accelerate down, sweeping bends and a section of what must be atleast 8 near 90 degree bends. Even keeping things fairly legal, accelerating between bends, holding the throttle round the bend and then accelerating out using the great dollops of torque available is a whole lotta fun..
I arrive at the Marina in a jolly good mood. And after locking up i take a chance to have a quick look over the car and really admire the styling. I still think the Chim with the late lights etc has one of the best looking Backsides in the business. Also from the side profile, everything curves and swoops and is in near perfect proportions..
Then of course the indicators. Yes they changed a touch over the years but i still think its the 'Mutz' that i have a car that was partially designed by a dog!! Ned (if i remember the name right) should of had a design award himself..
Then i sum up the whole thing knowing a bunch of guys and gals in Blackpool achieved all that by hand! Man!! you guys built some bloody good cars!!
I know TVR pushed the envelope further with the Cerb, Tuscan, Sagaris etc but until i have the pleasure (and resources) to own one of them i'll keep my comments to what i know.
Anyway, after returning home, i had a chance to reflect. Many criticise TVR's on details. Yes my wipers like to wander over about 80 and the mileometer had a rest for a few miles at 49,999. The reversing light works depending on the phase of the moon and if i hunt long enough i'm sure i can find the slightest hint of glue where the carpets are stuck.. (lightening strikes!!
) I also know, in the days of some pretty ordinary cars having huge BHP plus more toys than NASA to keep the car going in the right direction, on a timed lap of Silverstone i may not win. (heaven forbid!!) but thats not the point.
To this day, and i've been lucky to drive alot of fast cars, no car i've driven makes me enjoy driving as much as the TVR. It is the ONLY car where i actually look forward to the next journey...
All this from a company from blackpool which for all of its 60 years seems to have been fighting for its life against political correctness and the powers at be who think we should be protected from ourselves.
I'm not going to comment in this little journal about the current owner of the 'badge' or the future..
But, and this has been repeated many times, the people who have had the vision over the years and the guys n gals who have built the cars deserve a great deal of praise..
TVR's built at Blackpool really are 'The Spirit of Driving'
cheers,
Nick
ps. those who got bored of my ramble can wake up now...
julianc said:
I also agree with what has been said on this thread - many, many thanks to all the Blackpool workforce for bringing our P&Js to life.
The Tamora is the only car I've ever owned where I almost never have the radio/CD on, as I much prefer to listen to the engine note. She's also the only car where actually I don't mind driving slowly (if I have to!), as it means that I can spend longer driving her.....
Julian
The Tamora is the only car I've ever owned where I almost never have the radio/CD on, as I much prefer to listen to the engine note. She's also the only car where actually I don't mind driving slowly (if I have to!), as it means that I can spend longer driving her.....
Julian
Ditto that. I feel exactly the same about my T350C.
thanks everyone.. was a good driving day..!!
Firstly 'cloggy' i'm still living on 'Christmas time' at the mo so i should be asleep during the day and wake up in time for the pub
SLK's? MX-5's? Yep nothing against them.. well the new SLK is a definite improvement than the old but its a totally different ball park..
Dare i use the car version of 'X Factor'?? CHARACTER.. TVR's are all about the whole ownership and driving experience.. And yes the fact they have been built buy the likes of you and i in a factory in Blackpool is all part of that.
Some people will never understand it. To them so long as the three letters remain on the bonnet of a super fast, super stylish car then all is well.
But thats not what its all about and sadly you can't write down the formula to why on paper.
It almost seems that in the good 'ol days actually selling large numbers of cars was just the by-product and an unfortunate necessity to keep the factory going. It seems the key objective was to keep coming up with something new and to keep pushing the envelope on the raw driving experience..
I remember an interview with Peter Wheeler regarding the Speed 12.. Correct me where i get the details wrong but i think he drove it home from the factory and decided he had perhaps gone too far for a road car.. Apparently if anyone wanted to buy one he would try to persuade them to buy a Cerbera instead.
I think i remember him saying that to have near 1000hp in a car weighing not much more than a tonne on the road would require traction control which would negate the whole point of having all that power in the first place. Ahhh Good memories.
Anyway, i'm going off on one here but the point is that if there wasnt someone around who even considered 'oh i know lets put a 1000hp engine into a car weighing less than a BMW Mini' then i think we would have missed out on cars like the entire TVR range since the late 80's.
People talk about ABS & Airbags etc.. Well there is an interesting interview with Peter Wheeler actually here on Pistonheads which gives a very reasoned excuse why NOT to have them. Yes they 'put bums on seats (car ones)' but are they better for the driving experience?
There have been many TVR imitators over the years, with their own slant on 'A Drivers Car' Some even prefer them but if you're really into your TVR's then nothing else will do.
Sorry gang.. another opportunity for Nick to get TVR nostalgic.
Firstly 'cloggy' i'm still living on 'Christmas time' at the mo so i should be asleep during the day and wake up in time for the pub
SLK's? MX-5's? Yep nothing against them.. well the new SLK is a definite improvement than the old but its a totally different ball park..
Dare i use the car version of 'X Factor'?? CHARACTER.. TVR's are all about the whole ownership and driving experience.. And yes the fact they have been built buy the likes of you and i in a factory in Blackpool is all part of that.
Some people will never understand it. To them so long as the three letters remain on the bonnet of a super fast, super stylish car then all is well.
But thats not what its all about and sadly you can't write down the formula to why on paper.
It almost seems that in the good 'ol days actually selling large numbers of cars was just the by-product and an unfortunate necessity to keep the factory going. It seems the key objective was to keep coming up with something new and to keep pushing the envelope on the raw driving experience..
I remember an interview with Peter Wheeler regarding the Speed 12.. Correct me where i get the details wrong but i think he drove it home from the factory and decided he had perhaps gone too far for a road car.. Apparently if anyone wanted to buy one he would try to persuade them to buy a Cerbera instead.
I think i remember him saying that to have near 1000hp in a car weighing not much more than a tonne on the road would require traction control which would negate the whole point of having all that power in the first place. Ahhh Good memories.
Anyway, i'm going off on one here but the point is that if there wasnt someone around who even considered 'oh i know lets put a 1000hp engine into a car weighing less than a BMW Mini' then i think we would have missed out on cars like the entire TVR range since the late 80's.
People talk about ABS & Airbags etc.. Well there is an interesting interview with Peter Wheeler actually here on Pistonheads which gives a very reasoned excuse why NOT to have them. Yes they 'put bums on seats (car ones)' but are they better for the driving experience?
There have been many TVR imitators over the years, with their own slant on 'A Drivers Car' Some even prefer them but if you're really into your TVR's then nothing else will do.
Sorry gang.. another opportunity for Nick to get TVR nostalgic.
tvr keith said:
I think that Jeremy Clarkson summed it up when he said," If it wasn't for the need for sleep and food it would be quite feasible to drive this car non stop between services"
We drove our cerbera from Wiltshire to the Lake district last October. We only stopped briefly for fuel, we had no problems with comfort
My wife said it was the most comfortable car she's been in, and my 8 year old enjoyed the whole of the rear to himself.Wish I'd written this post, Nick. Was thinking of something similar the other day but never got round to it. Doubt if it would have been as eloquent as yours anyway.
But I agree with everything you said; different model maybe and it's only my first but I absolutely love my car. And the bit that someone else wrote about just going into the garage to look at it....
I'm staying in a hotel this week, and the Tamora is parked right outside the door and directly under my window. I find myself just wandering out every now and again to smile at her.
We are indeed all very lucky bunnies. And I wouldn't feel the same if it hadn't been built by those fantastic guys at Blackpool.
Thanks to them all.
But I agree with everything you said; different model maybe and it's only my first but I absolutely love my car. And the bit that someone else wrote about just going into the garage to look at it....
I'm staying in a hotel this week, and the Tamora is parked right outside the door and directly under my window. I find myself just wandering out every now and again to smile at her.
We are indeed all very lucky bunnies. And I wouldn't feel the same if it hadn't been built by those fantastic guys at Blackpool.
Thanks to them all.
Well i can highly recommend the Burnham 'run' but be careful where they have reduced the speed limits as every now and then mr BIB make an appearance..
Funny you guys should mention the Tamora. After seeing Austec's one at the Santa Pod day i've become a bit of a Tamora convert.. (But then i want a Cerb after seeing Clarkson test drive one, a Tuscan after Swordfish, a T350 after VBH driving one and a Sagaris after seeing Yellow Peril's one and the other young lady (whose name i forget..oops) who turns up at the Mid Essex meet in one..
But sadly if i could find one and had the money, I don't care what Peter Wheeler said.. Speed 12 please!!! If i could describe myself with a car that would be it.. Totally Bonkers!!
Funny you guys should mention the Tamora. After seeing Austec's one at the Santa Pod day i've become a bit of a Tamora convert.. (But then i want a Cerb after seeing Clarkson test drive one, a Tuscan after Swordfish, a T350 after VBH driving one and a Sagaris after seeing Yellow Peril's one and the other young lady (whose name i forget..oops) who turns up at the Mid Essex meet in one..
But sadly if i could find one and had the money, I don't care what Peter Wheeler said.. Speed 12 please!!! If i could describe myself with a car that would be it.. Totally Bonkers!!
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