Help needed finding TVR near Farnham

[waylison]

This is going to be a strange request, but hope someone out there can help us.

My wifes best friend has just had her brother die suddenly in bed at 62. He owned what we believe was a TVR 3000M. He took the car to a garage to have some work done on it about 3 weeks before he died and his wife doesn't know which garage and as yet she hasn't found the cars log book or any paperwork for the car. I remember seeing it once, about 5 years ago and it was Black with some stress cracking around the body. He lived in Farnham, Surrey, near Guildford.

So does anyone living near there or who used a TVR garage near Farnham know of a Black car sitting around gathering dusty where the garage can't get hold of the owner?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated to save this car and at the moment his wife needs it back to grieve and deal with his sudden death.

Thanks Guys in advance.

Wayne.

[Skipe]

Hello Wayne - maybe the guys at Racing Green in Ash Vale can help? I believe that may be the closest?

[bridgdav]

David Batty.. The Garage..?

[Colin RedGriff]

Fernhurst Motor Co
Midhurst Road
Fernhurst
Haslemere
Surrey
GU27 3EE

Sales: 01428 653924
Workshop: 01428 656377

[Bodmin]

Try Hawthorns(Farnham)Ltd 01252 735185 as they used to be the TVR main dealer for the area. Started by Mike Hawthorn the famous racing driver.

Even if they don't work on the TVRs anymore they may still know who in the area does.

Hope this helps.

Bodders

[Evo]

I'll try to call David Batty for you tomorrow, i picked my Chimaera from him last week and there were two 3000m's there,

[Fiscracer]

The Garage is the most likely.
Hawthorns now do 2nd hand car sales and have no TVR affiliation these days
Racing Green wouldn't know one end of a classic TVR from the other
Ditto Fernhurst

If it is not at the Garage there are lots of small independent classic car garages around here, so it could be a bit of a search - and that assumes it is fairly local. Any idea what the work was? MOT, bodywork, mechanical? Any clues from previous bills?

[youngnick]

Could the car have been in for an MOT? In which case the DVLA will have a record of recent issues.

[waylison]

WOW!

Thanks Guys.

I've suggested to the wife that she contacts DVLA with his name and address and as long as there was no fraud reason why, they should be able to give her the Reg number to help trace the car. Obviously I'm withholding his name until I can speak direct with the garage that has the car who will know that detail to confirm it's the correct car. He had the car for well over 10 years if not more, so it's been a part of the family and is much used and loved. His only other vehicle was a 15 year old landrover, so both were used daily, so I guess it might have been Mot work. Hopefully his wife will find some papers soon the get a Reg number, or even better, last years Mot cert with garage details.

I can't thank you all enough

Wayne.

[waylison]

Spoken with Dave Batty of The Garage, he doesn't know of the car. He directed me to the Surrey branch of the owners club and I've e-mailed them. It might be that his car is the S Series, but definately Black.

The hunt goes on.

[holmbush]

recent unconfirmed information is that Hawthorns is no more!

[Mrs_T]

Hi Wayne, Thanks for the e-mail. I'll see what I can find out but first see if there are any photos of the owner with his car as everyone has at some stage had their photo taken with their pride and joy. This may give you a clue as to the car reg and model, etc.

[waylison]

Thanks Karen.

I'll pass on the message re photos, I'm sure there must be some. Even if Cathie doesn't have any that she can find, another member of the family might have taken some over the years.

[Steve_T]

I'd also suggest Adrian Venn, he does quite a bit with classic TVRs. Web Tel/fax [phone] or mobile [phone]

Edited by Steve_T on Friday 2nd October 21:05

[waylison]

No luck as yet guys, any more ideas?

[Don]

waylison said:

No luck as yet guys, any more ideas?

Was he a TVR Car Club member? If so they may have records with respect to the car.

There's also a chance that the garage in question will call up with respect to the work, or the payment for the work at least! Then there's a chance to find them...

I'm not a member anymore but you could also call them up and get a list of all the TVR specialists in the South of England. Half a day with the phone ought to find the car...

[trumpet1608]

You could try Andy at APM in Liphook. Its not too far from Farnham.

Dick

www.apmautomotive.co.uk/contact.htm

[youngnick]

How did he get it it the garage? Do we know how long was he away?
- Drive and walk back?
- Public transport?
- Lift with a friend / neighbour?

If it was not his 'usual' garage had it been:
- recommended by a colleague / neighbour?
- recommended by golf club mate?

Did he speak with them by telephone that day or during the fortnight before to book it in?
- recorded mobile / land line number

Did he use a computer?
- emails / contacts / recommendations?
- record of garage internet sites visited in the month previously?

Quotation / Business card in wallet / coat pocket / file?
Deposit paid by cheque or credit card?

It has to turn up at some time!
Alan.

[waylison]

Very valid points guys, thanks.

The funeral was today, so I'm going to hold off passing the information on to the wife until things are a little less raw.

We're hoping the garage will either see his obit in the papers or as you say, ring up with the bill for the work.

[WOO5IE]

DVLA may be able to tell you whom MOTed it last time.

Chances are it will be in the same place