RE: TVR Cerbera | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
I read this article with interest as since 2004 i have owned a 1999 1250kg 400bhp rwd car with few driver aids, and although this one is a Nissan a lot of the points and concerns apply to all those of us running older high powered cars. Be it rust and bodywork maintenance, parts supply's getting harder, and specialised knowledge required to work on them.
The payback though is a driving experience that you just can't seem to get in newer cars. What other cars would owners also consider fall into this bracket?
Well done Team !
A very reasonable all-round look at Cerbera life
with one exception
Your classification of "Lightweight" models.
Have a look at someone who knows what he's talking about's Cetbera Page to update your review.
All the Best,
Mr C
A very reasonable all-round look at Cerbera life
with one exception
Your classification of "Lightweight" models.
Have a look at someone who knows what he's talking about's Cetbera Page to update your review.
All the Best,
Mr C
Filos Hippos said:
blackrabbit said:
Were any of these cars built LHD by the factory or were they done afterwards. Anyone know?
To my knowledge all Cerbera's left the factory as RHD.Griffith, Chimaera, Tuscan, Sagaris were both offered from factory as RHD and LHD although LHD Sagari are rare as hen's teeth.
T350 and Tamora also only offered in RHD.
Olivera said:
I've always been baffled why the Speed 6 engine (16 valve head) didn't easily outperform the AJP8, as an 8 valve head has way less flow.
The AJP was actually a really nice little unit, apart from the valve count - it was compact and had a low CoG. I wonder what it would have been like with 4-valve heads and whether that would have been a better use of resources than producing the Speed 6. In the back of my mind there may have been an emissions issue with the AJP but it's a long time ago now and I might be mistaken. When TVR made the original V8-powered Cerbera GT2 racecar in around '96 it really suffered in terms of power because it struggled to breathe properly with the mandated inlet restrictors, which the TVR engine guys reckoned was because of the inefficiency of the two-valve heads.
Ahonen said:
Olivera said:
I've always been baffled why the Speed 6 engine (16 valve head) didn't easily outperform the AJP8, as an 8 valve head has way less flow.
The AJP was actually a really nice little unit, apart from the valve count - it was compact and had a low CoG. I wonder what it would have been like with 4-valve heads and whether that would have been a better use of resources than producing the Speed 6. In the back of my mind there may have been an emissions issue with the AJP but it's a long time ago now and I might be mistaken. When TVR made the original V8-powered Cerbera GT2 racecar in around '96 it really suffered in terms of power because it struggled to breathe properly with the mandated inlet restrictors, which the TVR engine guys reckoned was because of the inefficiency of the two-valve heads.
It’s also interesting to hear his angle as an engineer on how the politics changed the shape of his vision, even with a firm as small as TVR he certainly seems to feel that the Speed Six the world got to buy was not as he’d intended it to be. The AJP seems to have reached fruition in a much closer guise to his original designs.
Ahonen said:
j555 said:
Interesting. Does anybody know whether there are any good books which focus on such inside stories, such as this, rather than a detailed biography of the detail of individual cars?
On another thread here, someone mentioned that 'TVR The Peter Wheeler years' included the story that that the Tamora was planned as a sub £25k roadster using a Holden V6 which they could buy in for £3500. Apparently Wheeler insisted on putting the Speed 6 in it which cost £12500 to fit pushing up the cost of the car and giving owners a load of headaches...
I'm sure there would be a great book to be written with loads of these sort of anecdotes, but not sure whether one has been done yet/which is best for that sort of thing.
A couple of us used to talk about writing memoirs, just for a giggle. The stories some of the guys have are incredible and hilarious in equal measure.On another thread here, someone mentioned that 'TVR The Peter Wheeler years' included the story that that the Tamora was planned as a sub £25k roadster using a Holden V6 which they could buy in for £3500. Apparently Wheeler insisted on putting the Speed 6 in it which cost £12500 to fit pushing up the cost of the car and giving owners a load of headaches...
I'm sure there would be a great book to be written with loads of these sort of anecdotes, but not sure whether one has been done yet/which is best for that sort of thing.
I don't recall the Holden V6 story but I remember that the Tuscan engine bay was deliberately designed in such a way that the Speed 6 was the only engine that would fit in the hole. PW didn't want the AJP in it at any cost. I started in late '98, just as the first flip-colour Tuscans returned from the Motorshow at the NEC. The GT racing department building, where I'd be for the next two years, was just a shell at that stage but was full of Cerbera Speed Sixes sitting strangely high at the front - that was just the first tranche of Speed Six warranty jobs. It didn't get much better from there on...
I had a Cerebra 4.5 for a couple of years, no regrets.
I also had 2 4.0 Tuscan's either side, I preferred the Tuscan as it was a nicer place to sit, the Cerebra was a bit claustrophobic in my opinion.
Both cars were a event on Saturday when you got in though.
My 4.5 was no faster than a friend's early 4.2 though.
I also had 2 4.0 Tuscan's either side, I preferred the Tuscan as it was a nicer place to sit, the Cerebra was a bit claustrophobic in my opinion.
Both cars were a event on Saturday when you got in though.
My 4.5 was no faster than a friend's early 4.2 though.
A Cerbera is in my future!
I love the looks and that very quirky interior. I do not think most thugs could steal one by driving it off as it is different to light up! Amore had a beautiful green Cerbera a year ago but it got away from me. Speaking of Amore, I must give Mark THE BEST RATING! I bought a Chimaera from him last January (2020) and shipped it to Monterey, CA where it now patrols the streets and car shows. Mark was super thorough, most knowledgeable, completely honest, and has become a mentor and consultant for me and two other Chimaera owners Stateside. He shepherded the shipment too!
I visited his secret showroom and my first drive of my car was at night and in the rain- a bit different from the streets of coastal Monterey!
I can see why TVR's have such a following!
I love the looks and that very quirky interior. I do not think most thugs could steal one by driving it off as it is different to light up! Amore had a beautiful green Cerbera a year ago but it got away from me. Speaking of Amore, I must give Mark THE BEST RATING! I bought a Chimaera from him last January (2020) and shipped it to Monterey, CA where it now patrols the streets and car shows. Mark was super thorough, most knowledgeable, completely honest, and has become a mentor and consultant for me and two other Chimaera owners Stateside. He shepherded the shipment too!
I visited his secret showroom and my first drive of my car was at night and in the rain- a bit different from the streets of coastal Monterey!
I can see why TVR's have such a following!
Difficult to take issue with most of the Buyers Guide, however the T5WC does destroy fifth gear frequently enough to warrant a mention, especially since the TVR specific 5th gear set is NLA
Also the failure prone clutch slave was glossed over somewhat, thankfully the RaceProved alternative does seem to fix the issue, don't bother trying to replace the RP Slave seals though - ask me how I know
I've yet had a chance to try mine on track with recently fitted Nitrons, I am really looking forward to that
In short I would rate the Cerbera driving experience as Sublime - when it works
The problem is I thought I was buying a car, rather than a hobby
Also the failure prone clutch slave was glossed over somewhat, thankfully the RaceProved alternative does seem to fix the issue, don't bother trying to replace the RP Slave seals though - ask me how I know
I've yet had a chance to try mine on track with recently fitted Nitrons, I am really looking forward to that
In short I would rate the Cerbera driving experience as Sublime - when it works
The problem is I thought I was buying a car, rather than a hobby
HM-2 said:
"Today, TVR is one of only two marques to get their own heading in the Forums drop-down menu on the PH homepage."
I make four- TVR, Ultima, BMW and Mini.
Indeed. Lazy journalism at its best. I was also surprised to learn they were still available to buy in 2006. If only the factory had told the dealer network! I make four- TVR, Ultima, BMW and Mini.
TVR1 said:
HM-2 said:
"Today, TVR is one of only two marques to get their own heading in the Forums drop-down menu on the PH homepage."
I make four- TVR, Ultima, BMW and Mini.
Indeed. Lazy journalism at its best. I make four- TVR, Ultima, BMW and Mini.
chunder said:
HM-2 said:
"Today, TVR is one of only two marques to get their own heading in the Forums drop-down menu on the PH homepage."
I make four- TVR, Ultima, BMW and Mini.
Not sure where you're looking but just TVR and Porsche on the Forums drop down menu.I make four- TVR, Ultima, BMW and Mini.
I used to see a couple of Cerbs on a regular commute years ago, but I’ve not seen one for ages now.
An acquaintance has had one for years, it’s been in pieces in his garage for ages. Every time I see him I ask “how the rebuild is coming on “ and his reply is always the same “ not touched it, just don’t have the time “ .
I did consider one when I bought my first Griff back in August 07.
An acquaintance has had one for years, it’s been in pieces in his garage for ages. Every time I see him I ask “how the rebuild is coming on “ and his reply is always the same “ not touched it, just don’t have the time “ .
I did consider one when I bought my first Griff back in August 07.
I've been considering one for years, a search found this thread - only 2 years old yet the (asking) prices have increased tremendously
Most are advertised at £28k upwards but I've seen 2 private cars at £20k
I've owned Griffith and Chimeras before so I know the principles of TVR ownership and I'm good at fixing niggles
I can't justify £28k but I could £20k although I suspect that will soon rise fixing things.
I sold my 500 after 6 months of daily use and it broke down every month. I don't suppose 20 years has made them more reliable
How usable are the back seats ? I sold my supercharged GT86 because the rear seats were useless
Most are advertised at £28k upwards but I've seen 2 private cars at £20k
I've owned Griffith and Chimeras before so I know the principles of TVR ownership and I'm good at fixing niggles
I can't justify £28k but I could £20k although I suspect that will soon rise fixing things.
I sold my 500 after 6 months of daily use and it broke down every month. I don't suppose 20 years has made them more reliable
How usable are the back seats ? I sold my supercharged GT86 because the rear seats were useless
Edited by KTMsm on Friday 24th February 09:08
KTMsm said:
How usable are the back seats ? I sold my supercharged GT86 because the rear seats were useless
I have had three adults and one child in the car for a couple of two hour journeys, I have the drivers seat at the front of the runners which helps, but very few people will be looking forward to a ride in the back of a CerbGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff