RE: TVR Cerbera | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Great article and an enjoyable read. Most who've known me a long time still speak of rides in my Cerbera 4.2 with the fondest memories (perhaps etched a little deeper than average by fear).
I have so many memories of that car, the explosion of noise on start up that caused one lady to jump a foot into the air in a petrol station and a small girl to start crying at the pub (sorry). The inertia free way the engine flicked around the rev counter like a bike. The diff that would hop and chirp the inside rear wheel doing tight turns in a carpark. The fact it would overfuel, splutter and jerk if you tried to sit at a constant throttle at 60mph.
Ahhh the way it would 'peel out' of a line of traffic from 45-50mph in 2nd with both rear wheels spinning so the whole car just stepped sideways into the other lane almost telepathically rather than actually turning the steering wheel to manoeuvre around traffic.
The time I prematurely changed down into 2nd approaching a roundabout under heavy braking and the rear wheels compression locked deciding it was far easier to change the speed of the wheels than the engine. I entered the roundabout facing almost 90degrees left, with an intention of turning right.. thankfully, such was the communicative feedback from the chassis that a second later I was merrily navigating my way around the roundabout with perfect ease and the tail hanging wide in the other direction having completed what felt (and hopefully looked) like a totally intentional Scandinavian flick.
The time I tried to drag race an R33 GTR and despite my best efforts to balance the throttle on adrenaline I was left comically fishtailing up to 70mph while the R33 left through a ring of it's own tyre smoke as if it had just been released by a catapult held at full tension.
In fact (and you've guessed this bit) other than losing me my licence, because it really was impossible to keep under 100mph. The most stand out memory for me was in the handling. Yes it was a very quick and very noisy car but often overlooked it the fact that set up well the car REALLY handled. In fact I struggle to think of any car more transparent, repeatable and eager to place around the grip limits.
Not mentioned in the article but the disks do warp very easily if you're 'making good progress'.
I have so many memories of that car, the explosion of noise on start up that caused one lady to jump a foot into the air in a petrol station and a small girl to start crying at the pub (sorry). The inertia free way the engine flicked around the rev counter like a bike. The diff that would hop and chirp the inside rear wheel doing tight turns in a carpark. The fact it would overfuel, splutter and jerk if you tried to sit at a constant throttle at 60mph.
Ahhh the way it would 'peel out' of a line of traffic from 45-50mph in 2nd with both rear wheels spinning so the whole car just stepped sideways into the other lane almost telepathically rather than actually turning the steering wheel to manoeuvre around traffic.
The time I prematurely changed down into 2nd approaching a roundabout under heavy braking and the rear wheels compression locked deciding it was far easier to change the speed of the wheels than the engine. I entered the roundabout facing almost 90degrees left, with an intention of turning right.. thankfully, such was the communicative feedback from the chassis that a second later I was merrily navigating my way around the roundabout with perfect ease and the tail hanging wide in the other direction having completed what felt (and hopefully looked) like a totally intentional Scandinavian flick.
The time I tried to drag race an R33 GTR and despite my best efforts to balance the throttle on adrenaline I was left comically fishtailing up to 70mph while the R33 left through a ring of it's own tyre smoke as if it had just been released by a catapult held at full tension.
In fact (and you've guessed this bit) other than losing me my licence, because it really was impossible to keep under 100mph. The most stand out memory for me was in the handling. Yes it was a very quick and very noisy car but often overlooked it the fact that set up well the car REALLY handled. In fact I struggle to think of any car more transparent, repeatable and eager to place around the grip limits.
Not mentioned in the article but the disks do warp very easily if you're 'making good progress'.
Niffty951 said:
Great article and an enjoyable read. Most who've known me a long time still speak of rides in my Cerbera 4.2 with the fondest memories (perhaps etched a little deeper than average by fear).
I have so many memories of that car, the explosion of noise on start up that caused one lady to jump a foot into the air in a petrol station and a small girl to start crying at the pub (sorry). The inertia free way the engine flicked around the rev counter like a bike. The diff that would hop and chirp the inside rear wheel doing tight turns in a carpark. The fact it would overfuel, splutter and jerk if you tried to sit at a constant throttle at 60mph.
Ahhh the way it would 'peel out' of a line of traffic from 45-50mph in 2nd with both rear wheels spinning so the whole car just stepped sideways into the other lane almost telepathically rather than actually turning the steering wheel to manoeuvre around traffic.
The time I prematurely changed down into 2nd approaching a roundabout under heavy braking and the rear wheels compression locked deciding it was far easier to change the speed of the wheels than the engine. I entered the roundabout facing almost 90degrees left, with an intention of turning right.. thankfully, such was the communicative feedback from the chassis that a second later I was merrily navigating my way around the roundabout with perfect ease and the tail hanging wide in the other direction having completed what felt (and hopefully looked) like a totally intentional Scandinavian flick.
The time I tried to drag race an R33 GTR and despite my best efforts to balance the throttle on adrenaline I was left comically fishtailing up to 70mph while the R33 left through a ring of it's own tyre smoke as if it had just been released by a catapult held at full tension.
In fact (and you've guessed this bit) other than losing me my licence, because it really was impossible to keep under 100mph. The most stand out memory for me was in the handling. Yes it was a very quick and very noisy car but often overlooked it the fact that set up well the car REALLY handled. In fact I struggle to think of any car more transparent, repeatable and eager to place around the grip limits.
Not mentioned in the article but the disks do warp very easily if you're 'making good progress'.
I did exactly the same in my 400se going from 3rd to 1st accidentally! Fish tailed uphill with a very high drop my side of the road!!I have so many memories of that car, the explosion of noise on start up that caused one lady to jump a foot into the air in a petrol station and a small girl to start crying at the pub (sorry). The inertia free way the engine flicked around the rev counter like a bike. The diff that would hop and chirp the inside rear wheel doing tight turns in a carpark. The fact it would overfuel, splutter and jerk if you tried to sit at a constant throttle at 60mph.
Ahhh the way it would 'peel out' of a line of traffic from 45-50mph in 2nd with both rear wheels spinning so the whole car just stepped sideways into the other lane almost telepathically rather than actually turning the steering wheel to manoeuvre around traffic.
The time I prematurely changed down into 2nd approaching a roundabout under heavy braking and the rear wheels compression locked deciding it was far easier to change the speed of the wheels than the engine. I entered the roundabout facing almost 90degrees left, with an intention of turning right.. thankfully, such was the communicative feedback from the chassis that a second later I was merrily navigating my way around the roundabout with perfect ease and the tail hanging wide in the other direction having completed what felt (and hopefully looked) like a totally intentional Scandinavian flick.
The time I tried to drag race an R33 GTR and despite my best efforts to balance the throttle on adrenaline I was left comically fishtailing up to 70mph while the R33 left through a ring of it's own tyre smoke as if it had just been released by a catapult held at full tension.
In fact (and you've guessed this bit) other than losing me my licence, because it really was impossible to keep under 100mph. The most stand out memory for me was in the handling. Yes it was a very quick and very noisy car but often overlooked it the fact that set up well the car REALLY handled. In fact I struggle to think of any car more transparent, repeatable and eager to place around the grip limits.
Not mentioned in the article but the disks do warp very easily if you're 'making good progress'.
David87 said:
Remember as a kid I had a Jeremy Clarkson VHS where they had a massive drag race with a bunch of cars. It was a long time ago, but I recall the Cerbera smashing everything else, including a 993 Turbo!
This is the drag race that you were thinking of 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoWPkO-tn0
Here's another Clarkson segment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1X9Tl_qe4
I absolutely adore the Cerbera, would have one in a heartbeat if funds allowed.......
Edited by ghuk on Sunday 31st January 12:32
Owned mine now for nearly 10yrs.. Was my childhood dream car and it still is. I absolutely love it. If you can DIY it will save you a lot of money. They aren't that hard to work on and nearly everything is available new or can be repaired/sourced. I've done a lot to mine, but mostly through choice. Once sorted by Joolz @ Kits and Classics a 4.5 will be 390-410bhp. 4.2's generally make 350-360bhp, but can be improved a bit. The 4.0 SP6 330-350bhp but makes up for that with a shorter final drive.
Chassis are the biggest issue now, body off DIY is relatively cheap tbh. Specialists, drive in drive out available.
It is hard to match the drama/experience.
They handle well too if you let them know who is boss..
Chassis are the biggest issue now, body off DIY is relatively cheap tbh. Specialists, drive in drive out available.
It is hard to match the drama/experience.
They handle well too if you let them know who is boss..
ghuk said:
David87 said:
Remember as a kid I had a Jeremy Clarkson VHS where they had a massive drag race with a bunch of cars. It was a long time ago, but I recall the Cerbera smashing everything else, including a 993 Turbo!
This is the drag race that you were thinking of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoWPkO-tn0
blade7 said:
ghuk said:
David87 said:
Remember as a kid I had a Jeremy Clarkson VHS where they had a massive drag race with a bunch of cars. It was a long time ago, but I recall the Cerbera smashing everything else, including a 993 Turbo!
This is the drag race that you were thinking of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoWPkO-tn0
My first hand experience of Cerberas is actually that the 4.2s are generally quicker than the 4.5s. One of my 4.2s was pretty savage in a straight line.
blade7 said:
ghuk said:
David87 said:
Remember as a kid I had a Jeremy Clarkson VHS where they had a massive drag race with a bunch of cars. It was a long time ago, but I recall the Cerbera smashing everything else, including a 993 Turbo!
This is the drag race that you were thinking of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoWPkO-tn0
I worked at TVR during the Cerbera era so I know all about the awful reliability and everything else but, for me, the exterior is one of the all time classic designs. It's so elegant, quite understated and to my eyes pretty timeless. I'd absolutely love to have one as a fourth car but the prices are creeping up too much for me now.
Edited by Ahonen on Sunday 31st January 14:00
Ahonen said:
Edited as I've just noticed the reply above: I didn't realise the Clarkson car was a 4.2, so my memory is clearly fading. The Cerbera 4.5 press car was savage and had a 5.0 engine from Wheeler's Tuscan Challenge car. But back then everyone did the same thing with their press cars except, I think, Porsche. The Ferraris were all bent.
When Autocar magazine did their full road test on the 4.5 it was actually slower than the 4.2. Much to my disappointment because I had the 4.5! The 4.2 does seem to be the one to have performance wise overall from what I read. griffdude said:
No mention of Jools at Kitsandclassics in a Cerbera thread?
This! The man is a one man Cerbera development team. I have had mine for 8 years now. It’s costs a lot to run. I have replaced almost anything that moves on it. It is special though and every time I think “be sensible and get a 911” I know I would miss it in six months time.
cerb4.5lee said:
When Autocar magazine did their full road test on the 4.5 it was actually slower than the 4.2. Much to my disappointment because I had the 4.5! The 4.2 does seem to be the one to have performance wise overall from what I read.
Worth mentioning the very early 4.2s are ‘clatter cams’ and often with the race bottom end. The clatter cams are a mixed bag - they sound like a tractor and you bounce around town like a kangaroo... but then suddenly it comes on and and just flies. These cams also appear to have been made from cheese. One thing I love about mine is the original paperwork - from the order placed at the motor show to a few years of letters from TVR apologising saying “don’t worry we are just making some design changes” until delivery was confirmed. Sounds familiar in 2021!
Water Fairy said:
I did exactly the same in my 400se going from 3rd to 1st accidentally! Fish tailed uphill with a very high drop my side of the road!!
They are special cars aren't they The front page of PH just makes me so much happier with the image of a Cerbera at the top.
It has me wondering if a second weekend car isn't as bad an idea. I always wanted a Moonraker black Griffith 500 on BBS wheels. With a black and white interior.. absolute perfection.
I'd love a Cerbera 4.5 on spider spokes but I just can't get on with the look of the late headlights
I had a very early 4.2,in Rosso Pearl which had faded lol
Great car though. Bought 18’ wheels for it and had some Tuscan/motorbike style exhaust silencers made,all polished stainless.
Had a full respray with a updated front end
Made 343bhp on the rolling road with Joolz alongside who looked after my car splendidly
Sadly crashed it December 27 2003. It was frosty ok!
Anyway the repairable car was bought and rebuilt I think. J55 MDL if it’s still out there
Great car though. Bought 18’ wheels for it and had some Tuscan/motorbike style exhaust silencers made,all polished stainless.
Had a full respray with a updated front end
Made 343bhp on the rolling road with Joolz alongside who looked after my car splendidly
Sadly crashed it December 27 2003. It was frosty ok!
Anyway the repairable car was bought and rebuilt I think. J55 MDL if it’s still out there
I always wanted a Griffith but settled for a Chimaera, I never once considered a Cerbera. To me it was full on visual, aural and emotional drama married to heartache, financial pain and frustration. The latter outweighs the former...
The Chim had a few niggles, but it never let me down...even driving 2500 miles to Italy and back without missing a beat.
Marc Minne in Belgium serviced it, very reasonable rates, a day return on the ferry was worth it.
The Chim had a few niggles, but it never let me down...even driving 2500 miles to Italy and back without missing a beat.
Marc Minne in Belgium serviced it, very reasonable rates, a day return on the ferry was worth it.
LooneyTunes said:
For me, the last of the line Cerbs (with the later headlight design) are the TVR to have. Immensely rewarding to drive, surprisingly practical, and those looks... and that noise...!
Regarding the “£3k annual warchest”, sure you could have a £3k year but you’d be being unlucky to have a run of them.
The old TVR Centre in Barnet used to look after my Chimaera. Funnily enough when asking about running costs for a Cerbera they said budget about 3K per year. That was over ten years ago now!Regarding the “£3k annual warchest”, sure you could have a £3k year but you’d be being unlucky to have a run of them.
ddom said:
It's actually amusing as one of the specialists quoted to speak to said to me a few months ago 'That's the last f
king Cerbera we will ever do'. TVR have a way with winding even the best of us up 
A couple of specialists who looked after my TVRs were of the same opinion about Cerberas, particularly when it came to retailing one. You could fully prepare the car for sale, and it would develop issues just sat in the showroom a week.king Cerbera we will ever do'. TVR have a way with winding even the best of us up The only time I ever saw the Speed 12 was at about 7.30 on a Sunday morning, sipping a glass of Verve Cliquot with a big greasy burger in the other hand when it came rumbling along past us. Goodwood F.O.S probably 2000.
Stunning thing.
One of my customers at the pub I was running at the time had a huge collection of cars and his Cerb was one of his favourites. Till he trashed it and nearly wrote himself off into the equation.
Stunning thing.
One of my customers at the pub I was running at the time had a huge collection of cars and his Cerb was one of his favourites. Till he trashed it and nearly wrote himself off into the equation.
I had two V8 4.5 Cerberas both in imperial blue. The first one I bought on impulse at an auction in 1999 for £18,000, it was listed as a non runner with an unknown engine fault and was in immaculate condition with only 5000 miles on the clock. The risk was worth it because it only needed a new ECU and battery to get it running. The first time I drove it after picking it up from the workshop it was raining and as I accelerated up the slipway to join the motorway I spun it 360 degrees - no damage but lesson learned !!
In 2002 my local TVR dealer had a factory demo 4.5 Red Rose lightweight that I took out for a test drive. If I remember rightly there had been a factory upgrade to the suspension (Nitron Shocks ?) and the car handled way better than mine. They offered me £26,000 for my Cerb as a trade in which was a result so I bought it. I remember feeling quite excited the first time I pressed the red rose button on the dash and waiting for the power to be unleashed but it didn't really feel any faster than my old Cerb. A mechanic at the dealer told me that the original idea of the two engine maps was to allow the Cerb to run on lower octane fuel so you would only push the Red Rose button if you had high octane fuel in the tank, so more power than on normal octane but not actually more power than if you usually ran on high octane fuel anyway.
I actually liked the TVR so much I used it as a daily driver for a couple of years, I had the mobile number for one of the dealer mechanics so when it broke down I would phone him and most of the time he could talk me through a fix. In fairness most of the faults were minor electrical things like the starter wires chaffing on the heatshield or dirty contacts on the door lock electrics (climbing out the drivers door window at the petrol station was a bit embarrassing).
I sold it and bought a 911 GT3, needless to say I didn't need a mobile number for the Porsche mechanic but I don't think it ever put as big a smile on my face as the Cerbera did.
In 2002 my local TVR dealer had a factory demo 4.5 Red Rose lightweight that I took out for a test drive. If I remember rightly there had been a factory upgrade to the suspension (Nitron Shocks ?) and the car handled way better than mine. They offered me £26,000 for my Cerb as a trade in which was a result so I bought it. I remember feeling quite excited the first time I pressed the red rose button on the dash and waiting for the power to be unleashed but it didn't really feel any faster than my old Cerb. A mechanic at the dealer told me that the original idea of the two engine maps was to allow the Cerb to run on lower octane fuel so you would only push the Red Rose button if you had high octane fuel in the tank, so more power than on normal octane but not actually more power than if you usually ran on high octane fuel anyway.
I actually liked the TVR so much I used it as a daily driver for a couple of years, I had the mobile number for one of the dealer mechanics so when it broke down I would phone him and most of the time he could talk me through a fix. In fairness most of the faults were minor electrical things like the starter wires chaffing on the heatshield or dirty contacts on the door lock electrics (climbing out the drivers door window at the petrol station was a bit embarrassing).
I sold it and bought a 911 GT3, needless to say I didn't need a mobile number for the Porsche mechanic but I don't think it ever put as big a smile on my face as the Cerbera did.
Edited by bigblock on Sunday 31st January 19:18
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff