RE: TVR's new owner: PH Meets

[christof]

pocty said:

Great to read your posts Christof after all these years. Yes the early Pistonheads days and the Yahoo groups did a lot for TVR. What ever happened to your old black Cerbera, that was the best Cerbera ever built, even TVR was proud of it.

Pocty
theratpac

Hi Pocty,

great you remember my black beastie

Yes, for me she was the best TVR I've owned, sold her back to the UK and wondering iif she's still alive...???

Glory memories coming up:

Went to Brands Hatch to watch a GT race and managed to get into the paddocks with her. Took some pics next to Shorty's hospitality and finally displayed the beastie on the TVR display.

It was great, a crowd was around my car within minutes and even the TVR factory racing guys inspected the car to find out how the aero package inspired by the Cerbera Speed 12 racecar was working.

Some time later I was advised from Charles (Christopher Neil)to remove my car from the display as Peter was around and Peter didn't like that somebody is modifying his car. He told me that there might be risk that Peter never will sell a TVR to me.

However, I was so convinced about the modifications that I've ignored his advice to remove the car.

Had a fantastic weekend and went back to Germany.

Following week I've got a telephone call from the lovely Danielle asking me when I would be back in the UK next time.

I was some kind of surprised and told her that I haven't planned to go the UK in the next time.

She then told me that TVR has got a lot of calls and emails about my car and Peter wants to see it in flesh

So we've made a deal, got a free service and went to the factory.

Peter had a look, smiled and asked me some questions how the new aerodynamics are working on the Autobahn.

Was invited to lunch and got a very special treatment from the factory the next 2 days.

I also remember the reason for buying this car, my third Cerbera, which I was offered from TVR because I was not happy at all with my 2000 Tuscan.

Apparently Peter was aware of 2 very unhappy long time TVR customers, which had massive problems with their early Tuscans and decided that he might build a special car for us (Martin Redwood and me) .

So Martin and I had been offered that our Cerbies will get a special engine made by John Ravenscroft delivering +40-60bhp and 10-20% more torque.

Off course I've said yessss, build me one

I never will forget, drove all the way from Germany to pick it up from the factory, arrived in the dark at my hotel having a bad flue, but decided to go to factory just in case I can see a glimpse of my new baby.

So I convinced the security guy to let me in to check if I can see my car inside. Went through the gates and saw lights at the service department.
Knocked on the doors and was let into the office by Heath, the master mechanic.

Heath told me that he had done the PDI and the car would be ready for delivery the next morning. He felt that I wouldn't be able to fall into sleep without seeing the car and went with me into the workshop and boy, here she was:

Covered in a huge purple fabric with the TVR logo on it, Heath removed the fabric and told me "start her up".
I pushed the starter button and heard the unique and complete different engine noise. I was feeling like a kid in a candy store and my face was not broad enough for my huge smile

Heath told me that this was a special build and the workers have signed the car and would like to meet up with me next day.

Next day, before running her in, I went to the production line and met up with workers and was told from the foreman "I've ever thought you ar a Cerbera man and not a Tuscan girlie :-)

I need to stop here and have a beer or two thinking about the glory days

Christof

Edited by christof on Wednesday 19th June 08:56

[DonkeyApple]

christof said:

Hi Pocty,

great you remember my black beastie

Yes, for me she was the best TVR I've owned, sold her back to the UK and wondering is she's still alive...???

Glory memories coming up:

Went to Brands Hatch to watch a GT race and managed to get into the paddocks with her. Took some pics next to Shorty's hospitality and finally displayed the beastie on the TVR display.

It was great, a crowd was around my car within minutes and even the TVR factory racing guys inspected the car to find out how the aero package inspired by the Cerbera Speed 12 racecar was working.

Some time later I was advised from Charles (Christopher Neil)to remove my car from the display as Peter was around and Peter didn't like that somebody is modifying his car. He told me that there might be risk that Peter never will sell a TVR to me.

However, I was so convinced about the modifications that I've ignored his advice to remove the car.

Had a fantastic weekend and went back to Germany.

Following week I've got a telephone call from the lovely Danielle asking me when I would be back in the UK next time.

I was some kind of surprised and told her that I haven't planned to go the UK in the next time.

She then told me that TVR has got a lot of calls and emails about my car and Peter was some kind of impressed and wants to see it in flesh.

So we've made a deal, got a free service and I went to the factory.

Peter had a look, smiled and asked me some questions how the new aerodynamics are working on the Autobahn.

Was invited to lunch and got a very special treatment from the factory the next 2 days.

I also remember the reason for buying this car, my third Cerbera, which I was offered from TVR because I was not happy at all with my 2000 Tuscan.

Apparently Peter was aware of 2 very unhappy long time TVR customers, which had massive problems with their early Tuscans and decided that he might build a special car for us (Martin Redwood and me) .

So Martin and I had been offered that our Cerbies will get a special engine made by John Ravenscroft delivering +40-60bhp and 10-20% more torque.

Off course I've said yessss, build me one

I never will forget, drove all the way from Germany to pick it up from the factory, arrived in the dark at my hotel having a bad flue, but decided to go to factory just in case I can see a glimpse of my new baby.

So I convinced the security guy to let me in to check if I can see my car inside. Went through the gates and saw lights at the service department.
Knocked on the doors and was let into the office by Heath, the master mechanic.

Heath told me that he had done the PDI and the car would be ready for delivery the next morning. He felt that I wouldn't be able to fall into sleep without seeing the car and went with me into the workshop and boy, here she was:

Covered in a huge purple fabric with the TVR logo on it, Heath removed the fabric and told me "start her up".
I pushed the starter button and heard the unique and complete different engine noise. I was feeling like a kid in a candy store and my face was not broad enough for my huge smile

Heath told me that this was a special build and the workers have signed the car and would like to meet up with me next day.

Next day, before running her in, I went to the production line and met up with workers and was told from the foreman "I've ever thought you ar a Cerbera man and not a Tuscan girlie :-)

I need to stop here and have a beer or two thinking about the glory days

Christof

Edited by christof on Tuesday 18th June 23:23

I recall that the idea for the Typhon inmates from a demand in Germany for the T440R to have more power?

As such the project was originally called T550R before getting its Greek nomenclature.

Do you know anything about this?

[soad]

T550R? N/A engine? Or supercharged? News to me.

[BountyHunter]

WolfyJones said:

for example you can buy a nice Chim for £15k

you can buy a nice one for half that
£15k would buy an exceptional Chim

[christof]

DonkeyApple said:

I recall that the idea for the Typhon inmates from a demand in Germany for the T440R to have more power?

As such the project was originally called T550R before getting its Greek nomenclature.

Do you know anything about this?

Yes, that was me.

At this time TVR Deutschland was working as the german distributor and we've discussed with Peter a top of the line modell.

C.

[DonkeyApple]

soad said:

T550R? N/A engine? Or supercharged? News to me.

Prior to appearing at the 2003 MPH show and before being announced the Typhon was known as the T550R, inline with the nomenclature of the T400R & T440R, based on power outputs.

[DonkeyApple]

christof said:

DonkeyApple said:

I recall that the idea for the Typhon inmates from a demand in Germany for the T440R to have more power?

As such the project was originally called T550R before getting its Greek nomenclature.

Do you know anything about this?

Yes, that was me.

At this time TVR Deutschland was working as the german distributor and we've discussed with Peter a top of the line modell.

C.

Thanks. Will PM later.

[WolfyJones]

BountyHunter said:

you can buy a nice one for half that
£15k would buy an exceptional Chim

Not sure you could get a nice Chim for £7.5k but yes you can buy nice ones for less than £15k, I was thinking more of a nice 5 litre with good chassis when I posted £15k

[JonRB]

I'm getting all nostalgic reading about christof getting all nostalgic. I love it when old posters come out of the woodwork.

[DonkeyApple]

JonRB said:

I love it when old posters come out of the woodwork.

Well have another then:

[Munter]

DonkeyApple said:

Well have another then:

Lets see:

• Lightweight: Check
• Curves: Check
• Old Style Racket: Check

That's got TVR all over it.

[JonRB]

DonkeyApple said:

Well have another then:

Waa waaa waaaa waaaaaaaa

[DonkeyApple]

Munter said:

DonkeyApple said:

Well have another then:

Lets see:

• Lightweight: Check
• Curves: Check
• Old Style Racket: Check

That's got TVR all over it.

As it was the 80s, a load of messy wiring down in the cockpit?

[cramorra]

DonkeyApple said:

Munter said:

DonkeyApple said:

Well have another then:

Lets see:

• Lightweight: Check
• Curves: Check
• Old Style Racket: Check

That's got TVR all over it.

As it was the 80s, a load of messy wiring down in the cockpit?

and in line with the tread-
engine (by now) probably to thirsty
questionable emission standards

[Tyre Tread]

cramorra said:

DonkeyApple said:

Munter said:

DonkeyApple said:

Well have another then:

Lets see:

• Lightweight: Check
• Curves: Check
• Old Style Racket: Check

That's got TVR all over it.

As it was the 80s, a load of messy wiring down in the cockpit?

and in line with the tread-
engine (by now) probably to thirsty
questionable emission standards

Bodywork a little faded in places and the chassis starting to become fragile around the joints. The fluid systems probably not what they were either, possibly a few leaks here and there and the handling a bit sloppy if its not been fettled?

[andyps]

Tyre Tread said:

cramorra said:

DonkeyApple said:

Munter said:

DonkeyApple said:

Well have another then:

Lets see:

• Lightweight: Check
• Curves: Check
• Old Style Racket: Check

That's got TVR all over it.

As it was the 80s, a load of messy wiring down in the cockpit?

and in line with the tread-
engine (by now) probably to thirsty
questionable emission standards

Bodywork a little faded in places and the chassis starting to become fragile around the joints. The fluid systems probably not what they were either, possibly a few leaks here and there and the handling a bit sloppy if its not been fettled?

Don't spoil it guys, in my mind she would not have changed at all. And all TVRs were perfectly build to last forever!

[otolith]

I understand the wrinkles and creases in the hide count as character.

[thatsprettyshady]

otolith said:

I understand the wrinkles and creases in the hide count as character.

Just watch out when your giving the engine a check over there isn't any excessive wear on the bore. When running a little noise is allowed but any unusual knocking noises and you should give it a wide berth

[soad]

DonkeyApple said:

soad said:

T550R? N/A engine? Or supercharged? News to me.

Prior to appearing at the 2003 MPH show and before being announced the Typhon was known as the T550R, inline with the nomenclature of the T400R & T440R, based on power outputs.

I see, makes sense.

[Ozzie Osmond]