RE: TVR Cerbera | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Blackpuddin said:
CanoeSniffer said:
In my experience of TVRs the build quality took a drastic upturn towards the turn of the century, and thereafter. It’s easy to understand when you see the state of the wiring etc. on Chims and Griffs why a car of such increased complexity built in the same place, with Low unit developmental engines, would end up with a reputation for being troublesome.
A fastidious pal of mine with a long history of buying 'quality' performance cars really fancied a Griffith but after he paid the production line a visit he changed his mind. He couldn't believe the way the wiring was unceremoniously shoved behind the dash. It was only when seeing other cars of the same era being stripped down that I realised how much of this was actually from the factory...
I decided then and there that I would be building a new loom for it. 18 months later and it hasn’t turned a wheel since
The fact that I’m happy with the build quality of my Cerb is testament to how much TVR improved, it’s not perfect but it really is incomparable. Chim is a 1993 car.
Since around 1998 I've had constant ownership of a TVR.
I have fond memories of each of the 6 cars.
I started with a 1983 Tasmin with the Ford 2.8. I used to drive to where I worked in Switzerland.
Heading down the A5 in Germany I remember thing how the body under the drivers seat was flexing. Turned out the outer chassis tube under the drivers side sill had corroded through.
Took a job in Germany and at the same time upgraded to a 1993 Chimaera 400.
Daily car in Germany and a few trips to southern France.
Very reliable with the main issue being that it didn't like being left in the airport car park for very long. The attendants refused give me a jump start in the end.
Then my first Tuscan, a year 2000 early model.
Had a rebuild straight away followed by throttle body upgrades and was absolutely incredible.
Daily car in Germany and again trips down the southern France until I wrote it off in 2009.
I then dropped on the best TVR i've owned and still own, a 2006 Tuscan Convertible.
She has been my daily in Germany and many trips down to Spain and Portugal ever since and is now on about 85k miles.
I agree with the build quality comments regarding the later cars and particularly post 2004.
To reduce the mileage on the Tuscan I bought a 1998 Chimaera 400 for my German 'commuting'.
It developed a few annoying issues and ended up being replaced by an MB CLS.
After the work in Germany finished I decided to trade my CLS in for a 'Pick-up' of some kind.
My Wife wasn't particularly surprised when I arrived home with a 4.2 Cerbera.
It was an epic car and an absolute pleasure to drive. The TVR of all TVR's from my limited experience.
I let her go after 24 months as I decided I needed an electric commuter.
Cant wait for my next southern Europe drive in the Tuscan but two years later and I'm still daydreaming over that Cerbera experience.
I have fond memories of each of the 6 cars.
I started with a 1983 Tasmin with the Ford 2.8. I used to drive to where I worked in Switzerland.
Heading down the A5 in Germany I remember thing how the body under the drivers seat was flexing. Turned out the outer chassis tube under the drivers side sill had corroded through.
Took a job in Germany and at the same time upgraded to a 1993 Chimaera 400.
Daily car in Germany and a few trips to southern France.
Very reliable with the main issue being that it didn't like being left in the airport car park for very long. The attendants refused give me a jump start in the end.
Then my first Tuscan, a year 2000 early model.
Had a rebuild straight away followed by throttle body upgrades and was absolutely incredible.
Daily car in Germany and again trips down the southern France until I wrote it off in 2009.
I then dropped on the best TVR i've owned and still own, a 2006 Tuscan Convertible.
She has been my daily in Germany and many trips down to Spain and Portugal ever since and is now on about 85k miles.
I agree with the build quality comments regarding the later cars and particularly post 2004.
To reduce the mileage on the Tuscan I bought a 1998 Chimaera 400 for my German 'commuting'.
It developed a few annoying issues and ended up being replaced by an MB CLS.
After the work in Germany finished I decided to trade my CLS in for a 'Pick-up' of some kind.
My Wife wasn't particularly surprised when I arrived home with a 4.2 Cerbera.
It was an epic car and an absolute pleasure to drive. The TVR of all TVR's from my limited experience.
I let her go after 24 months as I decided I needed an electric commuter.
Cant wait for my next southern Europe drive in the Tuscan but two years later and I'm still daydreaming over that Cerbera experience.
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.
Ah, the Cerbera. And I love 'em. Never drove one myself. But then I had friends:
Andrew took me and my 2 daughters out in his 4.5er.
Screaming and shouting of course.
Famous 1st PH Sunday Service meet up.
The Boss Cerbera cooling down after a Tunnel Run.
Difficult to catch when in the City... Loud though.
Andrew took me and my 2 daughters out in his 4.5er.
Screaming and shouting of course.
Famous 1st PH Sunday Service meet up.
The Boss Cerbera cooling down after a Tunnel Run.
Difficult to catch when in the City... Loud though.
CanoeSniffer said:
Blackpuddin said:
CanoeSniffer said:
In my experience of TVRs the build quality took a drastic upturn towards the turn of the century, and thereafter. It’s easy to understand when you see the state of the wiring etc. on Chims and Griffs why a car of such increased complexity built in the same place, with Low unit developmental engines, would end up with a reputation for being troublesome.
A fastidious pal of mine with a long history of buying 'quality' performance cars really fancied a Griffith but after he paid the production line a visit he changed his mind. He couldn't believe the way the wiring was unceremoniously shoved behind the dash. It was only when seeing other cars of the same era being stripped down that I realised how much of this was actually from the factory...
I decided then and there that I would be building a new loom for it. 18 months later and it hasn’t turned a wheel since
The fact that I’m happy with the build quality of my Cerb is testament to how much TVR improved, it’s not perfect but it really is incomparable. Chim is a 1993 car.
Have just celebrated 6y of Sp6 Cerb ownership, doing around 3k miles pa. Fortunate to have found one with Str8six engine rebuild. Spending was 3k per year (plus more on sensible upgrades) to start with mostly due to the car having hardly turned a wheel for 3 years. For the past 3y has been more like £1k pa. will no doubt need chassis renewal ‘one day’ but then most 20y old cars would suffer from rust, and chassis is readily repaired. These costs seem reasonable especially as there is no depreciation. The car is alive and makes you feel alive. Agree with all comments on superb support from the PH TVR community and specialists.
Ah, the Cerbera - my favourite TVR.
I remember reading about this and thinking how stunning it was when it first came out, but also read that TVR's V8 engine didn't sound like the wonderful old Rover V8, which sounded disappointing to me.
I first encountered one in the flesh when standing in the freezing cold on the Itchen toll bridge in Southampton, collecting for charity, when a brand spanking new Cerbera pulled up. Well, they were right - at idle the engine sounded like a bucket of bolts being rattled in a biscuit tin and I was not impressed.
However, the owner caught me eyeing the lovely thing up and so very kindly caned it away from the toll booth and away over the bridge - the glorious wailing, snarling howl went into my ears, straight down to my groin and is something that will stay with me the rest of my life.
Sadly, my heart belongs to another low volume British sports car company (whose products I have read described as being "like TVRs but built properly"), otherwise I would absolutely love one of these.
I remember reading about this and thinking how stunning it was when it first came out, but also read that TVR's V8 engine didn't sound like the wonderful old Rover V8, which sounded disappointing to me.
I first encountered one in the flesh when standing in the freezing cold on the Itchen toll bridge in Southampton, collecting for charity, when a brand spanking new Cerbera pulled up. Well, they were right - at idle the engine sounded like a bucket of bolts being rattled in a biscuit tin and I was not impressed.
However, the owner caught me eyeing the lovely thing up and so very kindly caned it away from the toll booth and away over the bridge - the glorious wailing, snarling howl went into my ears, straight down to my groin and is something that will stay with me the rest of my life.
Sadly, my heart belongs to another low volume British sports car company (whose products I have read described as being "like TVRs but built properly"), otherwise I would absolutely love one of these.
Olivera said:
How can you tell if it's a 'clatter cam' version? The cerb vids where the rpm rips round the rev counter looks preferable to me then the slower revving but more torque 4.5 version. Are replacement clatter cams available?
Clatter cams have a hex type casting on - all the cams are from Newman Cams and the clatter cams are the first ones they made.The very early Cerbera had a different bell housing as well that means when you replace the clutch you have to fit the later lighter fly wheel. It’s like a motorbike, but clatter cams + light flywheel = interesting town driving!
env said:
Clatter cams have a hex type casting on - all the cams are from Newman Cams and the clatter cams are the first ones they made.
The very early Cerbera had a different bell housing as well that means when you replace the clutch you have to fit the later lighter fly wheel. It’s like a motorbike, but clatter cams + light flywheel = interesting town driving!
As said before mine was a very early 4.2. I stalled it 3 times bringing it home. All good once I git the hang of itThe very early Cerbera had a different bell housing as well that means when you replace the clutch you have to fit the later lighter fly wheel. It’s like a motorbike, but clatter cams + light flywheel = interesting town driving!
I’ve never had a car since that drew as much attention. Even old ladies who loved the Rosso Pearl
Beaver said:
Eventually it arrived together with a close ratio gearbox, in Imperial Green (basically black), with black wheels and a sticker on the back of the TVR Centre's logo - an angry bulldog face, and the registration "X50CET".
Good sir. Your taste is impeccable, you should have waited for the Nitron suspension upgrade. It made the Cerbera handle, at least on turn in, in a way 911s can only dream of! I own a 996 turbo with the X50 upgrade pack and running a safe 1.4bar it would leave a standard Cerbera driver with his jaw open wondering what could possibly light up 4 wheels at 85mph and disappear like something from back to the future. I would kill for that number plate!
Niffty951 said:
Good sir. Your taste is impeccable, you should have waited for the Nitron suspension upgrade. It made the Cerbera handle, at least on turn in, in a way 911s can only dream of!
I own a 996 turbo with the X50 upgrade pack and running a safe 1.4bar it would leave a standard Cerbera driver with his jaw open wondering what could possibly light up 4 wheels at 85mph and disappear like something from back to the future. I would kill for that number plate!
Thank you. I kept the plate for quite a while, finally letting it go when I had it on a black Nissan GTR - it appears to now reside on a black BMW. I own a 996 turbo with the X50 upgrade pack and running a safe 1.4bar it would leave a standard Cerbera driver with his jaw open wondering what could possibly light up 4 wheels at 85mph and disappear like something from back to the future. I would kill for that number plate!
Beaver said:
Thank you. I kept the plate for quite a while, finally letting it go when I had it on a black Nissan GTR - it appears to now reside on a black BMW.
That is a beauty. I always loved the spider spoke wheels and the extra popping of the 4.5. I had a clatter cam that sounded like a motorbike with the chain loose under 3500rpm and then went furiously to the beep.That plate is just a match made in heaven for a 996 Turbo X50 with the wick turned up though.
P.S. GT3 RS, 355 and a Gti Edition 30. You've owned a lot of cars from my desired list!
Edited by Niffty951 on Monday 1st February 22:53
Edited by Niffty951 on Monday 1st February 22:54
Niffty951 said:
Beaver said:
Eventually it arrived together with a close ratio gearbox, in Imperial Green (basically black), with black wheels and a sticker on the back of the TVR Centre's logo - an angry bulldog face, and the registration "X50CET".
Good sir. Your taste is impeccable, you should have waited for the Nitron suspension upgrade. It made the Cerbera handle, at least on turn in, in a way 911s can only dream of! I own a 996 turbo with the X50 upgrade pack and running a safe 1.4bar it would leave a standard Cerbera driver with his jaw open wondering what could possibly light up 4 wheels at 85mph and disappear like something from back to the future. I would kill for that number plate!
With 500 or so bhp and 4wd plus traction control ?
Have driven a 996 turbo and it was fast but it didn't have traction issues at low speed, never mind at 85.
Been in a 991 turbo and that was another level but still, no lack of traction.
Edited by J4CKO on Monday 1st February 23:03
J4CKO said:
Light up 4 wheels at 85 mph ?
With 500 or so bhp and 4wd ?
Admittedly I've only driven it so far at this time of year, cold/damp tarmac.. but yes can be repeated on demand.With 500 or so bhp and 4wd ?
Not sure on the hp, I have no dyno report. I can only confirm it sustains 1.4bar according to the dashboard. I think it's probably the torque that does it. It packs a wallop unlike anything I've ever driven.
Not bad tyres, it has 2019 dated N spec tyres and doesn't go anywhere with traction control on, gets very upset cutting the spark and applying the brakes if you try to get heavy footed with PSM on so I drive everywhere with it off. Cerbera style traction control.
Anyway, back to TVR, I'm sure Peter Wheeler would approve, but it was only the perfect match of the X50CET number plate with the character of the X50 that made me mention it.
Edited by Niffty951 on Monday 1st February 23:44
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.
The Swiss converted about 10 or so TVR from RHD to LHD most were Cerbera.
Others also converted a few Cerbera's from RHD to LHD, at least 2 or 3 I came across in the past via the WWW
Niffty951 said:
J4CKO said:
Light up 4 wheels at 85 mph ?
With 500 or so bhp and 4wd ?
Admittedly I've only driven it so far at this time of year, cold/damp tarmac.. but yes can be repeated on demand.With 500 or so bhp and 4wd ?
Not sure on the hp, I have no dyno report. I can only confirm it sustains 1.4bar according to the dashboard. I think it's probably the torque that does it. It packs a wallop unlike anything I've ever driven.
Not bad tyres, it has 2019 dated N spec tyres and doesn't go anywhere with traction control on, gets very upset cutting the spark and applying the brakes if you try to get heavy footed with PSM on so I drive everywhere with it off. Cerbera style traction control.
Anyway, back to TVR, I'm sure Peter Wheeler would approve, but it was only the perfect match of the X50CET number plate with the character of the X50 that made me mention it.
Edited by Niffty951 on Monday 1st February 23:44
micky g said:
Brings back memories, I had a Red Rose 4.5 Cerbera and my brother had a 996 x50 turbo that was DMS tuned, over 500 BHP and close to 600 ft/lb of torque. They were very evenly matched up to about 140 mph, but after that the torque of the Porsche took over, it could hit 180+ in a very short length of tarmac.
Haha very nice, I love the number plates. The makers of Carmageddon would be touchedGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff