If TVR went bust
Discussion
quote:
I say get rid of the current guy in charge who's scared of foreign parts and move things forward.
Depends on what you mean by 'Forward'? The current 'guy in charge' owns TVR Engineering and no one is going to get rid of him. PW bought TVR 20 years ago when they were struggling (a long story that I can't repeat here) and moved things forward straight away. I remember him telling me back in 1984 that his plans included eventually producing as much as they could in-house, including engines, and to introduce a one-make TVR race series. I, like many others, thought he was over-ambitious (some said nuts) but I recall the day at Thruxton in 1994, John Ravenscroft lifted the bonnet of his Tuscan race car for me and there was the AJP8 in all it's glory.
All companys have good times, followed by bad times. TVR production peaked at 39 cars a week about 3 years ago; I'm not sure what current levels are but as long as PW still owns and runs the company, we TVR enthusiasts can be sure that the cars will retain the unique, albeit quirky, qualities that make them TVRs.
quote:
The trouble is, TVR's own engines do not have a good reliability record so far, especially the Speed 6. And IMO they don't sound that good either...
Clean your ears out Alex and try again!
IMO the TVR 6 sounds nearly as 'big' as a V12, and has that beatiful bass note, normally only found on classic Brit 6s like the 50'5 & 60's Jag's & Astons.
quote:Well Alex seems the press disagree with you... (and I quote Autocar.) "Only BMW's current M power straight 6 is worthy of comparison and even then it can't match the drama of the AJP at high revs, or more surprisingly, its mechanical refinement. It makes a spectacular noise too, moving from a bassy, 911-esque idle to uncorked Aston DB5 halfway up the rev range, culminating in something unique beyond 7,000rpm.
And IMO they don't sound that good either...
IMO, the AJP V8 makes a fantastic noise ! Sort of half race engine, half fire breathing monster. Certainly the best TVR engine I have ever heard. It's not a "classic" V8, but it doesn't matter, it sounds better ! 
AJP S6 : Low down, it does sound a bit naff, but get over 3000rpm, and it changes to a more classic S6 noise, with an lovely top end. Listen to the Tamora on the EVO CD from 3? months ago, and you'll see what I mean.
AJP S6 : Low down, it does sound a bit naff, but get over 3000rpm, and it changes to a more classic S6 noise, with an lovely top end. Listen to the Tamora on the EVO CD from 3? months ago, and you'll see what I mean.
quote:
so Astons are crap now ford own them, ditto lambo under the ownership of VW, Maerati / Ferrari because they are owned by Fiat??
"Imagine a TVR with a 350bhp V8 lump that never needed to see a dealer for a plug change until 100,000 miles. One which could be brought with confidence with 75,000 miles on the clock, and that any dealer would take in part ex without a concern. One you could drive everyday, that cost £200 to service...." - what you may loose in rawness might be made up in other areas.
Come on guys take the above examples, are you really telling me a 550 Maranello, Lambo Murcilago, Maserati 4200GT or Aston Vanquish are worse cars (following big co involvement) than a Testarossa, Early Diablo, Biturbo or Aston Virage????
Bennno,
All this is true.. but,
- all the car you mention above cost twice the price of our average TVR;
- rawness is what differentiate TVR from its peers. IMO if it loses this, it will loose one of the brands core value.
>> Edited by rthierry on Wednesday 1st May 14:18
christ how many times, i did not compare them, i used them as examples of improved brands under big car co ownership.
Rawness, if you mean very high performance then yep, if you mean windows with gaps and frequent visits to get badly designed components adjusted then thats something entirely different.
bennno
>> Edited by bennno on Wednesday 1st May 13:39
LOSE! LOSE! LOSE! Not LOOSE! Hate being pedantic 
, but this one drives me MAD! 
I believe TVR will get better. They need to make their own engines--what would Porsche be if they used Audi's engines (oh yeah, the 924 and 914)?
I look at this problem as growing pains on the part of TVR.
I still think TVR should increase their prices by a few percent and add on (at least BMW and Audi do it here in the USA for three years 50,000 miles) a comprehensive two year warranty that includes oil changes loaner, tune ups,loaner car, etc.
That will protect residuals to a large degree and will give buyers greater confidence in TVR.
I look at this problem as growing pains on the part of TVR.
I still think TVR should increase their prices by a few percent and add on (at least BMW and Audi do it here in the USA for three years 50,000 miles) a comprehensive two year warranty that includes oil changes loaner, tune ups,loaner car, etc.
That will protect residuals to a large degree and will give buyers greater confidence in TVR.
I would say to Peter Wheeler (in the words of Billy Joel but sung by V8 voice himself Barry White) :
"Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before etc"
Peter Wheeler is responsible for production of the most distinctive, able and breathtaking sports cars in the world this side of £50k (and IMO £100k). If it ain't broke (and it isn't) don't fix it...
...the bloke obviously knows what he's doing.
Anyone who thinks otherwise (and hasn't already done so) should go test drive a Tamora.
"Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before etc"
Peter Wheeler is responsible for production of the most distinctive, able and breathtaking sports cars in the world this side of £50k (and IMO £100k). If it ain't broke (and it isn't) don't fix it...
...the bloke obviously knows what he's doing.
Anyone who thinks otherwise (and hasn't already done so) should go test drive a Tamora.
the 914 had either the VW built flat four or a Porsche 2.7 flat six as per 911.. Audi had nothing to do with it.. 
Easy tiger and thanks for pointing the error - now corrected. Lucky it didn't miss the 's' to mark the 3rd person of the present - phe
I am hopefully going to be buying my first TVR, probably an earlyish Chim, soon. So I have thought waht attracts me, basically most of what has been said already!
First, it is a TVR! Would I be so interested if it was a TVR badged BMW or something - probably not! Second, and leading on, I want to own a sports car made by a sports car maker not a 'sporty BMW'. Third, heritage - I admit I am buying the badge, this is exactly why Vauxhall can't get the VVX 220 arrested although it is a better car than the Elise. If TVR lost it's independence then it losses part of it's independent heritage. Fourth, independence I like the thought that I can trace the history back to a specific workshop, not a huge complex. Finally, performance, looks etc. What else can you do that does what any TVR does for the money?
I accept that being bought out by a major player may well sort issues like quality and reliability but equally it might not. It is a trade-off I am prepared to live with the niggles to have the car I have always wanted and in some small way to help maintain TVR's independence. The last thing we would want is something similar to that that happened to MG in the 80's - MG Maestro anyone??
First, it is a TVR! Would I be so interested if it was a TVR badged BMW or something - probably not! Second, and leading on, I want to own a sports car made by a sports car maker not a 'sporty BMW'. Third, heritage - I admit I am buying the badge, this is exactly why Vauxhall can't get the VVX 220 arrested although it is a better car than the Elise. If TVR lost it's independence then it losses part of it's independent heritage. Fourth, independence I like the thought that I can trace the history back to a specific workshop, not a huge complex. Finally, performance, looks etc. What else can you do that does what any TVR does for the money?
I accept that being bought out by a major player may well sort issues like quality and reliability but equally it might not. It is a trade-off I am prepared to live with the niggles to have the car I have always wanted and in some small way to help maintain TVR's independence. The last thing we would want is something similar to that that happened to MG in the 80's - MG Maestro anyone??
For me - seeing more and more of these types of discussion - it comes down to TVR and Engines.
Griff and Chimaera owners have always known that there will be niggly problems with these cars and for the most part accept them. Pound for performance pound they are the most reasonable and enjoyable value for money you can get imho. The V8 sounds fantastic and you normally don't have to worry about them blowing up on you.
Then there are the new cars with the latest TVR engines. This is where for me it gets scary. I personally cannot afford to take the risk that the car may need an engine re-build that might take weeks to do because of a factory backlog.
I would love to buy a Tuscan - but cannot currently afford the risks that I percieve go with them.... and yes I know there are plenty of good ones out there.
Is it really possible for a UK manufacturer to develop high performance engines with low volume turnover? I guess time will tell. I hope it is.
But if TVR have any dreams of returning to the US market they better sort this issue out first - because if not the legal system over there will surely sue them into oblivion.
So my question is - would it be so bad if TVR were to work in partnership with another engine manufacturer with more financial muscle for R&D?
Griff and Chimaera owners have always known that there will be niggly problems with these cars and for the most part accept them. Pound for performance pound they are the most reasonable and enjoyable value for money you can get imho. The V8 sounds fantastic and you normally don't have to worry about them blowing up on you.
Then there are the new cars with the latest TVR engines. This is where for me it gets scary. I personally cannot afford to take the risk that the car may need an engine re-build that might take weeks to do because of a factory backlog.
I would love to buy a Tuscan - but cannot currently afford the risks that I percieve go with them.... and yes I know there are plenty of good ones out there.
Is it really possible for a UK manufacturer to develop high performance engines with low volume turnover? I guess time will tell. I hope it is.
But if TVR have any dreams of returning to the US market they better sort this issue out first - because if not the legal system over there will surely sue them into oblivion.
So my question is - would it be so bad if TVR were to work in partnership with another engine manufacturer with more financial muscle for R&D?
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