Can someone please explain this?
Discussion
......because I can't.
I turned up this morning in my lowly TVR Chimaera at Downham Market to meet 13 other drivers for a pleasant Sunday morning drive around the Norfolk coast. I arrived to find well over a million pounds worth of machinery already in the car park, or just arriving, almost all of it with the rooves off, and a crowd of admiring dads and lads eyeing up the machinery - the meet was at a burger restaurant carpark.
One or two were wandering around taking photos, but all engine covers were firmly shut, ditto car doors, on the Italian and German machinery. The strange thing was, a crowd quickly formed around my TVR, loads of questions were asked, a look under the bonnet and a sit inside were requested, and a real feeling of love the the British marque, and its quirkiness, filled the air. Same thing at start-up time - it was the TVR they all wanted to hear, and I might point out that mine is a quiet one.
All around the route I felt I was the poor relation, driving amongst some truly superb cars, letting the side down. But through all the seaside towns I could clearly hear the words TVR being said, and big smiles and waves all around. It made me proud to be there, and the throttle got well blipped, and the hoof was well down as we turned out of each town.
I can't explain it, but it does really please me.
I turned up this morning in my lowly TVR Chimaera at Downham Market to meet 13 other drivers for a pleasant Sunday morning drive around the Norfolk coast. I arrived to find well over a million pounds worth of machinery already in the car park, or just arriving, almost all of it with the rooves off, and a crowd of admiring dads and lads eyeing up the machinery - the meet was at a burger restaurant carpark.
One or two were wandering around taking photos, but all engine covers were firmly shut, ditto car doors, on the Italian and German machinery. The strange thing was, a crowd quickly formed around my TVR, loads of questions were asked, a look under the bonnet and a sit inside were requested, and a real feeling of love the the British marque, and its quirkiness, filled the air. Same thing at start-up time - it was the TVR they all wanted to hear, and I might point out that mine is a quiet one.
All around the route I felt I was the poor relation, driving amongst some truly superb cars, letting the side down. But through all the seaside towns I could clearly hear the words TVR being said, and big smiles and waves all around. It made me proud to be there, and the throttle got well blipped, and the hoof was well down as we turned out of each town.
I can't explain it, but it does really please me.
I'm in the same situation regularly, often surrounded by considerably more 'exotic' and expensive machinery, potentially leaving me feeling a bit out of place. However, almost without exception the Tam gets tons of attention. There's a huge affection and respect for the marque amongst the British public.
The whole 2012 'year of the Brit' thing probably helps a bit at the moment too!
The whole 2012 'year of the Brit' thing probably helps a bit at the moment too!
I went to a few gatherings with the Tiv and found that most porsche and ferrari drivers left their cars locked and weren't even around them...
The Tuscan got much more attention then any other and I found it normal to let kids and others have a sit in the car and I didn't mind starting the engine.
Sometimes car meetings can be a tad dull
The Tuscan got much more attention then any other and I found it normal to let kids and others have a sit in the car and I didn't mind starting the engine.
Sometimes car meetings can be a tad dull
.Was at marham for 3 years. Nice tiv though. 
Dick, no, it was organised by one of the Ferrari owners. I spotted it on the PH East Anglia forum (before it got removed for mentioning a dreaded word that begins with "Cha" and ends in "rity"), and then some time after John, the organiser, posted a thread asking if anyone knew of a pub near Cromer with a big car park for a drinks stop. I just tagged along on the day and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Most drivers were between 35 and 55, and looked like successful businessmen to my eye. Some had wives with them, some young sons. It was just a pleasant event, and driving around the coastal towns giving everyone a free car show turned out to be a real pleasure.
Quietlybonkers said:
Dick, no, it was organised by one of the Ferrari owners. I spotted it on the PH East Anglia forum (before it got removed for mentioning a dreaded word that begins with "Cha" and ends in "rity"), and then some time after John, the organiser, posted a thread asking if anyone knew of a pub near Cromer with a big car park for a drinks stop. I just tagged along on the day and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Most drivers were between 35 and 55, and looked like successful businessmen to my eye. Some had wives with them, some young sons. It was just a pleasant event, and driving around the coastal towns giving everyone a free car show turned out to be a real pleasure.
Sounds like it was a great day out... Been thinking about getting a 360, but Ferrari ownership all seems a bit 'naff' nowadays.... great cars for sure, but for some reason they just shout 'knob' to me these days.... probably totally wrong, and apologies to any Fezza owner who might see this... 
Chilliman said:
Sounds like it was a great day out... Been thinking about getting a 360, but Ferrari ownership all seems a bit 'naff' nowadays.... great cars for sure, but for some reason they just shout 'knob' to me these days.... probably totally wrong, and apologies to any Fezza owner who might see this...
The knob factor....and the 'is it a mr2 mate' factor....but I'd still have one!
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