My TVR Tamora story...
Discussion
I fell in love with the Tamora the first time I seen it in the flesh. I had a Chimaera 4.5 at the time, and loved it. However, it was always pretty scary on the limit, especially on the twisties. The Tamora looked more purposeful, I liked the rear diffuser, and the low stance looked like it meant business.
I always thought I’d have a Tuscan next, as it was (and to my mind still is) amazing to look at. Could I really choose the stumpy looking Tamora over the utterly fantastic looking Tuscan! A test drive of both helped me choose. As much as I loved the Tuscan, it seemed as bad as the older Chimaera, quite ‘skittish’, and very easy to get it wrong. The Tamora was the opposite, it was a joy to drive fast, planted and composed. I had to have one!
I eventually bought a just under two year old Tamora in 2004 for just under £30k. I loved this car and every time I drove it, it put a smile on my face:
Unfortunately, I had to sell it in early 2007, as we were moving to Italy later in that year, and had to buy a house over there. Little did I realise at the time just how much I’d miss it. I remember driving through the Alps and feeling sick, wishing I was driving my Tamora.
We moved back to the UK in late 2010, and in 2013, I was by then in a position to buy my own ‘toy’ again.
At the time, I didn’t think another Tamora would be viable, after all, after all of those years and the demise of TVR itself, it would be a nightmare for parts and servicing, wouldn’t it? So, I thought about a GD Cobra replica with an LS3 V8 – we went to the Kit Car Show in Stoneleigh in 2013, and when I saw one up close, I just didn’t have the same sensations I had when seeing the Tamora for the first time, I knew I couldn’t invest what would be around £40k in one of these.
I then tried a Z4M, thinking this would be a perfect replacement. However, I wasn’t smitten, it felt too heavy and not a lively as my old Tamora used to be.
I then started to do some research into the viability of another Tamora, and to my surprise, the specialist/aftermarket scene seemed to be thriving, with modifications and upgrades not available even when TVR were still in business! My first Tamora was always at the back of my mind, and I still missed it!
With the research done, I decided I will save up and buy another Tamora, and then modify it to what I envisaged as my perfect sports car.
In October 2013, I travelled from one side of the country to the other to view this:
It was a late 2002 Tamora which looked pretty tidy, paint and bodywork wise, and it drove great. I was so worried that my rose-tinted spectacle view of the car would be just that, and it wouldn’t be half as good as I remembered. But it was, and more! I had that same inane smile on my face on the test drive, a smile I didn’t have when test driving more modern cars.
I knew this would be a great base for me to improve it with what’s on offer by the specialists now – a blank canvas. I bought it for £16k (was up for £17k), and a week later, I picked it up and drove the 300 miles back home. It didn’t miss a beat.
Because the engine seemed fine, I figured that could wait, and I could concentrate of the aesthetics and ICE first. It had that awful ‘Bison’ fake leather interior, which was worse than any cheap ‘70’s vinyl in BL cars. I changed the ICE first, a Pioneer flip screen, sat nav (so I didn’t have to have wires training along the dash), new speakers and a reverse camera. After this, I bought a TVR Power rear sports exhaust, for the pops and bangs..
I then made a list of what needed doing, a complete re-trim in good quality leather, new rear hood and screen, wheels refurbed, callipers re-painted and a host of other stuff. I booked it in to be done in May 2014, but before that, I had bought a set of LED rear and front lights, to replace the standard Hella units:
And fitted them myself:
I also bought a set of Nitron adjustable suspension, a carbon fibre pedal plate and a new Momo trek R steering wheel (These were to be fitted to the new Sagaris’ before TVR went under, apparently)
All to be fitted when I had the re-trim. The car was away for over a month, but I was sent progress pics – it was re-trimmed in Prussian Blue and Portland grey:
All looked fantastic, compared to what it was. I was very happy with the re-trim:
But less happy with some other aspects:
£360 calliper repaint:
Old windscreen trim put back on, when I asked for new seals throughout:
Bits not connected back in the engine (It had a service and MOT at the same time)
And a few other things that were more than a little disappointing. Most of the problems were rectified, but I am yet to have the callipers re-done professionally.
This was a big let-down for me, and it did cost a lot of money (around £6k plus the items I had already bought, suspension, interior parts etc.)
Because I wasn’t happy with what was done mechanically, I booked the Tamora into TVR Power for another service (check over) and to have the throttle bodies refurbished. It was also around this time that a refurbished 3.73 hydratrack diff came up for sale, which I bought, along with a new Quaife ATB LSD (I had already sampled one of these on one of our other cars, and was very impressed):
So, I sent the diff and LSD to a specialist to have the Quaife fitted into the diff, and then sent it to Dom at TVR Power, who then fitted it at the same time as sorting my throttle bodies:
This was done last September time. I then thought about the ‘big upgrade’, the 3.6- 4.3 S6. I had wanted this before I even had the car, and in January this year, Dom had an offer for the 4.3 that I couldn’t resist. So it was booked in for February. I had already bought TVR Power’s AP clutch, lightweight flywheel and slave cylinder package, along with silicone and SS hoses and a new aluminium rad, ready to be fitted with the new engine:
I figured it makes little sense to spend so much on all new bits for the engine and hope the 12 year old cooling system will cope, just change the whole lot at the same time.
Dom sent me pictures of progress:
I picked up the car in March of this year. What a difference! There is now torque all through the rev range, and the acceleration is deceiving because it is so smooth, with zero flat spots. In short, I no longer have to rev the nuts off it to get power.
I then had the Tuscan S/Sagaris 322mm brake disc upgrade and ACT big bore full exhaust system fitted, which gave a deeper sound and will help the engine once it has had a re-map. I also bought a pair of decat pipes, which I also love!
When it went back for the post run in service, I had all four tyres changed for new and a full geo, with suspension raised slightly (I had bought slightly higher profile tyres for both comfort and to help stop the front splitter grounding out over the slightest of inclines)
The Tamora has just come home today following its final upgrade, a close ratio gearbox, which suits the car perfectly. The whole drive train and engine has been worked on. Whatever history it had before, it no longer matters. I now have my perfect Tamora/Sports car. I know some may think me mad for spending so much, but in all honesty, it is all the car I could ever want and I know it is as sorted as it can be. It drives and feels like a brand new car, albeit without electronic TC, ABS, airbags and the myriad of other safety features you no get with more modern cars. I don’t care, it is a thrill every time I drive it, and it still never fails to put a stupid huge grin on my face! And the engine now has a 100k mile warranty!
It just needs a re-map and dyno run at some point, after a few thousand more miles..
Next – My wife’s Mini Cooper S!
I always thought I’d have a Tuscan next, as it was (and to my mind still is) amazing to look at. Could I really choose the stumpy looking Tamora over the utterly fantastic looking Tuscan! A test drive of both helped me choose. As much as I loved the Tuscan, it seemed as bad as the older Chimaera, quite ‘skittish’, and very easy to get it wrong. The Tamora was the opposite, it was a joy to drive fast, planted and composed. I had to have one!
I eventually bought a just under two year old Tamora in 2004 for just under £30k. I loved this car and every time I drove it, it put a smile on my face:
Unfortunately, I had to sell it in early 2007, as we were moving to Italy later in that year, and had to buy a house over there. Little did I realise at the time just how much I’d miss it. I remember driving through the Alps and feeling sick, wishing I was driving my Tamora.
We moved back to the UK in late 2010, and in 2013, I was by then in a position to buy my own ‘toy’ again.
At the time, I didn’t think another Tamora would be viable, after all, after all of those years and the demise of TVR itself, it would be a nightmare for parts and servicing, wouldn’t it? So, I thought about a GD Cobra replica with an LS3 V8 – we went to the Kit Car Show in Stoneleigh in 2013, and when I saw one up close, I just didn’t have the same sensations I had when seeing the Tamora for the first time, I knew I couldn’t invest what would be around £40k in one of these.
I then tried a Z4M, thinking this would be a perfect replacement. However, I wasn’t smitten, it felt too heavy and not a lively as my old Tamora used to be.
I then started to do some research into the viability of another Tamora, and to my surprise, the specialist/aftermarket scene seemed to be thriving, with modifications and upgrades not available even when TVR were still in business! My first Tamora was always at the back of my mind, and I still missed it!
With the research done, I decided I will save up and buy another Tamora, and then modify it to what I envisaged as my perfect sports car.
In October 2013, I travelled from one side of the country to the other to view this:
It was a late 2002 Tamora which looked pretty tidy, paint and bodywork wise, and it drove great. I was so worried that my rose-tinted spectacle view of the car would be just that, and it wouldn’t be half as good as I remembered. But it was, and more! I had that same inane smile on my face on the test drive, a smile I didn’t have when test driving more modern cars.
I knew this would be a great base for me to improve it with what’s on offer by the specialists now – a blank canvas. I bought it for £16k (was up for £17k), and a week later, I picked it up and drove the 300 miles back home. It didn’t miss a beat.
Because the engine seemed fine, I figured that could wait, and I could concentrate of the aesthetics and ICE first. It had that awful ‘Bison’ fake leather interior, which was worse than any cheap ‘70’s vinyl in BL cars. I changed the ICE first, a Pioneer flip screen, sat nav (so I didn’t have to have wires training along the dash), new speakers and a reverse camera. After this, I bought a TVR Power rear sports exhaust, for the pops and bangs..
I then made a list of what needed doing, a complete re-trim in good quality leather, new rear hood and screen, wheels refurbed, callipers re-painted and a host of other stuff. I booked it in to be done in May 2014, but before that, I had bought a set of LED rear and front lights, to replace the standard Hella units:
And fitted them myself:
I also bought a set of Nitron adjustable suspension, a carbon fibre pedal plate and a new Momo trek R steering wheel (These were to be fitted to the new Sagaris’ before TVR went under, apparently)
All to be fitted when I had the re-trim. The car was away for over a month, but I was sent progress pics – it was re-trimmed in Prussian Blue and Portland grey:
All looked fantastic, compared to what it was. I was very happy with the re-trim:
But less happy with some other aspects:
£360 calliper repaint:
Old windscreen trim put back on, when I asked for new seals throughout:
Bits not connected back in the engine (It had a service and MOT at the same time)
And a few other things that were more than a little disappointing. Most of the problems were rectified, but I am yet to have the callipers re-done professionally.
This was a big let-down for me, and it did cost a lot of money (around £6k plus the items I had already bought, suspension, interior parts etc.)
Because I wasn’t happy with what was done mechanically, I booked the Tamora into TVR Power for another service (check over) and to have the throttle bodies refurbished. It was also around this time that a refurbished 3.73 hydratrack diff came up for sale, which I bought, along with a new Quaife ATB LSD (I had already sampled one of these on one of our other cars, and was very impressed):
So, I sent the diff and LSD to a specialist to have the Quaife fitted into the diff, and then sent it to Dom at TVR Power, who then fitted it at the same time as sorting my throttle bodies:
This was done last September time. I then thought about the ‘big upgrade’, the 3.6- 4.3 S6. I had wanted this before I even had the car, and in January this year, Dom had an offer for the 4.3 that I couldn’t resist. So it was booked in for February. I had already bought TVR Power’s AP clutch, lightweight flywheel and slave cylinder package, along with silicone and SS hoses and a new aluminium rad, ready to be fitted with the new engine:
I figured it makes little sense to spend so much on all new bits for the engine and hope the 12 year old cooling system will cope, just change the whole lot at the same time.
Dom sent me pictures of progress:
I picked up the car in March of this year. What a difference! There is now torque all through the rev range, and the acceleration is deceiving because it is so smooth, with zero flat spots. In short, I no longer have to rev the nuts off it to get power.
I then had the Tuscan S/Sagaris 322mm brake disc upgrade and ACT big bore full exhaust system fitted, which gave a deeper sound and will help the engine once it has had a re-map. I also bought a pair of decat pipes, which I also love!
When it went back for the post run in service, I had all four tyres changed for new and a full geo, with suspension raised slightly (I had bought slightly higher profile tyres for both comfort and to help stop the front splitter grounding out over the slightest of inclines)
The Tamora has just come home today following its final upgrade, a close ratio gearbox, which suits the car perfectly. The whole drive train and engine has been worked on. Whatever history it had before, it no longer matters. I now have my perfect Tamora/Sports car. I know some may think me mad for spending so much, but in all honesty, it is all the car I could ever want and I know it is as sorted as it can be. It drives and feels like a brand new car, albeit without electronic TC, ABS, airbags and the myriad of other safety features you no get with more modern cars. I don’t care, it is a thrill every time I drive it, and it still never fails to put a stupid huge grin on my face! And the engine now has a 100k mile warranty!
It just needs a re-map and dyno run at some point, after a few thousand more miles..
Next – My wife’s Mini Cooper S!
Edited by chris watton on Thursday 20th August 22:08
Lovely car and good write up. I would'y say you're mad for spending money in the way you did. If anything spending (say) half of your pot on the car and the rest making it perfect is a far more sensible thing to do then spending the whole lot on the initial purchase 
Love the interior re-trim, looks great!
Love the interior re-trim, looks great!
Cheers 
I missed loads out because I didn't want it to ramble on forever..
Sometimes, I wish I didn't love it so much, I'd probably be rich. But it has been so much fun putting the money into all the right (problem) areas and ironing each one out. it can become quite addictive, and I now prefer doing this sort of stuff than buying new!
I missed loads out because I didn't want it to ramble on forever..Sometimes, I wish I didn't love it so much, I'd probably be rich. But it has been so much fun putting the money into all the right (problem) areas and ironing each one out. it can become quite addictive, and I now prefer doing this sort of stuff than buying new!
You might recall I drove your firstun' when it was TMS' demo. I ran it in for you! (when I gave it back the indicators, lights, blower, speedo, rev counter had packed up, and I had to take a fuse out to stop the door opening every time I switched on the ignition)
you can thank me for finding its foibles for you!2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
You might recall I drove your firstun' when it was TMS' demo. I ran it in for you! (when I gave it back the indicators, lights, blower, speedo, rev counter had packed up, and I had to take a fuse out to stop the door opening every time I switched on the ignition)
you can thank me for finding its foibles for you!
Well, the only thing that went wrong with FE02 BKK was the heater blower packing up again, and at the most inopportune time! I was picking the car up after having a CR box from a Tuscan S fitted, it was a cold, dark foggy night. I could barely see out of the windscreen due to condensation, and couldn't clear it due to no hot air! The main ECU ended up going back to Blackpool after exhausting all other options (under warranty).
The only 'gremlin' I have had with my latest is the passenger door switches stopped working. I took the panels off, and checked everything, and, without actually taking any of the electrical parts off, it all of a sudden decided to work again, and has done ever since!
Overall though, what I like about these cars is the fact they are quite simple, I could spend the money on the areas that matter for the driving experience. I was always mindful of the fact that even a Z4M has a lot more electronic gadgetry. I didn't want to spend thousands if parts I didn't even need/want in the first place went wrong.
Lovely, I'm a big fan of the Tamora after driving one of the last models from TVR Silverstone.
I turned up on my 993C2, obviously the TVR was such a different experience. With the pedals being offset to the right, rather than the left on an old 911, adding to the different feel.
Quite raw, certainly quicker at high revs and very chuckable on smooth roads, but needing serious commitment to get it along country lanes at a decent lick. The salesman was great fun and it was probably the fastest and most sideways test drive I've had.
I say probably, because all the dash was out of action, along with the glove box lid, seat adjuster etc etc. Still it did leave quite an impression and was certainly on the list to own a sort one at some stage.
I actually have Z4M at the moment, which has been wonderful, but a totally different experience despite the obvious similarities.
Enjoy, it looks like you have a keeper there.
I turned up on my 993C2, obviously the TVR was such a different experience. With the pedals being offset to the right, rather than the left on an old 911, adding to the different feel.
Quite raw, certainly quicker at high revs and very chuckable on smooth roads, but needing serious commitment to get it along country lanes at a decent lick. The salesman was great fun and it was probably the fastest and most sideways test drive I've had.
I say probably, because all the dash was out of action, along with the glove box lid, seat adjuster etc etc. Still it did leave quite an impression and was certainly on the list to own a sort one at some stage.
I actually have Z4M at the moment, which has been wonderful, but a totally different experience despite the obvious similarities.
Enjoy, it looks like you have a keeper there.
abarber said:
Lovely, I'm a big fan of the Tamora after driving one of the last models from TVR Silverstone.
I turned up on my 993C2, obviously the TVR was such a different experience. With the pedals being offset to the right, rather than the left on an old 911, adding to the different feel.
Quite raw, certainly quicker at high revs and very chuckable on smooth roads, but needing serious commitment to get it along country lanes at a decent lick. The salesman was great fun and it was probably the fastest and most sideways test drive I've had.
I say probably, because all the dash was out of action, along with the glove box lid, seat adjuster etc etc. Still it did leave quite an impression and was certainly on the list to own a sort one at some stage.
I actually have Z4M at the moment, which has been wonderful, but a totally different experience despite the obvious similarities.
Enjoy, it looks like you have a keeper there.
I liked Silverstone TVR, they used to do most of the servicing on my first Tam, I remember following them in their black Tamora, on the way to a show in Gaydon, ended up doing almost 160, with my wife screaming at me in the passenger seat (on track, of course.. I turned up on my 993C2, obviously the TVR was such a different experience. With the pedals being offset to the right, rather than the left on an old 911, adding to the different feel.
Quite raw, certainly quicker at high revs and very chuckable on smooth roads, but needing serious commitment to get it along country lanes at a decent lick. The salesman was great fun and it was probably the fastest and most sideways test drive I've had.
I say probably, because all the dash was out of action, along with the glove box lid, seat adjuster etc etc. Still it did leave quite an impression and was certainly on the list to own a sort one at some stage.
I actually have Z4M at the moment, which has been wonderful, but a totally different experience despite the obvious similarities.
Enjoy, it looks like you have a keeper there.
)I had the speed transducer changed when I had the 4.3 upgrade, it never worked properly so I had to rely on my Road Angel most of the time (I do wonder just how many miles some of these cars really have under their belt, as it seems the original transducers were intermittent at best..)
I have had the Nitron suspension softened slightly, so it's now composed on most road surfaces (also fitted wider tyres on the rear, 255's)
I would love an '80's 911 one day, my wife loves them!
Talking about my wife, I feel very lucky to have her. She lets me get away with murder!
chris watton said:
I liked Silverstone TVR, they used to do most of the servicing on my first Tam, I remember following them in their black Tamora, on the way to a show in Gaydon, ended up doing almost 160, with my wife screaming at me in the passenger seat (on track, of course.. )
I had the speed transducer changed when I had the 4.3 upgrade, it never worked properly so I had to rely on my Road Angel most of the time (I do wonder just how many miles some of these cars really have under their belt, as it seems the original transducers were intermittent at best..)
I have had the Nitron suspension softened slightly, so it's now composed on most road surfaces (also fitted wider tyres on the rear, 255's)
I would love an '80's 911 one day, my wife loves them!
Talking about my wife, I feel very lucky to have her. She lets me get away with murder!
Yeah, I was quite impressed with TVR Silverstone. They seemed to offer good honest advice and looked for any opportunity to get out for a drive on the wonderful roads there! Definitely staffed by enthusiasts with a penchant for speed! )I had the speed transducer changed when I had the 4.3 upgrade, it never worked properly so I had to rely on my Road Angel most of the time (I do wonder just how many miles some of these cars really have under their belt, as it seems the original transducers were intermittent at best..)
I have had the Nitron suspension softened slightly, so it's now composed on most road surfaces (also fitted wider tyres on the rear, 255's)
I would love an '80's 911 one day, my wife loves them!
Talking about my wife, I feel very lucky to have her. She lets me get away with murder!
On the test drive already going a far lick, I eased of going over a crest, he salesman said "oh, you don't know these roads" then proceeded to direct us towards a few roundabouts and tight corners for some fun. It felt so easy to punt sideways on the throttle and dead easy to catch with the quick steering. Great fun.
Like you, I really don't enjoy most modern cars in the same way. I recently drove a number of 991 variants, all of which seemed disconnected, remote and not involving compared to the older stuff, without EPAS, auto boxes, fly by wire throttles etc.
Anyway, enjoy the Tamora. Please post up some more pics when you can.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
You might recall I drove your firstun' when it was TMS' demo. I ran it in for you! (when I gave it back the indicators, lights, blower, speedo, rev counter had packed up, and I had to take a fuse out to stop the door opening every time I switched on the ignition)
you can thank me for finding its foibles for you!
you can thank me for finding its foibles for you!
Amazing looking car OP, if I ever get rich these are on my want list.
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