My beloved TVR Cerbera 4.2

[DuncanM]

I think I love it too much if that's possible!

I have owned my Cerbera since 2004, it has spent a long time off the road recently (2013-2021), and I finally got it back running late last year.

For me, nothing compares to driving a Cerbera, foot to the floor, chasing the redline. It's so savagely, brilliantly fast, like having an alton towers ride under your right foot!

It also handles superbly, however I have worked on this (as have most owners), and have set it up to be as similar as my GT86 as possible. They are remarkably similar apart from the insanely good AJP8

I love taking people out in it, it redefines what a lot of people think a fast car feels like.

I will never ever sell it, I have many jobs still to do on it, but I am now just enjoying it for the summer. I feel incredibly fortunate to own such a car, and feel vindicated for not selling it .

This reads as quite dickish, but it's only because I've done a lot of work on it recently, and am finally getting to drive it and enjoy it. When a car is off the road for so long, it's easy to expect lots to go wrong when you get it running. Touching a large amount of wood, it's been just brilliant.

It's looks still blow me away 18 years on too.






My lad after a ride in it

[b14]

Sounds all perfectly reasonable to me! Lovely cars and yours looks fantastic. I’ve hankered after one for a while and once my garage is built I may grab one. I think they are still great value.

[Blackpuddin]

Nice story.

[Waynester]

That’s great, always been a fan of the 4.2 & 4.5 Cerb’s. Never owned one but have had a fair few TVRs. Always an event when you take a TVR out..

[DuncanM]

[redacted]

[shake n bake]

Great to see a Cerbera not on Spiders!
We used to have so many of those wheels just knocking about.

[DuncanM]

shake n bake said:

Great to see a Cerbera not on Spiders!
We used to have so many of those wheels just knocking about.

Spiders have a bad rep for not being the strongest, I love the RL7s, great design and suit the Cerbera

[Rubins4]

Very nice. I can understand your enthusiasm having completed a many-year restoration (of a Land Rover).

I’d very much a S6 cerbera with the single headlights and non-spider wheels. I wouldn’t even mind if it needed a body-off restoration , it could live in the garage for a bit being ‘fettled’ like yours has.

[DuncanM]

Rubins4 said:

Very nice. I can understand your enthusiasm having completed a many-year restoration (of a Land Rover).

I’d very much a S6 cerbera with the single headlights and non-spider wheels. I wouldn’t even mind if it needed a body-off restoration , it could live in the garage for a bit being ‘fettled’ like yours has.

They very much suit owners that are willing to continuously fettle!

Thank you all for the kind words

[Caddyshack]

I had a S6 when new.

Yours looks great and those are the best wheels.

[Got4wheels]

That looks fantastic, it's a credit to you! We need more pics!

Michael

[cerb4.5lee]

That is a tremendous ownership period!

They are wonderful cars and I only had mine for 6 years in comparison, but I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to experience one though. Not much comes close to the way that the Cerbera drives for me.

I'm another one who is a big fan of the RL7s.

Keep enjoying it!

[Mr Tidy]

That's a long period of ownership, but it's such a fantastic car I can see why you still have it - especially as cars like this will never be built again.

I've always loved them, just never been brave enough the few times I might have been able to buy one.

I'd love to have a ride in one, although I think I'd probably want one then!

[2gins]

Special cars, special engine. Get in.

[shirt]

Interesting that you say it handles similar to the 86. I drive my mates 86 cup car now and then, it’s very well set up and is lovely to drive near the limit, so progressive. Always thought the tvr would be a proper handful

[cerb4.5lee]

Mr Tidy said:

I'd love to have a ride in one, although I think I'd probably want one then!

You definitely would!

[DuncanM]

Got4wheels said:

That looks fantastic, it's a credit to you! We need more pics!

Michael

Thank you, however, being honest, It's actually a little scabby close up, I'm working on tidying the paintwork this year, whilst still enjoying it. I think the colour helps it look good in pictures

shirt said:

Interesting that you say it handles similar to the 86. I drive my mates 86 cup car now and then, it’s very well set up and is lovely to drive near the limit, so progressive. Always thought the tvr would be a proper handful

I love my 86, I've purposely tried to get the Cerb to behave more like it, by stiffer springs all round, and damper settings more balanced, so that the car rotates more around the centre. This means I probably have less outright rear wheel traction, but for how I want to enjoy the car, I'm pleased with the outcome .

Lee I know you had great fun with your Cerb, the memories will always stay with you

Thanks again everyone for your comments, anyone thinking of getting one, I don't think you'd regret it! With the advance towards EVs, special cars like this will be cherished more than ever I think.

[DuncanM]

TVR Cerbera - GT86 comparison

As I live with both of these cars, and often drive them back to back, I thought it might be interesting to do a comparison.

Design

I'm a fan of both from a design pov, but I think the Cerbera has the edge, a timeless design that stands out, yet is still quite elegant.




Interior/controls

Cerbera interior is so unique and beautiful, however the 86 has a much better seat, and feels just as driver focused, impressive for a mass produced sports car.

The steering in both cars is very direct, I like the consistent weighting of the 86's electric rack, there's nothing in it between the two cars really. The 86's gearbox is gorgeous, and I prefer the 6 ratios so it wins in that respect over the Cerb, which has a lovely mechanical action, but has a little longer throw, and has 5 long ratios (70mph in 2nd).

The 86 has good brakes, but a grabby abs system. The Cerbera has ridiculously good brakes, with the best pedal feel you could imagine.

Both 2+2 with silly rear seats, Cerbera boot surprisingly large, 86 wins for ability to drop rear seats, making it quite practical for what it is.

Engine

I'm actually a big fan of the FA20, I was expecting something quite flat (pun yes!), but the torque dip is easy to drive around, and I enjoy the engine very much. It also gets decent mpg (it's my daily), so best of both worlds for me. There really is no comparison here though, the AJP8 is one of the all time great engines ever put into a road car, the way it pulls to the redline is addictive, adrenaline inducing stuff! It will also pootle around nicely, and is no more awkward to drive than the 86. I bought the Cerbera, mainly because of the engine.

Driving

The 86 is the best handling car I've owned straight out of the box. There's so many great reviews of this car, believe them, it is an epic car to hustle down the road. I love it almost as much as the Cerbera.
It would be easy to think that the AJP8 would dominate the driving experience of the Cerb, but it really doesn't have to be like that. The Cerb is a great handling car, and can be pushed hard, and will reward the driver. Down the roads I enjoy, there wouldn't be much in it between them, the 86 will look after you more, and that's always on my mind.

Conclusion

I will never ever ever sell the Cerbera. It was, and still is my dream car, and I fecking own it!

I don't want to ever sell the 86, but inevitably it may be moved on in the future. The 86 is the car that I'd recommend to anyone who wants a sports car. The Cerbera is a completely different proposition, and suits diy mechanics who love fettling, or people with deep pockets and a lot of patience.

I love them both.

[Rob-c33sg]

Well done for getting it back on the road!