TVR Thunder hits Downing Street
Record-breaking TVR parade shakes the capital
TVRs thunder outside Downing Street
The aim was to demonstrate the strength of feeling behind the feeling that TVRs are quintessentially British and that to move their production to Italy, as TVR boss Nikolai Smolensky has announced he will do, will destroy the cars' character.
The parade, which was reported by the BBC, also included a delegation that delivered to Number 10 Downing Street a petition signed by some 2,500 TVR owners, enthusiasts and supporters. The petition called for the Government to investigate all available options to keep the manufacture of TVR cars in Blackpool, to provide help and guidance to TVR management during the consultation period, and to assist laid-off TVR staff as they seek new employment.
According to the TVR London Thunder Web site, some 479 TVRs participated in the official parade, setting a new world record for the most cars of one make in a single convoy, although the exact figure has yet to be verified.
As well as hundreds of cars and their owners, the parade included TVR workers, who followed up the event with an open letter, thanking everyone for "making it possible for us to be part of, what was a thunderous day, a day that will live with us for the rest of our lives. One hell of a gig.
"The only way that we can explain the experience of actually being there, is awesome, absolutely awesome. to us, the day was just like a huge family gathering. Owners, enthusiasts, workers and families all together, one big TVR family."
The letter was signed: "All your family here in Blackpool."
If you want to help keep TVR British, there's an online petition and much discussion ongoing (links below). On a more practical note, there's also an auction of TVR-related items to help those workers about to be made redundant by TVR as part of the move (link below).
There's more information and photos available on the TVR London Thunder site (link below).
Links
Picture by David Williamson
Me and the family were sat aboard the London Duck (www.londonducktours.co.uk/aboutus.htm) and witnessed quite a spectacular doughnut outside Whitehall whilst the road was closed due to filming of the Bourne Identity III, one 360 would have been enough for the crowds but two was just showing off !!
I am ashamed to admit that my Blue Griff thought that it was time to show off. I tried to stop it but it just went. A car possessed like "Christine". It wasn't my fault. Honest
Apologies for any distressed / embarrassment caused (especially the Tam driver who was only taking avoiding action
) www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ooLNFwaWk
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