Will all TVR'S will become Classics because of their bite?
Discussion
I've driven (not owned all of these) some fast cars in my time. these include Aston DB7 Vantage volante, Lambo Gaylordo, BMW 540i, Porker 996. and other stuff and never came close to loosing control of any of these at very high speeds. Three weeks ago I became the proud owner fo my first TVR a Chim 400. Imagine my horror on way to garage I found myself spinning and travelling down a small country lane in wrong direction. I wasn't going that fast - my mistake was to touch the brakes when I felt the back going light. It was by pure luck that nothing was coming the other way. I thought it was my lack of racing car drivers ability that led this to happen! But having seen the other threads on this site spinning and crashing seems pretty common for Novice TVR owners. I was told by the dealer that as I have 17" wheels and a slightly wider track tahn standard that this would have contributed to my problem. He said this set up would give me increased grip in the dry but worse in the wet? Anyway from now on its big respect in the wet. But its these driving characteristics that will ensure TVR's become rarer and rarer!
Anyway I must have been the newest TVR owner at LT 2006 and I must say what a great crowd you all are!
Anyway I must have been the newest TVR owner at LT 2006 and I must say what a great crowd you all are!
: 
forgot to mention I also rode a sports bikes and never came near to loosing that either! Last weekend was great (shame about the wethaer), the weekend before that I got the lid down and burbled round some country lanes and smile got bigger and bigger 
There are two factors at work here.
1. All else being equal, they are more difficult to drive and easier to crash than most cars.
2. They are more expensive to repair (fibreglass) and easier to write off than most cars.
Simple logic. Over time there will be less and less of them, but their being objects of desire will diminish more slowly.
How many little boys saw a TVR for the first time on Sunday and said to themselves "One day..." And how many will be left by the time they can afford one?
They are already classics.
1. All else being equal, they are more difficult to drive and easier to crash than most cars.
2. They are more expensive to repair (fibreglass) and easier to write off than most cars.
Simple logic. Over time there will be less and less of them, but their being objects of desire will diminish more slowly.
How many little boys saw a TVR for the first time on Sunday and said to themselves "One day..." And how many will be left by the time they can afford one?
They are already classics.
Hi yes that was me! Hello again. I was impressed with how the car behaved that day, after our conversations re leaking it didn't let in a drop which was nice, and it didn't get close to overheating in the traffic which was even nicer Can't wait for some nice days to get it out for a proper run.
tvrchutney said:
I wasn't going that fast - my mistake was to touch the brakes when I felt the back going light.
Sounds like the classic chim/griff accident.. in standard trim they are slightly overbraked at the rear, and the dampers dont have enough rebound damping on them..
hit the brakes, back end comes up goes light and the rear locks up. cars spins....
I couldnt believe the difference it made putting better dampers on the car and bigger from brakes.. balanced things up much better. you could brake so mch deeper into the corners that would have a standard car in the trees...
My first experience of this 'light rear end' business was at was Goodwood, Madgewick corner (after the pit straight).
It is wide corner, but you still need to slow down after the short pit straight. I braked, changed down, and the back came round before I knew what was happening. This was before I had started to turn into the corner - or maybe it was just exactly as I started to turn in. It was wet, thank goodness, which meant I wasn't going that fast, so no harm done.
I learned a lot that day.
It is wide corner, but you still need to slow down after the short pit straight. I braked, changed down, and the back came round before I knew what was happening. This was before I had started to turn into the corner - or maybe it was just exactly as I started to turn in. It was wet, thank goodness, which meant I wasn't going that fast, so no harm done.
I learned a lot that day.
tvrchutney said:
Hi yes that was me! Hello again. I was impressed with how the car behaved that day, after our conversations re leaking it didn't let in a drop which was nice, and it didn't get close to overheating in the traffic which was even nicer Can't wait for some nice days to get it out for a proper run.
Good man glad you are enjoying it, sounds like you have found a good one also, so it won`t be long before your looking for a 500 then
leadfootlydon said:
I must have been about 11 years old.
In our old Escort following an Aston Martin. There was a slight puff from its exhaust and my mum said, "He's changed down, watch him go." And a second later he did. Awe.
In our old Escort following an Aston Martin. There was a slight puff from its exhaust and my mum said, "He's changed down, watch him go." And a second later he did. Awe.
I like your mum....
Mine wouldn't have had a clue what that signified!!
Thing is, after two Jensen Interceptors and a couple of other bits of scary metal, I blame my dad for getting me into silly cars!
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