Kitcar TVR's - a possible option?
Discussion
As there seems to a demand for new Griff's, Chim's, Cerb's and T350's, why doesn't some one setup producing a kitcar version.
I understand Power own all the jigs etc to produce the cars.
Kitcars often lack the styling so a TVR version might be popular.
But would this get around the euro type approval?
Would be possible to get another company to assemble the car for a puchaser?
Just an idea. Thoughts?
I understand Power own all the jigs etc to produce the cars.
Kitcars often lack the styling so a TVR version might be popular.
But would this get around the euro type approval?
Would be possible to get another company to assemble the car for a puchaser?
Just an idea. Thoughts?
Now *that* would be an awesome idea. I'd have a new Cerb, and even though I love the AJP8, I'd probably stick an LS engine in with a 6-speed. Or not. Depends if the AJP8 could still be obtained. It has a very high specific output for a V8. Would like a 6-speeder though. Possibly put a Drenth sequential in or something suitably robust from Quaife.
Oh yes, I love the idea. In fact something like this idea is what's driving my determination to rip the current Cerb apart and rebuild.
And even though I like the quirkiness of the Cerb, I'd do without all the electrics to simplify the design and make it more reliable. I'd also build-in a better cage from where I could hang proper harnesses front and rear, and I'd have lightweight seats and fittings.
You'd have the opportunity of having the chassis galvanized from new. No long-term worries.
Great idea. Who do i have to approach?
You know, I really love the Cerb and mine (apart from the alternator) appears to be one of the good ones, but it's so over-complicated. It would have been so much easier to service and support if they'd simply borrowed components from other manufacturers. To a degree they did, and I'm sure those parts are still easy to source but their own components are only available thanks to the ingenuity of people like Clever Trevor, Trackcar and others.
Oh yes, I love the idea. In fact something like this idea is what's driving my determination to rip the current Cerb apart and rebuild.
And even though I like the quirkiness of the Cerb, I'd do without all the electrics to simplify the design and make it more reliable. I'd also build-in a better cage from where I could hang proper harnesses front and rear, and I'd have lightweight seats and fittings.
You'd have the opportunity of having the chassis galvanized from new. No long-term worries.
Great idea. Who do i have to approach?
You know, I really love the Cerb and mine (apart from the alternator) appears to be one of the good ones, but it's so over-complicated. It would have been so much easier to service and support if they'd simply borrowed components from other manufacturers. To a degree they did, and I'm sure those parts are still easy to source but their own components are only available thanks to the ingenuity of people like Clever Trevor, Trackcar and others.
Jeeez...So they already have a dire reputation for engines/reliabilty and you want them to be a kit car???!!!
The only way forward is with a quality image,which will now be bl
y hard to earn.
Going backwards is not an option
Proper engine,good build quality,and initially sell at break even to maximize the reputation for VFM again.Thats what sold TVR's at their best,and it is the only way FORWARD
The only way forward is with a quality image,which will now be bl
y hard to earn. Going backwards is not an option
Proper engine,good build quality,and initially sell at break even to maximize the reputation for VFM again.Thats what sold TVR's at their best,and it is the only way FORWARD
But most seem to hanker after the £30K Griff-ish TVR. The only way to achieve this is to build professional kits with the option for prebuilt.
It solves many of the QA issues - you built it so you can service & fix it, fit your engine of choice etc, but still benefit from the raw elements of a tiv - style and power
TVR as it stands seems to going after a more up market client (well I don't know if yanks fit into this category) which rules the traditional PH base out.
It solves many of the QA issues - you built it so you can service & fix it, fit your engine of choice etc, but still benefit from the raw elements of a tiv - style and power
TVR as it stands seems to going after a more up market client (well I don't know if yanks fit into this category) which rules the traditional PH base out.
I suggested this months ago, when Power obtained the rights. I think it might fly; I'd consider building a Cerb piecemeal. I'd want an unfinished chassis so I could protect it properly for starters, and I'd have a hot V8 motor crated over from the States for it. Oh yes, I'd part with cash to build my own Cerb from the ground up.
I have neither the ability, confidence or time to build a kit car but I admire anyone that can take one right through to successful completion.
Years ago, I used to buy various kit car mags and the classifieds were full of so many ads for 'unfinished projects'.
When I first began my quest for a TVR, often the conversation would be "TVR? That's one of those kit cars isn't it?"
Personally, I don't think it would do the brand any favours to go back down that route.
Besides, I couldn't be @rsed.
Years ago, I used to buy various kit car mags and the classifieds were full of so many ads for 'unfinished projects'.
When I first began my quest for a TVR, often the conversation would be "TVR? That's one of those kit cars isn't it?"
Personally, I don't think it would do the brand any favours to go back down that route.
Besides, I couldn't be @rsed.
johnbear said:
But most seem to hanker after the £30K Griff-ish TVR. The only way to achieve this is to build professional kits with the option for prebuilt.
It solves many of the QA issues - you built it so you can service & fix it, fit your engine of choice etc, but still benefit from the raw elements of a tiv - style and power...
It solves many of the QA issues - you built it so you can service & fix it, fit your engine of choice etc, but still benefit from the raw elements of a tiv - style and power...
I went on a bit of a tangent yesterday on a previous thread, pointing out that
www.gdcars.com/gd427/gd427.htm
is rather TVR like apart from the lack of outriggers and the fact that the bodyshape is a Cobra ! I quite like the shape, but at high speed you need to dress up like biggles due to the turbulance, so I'd much rather have a Griff shape
Good chassis (the "new" (Euro) option has double wishbone suspension rather than Jaguar), would take RV8 (for ultra cheap) up to LS7 for 550bhp of 7 litre dry sumped low maintenance V8 grunt.
If I make it to the Stoneleigh show this Spring I will mention the idea for a new bodyshape to GD, the "Griffoth"
Load of tosh!
If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan. Repaired Chassis, new suspension bushes, dampers, new engine of your choice, new interior, and repainted body. £30k spent and a 'new' TVR Griffith with much more credibility than most things the kit-car industry is offering, and you've saved an old TVR as well.
If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan. Repaired Chassis, new suspension bushes, dampers, new engine of your choice, new interior, and repainted body. £30k spent and a 'new' TVR Griffith with much more credibility than most things the kit-car industry is offering, and you've saved an old TVR as well.
RichardD said:
[quote=johnbear] I quite like the shape, but at high speed you need to dress up like biggles due to the turbulance, so I'd much rather have a Griff shape
I agree with the "Biggles" bit.
I built this http://ph.uncle-dave.co.uk/upload/ima
But because it just wasn't practical to use except on hot sunny days I sold it )to a guy from sunny Scotland!), and got this instead.
http://ph.uncle-dave.co.uk/upload/ima
Much more fun!!!
The Surveyor said:
If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan.
Having just about finished doing the above, don't anyone kid themselves that a reasonable spec car can be achieved for £30K. It's not the cost of the 'big stuff' like the engine, box, chassis etc., its the 1001 other things that just hemorrhage cash away - week in, week out. Just look at the Ultima build costs, they're well up at £45K plus for decent spec cars excluding labour.
The Surveyor said:
Load of tosh!
If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan. Repaired Chassis, new suspension bushes, dampers, new engine of your choice, new interior, and repainted body. £30k spent and a 'new' TVR Griffith with much more credibility than most things the kit-car industry is offering, and you've saved an old TVR as well.
If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan. Repaired Chassis, new suspension bushes, dampers, new engine of your choice, new interior, and repainted body. £30k spent and a 'new' TVR Griffith with much more credibility than most things the kit-car industry is offering, and you've saved an old TVR as well.
I wouldn't say it was tosh, or remotely a silly idea.
You have point but if you apply that logic outside TVR... Why buy a new Caterham or any other car (Bespoke or mass produced) when you can buy an older version and make it 'as new' for less than the current new price ?
There must be plenty of year old Caterhams for sale so why buy it in kit form and build it ?
The reason is that everyone is different and everyone likes something different. Some might like the challenge of building a car from scatch but safe in the knowledge that all the components are brand new. Others might like the idea of restoring the original. Each to their own but I'd never say it was a daft idea.
There are some who say that owning a sports car is stupid, kills the planet and they should be band.... we all know they're insane and need locking up.... but they make the world a more humorous and interesting place....
sort of!! G
Interesting concept, but most kitcars are cheap as they have a cheap donor. The required donor for a Griff kit, would be a Griff!!!! At which point, why not buy a £8K Griff and spend £5-£10K replacing everything that needs doing and tarting it up? Cheaper and safer.
I believe that you can now buy all the parts to build a brand new Lotus Elan but don't believe anyone is actually doing it, and used values for the originals are very good.
Where it could be interesting is in achieving overseas sales, as in you sell a local firm everything in a box and they put it together and sell it. That could get a company around local legislation that would otherwise keep them out.
I don't object to the concept of buying a kit version but can't quite see how it would be viable.
I believe that you can now buy all the parts to build a brand new Lotus Elan but don't believe anyone is actually doing it, and used values for the originals are very good.
Where it could be interesting is in achieving overseas sales, as in you sell a local firm everything in a box and they put it together and sell it. That could get a company around local legislation that would otherwise keep them out.
I don't object to the concept of buying a kit version but can't quite see how it would be viable.
The Surveyor said:
Load of tosh!
If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan. Repaired Chassis, new suspension bushes, dampers, new engine of your choice, new interior, and repainted body. £30k spent and a 'new' TVR Griffith with much more credibility than most things the kit-car industry is offering, and you've saved an old TVR as well.
Ah, but it would always be a "repaired" chassis and you'd know it. Besides, going that route means you have to strip the original and clean and assess all parts before you start assembly. That's the hard bit! If you want a £30k Griffith kit car, buy an existing tired one and rebuild it as new, you could even do an old racing Tuscan. Repaired Chassis, new suspension bushes, dampers, new engine of your choice, new interior, and repainted body. £30k spent and a 'new' TVR Griffith with much more credibility than most things the kit-car industry is offering, and you've saved an old TVR as well.
While a kit car will never be as easy to put together as an Ikea cabinet, the idea of getting all the bits you need to build a complete car, ideally in stages so you can do it a bit at a time (i.e chassis pack, body pack, electric pack, trim pack, engine pack) is more attractive than than the prospect of having to take apart some neglected old nail before you even get started.
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