Remembering London Thunder in Pics & videos
Discussion
So one year on I thought I’d post some photos and videos and my memories from London Thunder.
What a day it was.
The previous week I had joined Dave with his Chimaera and a guy, who’s name I forget sorry
in his T350 for a mini recce through the west end of London. It was a bright sunny day, but even in the Automatic Supra, the traffic was a nightmare so I could imagine what the next week would be like.
Unfortunately the weather was diabolical. I set out really early, to get a parking spot at the Ace. The journey round the M25 was a nightmare with pouring rain, and a road surface that looked more like a lake. The wipers were not even clearing the screen properly either. I was going along about 40mph being overtaken by Micra’s, who everytime they went past emptied what seemed like a skip full of water over the Chimaera!!
Got round to the Ace and parked up in the car park, there were less than 20 TVRs there.
After a short while a couple of Norwegian news paper reporters came up and started interviewing us (and taking photos). We explained the route and the purpose of the convoy.
It was quite unreal seeing a constant stream of TVRs exiting the North Circular.
Ace Video clip:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
The rain came and went and was even accompanied by a thunder storm. We were then let on the roof to take photos.
The TVR employees turned up later in the morning and I gave a lift to Val, who worked in the trim department. At 1300 a stream of TVRs left the ACE, a slight route change (through a rather deep puddle) and we were on our way. Luckily we were nearer the front of the convoy, and it was quite a good feeling being the tour guide as Val had never been to London before. Picadilly was interesting with quite a few people taking photographs. Haymarket to Trafalgar Square was the worst part.
Then at about 2:30 we entered Whitehall. The Police were fantastic and had let people park along the centre of Whitehall, 3 abreast. We parked up amongst the huge number of TVRs that had either taken a short cut or were right at the front of the convoy.
My Parents had been there since the first cars arrived and were taking photos and video. The weather there was better than a few miles up the road at the Ace.
Here are some of their photos:
When I finally arrived at 2:45ish, it was really packed with TVRs. I had time to catch a few photos and find a loo!! Shortly after we heard over the walkie talkies, that we were ready to leave.
Me looking rather rough after spending the morning being rained on, then spending an hour and ¾ in London traffic.
The route back was rather uneventful, Whilst we were stopped in traffic some kids asked us why there were so many TVRs around..
Then I got lost and ended up in Harlsden
Luckily a guy in a Chimaera and a Yellow Tamora (KIEFH), knew a way around it and we were back at the Ace at just gone 4pm. Some people were still in Picadilly/Whitehall at this time!!
Just time for a few more photo’s before heading off back to Essex. The TVR employees had a long trek back to Blackpool, but it had been worth it.
A couple of compilation video’s I put together from in car digital camera and camcorder in Whitehall.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
What a day it was.
The previous week I had joined Dave with his Chimaera and a guy, who’s name I forget sorry
in his T350 for a mini recce through the west end of London. It was a bright sunny day, but even in the Automatic Supra, the traffic was a nightmare so I could imagine what the next week would be like.Unfortunately the weather was diabolical. I set out really early, to get a parking spot at the Ace. The journey round the M25 was a nightmare with pouring rain, and a road surface that looked more like a lake. The wipers were not even clearing the screen properly either. I was going along about 40mph being overtaken by Micra’s, who everytime they went past emptied what seemed like a skip full of water over the Chimaera!!
Got round to the Ace and parked up in the car park, there were less than 20 TVRs there.
After a short while a couple of Norwegian news paper reporters came up and started interviewing us (and taking photos). We explained the route and the purpose of the convoy.
It was quite unreal seeing a constant stream of TVRs exiting the North Circular.
Ace Video clip:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
The rain came and went and was even accompanied by a thunder storm. We were then let on the roof to take photos.
The TVR employees turned up later in the morning and I gave a lift to Val, who worked in the trim department. At 1300 a stream of TVRs left the ACE, a slight route change (through a rather deep puddle) and we were on our way. Luckily we were nearer the front of the convoy, and it was quite a good feeling being the tour guide as Val had never been to London before. Picadilly was interesting with quite a few people taking photographs. Haymarket to Trafalgar Square was the worst part.
Then at about 2:30 we entered Whitehall. The Police were fantastic and had let people park along the centre of Whitehall, 3 abreast. We parked up amongst the huge number of TVRs that had either taken a short cut or were right at the front of the convoy.
My Parents had been there since the first cars arrived and were taking photos and video. The weather there was better than a few miles up the road at the Ace.
Here are some of their photos:
When I finally arrived at 2:45ish, it was really packed with TVRs. I had time to catch a few photos and find a loo!! Shortly after we heard over the walkie talkies, that we were ready to leave.
Me looking rather rough after spending the morning being rained on, then spending an hour and ¾ in London traffic.
The route back was rather uneventful, Whilst we were stopped in traffic some kids asked us why there were so many TVRs around..
Then I got lost and ended up in Harlsden
Luckily a guy in a Chimaera and a Yellow Tamora (KIEFH), knew a way around it and we were back at the Ace at just gone 4pm. Some people were still in Picadilly/Whitehall at this time!!
Just time for a few more photo’s before heading off back to Essex. The TVR employees had a long trek back to Blackpool, but it had been worth it.
A couple of compilation video’s I put together from in car digital camera and camcorder in Whitehall.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v459/LL75/?actio...
For gods sake let it go, London Thunder was fair enough to show support for the poor TVR workers, but lets face it TVR the manufacturer has gone.
As much as we all loved it there were serious health problems which eventually turned fatal. Isn't it time for you lot to stop mourning the passing and enjoy your cars, after all the cars still exist and there is a growing support newtork of spares and skills so just face the fact you are now effectively classic car owners along with enthusiast of other great British Marques that are no longer with us.
As much as we all loved it there were serious health problems which eventually turned fatal. Isn't it time for you lot to stop mourning the passing and enjoy your cars, after all the cars still exist and there is a growing support newtork of spares and skills so just face the fact you are now effectively classic car owners along with enthusiast of other great British Marques that are no longer with us.
Edited by Erich Stahler on Saturday 24th November 09:28
Erich Stahler said:
For gods sake let it go, London Thunder was fair enough to show support for the poor TVR workers, but lets face it TVR the manufacturer has gone.
As much as we all loved it there were serious health problems which eventually turned fatal. Isn't it time for you lot to stop mourning the passing and enjoy your cars, after all the cars still exist and there is a growing support newtork of spares and skills so just face the fact you are now effectively classic car owners along with enthusiast of other great British Marques that are no longer with us.
Thought I'd respond as I can't actually see where your post is coming from.As much as we all loved it there were serious health problems which eventually turned fatal. Isn't it time for you lot to stop mourning the passing and enjoy your cars, after all the cars still exist and there is a growing support newtork of spares and skills so just face the fact you are now effectively classic car owners along with enthusiast of other great British Marques that are no longer with us.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 24th November 09:28
I only posted this thread to remember a great day out, which took huge organisation, and was a great success.
We were also able to say thank you to the people that built our cars, and provide them with a day out in London.
TVR did have severe problems at the time, but I did not post this thread to "mourn the passing" of TVR.
These are just a few pictures and video I took and compiled at the time of the meet. It is not meant to be about mourning or anything else. Just remembering a good time.
That is all.
Erich Stahler said:
For gods sake let it go, London Thunder was fair enough to show support for the poor TVR workers, but lets face it TVR the manufacturer has gone.
As much as we all loved it there were serious health problems which eventually turned fatal. Isn't it time for you lot to stop mourning the passing and enjoy your cars, after all the cars still exist and there is a growing support newtork of spares and skills so just face the fact you are now effectively classic car owners along with enthusiast of other great British Marques that are no longer with us.
I thought that London Thunder was a celebration and a big social? As much as we all loved it there were serious health problems which eventually turned fatal. Isn't it time for you lot to stop mourning the passing and enjoy your cars, after all the cars still exist and there is a growing support newtork of spares and skills so just face the fact you are now effectively classic car owners along with enthusiast of other great British Marques that are no longer with us.
Edited by Erich Stahler on Saturday 24th November 09:28
And I think this post is great, I read fond memories rather than complaining or mourning.
Seems like a lot of people enjoying their cars 
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