New TVR dealer for Midlands

David Gerald Sportscars is first new Smolenski-era dealer

By PH Staff / Thursday, 18 November 2004 / Loading comments

TVR has awarded Midlands-based TVR specialist David Gerald Sportscars (DGS) full dealership status - the first in the country to be appointed since TVR was taken over by millionaire Russian businessman Nikolai Smolenski.

With its TVR associations already spanning over 20 years, DGS will now take on new TVR sales throughout South Birmingham, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Located in picturesque Inkberrow, between Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon, the dealership will continue to operate from its existing premises. The village’s other and perhaps more sedate claim to fame is that it is the location of the fictional village of Ambridge, in the long running BBC Radio series The Archers -- the second pic was taken opposite the "The Bull".

Adding new vehicle sales is the latest step in the development of the business that has been selling and servicing TVRs since 1981 and has earned a reputation as one of the UK's foremost TVR specialists, especially for the older cars.

Joint owners Doug Ellwood and John Chatley have significantly developed the dealership since taking over the company in 1998 – used vehicle sales are currently around 100 units a year and a thriving parts operation sees individual components and even complete cars being exported around the globe.

The move to full franchise status will see further investment in the business, which already has a team of highly qualified staff, a showroom that can accommodate up to 20 cars and a fully equipped four bay workshop. As well as routine servicing, David Gerald Sportscars will continue to undertake complete restoration work of historic TVRs.

Both owners are actively involved in TVR motor sport as drivers and their expertise in specialist race preparation is increasingly in demand from private TVR racing enthusiasts.

“Unlike some dealers who have come and gone in the region, we have a proven track record and a well established customer base,” said Doug Ellwood. “With fresh investment and new cars from the factory in the pipeline - like the recently announced Sagaris - it is an exciting time for brand in the Midlands, where we aim to build on our traditional values of service and bring the unique TVR experience to a wider audience”.