TVR BRITISH For Sale

TVR From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search For other uses, see TVR (disambiguation). TVR Motors Company Ltd. Type Private Industry Automotive Founded 1946 Headquarters London, United Kingdom Key people Nikolay Smolensky (owner) Peter Wheeler (owner) Martin Lilley (owner) Trevor Wilkinson (founder) Jack Pickard (co-founder) Products Sports cars Website tvr.co.uk This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2010) TVR is an independent British manufacturer of sports cars and was until 2006 based in the English seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire but has since split up into several smaller subsidiaries and relocated elsewhere. The company manufactures lightweight sports cars with powerful engines and was the third-largest specialised sports car manufacturer in the world, offering a diverse range of coupés and convertibles. Most vehicles use an in-house straight-6 cylinder engine design; others an in-house V8. TVR sports cars are composed of tubular steel frames, cloaked in fibreglass bodywork. TVR's two arms are TVR Engineering, which manufactures sports cars and grand tourers, and TVR Power, their powertrain division. The company had a turbulent recent history and an uncertain future. Contents 1 History 1.1 Foundation 1.2 1960s and 1970s 1.3 Wheeler ownership 1.4 Smolensky ownership 1.5 Recent events 1.6 Ownership history 2 Model list 2.1 Gallery 3 See also 4 References 5 External links [edit] History [edit] Foundation Trevor Wilkinson (14 May 1923–6 June 2008) [1] was born in Blackpool and left school at 14 to start an engineering apprenticeship at a local garage. In 1946 he bought a wheelwright's business in Blackpool, renaming it Trevcar Motors in 1947, for the purpose of selling and repairing cars and light engineering.[2] In 1947, Wilkinson built his first car, a special two-seater body on an Alvis Firebird chassis for himself. As a result, Wilkinson with partner Jack Pickard then started a separate company, TVR Engineering, with a name derived from Wilkinson's name – TreVoR. Their first car was an alloy-bodied two seater on a tubular chassis, which appeared in 1949.[2] In 1953 the concept of glass-reinforced plastic bodywork over a tubular steel backbone chassis was accepted, and continued throughout TVR's current production history. In 1954, TVR Engineering was renamed TVR, in light of the launch of the first "production" car called the Mk1, later name Grantura. The glass fibre body design and layout remained, in modified form, until replaced by the angular wedge design Tasmin in 1980. At the launch in the 1950s, TVRs were powered by 4-cylinder engines from Coventry Climax, BMC or Ford, the performance models having Shorrock superchargers. As with many other British sports cars, engine sizes remained under two litres, and all produced less than 100 bhp (75 kW). As most TVRs were sold in the domestic British market, to avoid a British tax on assembled cars many of the early cars were sold in kit form – a practice which continued until the 1970s, when the tax loophole was closed and the kit-form option removed. In April 1962 Wilkinson and Pickard left the company to set up a specialist fibre-glass engineering business. On retirement, Wilkinson moved to Minorca, Spain, where he died aged 85, on 6 June 2008.[2] [edit] 1960s and 1970s In the 1960s, American motor dealer Jack Griffith decided to put a 4.7 litre V8 engine from an AC Cobra he owned into a TVR Grantura, in much the same way that V8s were first transplanted into AC Cobras (It is in honour of Jack Griffith that the TVR Griffith was so-named). Powered by the same engine was the Trident, a luxury sports car with a steel and aluminium body that was designed by Carrozzeria Fissore in Milan and was built by hand. A prototype coupé was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1965. A total of three coupés and a convertible were made between 1964 and 1966, but due to financial problems the rights on the car finally went to a TVR dealer, W. J. (Bill) Last (Viking Performance). He established in 1966 Trident Cars Ltd and started building the car under the model name of Clipper. Under the ownership of Martin Lilley from 1965, TVR returned to Ford for a 2994 cc V6 Zodiac engine for the new TVR Tuscan (1967) racer. This produced 128 bhp (95 kW), giving a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time of 8.3 seconds, which was good performance for the time. The 1970s saw a number of engines used in TVRs (particularly the 'M Series'), mainly Triumph 2500s, Ford Essex V6 and Ford 1600 Crossflows. The M was followed by the Tasmins, the first of the long running Wedge series. [edit] Wheeler ownership In the 1980s, under the ownership of Peter Wheeler — a chemical industry consultant and TVR enthusiast — TVR moved away from naturally-aspirated and turbocharged V6s back to large V8s, namely the Rover V8 . Capacity grew from 3.5 to 5 litres. In 1988 TVR sourced a 5.0 litre Holden V8 through Tom Walkinshaw at Holden Special Vehicles. The engine was installed in the TVR White Elephant, a prototype car built for Peter Wheeler by John Ravenscroft. Whilst an interesting engineering and styling exercise, the Holden powered TVR White Elephant was later superseded by the Rover V8 powered Griffith prototype. In the 1990s, TVR Power modified a number of Rover V8s, but subsequently developed an in-house engine design. The AJP8 engine, a lightweight alloy V8, was developed by engineering consultant Al Melling along with John Ravenscroft and Peter Wheeler (hence the AJP initials), a notable achievement for a small maker. The new engine was originally destined for the Griffith and Chimaera models, but now a characteristic of Al Melling, development took longer than expected and it finally became available in the Cerbera and Tuscan race cars. Perhaps more significantly, Peter Wheeler was instrumental in the body design of TVR cars during his ownership. He managed a design team that produced a number of acclaimed and resolved body designs including the Chimaera, Griffith, Cerbera, Tuscan, Tamora, T350, Typhon and Sagaris. These attention grabbing works of sculpture helped to keep TVR on the front covers of magazines around the world and thus in the public eye. Wheeler subsequently directed the design of a straight-six derivative of the AJP8 that would be cheaper to produce and maintain than the eight. This engine, designed by John Ravenscroft, became known as the TVR Speed Six engine, and powers current TVRs. [edit] Smolensky ownership In July 2004, 24-year-old Nikolay Smolensky bought the company from Wheeler, for a rumoured £15 million. Despite his Russian nationality, Smolensky said he intended TVR to remain a British company. In April 2006, responding to falling demand and with production rumoured to have dropped from 12 cars a week to 3 or 4, TVR laid off some of its 300 staff. At the same time, the firm announced plans to move to updated facilities in the Squires Gate district of Blackpool, citing impending expiry of the lease of the current factory in late 2006, where owner Peter Wheeler was said to be planning to build a housing estate. In October 2006 Smolensky announced[3] that body production and final assembly for TVR would move to Turin, Italy[4], with only engine production remaining in the UK. In protest at this and to show support for the workers, a large number of TVR owners paraded through central London on 26 November 2006. Dubbed "London Thunder"[5], it was also an attempt at the official world record for the biggest one-marque convoy on record. By December 2006, it emerged that Smolensky had split TVR into a number of different companies[6]; Brand and intellectual property rights had been transferred to a core Smolensky company TVR Motors – held the licence to the brands and intellectual property in the UK, as well as sales and marketing of the brand TVR Power – the parts and spares business had been sold to a management buyout Blackpool Automotive – the factory and manufacturing assets On 13 December, Smolensky and production director Mike Penny resigned as directors of Blackpool Automotive, being replaced by Smolensky UK personal assistant Roger Billinghurst and 25 year old Austrian Angelco Stamenkov. By 24 December Blackpool Automotive was in administration. Administrators are now seeking legal clarification on the ownership of certain assets, including the brand and intellectual property, to see what assets the company has and who should pay the redundancy notices of the remaining 200 workers[7]. [edit] Recent events On 22 February 2007 it was revealed that Smolensky is once again the owner of the company after being the highest bidder.[8]. On 28 February 2007, less than one week after reacquiring TVR, he has reportedly announced plans to sell the company to Adam Burdette and Jean Michel Santacreu, who intend to export TVRs to the United States market.[9] On 8 October 2007 it was found that Smolensky was still in control of the company and was hoping to restart production, with a target of 2,000 cars to be sold in 2008.[10] On 11 July 2008 It was reported that TVR announced the relaunching of the Sagaris as the Sagaris 2, at its new centre near Wesham in Lancashire. On February 22, 2010, a report stated that TVR is rumoured to plan a comeback with a new model set to debut at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed or possibly earlier. Included in this report was the rumor that TVR would switch to using an American powerplant instead of an in-house built engine, as well as the announcement that the new model will be sold in the United States.[11] In June 2010 German manufacturer Gullwing, said they will start producing a new car from September 2010. Gullwing are a specialist German firm and are to take a minority share in TVR. Boss Juergen Mohr said “Having been a TVR owner, I think this will be the best TVR ever,”. He also confirmed the company was planning new models, possibly with alternative drivetrains. “I can imagine everything, even electric-powered cars,” Mohr said. TVR is still owned by Russian millionaire Nikolai Smolensky.[12] Their website currently says "Website Coming Soon." [edit] Ownership history The history of the company can be divided into four eras, based on ownership: 1947–1965, founder Trevor Wilkinson, who left in 1962 1965–1981, Martin Lilley 1981–2004, Peter Wheeler 2004–present, Nikolay Smolensky [edit] Model list Model Production Years Engine Displacement Trevor Wilkinson Era[13] TVR Jomar1 1957–1959 Coventry Climax Ford Kent 1098 cc 1172 cc TVR Grantura I 1958–1960 Coventry Climax FWA Coventry Climax FWE Ford 100E Sidevalve BMC B-Series 1098 cc 1216 cc 1172 cc 1489 cc TVR Grantura II 1960–1961 Coventry Climax FWE Ford Kent 105E BMC B-Series BMC B-Series 1216 cc 997 cc 1489 cc 1588 cc TVR Grantura IIa 1961–1962 Coventry Climax FWE Ford Kent 105E Ford Kent 109E BMC B-Series BMC B-Series 1216 cc 997 cc 1340 cc 1588 cc 1622 cc TVR Grantura III 1962–1963 BMC B-Series 1622 cc TVR Grantura III 1800 1963–1965 BMC B-Series 1798 cc TVR Grantura 1800S 1964–1966 BMC B-Series 1798 cc TVR Trident 1964–1966 Ford Windsor V8 4727 cc TVR Griffith 2001 1963–1964 Ford Windsor V8 4727 cc TVR Griffith 4001 1964–1967 Ford Windsor V8 4727 cc Martin Lilley Era TVR Grantura IV 1800S 1966–1967 BMC B-Series 1798 cc TVR Tuscan V8 1967–1970 Ford Windsor V8 4727 cc TVR Tuscan V6 1969–1971 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR Vixen S1 1967–1968 Ford Kent BMC B-Series 1599 cc 1798 cc TVR Vixen S2 1968–1969 Ford Kent 1599 cc TVR Vixen S3 1970–1972 Ford Kent 1599 cc TVR Vixen 1300 1971–1972 Triumph I4 1296 cc TVR Vixen 2500 1971–1972 Triumph I6 2498 cc TVR Vixen S4 1972 Ford Kent 1599 cc TVR 1600M 1972–1973 1975–1977 Ford Kent I4 1599 cc TVR 2500M 1972–1977 Triumph I6 2498 cc TVR 3000M 1971–1979 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR 3000M Turbo 1975–1979 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR Taimar 1976–1979 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR Taimar Turbo 1976–1979 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR 3000S 1978–1979 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR 3000S Turbo 1978–1979 Ford Essex V6 2994 cc TVR Tasmin 200 1981–1984 Ford Pinto I4 1993 cc TVR Tasmin 280i 1980–1984 Ford Cologne V6 2792 cc Peter Wheeler Era TVR 280i 1984–1987 Ford Cologne V6 2792 cc TVR 350i 1983–1989 TVR/Rover V8 3528 cc TVR 350SX 1985–1989 TVR/Rover V8 + Sprintex Supercharger 3528 cc TVR 400SX 1989 TVR/Rover V8 + Sprintex Supercharger 3948 cc TVR 350SE 1990–1991 TVR/Rover V8 3947 cc TVR 390SE 1984–1988 TVR/Rover V8 3905 cc TVR 400SE 1988–1991 TVR/Rover V8 3948 cc TVR 420SE 1986–1987 TVR/Rover V8 4228 cc TVR 450SE 1989–1990 TVR/Rover V8 4441 cc TVR 420SEAC 1986–1988 TVR/Rover V8 4228 cc TVR 450SEAC 1988–1989 TVR/Rover V8 4441 cc TVR S 1986–1988 Ford Cologne V6 2792 cc TVR S2 1989–1990 Ford Cologne V6 2933 cc TVR S3(C) 1991–1992 Ford Cologne V6 2933 cc TVR S4C 1993–1993 Ford Cologne V6 2933 cc TVR V8S 1991–1993 TVR/Rover V8 3948 cc TVR Griffith 1992–2002 TVR/Rover V8 3948 cc 4280 cc 4988 cc TVR Chimaera 1992–2001 TVR/Rover V8 3948 cc 4280 cc 4495 cc 4988 cc TVR Cerbera 1996–2003 AJP8 / Speed Eight 4185 cc 4475 cc 1996–2003 Speed Six 3996 cc TVR Tamora 2002–2006 Speed Six 3605 cc TVR T350 (Targa & Coupe) 2003–2006 Speed Six 3605 cc TVR Tuscan 1999–2006 Speed Six 3605 cc 3996 cc TVR Sagaris 2004–2006 Speed Six 3996 cc TVR Typhon 2004 Speed Six 3996 cc Nikolai Smolenski Era TVR Sagaris 2004–2006 Speed Six 3996 cc Speciality/Racing Cars TVR Cerbera Speed 122/3 1997 Speed Twelve 7730 cc TVR Tuscan Speed 122/3 TVR Speed Twelve 7730 cc TVR Tuscan Challenge3 1989–(around 100 made) Rover V8/Speed Eight 4500 cc TVR T400R/Typhon GT3 ? 1 – Not technically a TVR model, but used TVR chassis/body. 2 – Never went into production. 3 – Built exclusively for racing. [edit] Gallery Sample gallery 1966 Griffith 400 Original #55 of 59 TVR 280i TVR 280i Coupe 1984 TVR 280i Series 2 1986 TVR Chimaera TVR Cerbera TVR Cerbera Speed 12 TVR Sagaris Two TVRs at the Northampton & Lamport Railway during a Car show held at the railway TVR No.2 – Oldest surviving TVR. Located at the Yorkshire Motor Museum Tuscan Challenge racing car [edit] See also Trident (car company) [edit] References ^ "Trevor Wilkinson". The Daily Telegraph (London). 9 June 2008. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2101208/Trevor-Wilkinson.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010.  ^ a b c "Trevor Wilkinson, founder of TVR sports car company, dies aged 85". Daily Mail. 2008-06-07. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1024909/Trevor-Wilkinson-founder-TVR-sports-car-company-dies-aged-85.html. Retrieved 2008-06-07.  ^ "TVR to move car production abroad". BBC News. 18 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6062084.stm. Retrieved 26 May 2010.  ^ italiaspeed.com ^ London Thunder ^ "Focus TVR tsar roars off". The Times (London). 7 January 2007. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2769-2534377,00.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010.  ^ Laurance, Ben (7 January 2007). "Fight for control of TVR assets". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2769-2534344,00.html. Retrieved 26 May 2010.  ^ "Union anger as TVR is bought back". BBC News. 22 February 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/6388109.stm. Retrieved 26 May 2010.  ^ Autocar – Smolenski's out. Again ^ Autocar – TVR: new models on sale by 2008 ^ http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/default.asp?storyId=21530 ^ http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/253387/return_of_tvr.html#ixzz0rsDGNdYc ^ Filby, Peter (2010).TVR - The Early Years, Autocraft Books, Reigate. ISBN 978 0 9545729 1 4. [edit] External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: TVR vehicles Official TVR website The TVR Car Club TVR Car Club North America TVR Trident Trident car club (Non-TVR) TVR Griffith Owners Register, History, Mods and Maintenance, Gallery, Alt Parts,Resources, Links TVR pictures, costs, service schedules and specifications. TVR history TVR Chimaera maintenance, modification, ownership and buyer's guide. 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Category:Industry in the United Kingdom || HOME NEWS Log in/Register NewsHeadlines Summary News WidgetGrab one NewslettersSubscribe Thursday 6th May TVR - A BRITISH AFFAIRMark 14th August in your diary if TVRs are your thing At the moment, it seems you can barely move for summer TVR events. But one event in particular that we heard about seems to appeal to everyone in the TVR community. When it comes to all good things British, TVR is right up there and �A British Affair� has created a TVR event that not only celebrates this Great British Sports Car, but also includes tributes to other aspects of British creation. On Saturday 14th August 2010 droves of Blackpool's finest will make their final approach to Old Warden airfield for a celebration of British engineering at its best. Not only will you be able to take a look at a fantastic collection of TVRs, you'll also be able to watch some special aeroplanes providing an airborne spectacle - and the roar of a Merlin aero engine is probably the only thing that sounds better than a de-catted V8. Other attractions include: *� The Bloodhound Supersonic Car: Get a rare opportunity to learn more about this awesome project at one of the series of informal talks on offer from Richard Noble OBE *�Trade Stands and Displays � some of whom will be regulars at TVR events and others who are appearing for the first time *� An Autojumble of TVR parts.� An opportunity to pick up that hard-to-find part, not to mention offering you an outlet for clearing out some of your surplus parts (thus creating room for all the spangly new bits you find) *� There will be � extra special� TVRs�� from road cars to race cars! *�� An early evening flying display featuring those traditional British favourites, including (among others) a Spitfire and a Hurricane *� A static aeroplane display � including a Mark V Spitfire � (featured in the film �Pearl Harbour�), which is undergoing a complete overhaul in one of the hangars. * In addition there will be a quiz,�an auction, drives around the surrounding countryside, cars for sale,�rolling road runs and a wealth of expertise from TVR owners. *� After the flying display there will be a Great British Barbeque, helping to boost your energy levels for the HUGE PARTY which follows. The goal is to offer something for everyone and the area is child-friendly, with a great playground and loads of space to run around and exhaust little people.� (Big people may run around too, of course).�The entry ticket is priced between �20-�25 per adult for the weekend Camping is on offer and special rates have been negotiated at a hotel a couple of miles away if camping isn't your thing. Sunday morning offers a flying start, with a Full British Breakfast � of course! We will of course be keeping all our TVRs together (pre-booking advised), to create their own spectacle for a substantial crowd of onlookers!� Booking forms and details are available on the Cambs Region Website. Author: Garlick 117 comments on this storyLatest comment by amazonWant more PH news like this daily - then signup for the PH newsletter here! Terms of UsePrivacy StatementCopyright © 1998-2010 PistonHeads.com ® Speed Matters ® || Discussion forum: • general forum • model areas forum • suggestions forum • regional forums Members' Services: • benefits • TVRs in print • archives • colours • committee details • minutes • helplines • club insurance • FAQs • RO area • TVRCC TV • technical • picture this Events: • future events • past events • track days • Le Mans Motorsport: • TVRCC Challenge Cup • Tuscans/GTs • Sprints Model Areas: • Pre M • M Series • Wedge • S Series • Griffith • Chimaera • Cerbera • Speed Sixes • prototypes/specials Regalia: • buy online Trade Links: • dealers new/used • parts/gifts/accessories • bodywork/servicing • tours/racing/training • insurance TVR Car Club Promote your Page too Trevor Wilkinson, RIP. 1923-2008 Founder of TVR Trevor Wilkinson, the quiet, unassuming man who first built the car that now carries the three main letters from his name, passed away peacefully in a Menorcan hospital on 6 June 2008. Click here to download the original TVRCC press release covering this sad news. The Times version is here; the Telegraph version is here. Alternatively, click here to download the BBC Radio 4 tribute that appeared on The Final Word. About TVR: Past and Present TVR was founded in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson (see right) (who gave his name to the make - TreVoR) in Blackpool as Trevcar Motors. He built his first car in 1949 using a multi-tubular chassis, Morris 8 mechanicals and a Ford 100E engine to which he added his own design metal bodyshell. This car sadly no longer exists but its successor, TVR No 2 (see below), does and is owned by a current TVRCC member. Soon Trevor realised that the bodyshell would be much more cost-effective it it were made in GRP and in 1953 started fitting RGS Atlanta bodies to his chassis before the first real production TVR with an in-house produced GRP body, the Grantura (see below), appeared in 1958. TVR No.2 TVR Jomar TVR Grantura Mk 1 TVR Griffith The years since have seen the company pass through tumultuous times and a variety of different models - Griffith 200 and 400 (see above), Vixen (see above), Tuscan V6 and V8, 2500 and 3000M, Taimar, 3000S, Tasmin/280i, 350i, 390SE, 420 and 450SEAC, 400 and 450SE, S1, S2, S3 and S4, V8S , Griffith, Chimaera, Cerbera, Tuscan, Tamora, Sagaris and T400R/Typhon. TVR Vixen TVR M series TVR 3000S TVR Tasmin TVR 400SE TVR 450SEAC TVR S3 TVR V8S TVR Griffith TVR Chimaera TVR Cerbera TVR Tuscan TVR Tamora TVR T350T TVR Sagaris TVR T400R/Typhon Throughout all the changes, Trevor's basic concept of fitting a GRP body to a multi-tubular chassis with front engine and rear wheel drive, with particular attention being paid to power/weight ratios, has produced ever more exciting cars for the enthusiast. The aim is to produce a lightweight car with plenty of power and torque, combined with a front engined rear wheel drive layout to give the maximum pleasure for the enthusiastic driver. The engine is set as far back as possible in the front to give the car a near 50/50 weight distribution. Current models weigh about the same as a small saloon but with 3.5 to 5 times as much power dependent on model. TVRs are built to order by hand in Blackpool, England with current production figures making TVR probably the largest wholley British motor manufacturer remaining. Throughout all of TVR’s early history, the company relied on engines from other manufacturers including Coventry Climax, Ford and MG but perhaps the most famous of all these and which was at the heart of most 1980s and early 90s TVRs has been the ubiquitous Buick/Oldsmobile V8 of 1961-1963, more commonly known as the Rover V8. Used in TVRs from the 350i (see below) of 1983, which was the first TVR to be designed under present owner Peter Wheeler’s management and which produced around 190-200bhp, right up to the very last Griffiths and Chimaeras (see below), where in 5 litre form it produced around 340bhp. TVR 350i TVR Chimaera In 1994, however, TVR announced that they would shortly be producing their own in house engine, known as the AJP8, named after the first initials of the three men responsible, engine designer Al Melling, TVR design guru John Ravenscroft and Peter Wheeler himself. This engine, initially of 4.2 litres but later increased to 4.5 was, and still is fitted to the Cerbera range (see below), produces up to 420bhp and 380lbft of torque making the Cerbera one of the world’s fastest 2+2 sports cars. Cerbera with TVR 4.5 V8 AJP TVR Tuscan S From this engine the team developed the Speed Six (see right) which now powers most production TVRs (the Rover powered Chimaera is still available). In 4 litre form in the Tuscan S (see above) it produces 390 bhp and 310 lbft or torque which gives true supercar performance of 195mph and a 0-100 time of a fraction over 8 seconds. Whereas you expect a large motor manufacturer to build most of their cars themselves, in reality it is often the other way around with large companies like Ford and Vauxhall using a plethora of sub-contractors to produce parts for them. TVR is the opposite of this. Not only do they use their own engines, but now virtually everything about a TVR is unique and over 85% of it is produced in house. This can keep costs down and build quality up with small volume production which means that no-one else produces a car of this sophistication and performance which even remotely compares to the price for a TVR. This also comes down to craftsmanship where every worker at TVRs Bristol Avenue factory in Bispham, Blackpool is rightly proud of being part of Britain’s most successful sports car manufacturer. But perhaps mostly it stems from the fact that there are no shareholders and therefore they have not had to compromise unlike most of the competition. But back to the history… Martin and Arthur Lilley Trevor left TVR in 1962 and over the next three years the company changed hands – and names – several times and even experienced bankruptcy. However, in 1965, in stepped father and son team Arthur and Martin Lilley who bought the Grantura Engineering and renamed it TVR Engineering. It wasn’t quite a classic case of “I liked the product so I bought the company”, but it was close. Martin had spent his spare time while studying automotive engineering at college building and preparing cars for racing, predominantly Lotus. But a friend ran Barnet Motor Company, soon to become the TVR Centre and after some successes with the Lotus and then an E Type which apparently he spectacularly put into the Armco on the final bend while leading a race at Silverstone, Martin ended up buying his first TVR, a Griffith 400. This also suffered damage whilst racing and was returned to Blackpool for repair, just at the time that Grantura Engineering went into liquidation. Martin’s father, Arthur, had just prior to that been left some shares in Grantura so partly to get his son’s car back but also to ensure that he didn’t entirely lose the value of these shares, the pair of them bought the company in November 1965. For 16 years the Lilleys steered TVR through good times and bad and introduced several new models including the Vixen, the original Tuscan based on the Vixen and M Series. They were also responsible for a number of innovations: the UK’s first production turbo-charged car (3000M Turbo), first application that used the heated rear window filament as a radio aerial and TVR’s first convertible, the 3000S. Perhaps their most famous act though was the introduction of nude models onto the TVR Stand at the 1971 Motor Show. They certainly ensured that TVRs were centre stage! In 1980, they oversaw the introduction of a radical design departure when the angular Tasmin was launched at the Geneva Motor Show which would be the mainstay of company production for the next 8 years. But it also nearly bankrupted TVR for a third time and so in late 1981, along came another man “liked the product so I bought the company”. Taimar Turbo owner Peter Wheeler was a chemical engineer who had made his fortune supplying specialist equipment to the then embryonic North Sea oil industry had his car serviced at the Factory and got to know the team there very well. He bought one of the first Tasmins in 1980 and towards the end of the following year had bought out control from Martin. ‘71 Motor Show The Turbo – the Lilley’s greatest legacy? Peter Wheeler 1981 The Wheeler era ran for over 20 years and perhaps saw some of the most innovative development thus far. From the 2.8 litre Tasmin in both fixed head and convertible guise came an entry level 200 using the Ford Pinto 2.0 litre engine. But this didn’t spark the imagination and despite it’s astonishingly low sub-£10K price tag, only 61 examples were sold in three years. The company had also looked to the other extreme and in 1981 had produced two turbo-charged Tasmins, one convertible and one fixed head. The fixed head in particular had a unique body style but given a desire to move into the emerging markets in the Middle East where Ford’s American connection would, it was felt, affect sales, Peter Wheeler took the decision to squeeze the fuel injected V8 from the Rover SDI Vitesse into the Tasmin chassis to produce the Tasmin 350i. This was an instant hit and spawned the later wilder versions of up to 4.5 litres and although there is one 6.6 litre SEAC, produced originally for the Swedish market, its engine is a one off based upon a Chevrolet V8. The problem with the Tasmin, or “wedge” as it was affectionately known, especially after the Tasmin name was dropped in 1983, was that you either love the shape or you hate it. Attempts to broaden the market with the introduction of a +2 variant did little to really boost sales with just 47 280+2s and six 350+2s being built. The order book was certainly healthy throughout the mid 1980s, but TVR knew that they were missing a huge chunk of the market who harked back to the more round styling of previous TVRs. So at the 1986 Motor Show, Peter offered his customers the new S Series. With looks blatantly stolen from the Lilley’s 3000S, surprisingly the only shared components are door handles. It used the same Ford 2.8 Cologne seen in the Tasmin/280i although this quickly became the 2.9 litre unit in the S2 and S3. 350+2 TVR S2 The S sold rapidly and triggered the development of an ES, with a 3.8 litre Holden engine but this did not get beyond the Motor Show prototype. What did was the other project that fello out the S which was the resurrected Tuscan name and which quickly developed from a proposed S Series based road car to the UK’s most exciting one make race series which dominated British motor sport throughout the 90s. There is much more on the history of the Tuscan race series in the Members’ Area. At the 1989 Motor Show, Peter showed the world the replacement for the wedge, the Speed Eight, which was basically a grown up 400SE with a more curvaceous body but it still had the same basic looks. Again, wedge lovers loved it, the rest didn’t. The following year, the Speed Eight had grown into a proper 2+2 convertible but was shown alongside another prototype project, a funny round looking thing bringing back the name of Griffith. The advanced order book told Peter Wheeler which to proceed with as 32 advanced orders were placed for the Speed Eight but more than ten times that number for the Griff. With the first customer cars being delivered in early 1992, the Griffith ran for less than a year before being joined by the Chimaera, virtually identical but with slightly softer suspension, a larger boot capable of carrying a set of golf clubs and a different body style and which quickly became TVRs best seller. The Griffith then bowed out to make way for the Griffith 500, basically “more of the same” with a 340bhp, 5.0 litre version of the engine. Griffith 500 Chimaera 4.0 TVR continued to go from strength to strength and it looked as though Peter Wheeler could do no wrong. With a bulging order book (the green Chimaera above was ordered at the Motor Show in October 1993 but not delivered until June 1994), TVRs were the sports car to be seen in throughout the middle of the 1990s. But he had more work to do yet. Peter was keen to attract back those customers who sold their Griffith or Chimaera with the onset of a family and thus announced the Cerbera in 1993. But this car was to undergo radical development including a new engine for the original Show Car had a Rover V8 engine. The production version would have TVRs own, the 4.2 litre AJP. This engine, stretched out to a V12, was the powerplant behind possibly the wildest TVR ever, the Speed 12, which though originally designed fom the outset as a race car, spawned a road going version of which one still exists and was tested by Evo recently who gave it “11½ out of 5”. Furthermore, one bank of the Speed 12 effectively became the Speed Six engine which is now at the heart of every TVR. In an attempt to search out new export markets, in 1998 TVR opened a new factory in Port Kelang, just outside Kuala Lumpar Malaysia. This factory produced only Chimaeras and whilst there was a burgeoning home market for them in Malaysia, most of their production went overseas to Australia, Japan and |south Africa. Interestingly, some were even alleged to have been shipped back to UK to meet the growing demand in the European market. The original road going Speed 12 And in race trim at Thruxton The Griffith replacement emerged with TVR’s third use of the name Tuscan in 1999 with the first customer cars arriving the following year and then in 2001 the Tamora, to replace the Chimaera. These were joined in 2003 with the T350C and T, a fixed head car that has been described as a spiritual successor to the Vixen and Tuscan of the 1960s. All of these cars used the 3.6 litre version of the Speed Six engine. Towards the end of 2003, the T350 had spawned a wilder version with cooling slots, spoilers and the 4.0 litre engine from the Tuscan S and was known as the Sagaris. It was planned that the Sagaris would run alongside and eventually take over from the Tuscan racer in the TVR Tuscan Challenge. The following year subtle changes were announced to the Tuscan which would become the Tuscan 2 and an all new version would be produced, the Tuscan 2 convertible. T350 Tuscan 2 Convertible Almost running in parallel to the development of the road cars was the competition department which having cut its teeth on the Tuscan racer and then the Speed 12 through the 90s, looked towards Le Mans. First off was the Tuscan R which appeared at the 2000 Motor Show and although it was shown as a road car that you could take racing, it quickly became an out and out race car and was first seen on the track in 2001 before being renamed the T400R (and occasionally T440R). Development continued the following year until in June 2003, two De Walt liveried T400Rs rolled across the start line for the first time that TVR had been there for 41 years. Sadly, as the history books show, neither car finished but they were back 12 months later in the hands of Synergy Chamberlain Motorsport and this time, to the purple wearing crowd’s delight, both cars crossed the finishing line after 24 hours. Nikolai Smolenski Shortly after this, the TVR world heard a surprise announcement. The company had been sold. The new owner was a young Russian entrepreneur called Nikolai Smolenski and he set about building upon the sterling work that his predecessor had achieved in the past 22 years. With major inroads being made into product development and quality control, the new cars that emerged from Bristol Avenue over the next two years were the best engineered TVRs ever and with a secure financial grounding, the future looked rosy for the company with announcements of a brand new new purpose-built production facility to be constructed at South Shore near to Blackpool airport, together with a move of the company headquarters to a new facility in Lancaster to include a TVR museum. in July 2006, the announcement was made that that the world renowned engineering company Ricardo had been brought onboard to develop the Speed Six engine to meet Euro 5 (LEVII) compliance which would enable Nikolai to realise his plans to kake TVR a world beater rather than just simply focussing principally on the UK market. However, for a variety of reasons, sales fell off during 2006 and with it so did the plans for TVR's future. The company was initially split into a smaller number of companies including TVR Engineering, TVR Cars Distribution Ltd and Blackpool Automotive, the latter comprising the manufacturing division at Bristol Avenue. The announcement was made on 18 October 2006 that although the company headquarters would remain in Britain, assembly would be outsourced overseas. Over the next few months, speculation was rife amongst enthusiasts as to where this outsourcing would leave the manufacturing division, ranging from Eastern Europe to South Africa with most people believing that it would be Bertone in Italy. However, to date that has been nothing but Proposed TVR Typhoon pure conjecture and no confirmation has been made. During all of this however they also announced that an all new 600bhp supercar, the Typhoon, would be launched at the 2007 Geneva motorshow as reported exclusively by TVR MD David Oxley in the October 2006 issue of TVR Sprint. The really bitter blow to TVR enthusiasts came on Friday 22 December 2006 when it was announced that Blackpool Automotive had gone into receivership. There was also speculation at the time that the moulds for Sagaris and Tuscan II had been shipped overseas whlst the intelectual property rights and trademarks had been transferred to one of the other arms of the company. However, PKF Ltd, the company appointed to act as receivers, dispelled these rumousr when on 2 February 2007, they placed Blackpool Automotive for sale, including the TVR trademark, in a sealed bid auction. Nikolai then bought back the company - and most importantly the intellectual propertiy rights to the name TVR - for a fraction of what he originally paid for it in 2004. Rumours then continued throughout 2007 and early 2008 of will he won't he start rebuilding cars. But the exciting news that we had all been waiting for was when these rumours started to come to fruition. Firstly there were these photos of a barn "just outside Blackpool" published on the discussion forums on this website: Then in June 2008, the Club were approached by David Oxley of TVR and invited to attend an exclusive preview of the new Sagaris 2. The Club was extremely fortunate to have been invited to this as the only other attendees were Dealer Principals; no other members of the press or representatives from other websites were present. From an overwhelming number of applicants who wanted to attend this event, some 60 Club members' names were drawn out of a hat and these then met on 10 July 2008 at the new TVR development facility in Wesham near to Blackpool from where they drove in convoy to the Great Hall at Mains where they had the opportunity at first hand to view the new car. You can download the Club report on this exclusive event which was uploaded to this site live from the preview by clicking here. TVR have risen like a phoenix from the ashes before. The TVRCC is sure that they will do so again in their 60th anniversary year. The knockers will still say that TVRs are unreliable. But we that own them, drive them and love them know better. More details can be found at http://www.tvr.co.uk. From this – Trevor’s own sketch of TVR 1 To this - Sagaris 2 July 2008 || || amazon.co.uk Hello. Sign in to get personalised recommendations. New Customer? Start here. Get what you need in our Christmas Store Your Amazon.co.uk | Today's Deals | Gift Cards | Gifts & Wish Lists Your Account | Help Shop All Departments Search Basket Basket Wish List Video Advanced Search Browse Genres Bestsellers Children's Video Sell Your Videos Books Books Kindle eBooks Books For Study Audio Books Music, DVD & Games Music MP3 Downloads Musical Instruments & DJ DVD & Blu-ray Blu-ray PC & Video Games Kindle Kindle (Wi-Fi) Amazon's 6" wireless reading device Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) Amazon's 6" wireless reading device Free Kindle Reading Apps For PC, iPad, iPhone, Android, and more Kindle Accessories Kindle eBooks Kindle Newspapers Kindle Magazines Kindle Store Electronics Camera & Photo TV & Home Theatre Audio, MP3 & Accessories Sat Nav & Car Electronics Phones & Accessories PC & Video Games All Electronics Computers & Office PCs & Laptops Computer Accessories Computer Components Software PC & Video Games Printers & Ink Office Products & Supplies Home, Garden & Pets Kitchen & Dining Appliances Homeware & Furnishings Lighting Garden & Outdoors Pet Supplies All Home & Garden Toys, Children & Baby Toys & Games Baby Clothes, Shoes & Watches Clothing Shoes Jewellery Watches Bags & Accessories Hobbies, Sports & Leisure Musical Instruments & DJ Exercise & Fitness Camping & Hiking Bikes & Scooters Golf All Sports & Leisure Grocery, Health & Beauty Grocery Health & Beauty DIY, Tools & Car DIY & Home Improvement Power & Hand Tools Car & Motorbike Sat Nav & Car Electronics �16.85 + �2.75 shipping In stock. Sold by stephensmith_426 Quantity: or Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. More Buying Choices 2 used & new from �6.95 Have one to sell? Sell yours here Share See larger image Share your own customer images Best Of British TVR [VHS] Rated: Exempt | Format: VHS Tape 2.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews) 3 Reviews 5 star: (0) 4 star: (0) 3 star: (2) 2 star: (0) 1 star: (1) › See all 3 customer reviews... Price: �16.85 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o In stock. Dispatched from and sold by stephensmith_426. Only 1 left in stock--order soon. Ordering for Christmas? This item requires additional time to dispatch. Based on the delivery schedule of stephensmith_426, this item will arrive after December 25. Need a gift quickly? E-mail or print an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate. 1 used from �6.95 Special Offers and Product Promotions From mountain bikes to cricket bats, find 1000s of products in our Sports & Leisure store. Product details Format: PAL Classification: Exempt Studio: Duke Video VHS Release Date: 20 Sep 1999 Run Time: 70 minutes Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews) 3 Reviews 5 star: (0) 4 star: (0) 3 star: (2) 2 star: (0) 1 star: (1) › See all 3 customer reviews... ASIN: B00004CZL4 Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 37,552 in Video (See Top 100 in Video) #30 in Video > Sports > Motor Sport > Saloon Car Would you like to update product info, give feedback on images, or tell us about a lower price? Product Description Synopsis Built in a garage in Blackpool using a mixture of second hand parts the first TVR was created by Trevor Wilkinson, who founded the company. This programme is a celebration of the car's history. Tag this product (What's this?) Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. Your tags: Add your first tag Search Products Tagged with See most popular tags Customer Reviews 3 Reviews 5 star: (0) 4 star: (0) 3 star: (2) 2 star: (0) 1 star: (1) Average Customer Review 2.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing to rave about, 24 Nov 2000 By N. Blair (Edinburgh,Scotland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) This review is from: Best Of British TVR [VHS] (VHS Tape) Nothing to rave about- Expected a little more on the day to day modern cars/road tests etc, that TVR are now putting out - Tended to get bogged down in too much interview with P Wheeler and older stuff.Go to your local dealer for feel of what they're about ! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | PermalinkComment Comment 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars It's the only one out there!, 28 Oct 2000 By A Customer This review is from: Best Of British TVR [VHS] (VHS Tape) Yes, it's got a dull commentary, yes, it's made for the worthy, "make every old car a classic car" brigade, but at least it tries! Much of the footage is devoted to the older versions of TVR, and their painstaking restoration, which means very little to the owner of a more modern TVR. But the new ones do get a look in, although it's impossible to keep up with the development of these unique cars. Maybe, someday, someone will take TVR's development programme seriously, and shoot a video with an eye to the future, rather than a largely irrelevant past. There is a future to Britain's largest volume car manufacturer, which compares favourably with the longer term strategies of many other marques, and this needs to be celebrated. This video fails to do it, but at least an TVR gets onto the video map, as it were. Look how far Jaguar have gone, with similar history. TVR really is 'The Best of British", even if the video isn't, but in the absence of anything more imaginative, and less generic, I suppose it will have to do! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | PermalinkComment Comment 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Good TVR Videos Needed, 4 April 2000 By paul_rich98@yahoo.com (London) - See all my reviews This review is from: Best Of British TVR [VHS] (VHS Tape) This is very poor atempt. Not enough detail on modern day TVR's. Too much cheap footage. The makers have spent no money on this video and it shows. The voice-over is particually bad. I have been in the film industry for many years and I have seen better from High School students! If you have a love for the older TVR's then you might enjoy. Sorry. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | PermalinkComment Comment Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 3 customer reviews... Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews Customer Discussions Listmania! Create a Listmania! list Search Listmania! Look for similar items by category DVD & Blu-ray > Sports > Motor Sport Look for similar items by subject Motor Sport Saloon Car Sport Sports i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ... Feedback Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? stephensmith_426 Privacy Statement stephensmith_426 Delivery Information stephensmith_426 Returns & Exchanges Your Recent History (What's this?) 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