Importing a Cerbera?
Discussion
I've had my eye on exotica for some time, now that I'm wisened I thought I might sell on one of the race cars and drag home a TVR Cerbera. I understand that although I can get exemption for exhaust and frontal impact (with some work) I still require a code of compliance. Is this true? How do I go about getting code of compliance from a company that currently, supposedly exists in a barn? Any other issues I should be addressing before purchase?
Assistance appreciated. Daniel.
Assistance appreciated. Daniel.
Edited by Redmist336 on Sunday 10th August 02:46
Hi Daniel,
You can bring back a Cerbera, there are some ins and outs to it but nothing major. Check out the rules here:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/rules/frontal-impact-amend...
and if you have any questions after that post here or ping me an email through my profile.
Bureaucracy aside, I don't know how much you know about these cars or how deep your pockets are but just be aware having a AJP/S6 engine go pop over here would be a bit problematic, and very expensive. I would almost be tempted to bring a second engine over in the container if I was planning long term ownership. Or you could take the LSx transplant route if that ever happened.
Don
You can bring back a Cerbera, there are some ins and outs to it but nothing major. Check out the rules here:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/rules/frontal-impact-amend...
and if you have any questions after that post here or ping me an email through my profile.
Bureaucracy aside, I don't know how much you know about these cars or how deep your pockets are but just be aware having a AJP/S6 engine go pop over here would be a bit problematic, and very expensive. I would almost be tempted to bring a second engine over in the container if I was planning long term ownership. Or you could take the LSx transplant route if that ever happened.
Don
I know very little of TVR. Other than they are big, brutish and poorly constructed and beautifully curved. Much like myself.
In all honesty I just love the shape and the daring dash. I understand that I will pay through the nose in order to keep it mechanically in order. An engine transplant is tempting for reliability but screwing with what I consider the major character of the car isnt what I want to do (unless forced to do so by economic factors). I think that in years to come TVR has a possibility of becoming much like the early vet's where numbers mean everything.
I'm after a 4.5 as I believe it doesnt have the same crank issues as the 4.2 or any of the shaft issues of the speed 6. If I can pick up a second engine for a reasonable sum then I'll certainly throw it in a container at the same time. But I may be forced to go down the same route as yourself and transpant. But perhaps go down the lightweight Jap V8's and cam it to hell. Hopefully we are talking years before engine failure and at that point there will be other options available.
In all honesty I just love the shape and the daring dash. I understand that I will pay through the nose in order to keep it mechanically in order. An engine transplant is tempting for reliability but screwing with what I consider the major character of the car isnt what I want to do (unless forced to do so by economic factors). I think that in years to come TVR has a possibility of becoming much like the early vet's where numbers mean everything.
I'm after a 4.5 as I believe it doesnt have the same crank issues as the 4.2 or any of the shaft issues of the speed 6. If I can pick up a second engine for a reasonable sum then I'll certainly throw it in a container at the same time. But I may be forced to go down the same route as yourself and transpant. But perhaps go down the lightweight Jap V8's and cam it to hell. Hopefully we are talking years before engine failure and at that point there will be other options available.
Of the Wheeler era TVRs I think the most collectable classics will be the Sagaris, Griffith 5 (or 4.3BV), and Cerbera 4.5, so on your criteria I think you're going for the right TVR. Cerbs are very good buying right now - depending on age, mileage etc you should be able to get a good 4.5 for under £15k. They come up in Japan too so would be worth asking an importers you know to keep an eye out.
Happy shopping
Happy shopping
Cerberas have always been good buying! 
4.0/4.3 Griffiths are already collectable - check out the prices for a mint one.
All I'd say is source one through one of the specialists - check out who's flavour of the month in the Cerbera forum. Make sure there is no rust anywhere on the car as the LTSA and customs are buggers for it. Also, get any modifications done before it's shipped. A decent induction system and ECU will get 400bhp+ out of a 4.5 and a grand spend on some shocks and springs will make all the difference on road and around a track.
AJP8s are actually very strong engines and more and more of the specialists are tuning them so parts are actually not too bad.
Having said this I wouldn't touch a '96 car and only very late '97 cars were any good - I postponed delivery of mine until October '97 because they were pants until then.
I regret selling my Cerbera more than any other car - it was quite simply awesome. If I ever have enough disposable to buy another one I'll be off back to Blighty like a rocket!
4.0/4.3 Griffiths are already collectable - check out the prices for a mint one.
All I'd say is source one through one of the specialists - check out who's flavour of the month in the Cerbera forum. Make sure there is no rust anywhere on the car as the LTSA and customs are buggers for it. Also, get any modifications done before it's shipped. A decent induction system and ECU will get 400bhp+ out of a 4.5 and a grand spend on some shocks and springs will make all the difference on road and around a track.
AJP8s are actually very strong engines and more and more of the specialists are tuning them so parts are actually not too bad.
Having said this I wouldn't touch a '96 car and only very late '97 cars were any good - I postponed delivery of mine until October '97 because they were pants until then.
I regret selling my Cerbera more than any other car - it was quite simply awesome. If I ever have enough disposable to buy another one I'll be off back to Blighty like a rocket!
I've been lusting after one of these for some years now, and I'm frankly amazed to see that you can now import one, but then it won't surprise anyone that I missed that little detail, given my post (below). This one's nice (provided you don't mind crimson upholstery)http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/640708.htm Time to plan a trip to the youkay....
Be very careful. Although you can get a dispensation from frontal impact and emissions, you still need to show compliance with a whole host of other standards (seatbelt anchorages, brakes etc). That might be a problem because you might not be able to find anyone who is able to issue a statement of compliance on behalf of TVR.
Good luck though. Would be good to see more of these on the road here.
Good luck though. Would be good to see more of these on the road here.
Coq au Vin said:
Be very careful. Although you can get a dispensation from frontal impact and emissions, you still need to show compliance with a whole host of other standards (seatbelt anchorages, brakes etc). That might be a problem because you might not be able to find anyone who is able to issue a statement of compliance on behalf of TVR.
Good luck though. Would be good to see more of these on the road here.
Well given that they've just managed to get a Sagaris on the road in NZ as well as FINALLY managing to get that 4.6L Tuscan Racer complied for the road as well, I'd imagine there's some route through it all now. Jim Gamsby is the man to see, he's been organising this for others so he'd be the one to talk to regarding the ins and outs. Good luck though. Would be good to see more of these on the road here.
It was the Cerbera or the Lotus Esprit Sport 350. I decided the Cerbera to be considerably better looking... just kidding... almost.
It's more of an analytical solution. More room, slightly more practical, easier to transplant another engine into, and I think the shape won't date as much as that of the Esprit. And of course cheaper so I won't feel so guilty when I eventually cut it up and place an LS engine in it.
It's more of an analytical solution. More room, slightly more practical, easier to transplant another engine into, and I think the shape won't date as much as that of the Esprit. And of course cheaper so I won't feel so guilty when I eventually cut it up and place an LS engine in it.
Edited by Redmist336 on Monday 18th August 03:44
Redmist336 said:
I've emailed Jim on tvrcc-newzealand@tvrcc.com, however I wonder if anyone has alternate contact details for him or possibly a personal email address?
Cheers, Daniel.
Daniel... e-mail me (via my link in my profile) and I shall e-mail you back his personal E-mail address and give you a contact cellphone number Cheers, Daniel.
Redmist336 said:
It was the Cerbera or the Lotus Esprit Sport 350. I decided the Cerbera to be considerably better looking... just kidding... almost.
It's more of an analytical solution. More room, slightly more practical, easier to transplant another engine into, and I think the shape won't date as much as that of the Esprit. And of course cheaper so I won't feel so guilty when I eventually cut it up and place an LS engine in it.
Yip stick to TVR if your planing to carve it up, unless your planing to be slaughtered by the Lotus black nights of England It's more of an analytical solution. More room, slightly more practical, easier to transplant another engine into, and I think the shape won't date as much as that of the Esprit. And of course cheaper so I won't feel so guilty when I eventually cut it up and place an LS engine in it.
Edited by Redmist336 on Monday 18th August 03:44
Why would you want to cut it up and replace the engine with an LS?
It's one thing to rebuild a damaged car and fit an alternative engine but I just don't see the point otherwise. The engine is what the Cerbera is all about. It totally dominates the experience of driving the car. It's a unique experience and a healthy one makes for a very, very quick road car. OK, it's not everyones cup of tea in the way it goes about it's business (it's very noisey - just like a big superbike engine) but if you want a lazy, traditional, torquey V8 then go for a Griff', Chimaera or just buy a Monaro!
For the amount of money and effort it would take to transplant an engine into a Cerbera you could budget for at least two rebuilds or the purchase of a second-hand motor.
All IMHO of course.
It's one thing to rebuild a damaged car and fit an alternative engine but I just don't see the point otherwise. The engine is what the Cerbera is all about. It totally dominates the experience of driving the car. It's a unique experience and a healthy one makes for a very, very quick road car. OK, it's not everyones cup of tea in the way it goes about it's business (it's very noisey - just like a big superbike engine) but if you want a lazy, traditional, torquey V8 then go for a Griff', Chimaera or just buy a Monaro!
For the amount of money and effort it would take to transplant an engine into a Cerbera you could budget for at least two rebuilds or the purchase of a second-hand motor.
All IMHO of course.
I'm with Jamie on this one.... a Cerb at full chat is a sound unlike anything else you'll hear, it's like it's actually ripping the fabric of space-time as it accelerates.
Classic value of them in future will be best if it's matching numbers too..... hence why I've decided against putting a Honda in my Exige and why if I want to do that, I'll buy another car in from the UK and build from scratch.
Classic value of them in future will be best if it's matching numbers too..... hence why I've decided against putting a Honda in my Exige and why if I want to do that, I'll buy another car in from the UK and build from scratch.
Esprit said:
I'm with Jamie on this one.... a Cerb at full chat is a sound unlike anything else you'll hear, it's like it's actually ripping the fabric of space-time as it accelerates. . .
Speaking of which, we're only about six months away from being able to do a tunnel-run up to Puhoi
Kiwi XTR2 said:
Esprit said:
I'm with Jamie on this one.... a Cerb at full chat is a sound unlike anything else you'll hear, it's like it's actually ripping the fabric of space-time as it accelerates. . .
Speaking of which, we're only about six months away from being able to do a tunnel-run up to PuhoiThis may be a surprising opinion from the guy building an LS powered Cerbera 
but I agree the AJP engine is the heart and soul of a Cerbera, not just unique to TVR but unique (barring one experimental Griff and a few track hacks ) to the Cerbera itself.
Mine came without the engine (or a gearbox, bonnet, interior, etc etc) and if the insurance company's instructions had been followed would have been cut up into small pieces, instead it found its way into my hands shortly before I shipped out. Under the LVV scratch-built rules of the day putting an LS into it was the only chance of getting it on the road and I decided a long time ago originality of any sort is no longer on the list of objectives for this project.
However... once the LS beastie stops consuming every $ the tax man leaves me it will be very tempting to get a nice original 4.5 as a stablemate to the LS.
but I agree the AJP engine is the heart and soul of a Cerbera, not just unique to TVR but unique (barring one experimental Griff and a few track hacks ) to the Cerbera itself.Mine came without the engine (or a gearbox, bonnet, interior, etc etc) and if the insurance company's instructions had been followed would have been cut up into small pieces, instead it found its way into my hands shortly before I shipped out. Under the LVV scratch-built rules of the day putting an LS into it was the only chance of getting it on the road and I decided a long time ago originality of any sort is no longer on the list of objectives for this project.
However... once the LS beastie stops consuming every $ the tax man leaves me it will be very tempting to get a nice original 4.5 as a stablemate to the LS.
I'm not attempting to destroy any of the integral nature of the Cerbera. I am however realistic in the fact that this is a discontinued engine with limited support and a reasonably short life span. I'll be owning this car for some time and want to keep it for its intended use, that being, the road. I'll keep the TVR 8 until it decides to play no more then heavily cam a suitable 8 to give a similar feel. Hopefully we are talking years into the future.
I have every idea as to the cost of a transplant and what is involved. I've just mated a 350z engine to my Jimco offroad race car. Added to that twin turbos, two intercoolers, custom intake and exhaust manifolds, dual TB's, Link ECU, dual plate clutch, custom... just about everything else. Little dissapointed with the 519hp we put to the wheels, but still its only running 14lb of boost on stock compression.
I have every idea as to the cost of a transplant and what is involved. I've just mated a 350z engine to my Jimco offroad race car. Added to that twin turbos, two intercoolers, custom intake and exhaust manifolds, dual TB's, Link ECU, dual plate clutch, custom... just about everything else. Little dissapointed with the 519hp we put to the wheels, but still its only running 14lb of boost on stock compression.
Edited by Redmist336 on Tuesday 19th August 07:42
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