I'm back. For info really
Discussion
Hi All. We were TVR owners for twenty years. My wife Diane and I were very active members. Firstly of the Mid Essex Region. Where Diane was half of the RO team with Mrs Pauline frost (Yellowperil on here). And laterly the Suffolk and Norfolk region. Say Hi Suffolk please). When we moved house into their area. But we have been out of the scene for five years now. I've not trawled the forum for this info. And I'm completely out of touch. So please bear with this old bloke. Question one. In no particular order...Have any of you taken delivery of your new griff? Coz no doubt you've had your deposit down for several years. (More or less). Someone will tell me.....
Question two. Is there a new factory yet?
Question three. Have any of you decided to claim your deposit back?
With the government deciding that there will be no petrol or diesel cars produced in the UK within ten years. Surely that doesn't look good for Mr Edgar. As a new factory, that can't be a very long term project.?.
Yes I know I'll get shot down in flames by trolls.
I'd love to hear from our old mates in the Suffolk region.
Merry Christmas all. Dave and Diane Smith x
Question two. Is there a new factory yet?
Question three. Have any of you decided to claim your deposit back?
With the government deciding that there will be no petrol or diesel cars produced in the UK within ten years. Surely that doesn't look good for Mr Edgar. As a new factory, that can't be a very long term project.?.
Yes I know I'll get shot down in flames by trolls.
I'd love to hear from our old mates in the Suffolk region.
Merry Christmas all. Dave and Diane Smith x
Welcome back.
All details on this thread .. warning, so long without TVR news there is more talk on peoples gardens etc..
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
All details on this thread .. warning, so long without TVR news there is more talk on peoples gardens etc..
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Hi Dave & Diane
Remember you well from my time at Mid Essex meets at the Great Totham Golf Club. Was active in the club from about 2004-2007 and had a Sage Green Chimaera and later a Cureton Green Griff 500. Used to knock about with Mad Mark (RIP), Aerabec, Bombay Bad Boy, Reeso, Midas Gold etc. I have a whole bunch of photos from that era
Still in the TVR world and now have a Chameleon Orange Sagaris (I remember Pauline bringing her Yellow Sag when they first got it in 2005 and being blown away by its looks) Now up in Norfolk though and more active in the Pistoheads East Anglian meets than the TVRCC
Puffsorted
Remember you well from my time at Mid Essex meets at the Great Totham Golf Club. Was active in the club from about 2004-2007 and had a Sage Green Chimaera and later a Cureton Green Griff 500. Used to knock about with Mad Mark (RIP), Aerabec, Bombay Bad Boy, Reeso, Midas Gold etc. I have a whole bunch of photos from that era
Still in the TVR world and now have a Chameleon Orange Sagaris (I remember Pauline bringing her Yellow Sag when they first got it in 2005 and being blown away by its looks) Now up in Norfolk though and more active in the Pistoheads East Anglian meets than the TVRCC
Puffsorted
Edited by PuffsBack on Thursday 17th December 23:37
Hi. Thanks for replying. Sorry to say, I can't remember you. Though I do Reeso. He lives quite close to us in Suffolk . It seems so long since we were in the club. We did pop back to the Essex meet when it was still at Totham. We had an MX5. We were totally blanked. No RO welcoming us in like Pauline. So we drunk up and left after less than half-hour. Never been back. That's why we started meeting up with Suffolk. And eventually moved there. Do you remember the Midas gold T350c that we bought brand new. back in 03?
It's really sad to learn that TVR has finally gone. (Well, it seems that way). The scene ain't nothing like it was "Back in the day".
As a younger bloke. I dreamed of having an Aston one day. Well. It finally happened fairly recently. With a V8 vantage. What a motor. So fast. But oh so quiet. I never gelled with it. Because I subconsciously felt I didn't belong in an Aston. That's just me.
I missed the earthiness of my TVR. So it went. And we bought a Tus. How many people have gone back to TVR from Aston Martin ?
But like they say"You should never go back". In those few years whilst we were away Living on our narrowboat. The TVR scene dropped off. and lots of the friends we had made over the twenty years of our TVR lifestyle had moved on. and had families. or bought Jags Porkers Lambo's(Peter reason for one). Anyway. Enjoy that Sag. Another car I always wanted. Now I can Afford one I don't want one. Funny old thing "Change". And things have changed a lot this Year. For the worst I think. So lets hope next year is better. Have a Great Christmas mate. Dave and Diane. x(Now well past retirement age)
It's really sad to learn that TVR has finally gone. (Well, it seems that way). The scene ain't nothing like it was "Back in the day".
As a younger bloke. I dreamed of having an Aston one day. Well. It finally happened fairly recently. With a V8 vantage. What a motor. So fast. But oh so quiet. I never gelled with it. Because I subconsciously felt I didn't belong in an Aston. That's just me.
I missed the earthiness of my TVR. So it went. And we bought a Tus. How many people have gone back to TVR from Aston Martin ?
But like they say"You should never go back". In those few years whilst we were away Living on our narrowboat. The TVR scene dropped off. and lots of the friends we had made over the twenty years of our TVR lifestyle had moved on. and had families. or bought Jags Porkers Lambo's(Peter reason for one). Anyway. Enjoy that Sag. Another car I always wanted. Now I can Afford one I don't want one. Funny old thing "Change". And things have changed a lot this Year. For the worst I think. So lets hope next year is better. Have a Great Christmas mate. Dave and Diane. x(Now well past retirement age)
Edited by valhalla on Friday 18th December 09:32
This one 
Would you believe I have a photo of your 350 on my office wall. I was into taking abstract photography with intense colours and one I took of I believe is your 350 is a favourite of mine
Would you believe I have a photo of your 350 on my office wall. I was into taking abstract photography with intense colours and one I took of I believe is your 350 is a favourite of mine
Edited by PuffsBack on Friday 18th December 23:04
Edited by PuffsBack on Friday 18th December 23:09
Hi Puffsback. I'd prefer to call you by your name. Yes. That's the one. She was amazing. most of the time.
It was the second T350c to come out of Blackpool. It was on an 03 plate. We owned it for four years. And loved every minute of it.(Mostly) Not seen it since. I'd love to know where it is nowadays. As lovely as it looked. It was nothing but trouble.. It went back to the factory three times in the first year !!. I'll list a few reasons... A complete respray of the rear end. Because the very first time, I fueled it up. The stainless ring around the filler. came off. As it fell down the side of the car, it peeled an 18" strip of my lovely Midas gold paint. Then proceeded to roll across the forecourt trailing the paint. It was very embarrassing, as four people had come over to see what it was. It went back to Ca***** TVR. that very day. I remember being so angry. as were off to Gaydon for supercar Sunday. They did give us a Tuscon S as a loner. But we went to Santa pod on an RWYB day. And thrashed it up the strip four times. I remember my first run was 13 something. I'm told that quite well. But I didn't care if it blew up. So I gave it plenty of beans.
I never saw it for two months. Next, the headlights filled with water. whenever I washed it, or it rained. I remember having to cover the lights with duct tape before I washed it. we were out for a drive one day. only doing about 60. when all of a sudden something hit the windscreen. It was one of the headlamp perspex covers. But the Efin BMW up my ar*s, drove over it, a smashed it to pieces. So back to Ca****s it went. A new lens was fitted by a local windscreen company. I remember Michael Caine phoning to tell me it was done. I could tell by his voice, all was not well. So I asked him if it was ok. To be honest, Dave, it's not, And knowing you as I do, You won't like what you see. My dog could have done a better job. So back it went to Blackpool. Away for another month. That summer of fun was over. . I had it back for just another month. And I remember it was late August and so hot. We had been down to see the great kent crowd (Hi Nick ). On our way home. It was windows down through the Dartford tunnel. You know why.. Anyway, i hung back to get a decent gap. floored it up to about 60. The noise was amazing. when all of a sudden both of the rear side windows blew out. Well, not completely out. both were hanging on by the adhesive down the front edge. We got to the A12. And got out the regularly required roll of Duct tape. Luckily it was a dry day. So back to OH Bugger it. CASTLE TVR! And it was a way for another month. Those are just a few things that went wrong. I remember Diane composing a two A4 page letter of the problems we were having. And actually got a reply from peter wheeler and Ben Samuelson. Offering us a full refund, and a replacement car of our choice to the same amount we had paid. But we declined their offer. Much to their amazement. We actually had an emotional attachment to that car. And wanted her back all mended and nice.
We got it back after two months, it was virtually rebuilt as a new car. It was nice........for a while. Then more stuff started falling apart. FFS! That's another story. If you want to know more. I'll tell you.
Off the rant now. I'm so flattered that you had pictures of our baby on your wall. Dave
It was the second T350c to come out of Blackpool. It was on an 03 plate. We owned it for four years. And loved every minute of it.(Mostly) Not seen it since. I'd love to know where it is nowadays. As lovely as it looked. It was nothing but trouble.. It went back to the factory three times in the first year !!. I'll list a few reasons... A complete respray of the rear end. Because the very first time, I fueled it up. The stainless ring around the filler. came off. As it fell down the side of the car, it peeled an 18" strip of my lovely Midas gold paint. Then proceeded to roll across the forecourt trailing the paint. It was very embarrassing, as four people had come over to see what it was. It went back to Ca***** TVR. that very day. I remember being so angry. as were off to Gaydon for supercar Sunday. They did give us a Tuscon S as a loner. But we went to Santa pod on an RWYB day. And thrashed it up the strip four times. I remember my first run was 13 something. I'm told that quite well. But I didn't care if it blew up. So I gave it plenty of beans.
I never saw it for two months. Next, the headlights filled with water. whenever I washed it, or it rained. I remember having to cover the lights with duct tape before I washed it. we were out for a drive one day. only doing about 60. when all of a sudden something hit the windscreen. It was one of the headlamp perspex covers. But the Efin BMW up my ar*s, drove over it, a smashed it to pieces. So back to Ca****s it went. A new lens was fitted by a local windscreen company. I remember Michael Caine phoning to tell me it was done. I could tell by his voice, all was not well. So I asked him if it was ok. To be honest, Dave, it's not, And knowing you as I do, You won't like what you see. My dog could have done a better job. So back it went to Blackpool. Away for another month. That summer of fun was over. . I had it back for just another month. And I remember it was late August and so hot. We had been down to see the great kent crowd (Hi Nick ). On our way home. It was windows down through the Dartford tunnel. You know why.. Anyway, i hung back to get a decent gap. floored it up to about 60. The noise was amazing. when all of a sudden both of the rear side windows blew out. Well, not completely out. both were hanging on by the adhesive down the front edge. We got to the A12. And got out the regularly required roll of Duct tape. Luckily it was a dry day. So back to OH Bugger it. CASTLE TVR! And it was a way for another month. Those are just a few things that went wrong. I remember Diane composing a two A4 page letter of the problems we were having. And actually got a reply from peter wheeler and Ben Samuelson. Offering us a full refund, and a replacement car of our choice to the same amount we had paid. But we declined their offer. Much to their amazement. We actually had an emotional attachment to that car. And wanted her back all mended and nice.
We got it back after two months, it was virtually rebuilt as a new car. It was nice........for a while. Then more stuff started falling apart. FFS! That's another story. If you want to know more. I'll tell you.
Off the rant now. I'm so flattered that you had pictures of our baby on your wall. Dave
Its Martin - its amazing how they get under your skin. It was always TVR for me, never wanted anything else. Bought my Chimaera in 2004, she was beautiful in Californian Sage Green. Had her for a couple of years before trying a Griff 500 and that was it I was totally sold. I had always loved Griffs and the power of the 500 was additive. So out went the Chimaera and in came the car that I regret selling to this day - a fabulous Cureton Green Griff 500 with parchment leather.
Then life took a weird turn and the true emotional bond I have with TVR came to the fore. A move to Suffolk and the arrival of our first child meant the Griff was sold (2008) as I was now a responsible adult and boys toys should take a back seat. Wrong! the lack of a TVR in the garage caused me to be desperately unhappy to the point of nearly losing everything. By 2011 my wife was begging for me to buy another TVR so she could have her husband back.
In came a 'family' TVR - a Speed6 Cerbera - drop dead gorgeous in Grigio Titanio. Actually currently for sale at the moment in the PH classifieds. The Cerbera stayed until 2015 until I acquired what really was always the subconscious aim - a Sagaris. Its still with me, the longest time I have every owned a car and I have no thought of it going anyway anytime soon. As I now life in Norfolk just around the corner from Hethel and the Sagaris is really becoming a collectors item I have just bought a Lotus Elise as a more accessible toy - the Sag just comes out of high days and holidays now.
Take care mate, good to hear from you. You and Diane have a great xmas
- its amazing how they get under your skin. It was always TVR for me, never wanted anything else. Bought my Chimaera in 2004, she was beautiful in Californian Sage Green. Had her for a couple of years before trying a Griff 500 and that was it I was totally sold. I had always loved Griffs and the power of the 500 was additive. So out went the Chimaera and in came the car that I regret selling to this day - a fabulous Cureton Green Griff 500 with parchment leather. Then life took a weird turn and the true emotional bond I have with TVR came to the fore. A move to Suffolk and the arrival of our first child meant the Griff was sold (2008) as I was now a responsible adult and boys toys should take a back seat. Wrong! the lack of a TVR in the garage caused me to be desperately unhappy to the point of nearly losing everything. By 2011 my wife was begging for me to buy another TVR so she could have her husband back.
In came a 'family' TVR - a Speed6 Cerbera - drop dead gorgeous in Grigio Titanio. Actually currently for sale at the moment in the PH classifieds. The Cerbera stayed until 2015 until I acquired what really was always the subconscious aim - a Sagaris. Its still with me, the longest time I have every owned a car and I have no thought of it going anyway anytime soon. As I now life in Norfolk just around the corner from Hethel and the Sagaris is really becoming a collectors item I have just bought a Lotus Elise as a more accessible toy - the Sag just comes out of high days and holidays now.
Take care mate, good to hear from you. You and Diane have a great xmas
Edited by PuffsBack on Saturday 19th December 10:03
glow worm said:
"Still Alive And Kicking" 
Cor Blimey. I'd forgotten about those stickers. I sold over 300 on eBay. Before that, I was selling them on the prom at Blackpool at the long-gone "Back home" event. When they ran out. Some thieving bar steward stole my idea. and redesigned the sticker with the same message. And yes it was my original idea. The gone good old days eh!!
Dave.
Ah. That's Better. Hi Martin. That's a very nice selection you have there. And the Sag is or was an investment. I've not checked prices lately. I mentioned earlier about our MX5. We did have one at the same time as a few of our TVR's. And have to say that."If only TVR's handled as well and as easy as the MX5. " Ok. they don't have the noise. or the power of a TVR. But at nearing 70 years old. I like a bit of comfort and quiet reliability, That doesn't fall apart. That doesn't leak. Easy to drive. And is relatively economic.
Service charges are low. Our present Mk 3 MX5 only cost us £1500. And is gorgeous. But hey ho. Now let's go back ten years.
I didn't give a sh*t about any of those things.TVR's drank like a fish. So noisy. Leaking. Squeeking, rattling, Smelly,(When damp).
Requiring permanent attention. The list is endless. But I loved every one we owned. You just get used to Keeping on top of little or large niggles. And TVR has always come with niggles included in the price. I lived with all of that. Most of the time during our almost twenty years of owning five of Britain's finest Monsters. I wouldn't have missed that period in my life for any euro box.
Merry Christmas guys.
Dave and Diane. Ex of Essex and Suffolk and Norfolk TVR car club
Service charges are low. Our present Mk 3 MX5 only cost us £1500. And is gorgeous. But hey ho. Now let's go back ten years.
I didn't give a sh*t about any of those things.TVR's drank like a fish. So noisy. Leaking. Squeeking, rattling, Smelly,(When damp).
Requiring permanent attention. The list is endless. But I loved every one we owned. You just get used to Keeping on top of little or large niggles. And TVR has always come with niggles included in the price. I lived with all of that. Most of the time during our almost twenty years of owning five of Britain's finest Monsters. I wouldn't have missed that period in my life for any euro box.
Merry Christmas guys.
Dave and Diane. Ex of Essex and Suffolk and Norfolk TVR car club
Hi Dave
Great to hear from you again & thanks for the kind comments re our region. We're still going strong after nearly 20 years but as you can imagine this years shot everything to bits.
Once we can all get out again you must come & join us, it would be so good to see you again.
Give your lovely lady a hug from Carrie & I.
Nick
Great to hear from you again & thanks for the kind comments re our region. We're still going strong after nearly 20 years but as you can imagine this years shot everything to bits.
Once we can all get out again you must come & join us, it would be so good to see you again.
Give your lovely lady a hug from Carrie & I.
Nick
Hi Nick and Carrie. Nice to hear from you. Yes, we liked the Kent region. We were always made very welcome by you and everyone else. Plus it was a damn good reason to drive all that way, knowing the Tunnel was on our way home. But that's all by the by now. And you know we lived on our narrowboat for three years. On our return to Tera Firma. The money we got for the boat was burning a hole in my pocket. Di knew I was itching for another toy. I jokingly said. "One day I'd like an Aston" Oh yeah. Which one? The V8 Vantage, I replied. Let's get one then !!........................ Are you for real. Yeah, let's go for it. I was trawling Pistonheads classified all evening. By the following weekend. We had one in the Garage. I was so proud of it. A mere chippy with an Aston V8 Vantage.Can't be bad eh.
We joined the AMOC. But this is where my problem owning an Aston began. I never felt I belonged in that Hooray Henry brigade. And the red cord trousers. I was a farm laborers son. It had something missing... It was just too good. I couldn't do any maintenance myself. Well. Odds and sods.And Blimey. The service and parts charges were other things. Yes, I should have checked that before buying.
I never ever Gelled with it. Had it one year. And went back to A reflex purple Tuscan. I was home again. I could get my hands dirty again. And boy. Did I get my hands dirty. This Tuscan was a money box. We only kept it for three months. I had to get another TVR. This was going to be our final fling. People say "You should never go back". As you remember, we had a Giallo fly Chimaera. As our first-ever TVR. So we decided to end where we started. We found a perfect 4.0 Chimaera at Neil Garners in the Cotswolds. Such a nice bloke. I can't remember how long we had it. But loved every minute. Then signed off. Now we are buying a new Narrowboat. Sorry, Nick. I rambled on a bit there. Let's hope everything is better sometime next year. Stay safe mate. Dave
We joined the AMOC. But this is where my problem owning an Aston began. I never felt I belonged in that Hooray Henry brigade. And the red cord trousers. I was a farm laborers son. It had something missing... It was just too good. I couldn't do any maintenance myself. Well. Odds and sods.And Blimey. The service and parts charges were other things. Yes, I should have checked that before buying.
I never ever Gelled with it. Had it one year. And went back to A reflex purple Tuscan. I was home again. I could get my hands dirty again. And boy. Did I get my hands dirty. This Tuscan was a money box. We only kept it for three months. I had to get another TVR. This was going to be our final fling. People say "You should never go back". As you remember, we had a Giallo fly Chimaera. As our first-ever TVR. So we decided to end where we started. We found a perfect 4.0 Chimaera at Neil Garners in the Cotswolds. Such a nice bloke. I can't remember how long we had it. But loved every minute. Then signed off. Now we are buying a new Narrowboat. Sorry, Nick. I rambled on a bit there. Let's hope everything is better sometime next year. Stay safe mate. Dave
No need to apologise for rambling, Dave.
That was an interesting read to hear about your ownership experience. As an ex-TVR owner (T350T 2003), I feel the same sentiments. Unlike some of you more talented owners, I earn my living at an office desk and have zero skills in meddling under the bonnet.
I had some enjoyable social chats with David Batty of The Garage in Godalming who did all my TVR work for me. Yes, the car spent half its time at Davd's and half its time with me but I enjoyed those moments with him. It's all part of the ownership experience.
I miss the car, it was so characterful and had its charm. It can be a real brute with that raw engine and had to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck to be driven properly but you always hold your breath every time you start it up - a relief when it all works well.
That was an interesting read to hear about your ownership experience. As an ex-TVR owner (T350T 2003), I feel the same sentiments. Unlike some of you more talented owners, I earn my living at an office desk and have zero skills in meddling under the bonnet.
I had some enjoyable social chats with David Batty of The Garage in Godalming who did all my TVR work for me. Yes, the car spent half its time at Davd's and half its time with me but I enjoyed those moments with him. It's all part of the ownership experience.
I miss the car, it was so characterful and had its charm. It can be a real brute with that raw engine and had to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck to be driven properly but you always hold your breath every time you start it up - a relief when it all works well.
valhalla said:
Hi Nick and Carrie. Nice to hear from you. Yes, we liked the Kent region. We were always made very welcome by you and everyone else. Plus it was a damn good reason to drive all that way, knowing the Tunnel was on our way home. But that's all by the by now. And you know we lived on our narrowboat for three years. On our return to Tera Firma. The money we got for the boat was burning a hole in my pocket. Di knew I was itching for another toy. I jokingly said. "One day I'd like an Aston" Oh yeah. Which one? The V8 Vantage, I replied. Let's get one then !!........................ Are you for real. Yeah, let's go for it. I was trawling Pistonheads classified all evening. By the following weekend. We had one in the Garage. I was so proud of it. A mere chippy with an Aston V8 Vantage.Can't be bad eh.
We joined the AMOC. But this is where my problem owning an Aston began. I never felt I belonged in that Hooray Henry brigade. And the red cord trousers. I was a farm laborers son. It had something missing... It was just too good. I couldn't do any maintenance myself. Well. Odds and sods.And Blimey. The service and parts charges were other things. Yes, I should have checked that before buying.
I never ever Gelled with it. Had it one year. And went back to A reflex purple Tuscan. I was home again. I could get my hands dirty again. And boy. Did I get my hands dirty. This Tuscan was a money box. We only kept it for three months. I had to get another TVR. This was going to be our final fling. People say "You should never go back". As you remember, we had a Giallo fly Chimaera. As our first-ever TVR. So we decided to end where we started. We found a perfect 4.0 Chimaera at Neil Garners in the Cotswolds. Such a nice bloke. I can't remember how long we had it. But loved every minute. Then signed off. Now we are buying a new Narrowboat. Sorry, Nick. I rambled on a bit there. Let's hope everything is better sometime next year. Stay safe mate. Dave
Happy to hear you're well, take care of yourselves & enjoy your new boat.We joined the AMOC. But this is where my problem owning an Aston began. I never felt I belonged in that Hooray Henry brigade. And the red cord trousers. I was a farm laborers son. It had something missing... It was just too good. I couldn't do any maintenance myself. Well. Odds and sods.And Blimey. The service and parts charges were other things. Yes, I should have checked that before buying.
I never ever Gelled with it. Had it one year. And went back to A reflex purple Tuscan. I was home again. I could get my hands dirty again. And boy. Did I get my hands dirty. This Tuscan was a money box. We only kept it for three months. I had to get another TVR. This was going to be our final fling. People say "You should never go back". As you remember, we had a Giallo fly Chimaera. As our first-ever TVR. So we decided to end where we started. We found a perfect 4.0 Chimaera at Neil Garners in the Cotswolds. Such a nice bloke. I can't remember how long we had it. But loved every minute. Then signed off. Now we are buying a new Narrowboat. Sorry, Nick. I rambled on a bit there. Let's hope everything is better sometime next year. Stay safe mate. Dave
Nick
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