TVRCC - Yes or No?
Discussion
When I had my Chimaera and Cerbera back in the early noughties, membership was almost mandatory if you wanted to keep up with all things TVR. That and here of course!
About to pick up my second Chimaera, I've been out of the loop for a few years. Now, online media has improved greatly and I'm not sure what benefit I will get from joining. I live in Devon and the club always used to be a monthly 'run out' to the seaside or over the moors, stopping for an ice cream or bags of chips as appropriate. Then there was Sprint, which was an excellent publication and full of bits and pieces that was a good read every month.
To be honest, the thought of chugging around Devon in a long line of TVRs at 45mph didn't and doesn't appeal. And does Sprint carry anything of interest these days?
Don't get me wrong, I'm sounding really negative, but that was my experience back then. I'd be happy to join the club if there were decent benefit from doing so. I appreciate things might have changed somewhat!
About to pick up my second Chimaera, I've been out of the loop for a few years. Now, online media has improved greatly and I'm not sure what benefit I will get from joining. I live in Devon and the club always used to be a monthly 'run out' to the seaside or over the moors, stopping for an ice cream or bags of chips as appropriate. Then there was Sprint, which was an excellent publication and full of bits and pieces that was a good read every month.
To be honest, the thought of chugging around Devon in a long line of TVRs at 45mph didn't and doesn't appeal. And does Sprint carry anything of interest these days?
Don't get me wrong, I'm sounding really negative, but that was my experience back then. I'd be happy to join the club if there were decent benefit from doing so. I appreciate things might have changed somewhat!
I was once a member of the TVR Car Club, not worth the cost of £65,IMO.
Myself and another member organised for heated windscreens to be manufactured and found ourselves about 5 shy of the minimum order from online posts on yahoo groups/pistonheads. The TVR Club didn't want to get involved to make up the balance pending buyers being found, citing "storage, liability and making the best use of the clubs money" as reasons not to get involved. Essentially all we were asking for was a loan of about £1000 and we were quite happy for the club to own the entire project to enable it to go ahead.
That same year, the club board paid £6k to sponsor the Le Mans TVR, a tiny sticker on the spoiler. I watched the same people who denied my request, from the grandstand across from the pits where riff-raff like me stand, enjoying the sponsors hospitality suite by the pits that use of the clubs money conveniently afforded them. I don't recall those passes being offered to members, perhaps in a raffle to make money to further the support of the members cars.
Admittedly this was in 2005 and yes I do hold a grudge, but I am still very dissapointed by that convenient decsion to pretend this sticker below is 6 times more important than supporting members keeping cars on the road.
I also have a Scimitar. That club organised, bought and keep in stock heated front and rear screens for all models.
So you choose, based on your priorities. What would you rather have, parts support or race car sponsorship and corporate hospitality for the board?
Myself and another member organised for heated windscreens to be manufactured and found ourselves about 5 shy of the minimum order from online posts on yahoo groups/pistonheads. The TVR Club didn't want to get involved to make up the balance pending buyers being found, citing "storage, liability and making the best use of the clubs money" as reasons not to get involved. Essentially all we were asking for was a loan of about £1000 and we were quite happy for the club to own the entire project to enable it to go ahead.
That same year, the club board paid £6k to sponsor the Le Mans TVR, a tiny sticker on the spoiler. I watched the same people who denied my request, from the grandstand across from the pits where riff-raff like me stand, enjoying the sponsors hospitality suite by the pits that use of the clubs money conveniently afforded them. I don't recall those passes being offered to members, perhaps in a raffle to make money to further the support of the members cars.
Admittedly this was in 2005 and yes I do hold a grudge, but I am still very dissapointed by that convenient decsion to pretend this sticker below is 6 times more important than supporting members keeping cars on the road.
I also have a Scimitar. That club organised, bought and keep in stock heated front and rear screens for all models.
So you choose, based on your priorities. What would you rather have, parts support or race car sponsorship and corporate hospitality for the board?
Perhaps rather than wondering what you will get out out the the club, you might want to consider what you can contribute.
It is just over a £1 per week - the subscription comes down in your second year. I think it is worth it just for Sprint every month let alone the discounts that you can get.
I do agree that some local groups just spend their time visiting a pub on the nth weekend of the month and doesn’t appeal to me at all. It is often the local group that can make the difference as to whether being in a club is worthwhile. Soon after I joined five years ago, my local group in North Staffs broke away from the trend of the monthly pub run and has developed into probably one of the most active groups in the club with activities focussed more on the driving. Usually there is something going on every other weekend during the nice weather along with some evening drives to local shows and events.
It is just over a £1 per week - the subscription comes down in your second year. I think it is worth it just for Sprint every month let alone the discounts that you can get.
I do agree that some local groups just spend their time visiting a pub on the nth weekend of the month and doesn’t appeal to me at all. It is often the local group that can make the difference as to whether being in a club is worthwhile. Soon after I joined five years ago, my local group in North Staffs broke away from the trend of the monthly pub run and has developed into probably one of the most active groups in the club with activities focussed more on the driving. Usually there is something going on every other weekend during the nice weather along with some evening drives to local shows and events.
Good question.
As a new TVR owner this year I joined both the TVRCC and Blackpool Thunder club this year. In my experience:
TVRCC Pros:
The Racing Green discount 7.5% is good. Halfords 10% handy, but only for items bought in store.
Sprint is a nice read, but you can flick through it in 10 mins if nothing sparks your interest.
Some of the events look really good, but I'm yet to make it to one. (However, it seems for many you don't have to be part of the club to participate).
TVRCC Cons:
Forum is dead - I was/am disappointed at the lack of activity in my local section. I posted up in the forum "Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire Region" to introduce myself and see what was going on locally. I was told there was a monthly meet, location TBC, but despite me stating I'd like to go, no one came back to every confirm where folks were meeting. That post (from July) is still the last one in the section. Other sections seem more active than my local one.
I tried to use the TVRCC discount on insurance, but after a painfully long call with Lancaster insurance they were still more than twice as much as comparethemarket.
Blackpool Thunder Pros:
Super cheap at £19 a year
Meets (locally were very friendly). Had a summer BBQ which was great, and also arranged for half price entry/club parking at Oulton Park Gold cup. (Unfortunately I missed the latter due to Covid!).
Number of discounts for insurance etc available
Blackpool Thunder Cons:
Clearly not as large/expansive as the TVRCC
No magazine (just newsletter), no forum, etc
No Racing Green / Halfords Discount
Overall I'm pleased with both membership, although for my region the TVRCC local meets have been a bit of a disappointment . I have definitely got more value out of my Blackpool Thunder membership in 2021. Depending on your location, BT may not have much going on - I'm in the North West.
I will keep both for another year I think and see if the TVRCC stuff picks up in my area/or I can get involved in it.
As a new TVR owner this year I joined both the TVRCC and Blackpool Thunder club this year. In my experience:
TVRCC Pros:
The Racing Green discount 7.5% is good. Halfords 10% handy, but only for items bought in store.
Sprint is a nice read, but you can flick through it in 10 mins if nothing sparks your interest.
Some of the events look really good, but I'm yet to make it to one. (However, it seems for many you don't have to be part of the club to participate).
TVRCC Cons:
Forum is dead - I was/am disappointed at the lack of activity in my local section. I posted up in the forum "Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire Region" to introduce myself and see what was going on locally. I was told there was a monthly meet, location TBC, but despite me stating I'd like to go, no one came back to every confirm where folks were meeting. That post (from July) is still the last one in the section. Other sections seem more active than my local one.
I tried to use the TVRCC discount on insurance, but after a painfully long call with Lancaster insurance they were still more than twice as much as comparethemarket.
Blackpool Thunder Pros:
Super cheap at £19 a year
Meets (locally were very friendly). Had a summer BBQ which was great, and also arranged for half price entry/club parking at Oulton Park Gold cup. (Unfortunately I missed the latter due to Covid!).
Number of discounts for insurance etc available
Blackpool Thunder Cons:
Clearly not as large/expansive as the TVRCC
No magazine (just newsletter), no forum, etc
No Racing Green / Halfords Discount
Overall I'm pleased with both membership, although for my region the TVRCC local meets have been a bit of a disappointment . I have definitely got more value out of my Blackpool Thunder membership in 2021. Depending on your location, BT may not have much going on - I'm in the North West.
I will keep both for another year I think and see if the TVRCC stuff picks up in my area/or I can get involved in it.
If you do your own maintenance, then there can be an advantage to membership as the discounts can quickly outweigh the cost of membership. Any argument that insurance is cheaper is questionable at best, I've been there and done that, they often claim to have given a discount but insurance costing is so random that they can say what they like. I have tested this with two Club registered insurers, only admitting membership after I had a quote, both occasions the broker said they had already applied the discount, an obvious lie. The club events are okay if you like that sort of thing, the magazine is so full of adverts that it is difficult to find anything worth reading.
I was a member from 2002 for 5 years during which time I became a National Events Organiser and an RO. I later joined again for one year to access discount from TVR Parts
I doubt I'll be joining again
I was a member from 2002 for 5 years during which time I became a National Events Organiser and an RO. I later joined again for one year to access discount from TVR Parts
I doubt I'll be joining again
I've been in and out of the TVRCC for many years and also joined Blackpool Thunder club this year for the first time.
My thoughts are:
TVRCC:
The Racing Green discount of 7.5% means that if you spend ~£700 a year on parts your membership fee is paid. Similarly the Halfords discount of 10% means if you spend ~£500, your membership fee is covered. Their professional tools are very good quality, plus those cleaning and polishing products soon add up. I spend less than this on both, but combined the discounts achieved pretty much cover membership fees.
Like others, not sure the insurance discounts quoted mean that much as the ones I've tried gave a good deal anyway. You certainly don't seem get an extra discount when you then say you are also a member of the club.
The club website does have some very useful information in the archives but the forums are dead. Most owners use Facebook these days for instant answers to queries.
The monthly magazine, Sprint, is a quality production, but there is rarely anything that makes me want to read it from cover to cover. A while ago I suggested they made it a quarterly publication as that would mean they could more selective of what was published. Never got a response to that suggestion.
Some events are great (like Millbrook this year), some not so. I prefer driving so limit attendance at drive to pub/restaurant/field and have a chat events.
Blackpool Thunder:
I joined this year as they have access to many of the original TVR build sheets and at £19 a year the membership fee was worth it just for that to me!
They advertise some discounts on their excellent website (better than the TVRCC one IMHO) but I have yet to try them out.
Seem to be a very friendly crowd and have organised some events that looked very interesting. Unfortunately they have all be in the north of England or Scotland, which ruled them out for me, at least for 2021.
I'd certainly suggest any new owner tries both clubs out for a year!
My thoughts are:
TVRCC:
The Racing Green discount of 7.5% means that if you spend ~£700 a year on parts your membership fee is paid. Similarly the Halfords discount of 10% means if you spend ~£500, your membership fee is covered. Their professional tools are very good quality, plus those cleaning and polishing products soon add up. I spend less than this on both, but combined the discounts achieved pretty much cover membership fees.
Like others, not sure the insurance discounts quoted mean that much as the ones I've tried gave a good deal anyway. You certainly don't seem get an extra discount when you then say you are also a member of the club.
The club website does have some very useful information in the archives but the forums are dead. Most owners use Facebook these days for instant answers to queries.
The monthly magazine, Sprint, is a quality production, but there is rarely anything that makes me want to read it from cover to cover. A while ago I suggested they made it a quarterly publication as that would mean they could more selective of what was published. Never got a response to that suggestion.
Some events are great (like Millbrook this year), some not so. I prefer driving so limit attendance at drive to pub/restaurant/field and have a chat events.
Blackpool Thunder:
I joined this year as they have access to many of the original TVR build sheets and at £19 a year the membership fee was worth it just for that to me!
They advertise some discounts on their excellent website (better than the TVRCC one IMHO) but I have yet to try them out.
Seem to be a very friendly crowd and have organised some events that looked very interesting. Unfortunately they have all be in the north of England or Scotland, which ruled them out for me, at least for 2021.
I'd certainly suggest any new owner tries both clubs out for a year!
Worth it for me for the parts discount alone.
My region (Hants) is well known for its enthusiasm and activities; the half price deal on a weekend's classic racing at Thruxton saved us £35, half the annual membership.
Sprint is great, top quality for a club mag.
The TVRCC forums are dead, they needs culling IMO.
So as previously suggested, it all depends on your parts spend, and the RO/committee of your area.
My region (Hants) is well known for its enthusiasm and activities; the half price deal on a weekend's classic racing at Thruxton saved us £35, half the annual membership.
Sprint is great, top quality for a club mag.
The TVRCC forums are dead, they needs culling IMO.
So as previously suggested, it all depends on your parts spend, and the RO/committee of your area.
I was a member for my first year of TVR ownership but haven't bothered with it since.
I attended a few shows and meets with the club but to be honest, it's not my scene. I think I'm young for a TVR owner (early 30s) and felt that the demographic at the events didn't make the experience what I was after. I have since realised that I have more fun and interest and meet more people like me at shows and events organised by geographically focused/general car clubs, rather than brand specific. Goodwood, Caffeine and Machine, Re:Fuel, etc etc...
This absolutely isn't a slight on the TVRCC members - lots of great and passionate owners who are a credit to the brand. I was also a member of the RSOC before the TVRCC and found that all a bit chavvy at times so didn't rejoin that club after a while either! Perhaps I'm the problem.
I attended a few shows and meets with the club but to be honest, it's not my scene. I think I'm young for a TVR owner (early 30s) and felt that the demographic at the events didn't make the experience what I was after. I have since realised that I have more fun and interest and meet more people like me at shows and events organised by geographically focused/general car clubs, rather than brand specific. Goodwood, Caffeine and Machine, Re:Fuel, etc etc...
This absolutely isn't a slight on the TVRCC members - lots of great and passionate owners who are a credit to the brand. I was also a member of the RSOC before the TVRCC and found that all a bit chavvy at times so didn't rejoin that club after a while either! Perhaps I'm the problem.
Edited by ColdoRS on Tuesday 19th October 10:35
I too am from Hampshire. The Region is VERY active - - - but of course this means that folks HAVE to get involved themselves. Next year the region is organising a trip to Reims - - and on to the Italian Lakes for those that want to extend the late May Bank Holiday.
Individuals within the Hants group have organised trips to circuits in Europe and interested members have accompanied these smaller trips.
Any club/membership is only as good as what people are prepared to put into it.
In terms of benefits, lets not forget the 10% member discount on Avon Tyres.
Nick
Individuals within the Hants group have organised trips to circuits in Europe and interested members have accompanied these smaller trips.
Any club/membership is only as good as what people are prepared to put into it.
In terms of benefits, lets not forget the 10% member discount on Avon Tyres.
Nick
Some good balanced views there.
The insurance angle, I agree. Not worth it, just a gimmick.
I do my own 'tinkering' but have a trusted garage for the graft. They would have no issues at all with a Chimaera, they aren't complicated.
Halfords discount, nope. I have a trade card. Racing Green, wouldn't use enough.
Millbrook sounds great, but living in Devon, isn't an easy 'day out'.
Sounds like not much has changed in the last dozen or so years then. Think I'll give it a swerve.
The insurance angle, I agree. Not worth it, just a gimmick.
I do my own 'tinkering' but have a trusted garage for the graft. They would have no issues at all with a Chimaera, they aren't complicated.
Halfords discount, nope. I have a trade card. Racing Green, wouldn't use enough.
Millbrook sounds great, but living in Devon, isn't an easy 'day out'.
Sounds like not much has changed in the last dozen or so years then. Think I'll give it a swerve.
Most points mentioned. We tend to jump onto Hampshire events at times but also Wiltshire have organised events - it just means doing something, suggestions, a little organisation.
The other thing the TVRCC are good at is a valuation of the car for agreed value insurance
There used to be good discounts for car shows as well, like the Classic Car show...
The other thing the TVRCC are good at is a valuation of the car for agreed value insurance
There used to be good discounts for car shows as well, like the Classic Car show...
TR4man said:
Perhaps rather than wondering what you will get out out the the club, you might want to consider what you can contribute.
The point is that the last time he contributed, his money was spent on something that seemed to provide more benefits for the committee, rather than helping the club members, in contrast to the Scimitar club. I think he wants re-assurance that there is a new committee, with similar focus to the Scimitar club, and so far, no one has provided that re-assurance. Edited by LucyP on Tuesday 19th October 13:22
LucyP said:
TR4man said:
Perhaps rather than wondering what you will get out out the the club, you might want to consider what you can contribute.
The point is that the last time he contributed, his money was spent on something that seemed to provide more benefits for the committee, rather than helping the club members, in contrast to the Scimitar club. I think he wants re-assurance that there is a new committee, with similar focus to the Scimitar club, and so far, no one has provided that re-assurance. Edited by LucyP on Tuesday 19th October 13:22
Jurgen Schmidt said:
For me, the recent Millbrook weekend was worth the membership cost alone. Superb event
Second that. Millbrook was truly excellent, very well organised by people who had put a lot of time in for the members to experience the Proving Ground which I'm sure would be difficult on your own if not impossible. Big clap from meIt's not a lot of money and sprint is a classy production I usually find one or two articles of interest, but things have changed and 'for sale cars' is now dead as online has taken that away. The recent rebrand (new logo) has in my opinion made the clothing much better and I have bought a t shirt and two polo shirts which I'm proud to wear. The old stuff was not so good.
The regions are good / bad depends where you live but as someone said people need to put something in to get something out. I've had a couple of runs to the Surrey region this year and they're a friendly welcoming bunch.
Re the 2005 sponsorship thing, maybe it's time to move on from that grudges don't really benefit anyone??
As an alternative, why not try the Sporting Bears club and share your car with others on Dream Rides, to raise money and smiles. It is the friendliest and most inclusive car club I have ever been involved with. I think that comes from the type of people who join and are active members as it takes a certain type of person who is willing to share their car with an excitable child or adult. There is a great mix of cars from almost every period and price range you can imagine, and an even better mix of owners who just want to get stuck in and help with any problems, and share their cars with others to raise money for children's charities and to provide great experiences for families struggling through various issues. They have discounts with a few partners, but in my experience, most suppliers will give a bit if you tell them what the Bears do. It certainly beats sitting in a field staring at parked cars.
I am on my third TVR and now have a Tamora and there are a good number of TVR owners in the Bears.
I was in the TVRCC for a few years and an RO briefly, but it was not really my thing with a lack of interest and support for home mechanics, a bit too much snobbery if you did not have a T car or the very best Chimaera or Griffith and too much sitting around parked cars at static shows in the region I am from. Each to their own though so not knocking it if that is what you want. As others have said the regions vary a lot which is no surprise given the lack of support for ROs from the central office and club in my experience.
I am on my third TVR and now have a Tamora and there are a good number of TVR owners in the Bears.
I was in the TVRCC for a few years and an RO briefly, but it was not really my thing with a lack of interest and support for home mechanics, a bit too much snobbery if you did not have a T car or the very best Chimaera or Griffith and too much sitting around parked cars at static shows in the region I am from. Each to their own though so not knocking it if that is what you want. As others have said the regions vary a lot which is no surprise given the lack of support for ROs from the central office and club in my experience.
TR4man said:
LucyP said:
TR4man said:
Perhaps rather than wondering what you will get out out the the club, you might want to consider what you can contribute.
The point is that the last time he contributed, his money was spent on something that seemed to provide more benefits for the committee, rather than helping the club members, in contrast to the Scimitar club. I think he wants re-assurance that there is a new committee, with similar focus to the Scimitar club, and so far, no one has provided that re-assurance. Edited by LucyP on Tuesday 19th October 13:22
Why should I join a club with the view that I should consider what I can put in? Especially if that club is elitist and unwelcoming. The last time I was in the TVRCC, I got very little from it. The monthly meets were dreary, and very clicky. I tried to get involved and wasn't welcomed. Probably because I voiced opposition to constantly driving in a line to one seaside resort or another.
I'm a member of the IFA Club for Eastern Bloc cars and they are a friendly bunch, immediately felt welcome and even though we did pootle over to Minehead, it wasn't torture at 45mph because unlike a TVR, a Trabant is happiest at 45mph.
That Bears thing seems like an excellent club to be in. I'll have a look at that.
And with regards to the 2005 waste of money at Le Mans, yes the membership might only be £65 for the first year, but I'd rather my committee weren't as egotistical and easily parted from subscriptions. So far, I've heard nothing to convince me the club has changed at all.
Another Devon TVR owner here 
I bought my Cerbera last year and decided to join the TVRCC. I've been a member nearly a year and although I enjoy reading the articles in Sprint, I hadn't been to any meetings or events. I never heard from the Devon RO but any other clubs I've joined you usually get an email welcoming you and telling you what's on. So that was odd.
However there's now a new RO for Devon and he seems quite keen to get the region going again. He emailed everyone to see if there was any interest in attending the cars & coffee RE-FUEL event near Honiton last weekend. I'd been meaning to go along to that for a while so decided to give it a go. We had six or seven cars turn up and everyone seemed really friendly and relaxed. TVR owners definitely seem a nice bunch, I was made to feel very welcome and there was no snobbery at all.
Off the back of this, I would certainly make an effort to attend more. Not so keen on the evening pub meets as I have kids but I'll keep an eye on what's going on. As said already, the TVRCC forums are dead but Facebook seems to be where most things happen. There's a Devon Region TVRCC page and I also belong to a Cerbera one. Maybe come along to one of the events and see if it's for you and then decide?
I bought my Cerbera last year and decided to join the TVRCC. I've been a member nearly a year and although I enjoy reading the articles in Sprint, I hadn't been to any meetings or events. I never heard from the Devon RO but any other clubs I've joined you usually get an email welcoming you and telling you what's on. So that was odd.
However there's now a new RO for Devon and he seems quite keen to get the region going again. He emailed everyone to see if there was any interest in attending the cars & coffee RE-FUEL event near Honiton last weekend. I'd been meaning to go along to that for a while so decided to give it a go. We had six or seven cars turn up and everyone seemed really friendly and relaxed. TVR owners definitely seem a nice bunch, I was made to feel very welcome and there was no snobbery at all.
Off the back of this, I would certainly make an effort to attend more. Not so keen on the evening pub meets as I have kids but I'll keep an eye on what's going on. As said already, the TVRCC forums are dead but Facebook seems to be where most things happen. There's a Devon Region TVRCC page and I also belong to a Cerbera one. Maybe come along to one of the events and see if it's for you and then decide?
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