Why we own TVRs
Discussion
We had some cracking weather here in Leeds over the weekend so spent as much of the weekend hooning around West Yorkshire with the top down, music blaring (to drown out my own horrific singing) and the biggest grin on my face. I lost count of the number of times I got waved at / stared at / smiled at by various women / given the thumbs up sign / begged to rev the engine etc etc all weekend - all in addition to the sheer driving pleasure of thrashing the car in the sunshine.
Also had the chance to swap drives in a mates new Carerra S as well - a great car and fantastically put together but for all its great points it simply lacked the soul of the Trevor - he stepped out of my Tusc with a massive grin on his face and is already planning a test drive in a Sag...
Amidst all the recent gloom re. the factory and the often impolite posts on other threads it's still worthwhile to remember that we have some of the best cars on the planet!
Also had the chance to swap drives in a mates new Carerra S as well - a great car and fantastically put together but for all its great points it simply lacked the soul of the Trevor - he stepped out of my Tusc with a massive grin on his face and is already planning a test drive in a Sag...
Amidst all the recent gloom re. the factory and the often impolite posts on other threads it's still worthwhile to remember that we have some of the best cars on the planet!
There is nothing quite like a Tiv. I can't imagine life without one. When Steve and I moved down south we didn't know anyone. Within days of owning the Tiv we met the bods in the Surrey region and have since made some true life-long friends (I'm going to cry!). I love the individuality of the marque and the positive response the car attracts (especially in France). Sure it has its niggles but then what car doesn't.
Off to France again soon for the Le Surrey Run 4 and 5 reccy. It's a tough life but somebody's got to do it.
Karen
>> Edited by MRS_T on Monday 24th April 13:03
Off to France again soon for the Le Surrey Run 4 and 5 reccy. It's a tough life but somebody's got to do it.
Karen
>> Edited by MRS_T on Monday 24th April 13:03
Im with you on that one..
I love my Chim. People often ask me what car i would have if the Chim went for some reason.
Obviously excluding spending ludicrous money for a Lambo or Pagani, i cannot think of one car that comes close to the TVR.. (Other than another TVR)
I know they are not everyones cup of tea and yes they are far from perfect but with their lairy performance and equally lairy looks what else could you buy??
Do you know of any Non-TVR that has an interior quite like the Tuscan??
How many cars have a button under the mirror to open the door for no other purpose than the fact that its cool..
I think this is why it annoys me so much when people slate TVR cause for love nor money i cant think of one other car that i can afford that i would buy..
TVR have to survive long term purely so i dont have to drive another bland ol Euro-Box. Porsche Boxter?? Merc SLK? Oh Please!!! I'm not a boutique owner from Chelsea you know! (Apologies to any Boutique owners of course! haha)
Anyway my TVR is great and thats the end of it..
Cheers,
Nick
I love my Chim. People often ask me what car i would have if the Chim went for some reason.
Obviously excluding spending ludicrous money for a Lambo or Pagani, i cannot think of one car that comes close to the TVR.. (Other than another TVR)
I know they are not everyones cup of tea and yes they are far from perfect but with their lairy performance and equally lairy looks what else could you buy??
Do you know of any Non-TVR that has an interior quite like the Tuscan??
How many cars have a button under the mirror to open the door for no other purpose than the fact that its cool..
I think this is why it annoys me so much when people slate TVR cause for love nor money i cant think of one other car that i can afford that i would buy..
TVR have to survive long term purely so i dont have to drive another bland ol Euro-Box. Porsche Boxter?? Merc SLK? Oh Please!!! I'm not a boutique owner from Chelsea you know!
(Apologies to any Boutique owners of course! haha) Anyway my TVR is great and thats the end of it..
Cheers,
Nick
Nice weather, roof off....excellent. Off to the Champagne region next week in the S, 5 days of excellent roads and champagne...not at the same time obviously
Going in convoy with a Forester and an Astra....guess which car everyone is fighting for a ride in
may have to leave the roof at home though, not much champagne lugging space.
Ian
Going in convoy with a Forester and an Astra....guess which car everyone is fighting for a ride in
may have to leave the roof at home though, not much champagne lugging space.
Ian
A neighbour of mine owns two 911s. As I was moving the Cerb in to it's parking space yesterday, he stopped what he was doing and stood stock still for several seconds.
As I got out he looked at me and said "Now THAT sounds absolutely amazing! You should record it and sell it!!"
THAT is why I own a TVR...
As I got out he looked at me and said "Now THAT sounds absolutely amazing! You should record it and sell it!!"
THAT is why I own a TVR...
I posted this last year, when someone asked why (some of us) run wedges. Maybe it appies to all TVRs?
and then there's the bit about making rapid progress across country................
Hard work? yes, but sheer exhilaration when you get it right, terror when you get it wrong. Let me explain, my house to Alfreton goes something like this.....
Turn right out of my drive, proceed gently down the narrow, bumpy road that leads to the main Alfreton road. Its about 1 mile this bit, so its nice to finish off warming up the engine before I play hard...
The wedge gurgles and snuffles on this bit, like it is waking up. I can smell the exhaust. It's running rich as it warms up. It makes driving smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially given the bumpy road. I wave at the Chim owner just down the road from me. He ALWAYS grins as I go by. I never hear him pass my house...
Reach the main road. Engine Ts and Ps all good. Road clear. PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turn right, there's a pub opposite the turn, and it's a sunny evening so people are outside enjoying a quiet drink. Only, it's not quiet any more.
I give it some throttle, The rear squats and moves a foot or so to the left as I make the turn. A dab less steering lock and we're straight again. 2 seconds later and it's time for second gear, the noise is huge, Someone has dropped their beer. 3 seconds later it's doing 60 and pulling very hard. Into third and the exhaust note takes on a menacing, hard edged throb as a 14 year old wedge spots a Toyota Supra ahead. (the last of the twin turbo models, late 1990s vintage) No chance to overtake, so I slow to 60 behind the jap tin top. I hold fourth gear and the noise bounces off the dry stone wall to my left. He's noticed me, the Toyota driver. His car has some flash rims on and an exhaust that makes the wedges look no bigger than a Nissan Micras. I can't hear it though.
Through Tansley, I can read his mind. He's waiting for the NSL zone that starts on the hill after the village. He keeps glancing in the mirror. Doing 45mph now, I select third and wait.
He goes, so do I. Wedge tail squats noise rises. redline, fourth pulling very hard now, He's not getting away, not by a long chalk. In fact the wedge is staying with him very easily. There's a right handing coming up. Its open, good sight line, up hill. I take the appropriate line exiting in third gear. Toyota man has slowed a bit too much and is struggling to get momentum on the exit. I keep it tight and blast past him, riding a humungous tidal wave of noise. Into 4th and the engine is on cam again immediately. I hold the throttle down as I crest the rise. The car goes light for a second, but then I am going very fast now. The Toyota is 200meters back. He's working hard. I come up on some traffic. There's a blind bend ahead so I slow down. I know there's a nice down and up double S bend ahead followed by a short downhill straight and a 90degree right. Toyota man is back on my arse. I wait for the clear spot and blat past the traffic before braking hard for the double S. Toyota man is all over me now. I think he has more grip maybe? Short straight to the 90 right which I take in second. Got to be careful here, easy to get it sideways on the exit. The engine is popping and snorting on the over run. Toyota very close on the exit, hit throttle hard, to 6000 rpm in second, snatch third but not before the wedge emits a might pop from the exhaust. I smile to myself cos I know that Toyota man has just had is front bumper flame kissed! Except he hasn't cos the wedge has already opened up a good 50 meters on him.
Nice flat open section of bends next. Right, left right left, hold the throttle down through the last two. In third at 5000rpm you get understeer on the last turn in.
Slow for Wessington. School here, so no faster than 25mph, even at night, cos you never know when kids will be playing. Toyota man blasts past me doing about 60 in the 30 limit. He's waving as if he thinks he's won some huge victory!
Pah! we'll see about that once we can get to safer roads again.
Leave the village after a nasty downhill left hander. Short straight to another 90 right. Going very hard now. The tail goes light as I brake for the right hander. I get back on the power and the wedge rockets though the corner in a wonderful power drift. I have got it wrong there before and nearly ended up in the hedge, this time though it's perfect.
Accelerate hard, towards the next left hander that opens into another perfect set of S bends to a railway bridge.
I can see Toyota man ahead, quarter mile distant.
I power thought he bends, straight lining most of them (vision is good) braking only for the last right hander before the bridge and the steep climb beyond.
Back on the throttle, 5000rpm and the noise is fantastic. Wedge is alive, I swear, under the bridge in a blur of air pressure and echoes. Closing on Toyota. The V8 is giving everything now as it propels me up the hill. Exhaust note is hard, menacing.
I'm back on his tail now.
Stop at the T junction. Engine Ts and Ps all good
He goes right. I go right. Lots of opposite lock to keep things straight as we accelerate, but he's going nowhere, and he knows it. Traffic Lights I turn left, he goes straight, but stops as I turn past his rear. I slow to hear him point at the wedge and yell "Thats F***in awesome, what is it? "
I watch his blinged jap car drive away. He won't ever suffer from water leaks, mouldy carpets, sticky light pods of rumbly diffs. But neither will he forget the day a blue, wedge-shaped mystery car blew away his P&J.
Thats wedge ownership.
Andy
and then there's the bit about making rapid progress across country................
Hard work? yes, but sheer exhilaration when you get it right, terror when you get it wrong. Let me explain, my house to Alfreton goes something like this.....
Turn right out of my drive, proceed gently down the narrow, bumpy road that leads to the main Alfreton road. Its about 1 mile this bit, so its nice to finish off warming up the engine before I play hard...
The wedge gurgles and snuffles on this bit, like it is waking up. I can smell the exhaust. It's running rich as it warms up. It makes driving smoothly a bit of a challenge, especially given the bumpy road. I wave at the Chim owner just down the road from me. He ALWAYS grins as I go by. I never hear him pass my house...
Reach the main road. Engine Ts and Ps all good. Road clear. PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turn right, there's a pub opposite the turn, and it's a sunny evening so people are outside enjoying a quiet drink. Only, it's not quiet any more.
I give it some throttle, The rear squats and moves a foot or so to the left as I make the turn. A dab less steering lock and we're straight again. 2 seconds later and it's time for second gear, the noise is huge, Someone has dropped their beer. 3 seconds later it's doing 60 and pulling very hard. Into third and the exhaust note takes on a menacing, hard edged throb as a 14 year old wedge spots a Toyota Supra ahead. (the last of the twin turbo models, late 1990s vintage) No chance to overtake, so I slow to 60 behind the jap tin top. I hold fourth gear and the noise bounces off the dry stone wall to my left. He's noticed me, the Toyota driver. His car has some flash rims on and an exhaust that makes the wedges look no bigger than a Nissan Micras. I can't hear it though.
Through Tansley, I can read his mind. He's waiting for the NSL zone that starts on the hill after the village. He keeps glancing in the mirror. Doing 45mph now, I select third and wait.
He goes, so do I. Wedge tail squats noise rises. redline, fourth pulling very hard now, He's not getting away, not by a long chalk. In fact the wedge is staying with him very easily. There's a right handing coming up. Its open, good sight line, up hill. I take the appropriate line exiting in third gear. Toyota man has slowed a bit too much and is struggling to get momentum on the exit. I keep it tight and blast past him, riding a humungous tidal wave of noise. Into 4th and the engine is on cam again immediately. I hold the throttle down as I crest the rise. The car goes light for a second, but then I am going very fast now. The Toyota is 200meters back. He's working hard. I come up on some traffic. There's a blind bend ahead so I slow down. I know there's a nice down and up double S bend ahead followed by a short downhill straight and a 90degree right. Toyota man is back on my arse. I wait for the clear spot and blat past the traffic before braking hard for the double S. Toyota man is all over me now. I think he has more grip maybe? Short straight to the 90 right which I take in second. Got to be careful here, easy to get it sideways on the exit. The engine is popping and snorting on the over run. Toyota very close on the exit, hit throttle hard, to 6000 rpm in second, snatch third but not before the wedge emits a might pop from the exhaust. I smile to myself cos I know that Toyota man has just had is front bumper flame kissed! Except he hasn't cos the wedge has already opened up a good 50 meters on him.
Nice flat open section of bends next. Right, left right left, hold the throttle down through the last two. In third at 5000rpm you get understeer on the last turn in.
Slow for Wessington. School here, so no faster than 25mph, even at night, cos you never know when kids will be playing. Toyota man blasts past me doing about 60 in the 30 limit. He's waving as if he thinks he's won some huge victory!
Pah! we'll see about that once we can get to safer roads again.
Leave the village after a nasty downhill left hander. Short straight to another 90 right. Going very hard now. The tail goes light as I brake for the right hander. I get back on the power and the wedge rockets though the corner in a wonderful power drift. I have got it wrong there before and nearly ended up in the hedge, this time though it's perfect.
Accelerate hard, towards the next left hander that opens into another perfect set of S bends to a railway bridge.
I can see Toyota man ahead, quarter mile distant.
I power thought he bends, straight lining most of them (vision is good) braking only for the last right hander before the bridge and the steep climb beyond.
Back on the throttle, 5000rpm and the noise is fantastic. Wedge is alive, I swear, under the bridge in a blur of air pressure and echoes. Closing on Toyota. The V8 is giving everything now as it propels me up the hill. Exhaust note is hard, menacing.
I'm back on his tail now.
Stop at the T junction. Engine Ts and Ps all good
He goes right. I go right. Lots of opposite lock to keep things straight as we accelerate, but he's going nowhere, and he knows it. Traffic Lights I turn left, he goes straight, but stops as I turn past his rear. I slow to hear him point at the wedge and yell "Thats F***in awesome, what is it? "
I watch his blinged jap car drive away. He won't ever suffer from water leaks, mouldy carpets, sticky light pods of rumbly diffs. But neither will he forget the day a blue, wedge-shaped mystery car blew away his P&J.
Thats wedge ownership.
Andy
andymadmak said:
"Here's what it's all about"
A beautiful story, beautifully written.
And you're so right...
A group of us were at a race meet yesterday, parked in the paddock in the sun, after a nice wee convoy run there.
Fantastic cars, like-minded friends, agood weather... you can't beat it.
The tunnel on the way home (well it wasn't quite "on the way" but nearly) in close formation with a 350i wedge was pretty good too.
>> Edited by tvrgit on Monday 24th April 15:16
Nice one Andy 
Le Mans week.
You're on the ferry, sitting in the Tiv, having just arrived in France.
After a few minutes the bow doors open.
The first car starts, and clears its throat.
Then the next.
Then the next.
Before you know it the steel belly of the ship is reverberating with a deep throbbing collective burble.
Each car is like a wild stallion waiting to be released.
Then there's a colletctive edging forward.
You enter the daylight to rows of french cameras clicking.
You get onto the French roads, where you apply some throttle.
The throbbing engine surges you past Citroens, Renaults, Peugeots..
The combination of French roads and British sports cars is irresistable.
>> Edited by srebbe64 on Monday 24th April 21:32
You're on the ferry, sitting in the Tiv, having just arrived in France.
After a few minutes the bow doors open.
The first car starts, and clears its throat.
Then the next.
Then the next.
Before you know it the steel belly of the ship is reverberating with a deep throbbing collective burble.
Each car is like a wild stallion waiting to be released.
Then there's a colletctive edging forward.
You enter the daylight to rows of french cameras clicking.
You get onto the French roads, where you apply some throttle.
The throbbing engine surges you past Citroens, Renaults, Peugeots..
The combination of French roads and British sports cars is irresistable.
>> Edited by srebbe64 on Monday 24th April 21:32
srebbe64 said:
Le Mans week.
You're on the ferry, sitting in the Tiv, having just arrived in France.
After a few minutes the bow doors open.
The first car starts, and clears its throat.
Then the next.
Then the next.
Before you know it the steel belly of the ship is reverberating with a deep throbbing collective burble.
Each car is like a wild stallion waiting to be released.
Then there's a colletctive edging forward.
You enter the daylight to rows of french cameras clicking.
You get onto the French roads, where you apply some throttle.
The throbbing engine surges you past Citroens, Renaults, Peugeots..
The combination of French roads and British sports cars is irresistable.
I just hope it doesn't get too dark!
you know what I mean..
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Le Mans week.
You're on the ferry, sitting in the Tiv, having just arrived in France.
After a few minutes the bow doors open.
The first car starts, and clears its throat.
Then the next.
Then the next.
Before you know it the steel belly of the ship is reverberating with a deep throbbing collective burble.
Each car is like a wild stallion waiting to be released.
Then there's a colletctive edging forward.
You enter the daylight to rows of french cameras clicking.
You get onto the French roads, where you apply some throttle.
The throbbing engine surges you past Citroens, Renaults, Peugeots..
The combination of French roads and British sports cars is irresistable.
I just hope it doesn't get too dark!
you know what I mean..
It's the fog I worry about!
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