What has TVR done for Pistonheads?
Discussion
Questioning as to whether postings on Pistonheads has influenced the demise of TVR should be evaluated in context, as in reality TVR could have easily taken heed of these well written grass root threads and steered a course to success had they realised that people do in fact talk. The correct way forward, would have been for TVR to positively influence that talk and listen to peoples opinions.
The main reasoning for purchasing a TVR since the early eighties has been their association with being a somewhat British Bulldog. Red blooded, slightly whacky and proud of being wholly inpolitically correct. This attracted certain esoteric individuals, who are close knitted and remain loyal and banded around this most British of brands.
In the Peter Wheeler heydays, anyone of these individual owners could have listed the same set of problems, both with either a Chimaera or Griffith owner coming up with solutions for the factory to rectify, the company didnt listen then and cars were continually rolled out of Blackpool with the same dodgy electric windows, forever leaking uniformly and produced with roof panels which fit awkwardly in the boot as opposed to the much requested two split panels which would fit easily behind the seats accelerator cables that snap every 5k miles amongst other annoying faults. As the cars were selling well, only cosmetic improvements were ever made or needed to sustain profit. The customers though loved the performance of the cars, they were extremely reasonably priced and we actually came to love or ignore the foibles, what else would we have to talk about at TVRCC meets? We also fiercely defended TVR when any non TVR owner poked fun at us about having our badly finished cars only being partially built in Blackpool, the cars though had character!
After the shocking sell-out of Blackpools family silver (its disheartening that nothing is British anymore), it was however encouraging that money would be injected back into the company and quality would improve and all else would remain equal. Nikoli Somolenski and Ben Samuelson turned up to a poorly publicised TVR Winter Driving Day and I thought this would be the start of a new courtship with TVR noveau and its old grass roots customers. No, I was wrong, apart from a couple of V8s attending most were Tuscan and T350 owners who watched bemused as Nikoli arrived in a Volvo and appeared to be most interested in the V8 aural attributes. A second publicity attempt with pretty girls strategically located at sales desks at The Belfry event saw disillusioned potential customers not being permitted to drive the road going Sagaris and dismayed at the name sake battle axe look (as if it had been hit with one) now with the slots bunged-up and the hinged louvers unceremoniously jammed open in one position only.
On waiting for my first look and test drive of the road going (unslotted) Sagaris at (the now demised) HL Gorner I was dumbstruck and alarmed that the new flagship had water condensation in its rear lights. I was uneasily assured this wasnt a retained TVR classic feature as the dealer had allegedly just steam cleaned the car. I have since seen other Sagaris, which the owners must indeed steam clean daily.
Hawthorns, TVR County and HL Gorner (they still come and then they go when reality bites!) were not able to sell the new vehicles in sufficient quantities, certainly not to the majority of (yet to be convinced) die hard V8 drivers and maybe just rely on unaware new (and in all due respects, innocently naïve to the brand) purchasers. All these dealers have struggled to make a go of it, snowed under in the burdens of requisite warranty work, thus only being able to produce quick fixes to older more reliable vehicles, ordering the parts (last in the queue to warranty work) from an unreliable factory often on the day you arrange to have the car ready for pick up is not good enough. The independent TVR garages however are cashing in on the mistrust of the carpeted and fresh coffeed showrooms, I now have learned my lesson severely and will only trust and take my car to one now (David Gerald).
The persons most likely to buy a new TVR are the persons who have previously purchased; these people though have been rudely alienated by the Authorised TVR Dealers often ignored and disdained by the Factory as a nuisance. Opportunities here have been missed by the factory, public/customer relations are none existent.
Im not expecting a Veuve Cliquot private enclosure at Le Mans but where are the Factory Tuscan/Sagaris on a show stand or flying laps with professional drivers displaying to an engaged and captive audience when a TVRCC Track Day is in action at Oulton Park (not too far from Blackpool) for instance? What incentive is being used to lure curious Mr and Mrs MX5 out of their reliable transport and into a Tamora ? Ask these people and the common response is who makes TVR anyway and didnt the last one look like a Triumph TR7 or arent they the same anyway? its sad but very true.
Articles in Sprint Magazine have previously intimated that the best advice to Nikoli has been simple: stick a V8 in a light weight convertible, make it look pretty and you will succeed! Chimaera and Griffith owners only new choice for a convertible replacement has been the ugly bath duck Tamora or the sexier Tuscans. Advice has been dont buy either, a new one will blow up and you will be car less as it is rebuilt. It sadly is indicative of quality assurance that some comfort can be taken in the only newer reliable cars are ones that have previously blown up, this defies logic!
With the dodgy offerings in this weeks Autocar Magazine containing the school boy fifth form drawings of future hard top TVRs (looking like a hybrid Audi TT and Cerbera). Appear to offer nothing (automatic gear boxes!) It hasnt worked for the last few years, where is the market for these now anonymous amorphous lumps which wont sell on reputation alone. The only favour done is that real TVRs will become classics very shortly.
Sadly, the only part of Bristol Avenue connected to a once Great British car will maybe remain in name only, as Peter Wheeler possibly sells the factory off for housing, will be the streets where the inhabitants park their chaved up imported cars in. Will future generations understand however as to why they are named?
Grantura Grove
Vixens Walk
Tasmin Coppice
Wedge Rise
Sagaris Way
Griffith Lane
Tamora View
Tuscan Road
Cerbera Boulevard
The main reasoning for purchasing a TVR since the early eighties has been their association with being a somewhat British Bulldog. Red blooded, slightly whacky and proud of being wholly inpolitically correct. This attracted certain esoteric individuals, who are close knitted and remain loyal and banded around this most British of brands.
In the Peter Wheeler heydays, anyone of these individual owners could have listed the same set of problems, both with either a Chimaera or Griffith owner coming up with solutions for the factory to rectify, the company didnt listen then and cars were continually rolled out of Blackpool with the same dodgy electric windows, forever leaking uniformly and produced with roof panels which fit awkwardly in the boot as opposed to the much requested two split panels which would fit easily behind the seats accelerator cables that snap every 5k miles amongst other annoying faults. As the cars were selling well, only cosmetic improvements were ever made or needed to sustain profit. The customers though loved the performance of the cars, they were extremely reasonably priced and we actually came to love or ignore the foibles, what else would we have to talk about at TVRCC meets? We also fiercely defended TVR when any non TVR owner poked fun at us about having our badly finished cars only being partially built in Blackpool, the cars though had character!
After the shocking sell-out of Blackpools family silver (its disheartening that nothing is British anymore), it was however encouraging that money would be injected back into the company and quality would improve and all else would remain equal. Nikoli Somolenski and Ben Samuelson turned up to a poorly publicised TVR Winter Driving Day and I thought this would be the start of a new courtship with TVR noveau and its old grass roots customers. No, I was wrong, apart from a couple of V8s attending most were Tuscan and T350 owners who watched bemused as Nikoli arrived in a Volvo and appeared to be most interested in the V8 aural attributes. A second publicity attempt with pretty girls strategically located at sales desks at The Belfry event saw disillusioned potential customers not being permitted to drive the road going Sagaris and dismayed at the name sake battle axe look (as if it had been hit with one) now with the slots bunged-up and the hinged louvers unceremoniously jammed open in one position only.
On waiting for my first look and test drive of the road going (unslotted) Sagaris at (the now demised) HL Gorner I was dumbstruck and alarmed that the new flagship had water condensation in its rear lights. I was uneasily assured this wasnt a retained TVR classic feature as the dealer had allegedly just steam cleaned the car. I have since seen other Sagaris, which the owners must indeed steam clean daily.
Hawthorns, TVR County and HL Gorner (they still come and then they go when reality bites!) were not able to sell the new vehicles in sufficient quantities, certainly not to the majority of (yet to be convinced) die hard V8 drivers and maybe just rely on unaware new (and in all due respects, innocently naïve to the brand) purchasers. All these dealers have struggled to make a go of it, snowed under in the burdens of requisite warranty work, thus only being able to produce quick fixes to older more reliable vehicles, ordering the parts (last in the queue to warranty work) from an unreliable factory often on the day you arrange to have the car ready for pick up is not good enough. The independent TVR garages however are cashing in on the mistrust of the carpeted and fresh coffeed showrooms, I now have learned my lesson severely and will only trust and take my car to one now (David Gerald).
The persons most likely to buy a new TVR are the persons who have previously purchased; these people though have been rudely alienated by the Authorised TVR Dealers often ignored and disdained by the Factory as a nuisance. Opportunities here have been missed by the factory, public/customer relations are none existent.
Im not expecting a Veuve Cliquot private enclosure at Le Mans but where are the Factory Tuscan/Sagaris on a show stand or flying laps with professional drivers displaying to an engaged and captive audience when a TVRCC Track Day is in action at Oulton Park (not too far from Blackpool) for instance? What incentive is being used to lure curious Mr and Mrs MX5 out of their reliable transport and into a Tamora ? Ask these people and the common response is who makes TVR anyway and didnt the last one look like a Triumph TR7 or arent they the same anyway? its sad but very true.
Articles in Sprint Magazine have previously intimated that the best advice to Nikoli has been simple: stick a V8 in a light weight convertible, make it look pretty and you will succeed! Chimaera and Griffith owners only new choice for a convertible replacement has been the ugly bath duck Tamora or the sexier Tuscans. Advice has been dont buy either, a new one will blow up and you will be car less as it is rebuilt. It sadly is indicative of quality assurance that some comfort can be taken in the only newer reliable cars are ones that have previously blown up, this defies logic!
With the dodgy offerings in this weeks Autocar Magazine containing the school boy fifth form drawings of future hard top TVRs (looking like a hybrid Audi TT and Cerbera). Appear to offer nothing (automatic gear boxes!) It hasnt worked for the last few years, where is the market for these now anonymous amorphous lumps which wont sell on reputation alone. The only favour done is that real TVRs will become classics very shortly.
Sadly, the only part of Bristol Avenue connected to a once Great British car will maybe remain in name only, as Peter Wheeler possibly sells the factory off for housing, will be the streets where the inhabitants park their chaved up imported cars in. Will future generations understand however as to why they are named?
Grantura Grove
Vixens Walk
Tasmin Coppice
Wedge Rise
Sagaris Way
Griffith Lane
Tamora View
Tuscan Road
Cerbera Boulevard
Lifted words from lifted words, perhaps? www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=266174&f=13&h=0&p=5
>> Edited by lazyitus on Friday 5th May 16:02
RETROPTVR said:
Articles in Sprint Magazine have previously intimated that the best advice to Nikoli has been simple: stick a V8 in a light weight convertible, make it look pretty and you will succeed!
cheshirecat said:... My article in Sprint. Let's hope the latest news from TVR, that they do in fact intend to out source a V8 for their new range, actually bucks the trend and comes true.
I'm with you, stick a V8 in a convertible and I'd order a red one tomorrow!
RETROPTVR said:
What incentive is being used to lure curious Mr and Mrs MX5 out of their reliable transport and into a Tamora ? Ask these people and the common response is who makes TVR anyway and didnt the last one look like a Triumph TR7 or arent they the same anyway? its sad but very true.
Not always true.
MX5 for three years while I saved and researched for a TVR. There are loads of incentives!
Tamora for 2 years now and counting.
I went from an Audi TT to a tamora. Eyes wide open and do you know what, best choice I ever made. From Eurobox to fun with a capital F. Yes its a TVR but no its completely changed my attitude to driving. I can not get enough of the TVRs in general and I can also say there is not a single model in there range, past and present that I dont like. Whats the point of saying a car is ugly, its a TVR and an exclusive one also.
maddog-uk said:
I went from an Audi TT to a tamora. Eyes wide open and do you know what, best choice I ever made. From Eurobox to fun with a capital F. Yes its a TVR but no its completely changed my attitude to driving. I can not get enough of the TVRs in general and I can also say there is not a single model in there range, past and present that I dont like. Whats the point of saying a car is ugly, its a TVR and an exclusive one also.
albundy said:
RETROPTVR- what a t**t. Unfortunately one of many (almost majority) on this forum nowadays..... 
>> Edited by albundy on Sunday 7th May 22:04
i think the above should actually read:
albundy said:
albundy- what a t**t. Unfortunately one of many (almost majority) on this forum nowadays.....
RETROPTVR, put together a well written opinion. you may not agree with it, but please don't drag this topic down, there is no need.
jodypress said:
RETROPTVR- what a t**t. Unfortunately one of many (almost majority) on this forum nowadays.....
>> Edited by albundy on Sunday 7th May 22:04
i think the above should actually read:
albundy said:
albundy- what a t**t. Unfortunately one of many (almost majority) on this forum nowadays.....
RETROPTVR, put together a well written opinion. you may not agree with it, but please don't drag this topic down, there is no need.
Jodypress, thank you for your support here. It is great to see that the Piston Head Forums are open to people of mixed abilities and allow Albundy an attempt to express feelings.
The problem I see though, that with limited and compromised literary skills, one is unable to read the terms and conditions before posting. Unfortunately and likewise failing to understand why replys will be pulled by persons eventually reporting abuse.
Lets us hope that TVR remain (intact if in name only), as any future company name formed with more than three simple letters will tax cerebral matter beyond its capability.
>> Edited by RETROPTVR on Monday 8th May 13:49
>> Edited by RETROPTVR on Monday 8th May 13:52
>> Edited by RETROPTVR on Monday 8th May 13:58
>> Edited by RETROPTVR on Monday 8th May 14:00
Podie said:There's no argument or need for debate. Everyone knows green is fastest.
WHAT HAS TVR DONE FOR PISTONHEADS?
Created masses of irrelevant arguements about which colour is faster, the Griff / Chim "debate" etc etc...
Oh, and provided thousands with an excuse not to do work
V8 Kieran said:
Grantura Grove
Vixens Walk
Tasmin Coppice
Wedge Rise
Sagaris Way
Griffith Lane
Tamora View
Tuscan Road
Cerbera Boulevard
Don't forget:
AA Members Club Avenue
and
Rue de la Overtakenanotherporsche, just south of Rouen
Here's hoping there is never a TVR Cul de Sac.
A interesting if somewhat frosty thread. (Try saying that with a rolo in your mouth!)
A good question might be "What has PH done for TVR?" Which is of course, being debated right here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=266174&f=13&h=0
>> Edited by NailedOn on Monday 8th May 16:40
A good question might be "What has PH done for TVR?" Which is of course, being debated right here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=266174&f=13&h=0
>> Edited by NailedOn on Monday 8th May 16:40
tvrbob said:
WHAT HAS TVR DONE FOR PISTONHEADS?
Created masses of irrelevant arguements about which colour is faster, the Griff / Chim "debate" etc etc...
Oh, and provided thousands with an excuse not to do work
Bob, (If I may be bold and call you Bob) I beg to differ with you sir, indeed, Pearl Blue is THE fastest colour of all time. Didn't you know sir?
RETROPTVR said:You forgot Chimaera Close.
Questioning as to whether postings on Pistonheads has influenced the demise of TVR should be evaluated in context, as in reality TVR could have easily taken heed of these well written grass root threads and steered a course to success had they realised that people do in fact talk. The correct way forward, would have been for TVR to positively influence that talk and listen to peoples opinions.
The main reasoning for purchasing a TVR since the early eighties has been their association with being a somewhat British Bulldog. Red blooded, slightly whacky and proud of being wholly inpolitically correct. This attracted certain esoteric individuals, who are close knitted and remain loyal and banded around this most British of brands.
In the Peter Wheeler heydays, anyone of these individual owners could have listed the same set of problems, both with either a Chimaera or Griffith owner coming up with solutions for the factory to rectify, the company didnt listen then and cars were continually rolled out of Blackpool with the same dodgy electric windows, forever leaking uniformly and produced with roof panels which fit awkwardly in the boot as opposed to the much requested two split panels which would fit easily behind the seats accelerator cables that snap every 5k miles amongst other annoying faults. As the cars were selling well, only cosmetic improvements were ever made or needed to sustain profit. The customers though loved the performance of the cars, they were extremely reasonably priced and we actually came to love or ignore the foibles, what else would we have to talk about at TVRCC meets? We also fiercely defended TVR when any non TVR owner poked fun at us about having our badly finished cars only being partially built in Blackpool, the cars though had character!
After the shocking sell-out of Blackpools family silver (its disheartening that nothing is British anymore), it was however encouraging that money would be injected back into the company and quality would improve and all else would remain equal. Nikoli Somolenski and Ben Samuelson turned up to a poorly publicised TVR Winter Driving Day and I thought this would be the start of a new courtship with TVR noveau and its old grass roots customers. No, I was wrong, apart from a couple of V8s attending most were Tuscan and T350 owners who watched bemused as Nikoli arrived in a Volvo and appeared to be most interested in the V8 aural attributes. A second publicity attempt with pretty girls strategically located at sales desks at The Belfry event saw disillusioned potential customers not being permitted to drive the road going Sagaris and dismayed at the name sake battle axe look (as if it had been hit with one) now with the slots bunged-up and the hinged louvers unceremoniously jammed open in one position only.
On waiting for my first look and test drive of the road going (unslotted) Sagaris at (the now demised) HL Gorner I was dumbstruck and alarmed that the new flagship had water condensation in its rear lights. I was uneasily assured this wasnt a retained TVR classic feature as the dealer had allegedly just steam cleaned the car. I have since seen other Sagaris, which the owners must indeed steam clean daily.
Hawthorns, TVR County and HL Gorner (they still come and then they go when reality bites!) were not able to sell the new vehicles in sufficient quantities, certainly not to the majority of (yet to be convinced) die hard V8 drivers and maybe just rely on unaware new (and in all due respects, innocently naïve to the brand) purchasers. All these dealers have struggled to make a go of it, snowed under in the burdens of requisite warranty work, thus only being able to produce quick fixes to older more reliable vehicles, ordering the parts (last in the queue to warranty work) from an unreliable factory often on the day you arrange to have the car ready for pick up is not good enough. The independent TVR garages however are cashing in on the mistrust of the carpeted and fresh coffeed showrooms, I now have learned my lesson severely and will only trust and take my car to one now (David Gerald).
The persons most likely to buy a new TVR are the persons who have previously purchased; these people though have been rudely alienated by the Authorised TVR Dealers often ignored and disdained by the Factory as a nuisance. Opportunities here have been missed by the factory, public/customer relations are none existent.
Im not expecting a Veuve Cliquot private enclosure at Le Mans but where are the Factory Tuscan/Sagaris on a show stand or flying laps with professional drivers displaying to an engaged and captive audience when a TVRCC Track Day is in action at Oulton Park (not too far from Blackpool) for instance? What incentive is being used to lure curious Mr and Mrs MX5 out of their reliable transport and into a Tamora ? Ask these people and the common response is who makes TVR anyway and didnt the last one look like a Triumph TR7 or arent they the same anyway? its sad but very true.
Articles in Sprint Magazine have previously intimated that the best advice to Nikoli has been simple: stick a V8 in a light weight convertible, make it look pretty and you will succeed! Chimaera and Griffith owners only new choice for a convertible replacement has been the ugly bath duck Tamora or the sexier Tuscans. Advice has been dont buy either, a new one will blow up and you will be car less as it is rebuilt. It sadly is indicative of quality assurance that some comfort can be taken in the only newer reliable cars are ones that have previously blown up, this defies logic!
With the dodgy offerings in this weeks Autocar Magazine containing the school boy fifth form drawings of future hard top TVRs (looking like a hybrid Audi TT and Cerbera). Appear to offer nothing (automatic gear boxes!) It hasnt worked for the last few years, where is the market for these now anonymous amorphous lumps which wont sell on reputation alone. The only favour done is that real TVRs will become classics very shortly.
Sadly, the only part of Bristol Avenue connected to a once Great British car will maybe remain in name only, as Peter Wheeler possibly sells the factory off for housing, will be the streets where the inhabitants park their chaved up imported cars in. Will future generations understand however as to why they are named?
Grantura Grove
Vixens Walk
Tasmin Coppice
Wedge Rise
Sagaris Way
Griffith Lane
Tamora View
Tuscan Road
Cerbera Boulevard
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