Top Gear Cerbera 1 mile challenge

[Cerbera2004]

While looking around the web, I came across some
footage for Top Gear's JC doing a feature on high
performance cars over a 1 mile straight.

The Cerbera was up against a Porsche, Aston Martin,
Viper, Lotus etc and totally creamed the lot of them!

I'm sure the footage was heavily edited and was from a
longer special, can anyone tell me more or does
anyone even have the full programme they
could let me have on Vcdr etc?

I'd love to know what time the other cars crawled in at....

[no3ody]

I've got the video of that...!!! (found it on Amazon too)

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004CT4D/qid=1053598211/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_1_4/026-7752582-0452415

The race was a cracker.. a 911 Turbo, Dodge Viper, Aston Martin V8 & others. The Cerbera creamed the lot of them..

[Cerbera2004]

Excellent Gareth!

Sold for £1.99 to....ME!

Thanks again!

[alt]

I seem to remember that this was a 'special' Cerbera?
Not too sure on the details but maybe one with the number of bhp that it's supposed to have!

[zoomer]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOH.

GET HER!

[FourWheelDrift]

It was the 4.7 litre press car one of only 2 made, the other (made for a friend of Peter Wheeler) was for sale on here a little while back.

Still, a normal Cerbera would still have won.

[dannylt]

Nah, it wasn't a 4.7 car, it was a normal 4.2, though potentially decatted and with 4.5 inlets.

[Cerbera2004]

Quite a debate I've started!

I wonder if the car owner is on the list and can confirm?

[d_drinks]

alt said: I seem to remember that this was a 'special' Cerbera?
Not too sure on the details but maybe one with the number of bhp that it's supposed to have!

The same car was tested in AutoCar within weeks of the JC video being shot. Their figures etc. are all recorded in the mag. It was a 4.2 though it did have carbon fibre air intakes from the Tuscan 4.5 AJP which weren't standard on produciton 4.2's other wise it was standard.

[plotloss]

So it didnt have a lightweight body or anything?

[no3ody]

Guys.. visit www.sleepy-fish.com/video_page.htm
& download TVR_Griffith_Cerbera.mpg

I think you'll find its what you are all looking for!!

[Cerbera2004]

no3ody said: Guys.. visit www.sleepy-fish.com/video_page.htm
& download TVR_Griffith_Cerbera.mpg

I think you'll find its what you are all looking for!!

That's what I'd seen... and wanted more!

[Cerbera2004]

Just been emailed to say it is listed as a 4.198 cc on the registry. Thanks anon for that

[craigw]

much as I love 'em I think the 993 turbo would beat a cerbera based upon Bruntingthorpe experiences.

[2 sheds]

I believe that the Cerbera used for this video was the press car that peter Wheeler used , it did have a 4.5 in it originally and was independently rolling road tested, it made 350 bhp so certainly wasn't a monster engine like some of the later "special" cars.
Tim

[jeremyc]

craigw said: much as I love 'em I think the 993 turbo would beat a cerbera based upon Bruntingthorpe experiences.

Although the Bruntingthorpe experiences were over more than 1 mile, and compared only terminal velocities.

I wonder whether it would be different from a standing start and measuring the time to reach the mile marker?

Jeremy
:graspingatstrawstosavehiscerberasreputation:

[kevinday]

craigw said: much as I love 'em I think the 993 turbo would beat a cerbera based upon Bruntingthorpe experiences.

IIRC the Bruntingthorpe experience does not include a standing start. A 993TT will always be able to corner faster than a Cerbie and therefore is already moving quicker when entering the straight. Compare standard cars over a standing start mile and the only evidence available points to the Cerbera being quicker.

[tvrslag]

As I understood it the Porsche GT2 that was at bruntingthorpe recorded the quickest speed down the straight. Yet I can't recall seeing any cerberas do the 2 mile straight.
Is there anybody posting who actually did the straight and can verify their speed? purely in an effort to save face.

[jeremyc]

tvrslag said: As I understood it the Porsche GT2 that was at bruntingthorpe recorded the quickest speed down the straight. Yet I can't recall seeing any cerberas do the 2 mile straight.
Is there anybody posting who actually did the straight and can verify their speed? purely in an effort to save face.

Yup: my best terminal speed so far is 175mph.

Dazren's 996 Turbo (not a GT2 alas) clocked 190mph.

>> Edited by jeremyc on Friday 23 May 12:10

[Gaffer]

The Pearlescent White Griff was dads car as well as being the press car. It got sold to a bloke from St.Annes.

Claire