Weismann cars in insolvency

[bxlbaz]

I just read about Wiesmann cars applying for bankruptcy, pretty sad really, and it is why Les needs to make a clear plan for TVR and its future.

Oddly enough I watched a " how it's made programme " last evening and it was on Wiesmann cars, a very similar movie to the one on TVR a few years back on old top gear.

Barrie

Sorry for the misspelling in the title I can't correct it

Edited by bxlbaz on Friday 30th August 17:41

[glow worm]

I think it just goes to prove how difficult restarting production of TVRs is going to be . I'm glad Mr Edgar has saved the TVR name but production and sales will be a big challenge. I'm looking forward to the first TVR video game though .

[bluezeeland]

Hiya Bazza,

Well, the new car needs to be good, good looking and within 'everybodies' price-bracket........

(still abroad ?)

Frank

[bxlbaz]

Hi Frank

Yep I agree, apparently Wiesmann were making 4 cars a week and when you look at what they cost and the fact that the underpinnings and engine were bought in BMW bits I'm amazed they couldn't make ends meet, but I guess a combination of very low production numbers and German labour and social costs can kill anyone


I get back on Saturday about 14 hours delay thanks to Lufthansa who continue to lower their already abysmal service experience - they really are the worlds worst ( largish) airline.

See you on the 15th for the club run

Barrie

[BarnFind]

Very sad to see a low volume producer go down but TVR was,is in a different league full stop.......Rummmmmble rummmmmmble, a new TVR acoming down the tracks......

[bxlbaz]

I would suggest that you view the " how do they make that-dream cars" video, I think you can get it on you tube.

It's full of blokes laying under cars on axle stands to fit engines and carrying fiberglass body panels around before fixing them to the glued and riveted frame and carefully checking things with bits of plastic. A lot of time is spent showing them making the Geiko lizard badge though, but I guess that's why they cost what they did

[cwin]

I hope someone steps in and buys it, the build quality is fantasic and they drive faultlessly , I was hoping to do the factory tour next year with the wife.

Here's mine the only right hand drive one in the country,

[Frio3535]

^ Beautiful car - amazing side profile

[domV8]

Love these cars, true TVR alternatives for me. Beautiful.

[firewallguy]

Really sad, I being impressed by the one on Top Gear a few years ago, was it up against a TVR, Tuscan maybe?
I'm looking forward to seeing Craig's at Oulton Park on the 24th, I'm booked in with the Cerb.

[Fire99]

Great cars. A real shame. Oddly, my only gripe is that I'd have slightly smaller wheels and a higher profile tyre in those classic lines.

[cwin]

firewallguy said:

Really sad, I being impressed by the one on Top Gear a few years ago, was it up against a TVR, Tuscan maybe?
I'm looking forward to seeing Craig's at Oulton Park on the 24th, I'm booked in with the Cerb.

That was a straight six version from the m3, this has the 4.8 v8, have you seen the factory and this,


► 12:40► 12:40
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dA3NgH2_ss
13 Sep 2012 - Uploaded by Car and Driver Magazine
We get behind the wheel of the wicked Wiesmann GT MF5 and take a quick factory tour for some ...

[cwin]

BarnFind said:

Very sad to see a low volume producer go down but TVR was,is in a different league full stop.......Rummmmmble rummmmmmble, a new TVR acoming down the tracks......

Not sure what you mean in " a different league " which way better or worse ? Faster or slower ? From an ownership experience of both you may be right, but not in TVRs favour , and I love TVR

[JPW231]

Great video and a fantastic car.

[MRPULLHARD]

bmw should buy weismann and sell through their dealerships in wealthy areas .They have no comparable model.

[Podie]

cwin said:

I hope someone steps in and buys it, the build quality is fantasic and they drive faultlessly , I was hoping to do the factory tour next year with the wife.

Here's mine the only right hand drive one in the country,

Stunning looking thing.

Hope they are saved.

[Laser Sag]

cwin said:

Not sure what you mean in " a different league " which way better or worse ? Faster or slower ? From an ownership experience of both you may be right, but not in TVRs favour , and I love TVR

Sorry to hear they have gone into insolvency but don't think you are comparing like for like with the two, from memory the Weismann was around £110,000 starting price while a top spec Tuscan was half that.
Hope someone does buy the company and keep it going.

[Johno]

cwin said:

I hope someone steps in and buys it, the build quality is fantasic and they drive faultlessly , I was hoping to do the factory tour next year with the wife.

Here's mine the only right hand drive one in the country,

Stuning cwin, lovely lovely things .. . Very jealous. Somehow they capture the classic lines and curves of the past, whilst under pinning them with unquestionable engineering and then put them together with a real eye for detail.

The only area that I could criticise them on and I've looked round a few are the interiors. The quality I can not question, just some of the buyers decisions perhaps and sometimes for me it's the lack of any contrast in the cabin, they are sometimes all just one colour. Everything is the same and I like some contrast. Perhaps it's just a personal thing, but sometimes they feel like you're sitting in a paint pot of whichever colour. Careful selection of dial colours etc can make a real difference. My own TVR could be accused of being the same as it's black everything, but the brushed ally dash and dial surrounds, alloy/brass air vents etc help to break it up.

A quick flick through Google Images will show you some absolute shockers as we were seriously considering one last year, but track Caterhams and an imminient arrival diverted attention and funds.

Maybe it's a German thing, I find Porsche interior colours awful other than black. They seem somehow to find the worst available colours and put them in their range. Weissman I understood was probably more like TVR in that if you wanted a certain shade they would do it for you. At least parts will be relatively straight forward and I am sure there'll be some small business that will phoenix from the situation to cover the more specialist parts, but with BMW underpinnings it helps a lot.

Great car cwin, such a different beast and beautiful.

Edited by Johno on Monday 2nd September 09:39

[GTRene]

I love the Wiesmann cars and the MF4 GT is my favorite model, although the MF3 feels better for involvement.
I had a short test drive in the MF4 GT about 2 years ago and for my feeling I would make a few changes to the car to make it a bit 'better' the MF3 felt better and by better I mean more like a better fit shoe?
or how you say that in English.

I hope they will be saved (and i guess they will) best by BMW then they finally have some good looking cars in their portfolio

a lot of nice small car company's did get in problems also Germany, like say
--Artega
--Gumpert
--Melkus?
--Wiesmann?

to name a few.

ow, and great car cwin, your a lucky man.

edit: I tested this MF4 GT by the Dutch Wiesmann dealer>

Edited by GTRene on Monday 2nd September 10:39

[gordonsalive]

Have, to say I am not overly keen on the looks but that factory, the engineering expertise and attention to detail are what our Mr Edgar should be focusing on and getting a workforce that cares about the product.
Sad to see them go under, do hope they get rescued or how's about join forces and re-shell, re-brand as the new TVR?