TVR v Dubai Desert
Discussion
Hi - just wondering if any TVR enthusiasts out there know whether TVR's are compatible to be driven in the desert?
I live in Dubai and have dreamt of owning a TVR for years and am thinking about importing one from UK.
Someone told me however that TVR's due to the fibreglass bodies aren't suitable for the kind of heat we get out here.
Is this true? Are there exceptions? Any recommendations for the best model in hot conditions?
Thanks!!!
I live in Dubai and have dreamt of owning a TVR for years and am thinking about importing one from UK.
Someone told me however that TVR's due to the fibreglass bodies aren't suitable for the kind of heat we get out here.
Is this true? Are there exceptions? Any recommendations for the best model in hot conditions?
Thanks!!!
Desertspinner said:
Hi - just wondering if any TVR enthusiasts out there know whether TVR's are compatible to be driven in the desert?
I live in Dubai and have dreamt of owning a TVR for years and am thinking about importing one from UK.
Someone told me however that TVR's due to the fibreglass bodies aren't suitable for the kind of heat we get out here.
Is this true? Are there exceptions? Any recommendations for the best model in hot conditions?
Thanks!!!
Going back 5 or more years, there was a newish blue 5 litre Chim out there. His biggest problems were interior parts peeling off due to the original glue getting hot? Fairly sure the GRP would not be a problem.I live in Dubai and have dreamt of owning a TVR for years and am thinking about importing one from UK.
Someone told me however that TVR's due to the fibreglass bodies aren't suitable for the kind of heat we get out here.
Is this true? Are there exceptions? Any recommendations for the best model in hot conditions?
Thanks!!!
yes - there are tons of Corvettes out here ...(cringe) - are you saying the bodies are fibreglass like TVRs? That's encouraging.
As far as repairs, spare parts etc any knowledge of the area? There are many good mechanic shops out here and many brands of exotic cars, so they may be able to cope with a TVR.
As far as models are concerned I'm thinking of a Chim or a Tuscan. Any suggestions? I need a safe car (roads here very dangerous) and something relatively low maintenance given the novelty of TVRs out here.
As far as repairs, spare parts etc any knowledge of the area? There are many good mechanic shops out here and many brands of exotic cars, so they may be able to cope with a TVR.
As far as models are concerned I'm thinking of a Chim or a Tuscan. Any suggestions? I need a safe car (roads here very dangerous) and something relatively low maintenance given the novelty of TVRs out here.
Desertspinner said:
yes - there are tons of Corvettes out here ...(cringe) - are you saying the bodies are fibreglass like TVRs? That's encouraging.
As far as repairs, spare parts etc any knowledge of the area? There are many good mechanic shops out here and many brands of exotic cars, so they may be able to cope with a TVR.
As far as models are concerned I'm thinking of a Chim or a Tuscan. Any suggestions? I need a safe car (roads here very dangerous) and something relatively low maintenance given the novelty of TVRs out here.
Personally I would go with an older TVR (Griff, Chim, Wedge, S) if you want something low maintenance as the Tuscan takes a little more caring for that the previous models.As far as repairs, spare parts etc any knowledge of the area? There are many good mechanic shops out here and many brands of exotic cars, so they may be able to cope with a TVR.
As far as models are concerned I'm thinking of a Chim or a Tuscan. Any suggestions? I need a safe car (roads here very dangerous) and something relatively low maintenance given the novelty of TVRs out here.
As for something safe, they're all fairly strong within the passenger cell as demonstrated, sadly, but the winter accidents. GRP (as you probably know) is designed to break apart, but absorbs a lot of the impact
jagdpanther said:
As for something safe, they're all fairly strong within the passenger cell as demonstrated, sadly, but the winter accidents. GRP (as you probably know) is designed to break apart, but absorbs a lot of the impact
Some Tivs are better than othere. Don't quote me Scott, but I think the Griifs and Chims were without side impact protection.A good 400SE would be a great car to use over there, Rover V8 for anyone to service, strong, and not goping to break the bank to buy.
0to60 said:
I cannot remember where, but I am sure there were pictures not too long ago of a silver tuscan 2 and t350 in an arab country
The Tuscan may well have been TVR testing the car for hot climate sales (when they still had sales...)Hexham Horseless Carriage bought the car I belive.
OP you could do a lot worse than this cracker http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/767361.htm and its located almost as far south as you 
My mate has just moved out there but won't be taking his Tuscan 2. I've just spent Xmas and New Year with him and while the weather was nice at that time of the year I wouldn't want to be driving a TVR there in the summer months - I'm told the heat is incredible. I drove a Fiat Pander through Turkmenistan this year in 50 degree heat and it was pretty unpleasant. You couldn't open the windows as the wind would burn you so all we did was sweat in the car. By the end of the day the seats were dripping wet!
I'd definately think about an older model due to the servicing and maintenance aspect - wouldn't fancy getting a Speed 6 serviced (or fixed if the worst happened) out there.
Apparently, all the exotica over there (Lambo's, Fezza's, etc) only come out for a couple of months per year due to the heat so I'd guess the same approach could work with a Tiv...
Hope that helps.
I'd definately think about an older model due to the servicing and maintenance aspect - wouldn't fancy getting a Speed 6 serviced (or fixed if the worst happened) out there.
Apparently, all the exotica over there (Lambo's, Fezza's, etc) only come out for a couple of months per year due to the heat so I'd guess the same approach could work with a Tiv...
Hope that helps.
TVR_owner said:
0to60 said:
I cannot remember where, but I am sure there were pictures not too long ago of a silver tuscan 2 and t350 in an arab country
The Tuscan may well have been TVR testing the car for hot climate sales (when they still had sales...)Hexham Horseless Carriage bought the car I belive.
Only visible difference was some extra louvres/vents.
Desertspinner said:
yes - there are tons of Corvettes out here ...(cringe) - are you saying the bodies are fibreglass like TVRs? That's encouraging.
As far as repairs, spare parts etc any knowledge of the area? There are many good mechanic shops out here and many brands of exotic cars, so they may be able to cope with a TVR.
As far as models are concerned I'm thinking of a Chim or a Tuscan. Any suggestions? I need a safe car (roads here very dangerous) and something relatively low maintenance given the novelty of TVRs out here.
Yes, the Corvette's bodies are fibreglass bodied.As far as repairs, spare parts etc any knowledge of the area? There are many good mechanic shops out here and many brands of exotic cars, so they may be able to cope with a TVR.
As far as models are concerned I'm thinking of a Chim or a Tuscan. Any suggestions? I need a safe car (roads here very dangerous) and something relatively low maintenance given the novelty of TVRs out here.
Not sure that I'd class a TVR as low maintenance - particularly the AJP engined later models such as the Tuscan. A Chimp or Griff with a RV8 engine would be better - and possibly more easy to get maintenance on.
TVR_owner said:
jagdpanther said:
As for something safe, they're all fairly strong within the passenger cell as demonstrated, sadly, but the winter accidents. GRP (as you probably know) is designed to break apart, but absorbs a lot of the impact
Some Tivs are better than othere. Don't quote me Scott, but I think the Griifs and Chims were without side impact protection.A good 400SE would be a great car to use over there, Rover V8 for anyone to service, strong, and not goping to break the bank to buy.
basically, it's fibre glass then your shoulder!Taraka30 said:
My mate has just moved out there but won't be taking his Tuscan 2. I've just spent Xmas and New Year with him and while the weather was nice at that time of the year I wouldn't want to be driving a TVR there in the summer months - I'm told the heat is incredible. I drove a Fiat Pander through Turkmenistan this year in 50 degree heat and it was pretty unpleasant. You couldn't open the windows as the wind would burn you so all we did was sweat in the car. By the end of the day the seats were dripping wet!
I'd definately think about an older model due to the servicing and maintenance aspect - wouldn't fancy getting a Speed 6 serviced (or fixed if the worst happened) out there.
Apparently, all the exotica over there (Lambo's, Fezza's, etc) only come out for a couple of months per year due to the heat so I'd guess the same approach could work with a Tiv...
Hope that helps.
I'd definately think about an older model due to the servicing and maintenance aspect - wouldn't fancy getting a Speed 6 serviced (or fixed if the worst happened) out there.
Apparently, all the exotica over there (Lambo's, Fezza's, etc) only come out for a couple of months per year due to the heat so I'd guess the same approach could work with a Tiv...
Hope that helps.
Desertspinner - said mate of Taraka30. I did a lot of research into taking my car over here as I miss her terribly (I am in Abu Dhabi at the moment) so if you want some more information / my findings PM me... in short, you'd only really get to use her in the winter months, due to servicing I would stick to older models and finally and probably most important to me since I came out here if you have a R.H.D. car it is only another complication to driving around here given the varying standards of driving (picture trying to overtake on the Sheikh Zayed Road sandwiched between two 4x4's)... HTH!ETA: Check out the Middle East Forum on PH, there are posts from guys who actually had Tivs out here...
Edited by RB TVR on Wednesday 7th January 04:41
Mark_G said:
Yes, the Corvette's bodies are fibreglass bodied.
Not sure that I'd class a TVR as low maintenance - particularly the AJP engined later models such as the Tuscan. A Chimp or Griff with a RV8 engine would be better - and possibly more easy to get maintenance on.
AJP Tuscan. A rare beast indeed!Not sure that I'd class a TVR as low maintenance - particularly the AJP engined later models such as the Tuscan. A Chimp or Griff with a RV8 engine would be better - and possibly more easy to get maintenance on.
TVR_owner said:
jagdpanther said:
As for something safe, they're all fairly strong within the passenger cell as demonstrated, sadly, but the winter accidents. GRP (as you probably know) is designed to break apart, but absorbs a lot of the impact
Some Tivs are better than othere. Don't quote me Scott, but I think the Griifs and Chims were without side impact protection.A good 400SE would be a great car to use over there, Rover V8 for anyone to service, strong, and not goping to break the bank to buy.
I would go for a Wedge personally, as the honorable gentleman above pointed out
Most things are simple, parts are abundant and they're usually fixable with a medium sized hammer....
Not to mention, being in Dubai, there shouldn't be too much rain to worry about finding holes and stuff
tamore said:
Mark_G said:
Yes, the Corvette's bodies are fibreglass bodied.
Not sure that I'd class a TVR as low maintenance - particularly the AJP engined later models such as the Tuscan. A Chimp or Griff with a RV8 engine would be better - and possibly more easy to get maintenance on.
AJP Tuscan. A rare beast indeed!Not sure that I'd class a TVR as low maintenance - particularly the AJP engined later models such as the Tuscan. A Chimp or Griff with a RV8 engine would be better - and possibly more easy to get maintenance on.
I was ofcourse, referring to the racing tuscan...cough.As a note....a few years ago when we had that heatwave, I was driving in the tuscan through london to get to the motorshow...my aircon was not working and it was the most agonising drive, with traffic too and dubai's traffic is terrible too. So if I suffered in the UK in heat, I would dread to think what it would be like over there.
However (I would love to have my TVR if I lived there too)...most people have a TVR and a normal car...maybe you could have a normal car for day use and the TVR for the evenings, when there is less traffic and although still hot...a bit cooler still
However (I would love to have my TVR if I lived there too)...most people have a TVR and a normal car...maybe you could have a normal car for day use and the TVR for the evenings, when there is less traffic and although still hot...a bit cooler still
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