TVR current situation and spare availability?
Discussion
Dear All,
Surely there are previous threads about the topic but no old thread will do and the search facility is not the best, so here it goes again, my question on the current status, with many thanks in advance for any comments.
I'm considering importing a Tuscan into Spain. I always liked this car and presently it's an absolute bargain, given the current GBP exchange rates and the TVR car market values, surely to do with the cars' alleged poor reliability and the fact that TVR is not in a very stable situation (but then again, look at GM now).
In order to evaluate the feasibility of my plan, I need to know my chances of having this sorted out:
-I need a "Certificate of Conformity" from TVR in order to get Spanish reg for the car. For this to happen, TVR as such must exist, have a contact telephone number, and so on.
-I need to be able to source TVR stuff whenever this straight 6 monster thing decides to go bang, in a reasonable way in terms of lead times and costs, and for at least a few years, without too much pain.
So, how's TVR doing at the moment? Are they up and running at all? Do they have any plans for future cars? Are they still manufacturing their latest models? Are they manufacturing bits and pieces for the older models and engines? As for spares, how do you find the situation has been lately, in your own experience? Has it worsened in terms of prices and availabilities?
Many thanks.
Cheers,
Alex
Surely there are previous threads about the topic but no old thread will do and the search facility is not the best, so here it goes again, my question on the current status, with many thanks in advance for any comments.
I'm considering importing a Tuscan into Spain. I always liked this car and presently it's an absolute bargain, given the current GBP exchange rates and the TVR car market values, surely to do with the cars' alleged poor reliability and the fact that TVR is not in a very stable situation (but then again, look at GM now).
In order to evaluate the feasibility of my plan, I need to know my chances of having this sorted out:
-I need a "Certificate of Conformity" from TVR in order to get Spanish reg for the car. For this to happen, TVR as such must exist, have a contact telephone number, and so on.
-I need to be able to source TVR stuff whenever this straight 6 monster thing decides to go bang, in a reasonable way in terms of lead times and costs, and for at least a few years, without too much pain.
So, how's TVR doing at the moment? Are they up and running at all? Do they have any plans for future cars? Are they still manufacturing their latest models? Are they manufacturing bits and pieces for the older models and engines? As for spares, how do you find the situation has been lately, in your own experience? Has it worsened in terms of prices and availabilities?
Many thanks.
Cheers,
Alex
TVR are gone, completely. Went bust some years ago. Spares are not a problem at all though as there are numerous suppliers out there. Finding competent mechanics to look after it could be harder though as I doubt many Spanish mechanics will have worked on a speed 6 engine. The rest of it is easy enough though. The box is a borg warner T5 and the suspension etc is nothing unusual.
The cars (at least mine for sure, Cerbera 4.5 2000 model year) have an EU type approval plate on the inner wing, would that suffice for registering it in spain. I have seen lots of old british cars in Spain from companies that disappeared many years ago so there must be some method of handling cars from defunct manufacturers. What I do know is that all EU made cars from 1/1/96 are deemed to have an EU certificate of conformity. Without it they could never have been registered in any EU member state so if it's after that date it is assumed to have one and you don't need the piece of paper. Of course this does not mean that the Spanish authorities will care about what is is and is not legal so there is another way I found after a bit of googling. Register it in Germany and then after an inspection they will issue a certificate of conformity, then take it to Spain. It all depends on how bad you want one as it may get pretty expensive with all the shipping and inspections/registrations. For a nice Tuscan in the spanish sun it's got to be worth it though.
Best of luck with things.
The cars (at least mine for sure, Cerbera 4.5 2000 model year) have an EU type approval plate on the inner wing, would that suffice for registering it in spain. I have seen lots of old british cars in Spain from companies that disappeared many years ago so there must be some method of handling cars from defunct manufacturers. What I do know is that all EU made cars from 1/1/96 are deemed to have an EU certificate of conformity. Without it they could never have been registered in any EU member state so if it's after that date it is assumed to have one and you don't need the piece of paper. Of course this does not mean that the Spanish authorities will care about what is is and is not legal so there is another way I found after a bit of googling. Register it in Germany and then after an inspection they will issue a certificate of conformity, then take it to Spain. It all depends on how bad you want one as it may get pretty expensive with all the shipping and inspections/registrations. For a nice Tuscan in the spanish sun it's got to be worth it though.
Best of luck with things.
Jon,
Thanks so very much for the information, that's extremely useful and I now know where I am with regards to TVR (and spares!), also very useful to know that the car may actually have a CE type approval, hopefully I'll be able to find out more about that.
No Spanish mechanic will know a thing about this engine. I can only be hopeful that a mechanic with really good competition background (used to build engines to ridiculously high specific bhp) could do the trick.
Big thanks for your time!!
Thanks so very much for the information, that's extremely useful and I now know where I am with regards to TVR (and spares!), also very useful to know that the car may actually have a CE type approval, hopefully I'll be able to find out more about that.
No Spanish mechanic will know a thing about this engine. I can only be hopeful that a mechanic with really good competition background (used to build engines to ridiculously high specific bhp) could do the trick.
Big thanks for your time!!
Edited by Alez on Wednesday 10th June 22:30
t EU. 
Hi Alex,
I have seen some threads for guys in France importing Tuscans and asking for the same info.
I'll do a search. Check on the "France" site.
You will be best going for a car with a newly rebuild engine. The rebuilds include improvements which give the engine a much longer life.
There are a number of specialists in the UK for the rebuilds and spares including body panels if you have a prang.
I guess you would be best developing a relationship with a good supplier in the UK so that you get looked after.
I am sure you would love the car. When set up properly they are truelly great. Its amazing the number of people who will want to stop and talk to you.
Good luck,
Tony.
This may have some info but is for France.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I have seen some threads for guys in France importing Tuscans and asking for the same info.
I'll do a search. Check on the "France" site.
You will be best going for a car with a newly rebuild engine. The rebuilds include improvements which give the engine a much longer life.
There are a number of specialists in the UK for the rebuilds and spares including body panels if you have a prang.
I guess you would be best developing a relationship with a good supplier in the UK so that you get looked after.
I am sure you would love the car. When set up properly they are truelly great. Its amazing the number of people who will want to stop and talk to you.
Good luck,
Tony.
This may have some info but is for France.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by so called on Wednesday 10th June 23:29
what you need is the information of the COC cause the COC does, probably, not exist.
First thing you have to do is check with a TVR dealer... or former TVR dealer, if they can provide you the information.
This info, probably, needs to be an official TVR paper with the specific VIN and signed by a TVR rep. that could be the TVR dealer in Spain... (date does not matter)
Check this first. Otherwise it could, and probably will, get very complicated, but still posible
First thing you have to do is check with a TVR dealer... or former TVR dealer, if they can provide you the information.
This info, probably, needs to be an official TVR paper with the specific VIN and signed by a TVR rep. that could be the TVR dealer in Spain... (date does not matter)
Check this first. Otherwise it could, and probably will, get very complicated, but still posible
Hi Alez, I'm 9000 rpm and I know you from the SCC Forum. I've been dreaming about bringing a Tuscan or any other TVR to Spain. I hope you do it although I'll be green with envy!!
I’m pretty sure that you will find a good mechanic in Madrid to take care of the beast. For what I've been reading here, it seems that there are a good bunch of specialists and enthusiasts all around the UK to keep the cars running. Please let me know if I can help you somehow.
Good luck!!
I’m pretty sure that you will find a good mechanic in Madrid to take care of the beast. For what I've been reading here, it seems that there are a good bunch of specialists and enthusiasts all around the UK to keep the cars running. Please let me know if I can help you somehow.
Good luck!!
I thought TVR technically still exist? although from a shed (what's new?) might be worth calling the number and see what they say. The cars are fairly easy to work on, I do most of my maintenance myself, any competent mechanic should be able to sort them out. I was talking with a engine builder last week who had attempted a speed 6 but gave up, so if the worst happens you might need to get the engine shipped to the UK if something bad happens. Servicing is fairly easy, tappets aren't hard to check if you know your way round a tool box.
Thank you all very much for your time and your useful replies.
OK, so TVR is gone but specialists have spares, then, who is actually manufacturing these bits and pieces and supplying them to these specialists?? Surely the engine internals are not something anyone can manufacture.
Graham, registering in the UK is not an option (even if you have a UK address), as then you need to pass UK MOT which means a lot of yearly hassle and expense.
So called, I'll check the "France" forums, thanks
The thread provided was very useful, basically says not straightforward to approve, but maybe still possible (need to check type approval). Thanks for the rebuild tip, maybe best to buy a non rebuilt one (cheaper) and comission the rebuild so that I'll know it's actually been done?
Dutch Cerbera, TVR never existed in Spain, so no ex dealers there or anything.
9000 rpm, thanks and keep in touch
Noisy and Dave, points taken Scary that an engine builder gave up, though.
Thanks again for all you answers.
Cheers,
Alex
OK, so TVR is gone but specialists have spares, then, who is actually manufacturing these bits and pieces and supplying them to these specialists?? Surely the engine internals are not something anyone can manufacture.
Graham, registering in the UK is not an option (even if you have a UK address), as then you need to pass UK MOT which means a lot of yearly hassle and expense.
So called, I'll check the "France" forums, thanks
The thread provided was very useful, basically says not straightforward to approve, but maybe still possible (need to check type approval). Thanks for the rebuild tip, maybe best to buy a non rebuilt one (cheaper) and comission the rebuild so that I'll know it's actually been done?Dutch Cerbera, TVR never existed in Spain, so no ex dealers there or anything.
9000 rpm, thanks and keep in touch
Noisy and Dave, points taken
Scary that an engine builder gave up, though.Thanks again for all you answers.
Cheers,
Alex
davemac250 said:
The registered office address for TVR is in a rent by the hour block in London - the sort normally used by Scam merchants.......
The phone is automated and you get to leave a message.
The registered office happens to be a firm of accountants and indeed is common practice in business. So we're not talking about an empty semi... as used by slimming tablet companies.The phone is automated and you get to leave a message.
TVR are indeed still operational and their physical base is in the Wesham 'barn'
Alez YHM.
Edited by V8 GRF on Thursday 11th June 10:06
Alez said:
Thank you all very much for your time and your useful replies.
OK, so TVR is gone but specialists have spares, then, who is actually manufacturing these bits and pieces and supplying them to these specialists?? Surely the engine internals are not something anyone can manufacture.
pretty much the only parts not currently manufactured (so far as I know) are major castings but you need to have one hell of an engine failure to need a new block or head and second hand ones are easy to find.OK, so TVR is gone but specialists have spares, then, who is actually manufacturing these bits and pieces and supplying them to these specialists?? Surely the engine internals are not something anyone can manufacture.
OK, so it's actually TVR still manufacturing... I'm not too bothered about a brand new S6 block not being available, as the cost of it plus labour to build the engine and put it back in the car is surely much beyond the current market value of the car I'm looking at!
V8 GRF, thanks very much.
Will try to contact TVR re paperwork and keep you posted.
Cheers,
Alex
V8 GRF, thanks very much.
Will try to contact TVR re paperwork and keep you posted.
Cheers,
Alex
Edited by Alez on Thursday 11th June 10:30
It may be worth giving TVR power a call, they do lots of rebuilds and most people I've spoken with were very happy with their work.
The engine company that gave up were a everyday engine reconditioning company with no experience of any TVR engines. There are lots of specialists out there now who rebuild the Speed 6 though.
The engine company that gave up were a everyday engine reconditioning company with no experience of any TVR engines. There are lots of specialists out there now who rebuild the Speed 6 though.
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