What's going on with TVR?
Discussion
Nothing? I just caught an episode of BBC Top Gear that featured a bit with a Jensen-Healey (had one one when in college, and it's now sitting in pieces in my brother's garage), TVR S2 (have a 2500M and a 280i), and the FWD Lotus Elan (have a '67 drophead Elan). Among the things done in the piece, they visited the dormant TVR factory. We saw body shells and molds stilling sitting around. What's going on with TVR? Whats going on with this stuff? Anything happening at the factory?
I haven't followed the last several years of TVR very closely. We lost Trevor Wilkinson and Peter Wheeler. Smollenski has long had ownership. Talk about moving the factory somewhere. Making cars in the US. Asian operations.
I haven't poked around to pursue this question on my own, but just thought I'd ask here. It was sad to see the factory.
- SJ
I haven't followed the last several years of TVR very closely. We lost Trevor Wilkinson and Peter Wheeler. Smollenski has long had ownership. Talk about moving the factory somewhere. Making cars in the US. Asian operations.
I haven't poked around to pursue this question on my own, but just thought I'd ask here. It was sad to see the factory.
- SJ
Edited by m2500tvr on Sunday 7th November 22:32
Probably best to do a search for all the info...... many many many threads and all come to the same conclusion which is basically:-
Smollenski sets out with good intentions, has some initially positive ideas, but never follows any of them through. Consequently no one takes him or TVR seriously anymore, especially the motoring press, therefore the chances of TVR ever doing anything again whilst under his ownership are very very slim.
All the tooling, workers, experience and engineering skill has long since departed, therefore, the cost involved in ramping up any sort of serious production would be into tens, if not hundreds of millions.
The only chance TVR will ever return is if a well established motor group acquires the intellectual property/rights and starts to produce a badge engineered TVR.
Sad but that's it really
Smollenski sets out with good intentions, has some initially positive ideas, but never follows any of them through. Consequently no one takes him or TVR seriously anymore, especially the motoring press, therefore the chances of TVR ever doing anything again whilst under his ownership are very very slim.
All the tooling, workers, experience and engineering skill has long since departed, therefore, the cost involved in ramping up any sort of serious production would be into tens, if not hundreds of millions.
The only chance TVR will ever return is if a well established motor group acquires the intellectual property/rights and starts to produce a badge engineered TVR.
Sad but that's it really
Edited by FactoryPilot on Sunday 7th November 20:53
Part of the factory site is home to several TVR centric businesses run by ex employees.
Surface & Design -- Bodyshop and spraying
D&C Trim -- interior trim and hoods
Lawfield Engineering -- Ex race team. They build teh 5000M for Peter Wheeler, are currently building another and another Speed 12 out of original parts.
JGR Race -- race set up ad engineering
Mike Vernon Automotive -- servicing, electrics and all things TVR
Retro Paint -- Ex TVR spryer doing Bike restoration.
So quite busy.
All the TVR jigs, parts etc for the recent cars have been taken by NS and reside in Germany. His intention is to re-start production with an updated car, several false starts make that look increasingly unlikely, so don't hold your breath.
Surface & Design -- Bodyshop and spraying
D&C Trim -- interior trim and hoods
Lawfield Engineering -- Ex race team. They build teh 5000M for Peter Wheeler, are currently building another and another Speed 12 out of original parts.
JGR Race -- race set up ad engineering
Mike Vernon Automotive -- servicing, electrics and all things TVR
Retro Paint -- Ex TVR spryer doing Bike restoration.
So quite busy.
All the TVR jigs, parts etc for the recent cars have been taken by NS and reside in Germany. His intention is to re-start production with an updated car, several false starts make that look increasingly unlikely, so don't hold your breath.
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