George Massin – TVR Unofficial Blog

TVR For Sale: a 1996 Cerbera with a V8 Maserati (and Camaro gearbox)

George Massin — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 12:15:33 +0000

The TVR Unofficial Blog is “rather” not against restomod supercars. There are some restomodded Porsches that are fantastic for style, engineering and, in general terms, philosophy (RWB 964s are gorgeous, Singers are incredible, Gunther Werks are beautiful…). But in all these cases the basic concept remains untouched despite technology is completely different. So the Singer DLS is still a 964 even if her aircooled Flat-6 has 24 valves. What we don’t like is a transplant that transforms completely the car and makes her essence fly away.

This 1996 TVR Cerbera Speed-6 had her Line-6 engine removed and a V8 4.7 Maserati has been installed. The gearbox comes from a Chevy Camaro. We cannot say this car is still a TVR Cerbera. Surely this is not (in our opinion) a restomodded TVR. It’s not a TVR anymore. We can call it (maybe) a customized ex TVR Cerbera, or it’s a Cerberati. Or simply this is something anybody can recognize anymore.

“Our seller is a TVR fan through and through and had owned a 2001 Tuscan. It had a TVR 4.3 conversion but soon after purchase he realised it was not really the car he wanted. Car sold, money invested…

Fast forward to 2015 and the TVR itch needed to be scratched once again and this time there would be no mistake. However, now with a daughter, the Cerbera would fit the bill nicely.

But not just any old Cerbera would do. Our seller had spotted a picture of a Cerbera with wide arches and that was exactly what he wanted. Oh, and he wanted to fit a Maserati engine and quad lights a la Tuscan. A tall order? Not if you are determined and not in a rush…

The tricky part was finding the arches and the quad lights and figuring out how to mate a Maserati engine with a manual gearbox. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

The good old internet put our seller in touch with the owner of the wide arch Cerbera who allowed lots of photographs to be taken and the car driven.

A donor car was sourced, as was a Maserati 4.7-litre V8 engine and the other innumerable parts that would be needed and so it began.

Once the project was underway, any ideas of keeping costs down went out of the window and the decision was made to either replace or renew all the mechanical bits.

The end result, we are sure you will agree, is really quite stunning.”

This car was put for sale in an auction on last tuesday. In another website it’s for sale for nearly 60.000€. We don’t want to know what was its fate but we guess it did not receive so many bids. There could be a couple of solutions, in our humble opinion: re-install her original line-6 engine or to give the car to a very trusted company (the best one, of course, would the mother house) and start a “real” restomod project with totally a new engine but with modern updates. What about, for example, the AJP V8 with 5 litres?

A TVR Tuscan MK1 in the exciting landscapes of Scotland

George Massin — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 10:10:41 +0000

A fellow of the TVR Unofficial Blog was in Scotland for a trip with his Tuscan MK1. He sent me some fantastic images of the magic atmosphere of Scottish landscapes. Looking at these clicks comes natural to think that behind the car surely there could be elfs and magicians. And surely they were hypnotized by the wonderful curves of the car.

I asked this gentleman some quick questions about his experience:

When did you become a TVR addict?
When I was in my early teens. I visited London’s Motorfair and most stands refused my entry even after standing in long queues. The kind gentleman on the TVR stand lowered the rope and let me in. I sat in the latest Taimar and he explained everything to me, and when I made the comment that my feet did not quite reach the pedals he said they would adjust that for me when they made my car! I was hooked.

2. Which aspect of the brand you love the most?
I have always admired how TVR did their own thing and on such a ridiculously low budget. They achieved so much with so little.

3. How did you come to decide to buy this Tuscan?
The Tuscan is so different from any other car, it looks sensational from any angle and the interior is just stunning. I tried several TVR models at the time but the Tuscan was the most exciting to drive. Some are not so keen on its handling as it requires constant attention – is that not what driving is all about? I bought this one as I was convinced I would probably write it off and it was the cheapest I could find. I only planned on keeping it a year and then I would buy a better one. Truth is I cannot bear to part with it now as I have had so many great trips and memories with it.

3. Max speed you reached with her?
Now that would be incriminating. To be honest straight line speed does not really float my boat, the Tuscan is all about acceleration/handling. When I first bought it I would get sideways at every opportunity, now I am fully in tune with the car that rarely happens but when it does it no longer surprises me.

4. What do you hate about her?
Just like any other car the maintenance bills. They are not huge compared with other high performance cars but some invoices are pretty scary. Some parts are becoming scarce too

Opinions on TVR: A wonderful blue Cerbera MK1 at the sunset and his owner’s feelings

George Massin — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 07:28:51 +0000

Art means to give life to the inert matter. So why is a TVR Cerbera a work of art? In my opinion because she’s moving even when she’s still. Here’s a wonderful Cerbera MK1 4500 during a sunset. The sun is going to hide on and light is low. The red is surrounding the volumes of the car so they can define themselves even better.

The blue paint of this 4500 MK1 makes me crazy. I asked the owner which the maximum speed he reached: “I’ve reached 150mph before backing off; very scary, but it was still pulling very hard!” So were admiring her magnificent curves but think about the mechanics under these volumes.

Furthermore I asked him what’s her best quality and the worst thing she has: “Ever since I saw a Cerbera at a motor show when I was a child, it was a dream car of mine. I love every time I sit in the car I get reminded of the history of what TVR was and what it represented. It looks, sounds and even smells like nothing else on the road.

The entire car shakes and vibrates like it is alive, I love how the car has no driver aids so it is totally reliant on you to keep it settled, it is such a rewarding car to drive. I call it “my big blue smile machine” as it always makes me laugh, and I love seeing other people smile and wave when I drive the car. I love the theatre, and that every single drive is a total event. I feel very special when I drive the car. It is rare, fast, loud and special. I also love the TVR community, I have attended CerbFest and a lot of TVRCC events in the North of England. Driving with other TVR’s on the road is a feeling I will never get used to.

The only things about the car that I would say are a bad aspect, is the fact that I tend to be very protective over the car. It must stay in a garage because I feel I am responsible for looking after the car as best as I can as it is such a nice example. It is a very hard car to fault, as you should know what you’re getting yourself in for. “Touch wood” the car has never let me down and is a credit to those who have owned it in the past”.

TVR Tuscan Speed6: the official unveiling of the prototype

George Massin — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 07:12:26 +0000

Here is a collection of images of the prototype of the TVR Tuscan Speed6 prototype. These pics should come from 1998 Birmingham Auto show. They show the first result of a new course for TVR Cars with a new supercar equipped with a line-6 engine, the perfect layout.

During the Nineties we had huge shocking events at Blackpool: the Chimaera and the Griffith set two important events thanks to the introduction of powerful roadsters with large V8 engines.

In 1996 the TVR Cerbera came to revive the best concept in motoring history about a Gran Turismo coupé: a V8 race engine in a steel tubular chassis, a fiberglass body and 2+2 seats, nearly 1.100 kilos. No ABS, no ESP, radio and air conditioning. Exactly like it was in 50s when GT cars were also race beasts and you could race at a Mille Miglia also.

The TVR Tuscan Speed 6 was like Porsche 996 GT3: extremely light, extremely fast, extremely satisfying. Probably no other car in those years was as extreme as a TVR Tuscan Speed 6. Maybe a Ferrari F360 Modena Challenge.

And it was so beautiful: so stylish, so courvaceous.

Source: (TVR Files. If we’re publishing these images without permission please contact the staff.)

TVR find of the day: the only one TVR T440R road going version is for sale

George Massin — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 15:48:03 +0000

There was a time when Marketing rules were unnecessary. People did not feel the need to be convinced of the value of a product but emotional feelings came out just looking at the spec sheet. TVR cars never needed a Marketing champion to find a buyer. When in far September 2017 the new TVR Griffith was introduced at the Goodwood Revival enthusiasm was massive and many enthusiasts payed the deposit to buy the TVR of the new era.

Were a lot efforts compulsory by a Marketing strategy? Of course no. Because the new Griffith was just beautiful and Ceo Les Edgar spent few words: the essence of the car was immediatly clear.

On the T440R this impressive core is even clearer. The only one roadgoing version is for sale at the stunning price of nearly 193,000 £ (226.000€). Here’s the ad text: ”

The Auto Lounge Ltd are delighted to present for sale the only TVR T440R ever produced, a complete one of one and a unique opportunity to purchase a piece of motoring history! Having only recently been recommissioned by it’s second owner, they have decided that it’s time to part ways and allow someone else the pleasure of owning this masterpiece. The T440R was derived from TVR’s T400R race cars which were built specially for endurance racing at Spa, Sebring, British GT and of course the Le Mans 24 Hours. TVR made 4 roads cars to obtain FIA Homologation – 3 TVR Typhons (originally intended to feature a Supercharged 4.0L Engine, but were eventually finished with a naturally aspirated 4.0L engine) and the T440R – the only car which was built to run with a naturally aspirated 4.2 litre specification.

The T440R incorporated a gas-flowed cylinder head, steel crankshaft and conrods, a carbon fibre airbox with 6 upper injectors (12 in total for the 6 cylinders) and bespoke exhaust headers. Whilst most of the components are derived from the race car, the engine was detuned to 440bhp to make it more durable for road use.

Upon close examination of the car you will see extensive use of carbon fibre allowing the car to be as light, but as stiff and rigid as possible. The flat under-floor is constructed from resin-sandwiched aluminium honeycomb, to which the tubular and square section is bonded and bolted. A separate carbon fibre tub is then bonded to the chassis and finally the cars carbon fibre bodywork is bonded to the tub and to the flat floor.

Extensive aerodynamic work has created astonishing stability due to the combination of flat floor, front splitter and rear diffuser creating a drag co-efficient of only 0.32. The handling is surprisingly predictable and confidence inspiring and the light weight construction allows for a 0-60 time of sub 4 seconds and a V Max of circa 200mph!

Inside there is extensive exposed carbon fibre, and a 2+2 seating setup with all 4 seats fitted with Willans Racing Harnesses. The carbon backed seats are finished in two-tone black and red leather and a black alcantara headlining.

This really is a motoring marvel and a unique opportunity to purchase something with so much provenance and racing pedigree at a fraction of the cost of it’s competitors (the McLaren F1 & Ferrari F40).

TVR GRIFFITH: she could finally enter production. With an electrical engine?

George Massin — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 15:27:20 +0000

The new TVR Griffith was introduced in Goodwood in late summer 2017. After Smolenski’s ownership the brand went bankrupcy but enterpreneur Les Edgar restarted the business. Or this was what were excited about. Edgar assured the first cars would have been ready for deliveries in 2018 but this never happened. Four years have now passed and TVR still hasn’t delivered a single customer car. Since that september 2017 financial problems caused major delays and the company’s factory in Ebbw Valley, South Wales, was forced to manage an extensive renovation work before production of the Griffith can begin.

Autoexpress writes that new renovation works should start at the factory this month. The company can count on a new $2.7 million loan which has been granted in these hard times but it’s a small sum if compared with the £25 million ($34.6 million) funding target required to finish developing the Griffith before it can enter production.

We all know that the Griffith wil be equipped with a tuned version of the 5.0-liter V8 engine from the Ford Mustang GT. Thanks to 480 bhp and With a curb weight of just 2,800 pounds (thanks to its carbon composite structure), TVR claims the Griffith will accelerate from 0-60 mph in under four seconds and reach a top speed of around 200 mph.

ELECTRIFIED GRIFFITH?

However, development is taking so long that TVR could be forced to electrify the Griffith at this rate. The TVR Griffith was designed to support hybrid and fully electric powertrains to make the car futureproof, but it isn’t known how this will affect the performance

The Launch Edition Griffith will have a starting price of £90,000 (around $124,000 – 115.000€) but it remains to be seen if the price will increase due to the delays. Last year, TVR said the Griffith is on track for a 2022 launch. It’s fair to say that we all TVR fellows are hoping the British automaker can secure additional funding to finish development because this launch target sounds optimistic.

TVR Cerbera MK1 in action: four images for an exciting handful of seconds

George Massin — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 15:22:13 +0000

That’s not me. But This is one the best moments you can hope to admire a TVR Cerbera. Just four images (please contact the staff if there’s a copyright infringement) but four or five seconds during an exciting drift. This sequence shows a TVR Cerbera MK1 with pristine wheels (are the “spider” rims better? That’s an interesting question) on a fast bend. The Cerby starts the conduct and to swerve towards the curve rope but clearly the driver gave the small caress to the gas pedal. And this fascinating model flies in a fantastic grand jété. In just four images you can seize the essence of TVR’s Gran Turismo. Any photographer took you and your TVR on dancing? Feel free to send us the whole sequence and tell us your feelings while you were flying. We’ll publish them

[Images: Bob Naismit]