Story by Werner Jelk
1. History
It all started about 2003. I saw the first images of a new British car, as it staggered me the language. What the hell was that? From what planet was this „thing“ coming? The „thing“ that I saw was the new TVR Sagaris!
I knew the brand very well, because my friend Rolf Kühn imported these cars, such as the Griffith, the Chimaera and Cerbera to Switzerland.
The Swiss severe restrictions meant that the new generation of TVR with the SpeedSix engine came no longer to Switzerland. So I buried my thoughts to a Sagaris and bought a Griffith, which I drove her some time, but this is a different story.
I suddenly saw a photo of Beat Eggimann’s Sagaris with a Swiss number plate – there was someone who actually managed to allow such a vehicle in Switzerland. I was in autumn 2009 in Capri on holiday and had time to think about this problem. My son supported me, having some own interests – so, as the Sagaris was his dream car since some years, so grew my next project, which was: TVR Sagaris!
In spring 2010, I visited for the first time Beat Eggimann, Sissach, with the help of my friend Rolf Kühn.
Beat Eggimann did not know of my intention and he did not know me. Imagine there is coming an unknown person and wants a Sagaris, either LHD or RHD, that should be converted to LHD, as the car itself by Beat Eggimann.
Beat Eggimann felt that this was not wishful thinking, but a real project. I had followed for many months, the various sites in England, Germany and Italy, i had contacts with former importers in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Converting a RHD to LHD was a major thing – this knew Beat Eggimann of his car too well – so we tried to find an original LHD car.We found one in Italy and after some negotiation, one night in midsummer 2010, a transporter started from Sissach to Mezzolombardo, Italy – driving with Beat Eggimann and his crew.
4 days later I stood in front of the car the very first time. The condition was not the one I had expected. There was a lot to do, but ultimately in the garage Eggimann all the deficiencies were corrected and the LHD Sagaris was approved in early 2011 by the Swiss authorities.
2. Data.
Registered Keeper: TVR CARS DISTRIBUTION, LTD, BRISTOL AVENUE, Bispham, BLACKPOOL, FY2 OJF
Registration Mark: PO56 HPL
Date of registration: 3.10.2006
Date of first registration in UK: 3.10.2006
Make: TVR
Model / Type: Sagaris
Body Type: COUPE
Cylinder capacity: 3996 cc
Type of Fuel: PETROL
Colour: ORANGE
21/12/2006 Import to Italy by the UK GARAGE, Bovisio, Milano, Italy and the car was sold to the owner in Mezzolombardo.
30/03/2007 Italian registration: DH 666 GP.
07/27/2010 sale to AUTOTECHNIK EGGIMANN Gmbh, Sissach.
29/07/2010 sale to the present owner.
17:03 2011 Swiss registration: BL 93910.
3. Photos.
The first two pictures below show the car coming from Italy with the Italian number plate.
The other pictures show the car with the Swiss number plate. The colour seems to be different, but it is an effect of the weather. Colour is named camaeleon orange, now you know why.
For further pictures look at THE REGISTER OF TVR SAGARIS WITH LEFT HAND DRIVE
My special thanks go to Rolf Kühn, Chief of the PANTHEON, Muttenz, near Basel, for helping with the contact to Beat Eggimann and to Beat Eggimann himself, the “Home of TVR“ in Switzerland, AUTOTECHNIK EGGIMANN Gmbh, Sissach.
