TVR Power goes up in flames

[Harsh]

how much bad luck can TVR have ? :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/7560096.stm

[Marcellus]

I have one word to say about this...............................insurance!!!

call me cynical but..........................

[Dan H]

You're cynical, but I'm inclined to agree.

Bad stuff either way :(

[Marcellus]

will force/justify overseas investment for sure

[Ireland]

I really doubt if TVR will ever be able to come back and be taken seriously as a manufacturer again.

I know they had that day where they showed their "new" model range (a facelifted version of the previous one) but I feel they will be confined to history.

It's a pity but .....

[Boxer]

Agree, I doubt they will ever come back. I don't know of a single small car manufacturer that has gone under and then successfully come back as an independent. Only hope would be to sell the brand and what ever remains of the assets to a large manufacturer and hope they bring it back to life.

[Harsh]

Hi Scott, welcome to PN!

sadly i think you're right, TVR at the moment looks like it has made its last car.

I actually think its a tragedy, the world needs niche manufacturers who are more interested in building an exciting innovative product than simply looking at the balance sheet.

these cars help to give the volume makers a kick up the butt when it comes to styling and excitement.

[Boxer]

Thanks & I agree completely. We need more of these small innovative insane manufacturers. IMHO, one of the most fun cars I have ever driven is a Griffith.

[harry_430]

I agree too.

car makers like TVR are vital to the sanity of the industry.

i had a 420 SEAC wedge and later on a Tuscan.
the quirkiness really caught my imagination.

the 430 is no major step up in performance and is almost bland in comparison but it does have a certain classy style about it, and it is very reliable.

but if TVR brought out a new model in 2010 i would most likely buy it as another fun car.

[Harsh]

nice car history Harry.

i get a good tvr fix from those around me, just never owned one...but keep hankering after something.


so many cars so little time!

[Boxer]

Have driven a small number of TVRs. By far my favorite was the Griffith. Styling is not quite as insane as several of the later TVRs. The Griff basically consists of a huge engine mounted in a very light plastic car with 0 drivers aids. It is almost as good at spinning and sliding as it is at going in a straight line.

[Gaz]

Hi Scott, welcome to PN!

sadly i think you're right, TVR at the moment looks like it has made its last car.

I actually think its a tragedy, the world needs niche manufacturers who are more interested in building an exciting innovative product than simply looking at the balance sheet.

these cars help to give the volume makers a kick up the butt when it comes to styling and excitement.


TVR weren't playing by the same rulebook as the volume manufacturers. Yes they looked great (well, until they became a caricature of themselves) and had more gimicks than the Gadget Show but I struggle to assume the big manufacturers saw the interior of a Tamora and said to themselves "Nah, lets stick with boring dashboards". The volume marques are tied up in red tape and legislation (just look at the concept cars).

Wheeler was a businessman first and foremost and just played along with the owners view that he liked sticking two fingers up at "the establishment".