The crazy world of TVR ownership

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Many Americans dream of owning TVRs but few understand what the cars are actually like. Russell from UK Wheels Events explains what owning a Sagaris is actually like.
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[@tavarish]

You cant even get the Sagaris under show and display. It's so illegal and I've wanted one for years. Dream car for sure. Great story!

[@grosenberger]

Tavarish I heard a container ship burned and sank with one on board. It hasn’t been recovered yet. Maybe take a dive into the next project?

[@_Wiseguy7]

Is it extra points if it was slightly crispy?

[@old_romans]

dude, I saw the live stream was canceled, I thought someone might have gotten hurt; glad to see that you are alive.

[@MrMaxyield]

@@grosenberger Lmao...

[@urbanmenace7705]

2 companies here in the UK that rebuild em with more reliable LS V8s. TVR Power & Topcats racing. Surely you could get one of those & register it in Canada & drive it into the States. One of my dream cars also. They look jaw dropping in the flesh. Especially with chameleon paint.

[@firebladenut]

When you find out more than half of all accidents in TVR's involve no other cars you know they are a thing of legend!

[@Pits750]

They worried about how they handled after making them, but by then they were already made, so what could you do? They really don't handle lol

[@SupercarRanch]

Never gotten a chance to see a TVR, but they were the jam back when I was playing Gran Turismo on PlayStation.

[@grendelum]

Supercar Ranch - they were so hard to get balanced...

[@williamoleary4108]

@@grendelum Yeah.. they were obnoxiously tail happy (The griffth 500). Even OFF power the ass end would step out like it had a spool/welded differential. If you could get one fairly under control though, you'd murder everyone in the British series race. OH... and the "race package" which allowed for some downforce adjustment would make them livable.

[@BricoHr]

Test drive sagiris 👍

[@ChewyGDRP]

Used to see a good few driving around Blackpool back in the day. I see the odd one now and then. But not so often these days 😔

[@jakethreesixty]

I remember in GT2 the Speed 12s rev limiter sounded like a machine gun

[@paulcarmi8130]

Tvr is such an interesting brand! This is great on a Friday morning!

[@Gk22632]

Paul Carmi it’s kind of a turd thoe u have to admit

[@NameName-eq7oe]

The way this guy talks makes me want to exercise.

[@71spud]

Name Name what.... and knock all that sausage and gravy loose? I think not!

[@MrMarukas86]

Makes me want to sleep

[@evander6979]

Being from the North west of the UK (40 mins from Blackpool) it was great to hear a story closer to home. And for those wondering, you can't drive full tilt down the seafront anymore because there are speed cameras 😭

[@jamesrussell6211]

Ayyy! Big up the North West.

[@evander6979]

@@jamesrussell6211 also a northern lad 👌👌👌

[@Danielsimpsonite]

speed bumps aswell

[@apth5865]

It's great having so many TVR specialised garages and owner clubs so local since I get to see the wedge types still getting about

[@odgreentac]

Wow that guy is shot out of a cannon! So much energy!

[@TRUdetailing]

TVR: “hey man can I copy your homework” Mclaren dude: “Yeah totally just pay me $10 and change it a little so it’s not the same” TVR: “We’ll just remove these cylinder 6 oil passages” Entire TVR Factory: F**k it! Lmao

[@charliemoy2995]

Ceramic Pro Louisville mclaren copied TVR imo

[@inferior650riderhd6]

Pfft. Oil shmoil

[@1183newman]

Not really how it went, More like hey Al Melling, make us an engine. ok here is your engine. Just follow the blueprints. Wait while we just alter your blueprints so we don have to pay you for every time we sell an engine. Oh wait those changes we made to your original blueprints kind of sucked.

[@scwahtski1882]

They could’ve just changed the cylinder 6 oil passage design instead of just removing it.

[@Biker_Gremling]

Sees TVR in title, instantly know it's going to be a good story. By the way, some years ago saw a convertible TVR in Spain with UK license plates. I didn't know a TVR could drive so far.

[@tomhighton120]

Biker Gremling pub2pubexpedition.com/ A guy drove around the world in one 👍🏼

[@aaronf4201]

Using the Channel tunnel we can drive from the UK to France, it’s only about 20miles. You can then drive anywhere in Europe easily.

[@vauldimaut]

If your a fan of TVR’s, I run a instagram page devoted to all different TVRs that I have seen at car shows and different events. It’s called @tvrphotos have a look and maybe follow.

[@Azeria]

Aaron F I think it was more a joke about TVR reliability

[@aaronf4201]

Azeria lol, yeah I just read it back. 🤦‍♂️

[@pwrightisright8611]

The Speed 12 is truly the stuff of legend. Great vid.

[@CrypticRite]

My childhood crush. The TVR speed 12.

[@Matt09pearce]

I was lucky enough to see two of them. Immense machines. Crazy long and crazy wide.

[@EdBolian]

I have always wanted a Sagaris. Not sure I can wait for them to be 25 years old. Might have to figure out an alternative plan!

[@paulcarmi8130]

Would love to hear your experiences with one if you figure out a solution Ed!

[@juandominguez8536]

Ed Bolian move oversea for a couple of years lol

[@grosenberger]

Ed Bolian predator drone?

[@TheRagingStorm98]

There's always the new TVR Griffith ED Cosworth tuned V8 In there latest edition of crazy

[@vauldimaut]

Ed Bolian If your a fan of TVR’s, I run a instagram page devoted to all different TVRs that I have seen at car shows and different events. It’s called @tvrphotos have a look and maybe follow.

[@dand777]

The owner of TVR once said he didnt want airbags to be installed in his cars because then people would get complacent while driving.

[@energymc22]

Peter Wheeler. Chain smoking extra tall giant. I also remember reading in a magazine of the late 90s that he said his cars would not have stability control or ABS as his cars are "made for men and not homosexuals".

[@coggi26]

I had a walk around the factory as a student. They were cutting metal in a corridor with a chip saw... the sparks were going all over a speed 12.... the dust in the body shop was at least 2 inches thick too 😂😂

[@Veeziful]

The Sagaris is such a mean-looking car and had some cool touches that I'd never seen when it came out - clear spoiler, side facing mufflers. I remember a photo of one parked on a dark street in the UK way back when and thought it was the coolest car I'd ever seen. Would love to encounter one in person.

[@energymc22]

I loved their interiors - when most small scale manufacturers would use any pre existing components and switchgear from mainstream manufacturers, they would mill their indicator stalks from aluminium, hide the door handles under the mirrors and design their own instrument clusters.

[@charliemoy2995]

My dads got a 99’ Chimaera 500 , unfortunately broken but we’re going to get it restored soon. We love it

[@aidanbond1966]

Charlie Charlie my dad has a cerbera 4.2 and a chimera 4.0 both of which are broken

[@charliemoy2995]

Aidan Bond ahah they’re unreal when they work tho

[@oli4740]

@@charliemoy2995 true, me and my dad had a 96 Chimaera 400HC a few years back but unfortunately we had to sell it. Hopefully we will get another one one day. The Rover V8s have to be my favourite sounding engines!

[@HamzaTheQ]

It’s a Brit!! 😂 Finally one of us

[@Garf2O]

He doesnt look middle eastern to me, ha

[@NameName-eq7oe]

Your name suggests otherwise.

[@carsaregood911]

You're Indian/Pakistani stop pretending otherwise

[@johneperkin]

Phew, it wasn't Shmee!

[@VINwiki]

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy today's car story about a marque that most Americans know very little about.

[@dakotamarra2193]

A few people gave a story you might be interested in involving Facebook and a stolen Ferrari in Milwaukee

[@carshowreporter]

Love the description of just how " cottage "the TVR was!! The story of the lady with the dash mod was priceless!

[@kenormsby6702]

She still services TVR dashpods to this day as a sideline

[@VBshredder]

Went to Blackpool once - holy smokes saw some serious partying going down there! I had never even heard of TVR until PS1 Gran Turismo

[@LapoftheWorld]

Awesome story. I actually did my International Business thesis on TVR's financial woes during and immediately after the Wheeler/Smolenski transition. Always loved seeing the odd Tuscan or Sagaris when Ive been in Europe. I actually had not heard the deleted oil passage story with the Melling engine(s).

[@richardmclellan6212]

It's great to see TVR getting some love on Vin Wiki. I live in Blackpool and I completed my industry placement during my last year of University at the TVR factory on Bristol Avenue. I had a hand in re assembling the origional Cerbera Speed 12 motorshow car during my time there. That very car can been seen in the Lakeland Motor Museum if anyone is interested. I currently have a 2001 Griffith 500, a late power steering car. Its been fairly reliable and no it doesn't smell of glue and fiberglass.

[@caseydallenger8640]

Ed, please can we have more of this man!? As a fellow Brit, it's a nice breath of fresh air to hear another British accent on here, and he's exceptional at delivering the story, not up to you and rabbit (my 2 personal favourites on here) but hey, more of this guy please!!!

[@basithph8958]

TVR is like the British Viper

[@housey4297]

You have that the wrong way around.

[@moparracer76]

"But hey hell, life goes on" I need that on a t shirt. Size XL.

[@kylematel0l]

As a brit, it's more like "Heyo, life goes on", it's a more polite way of saying "shit happens" :D

[@csemit]

Thank you for being a living example of exactly what to expect of a TVR owner. To the rest of the world - not all us Brits that are car enthusiasts are like this (honest).

[@joshmac7245]

in a few years i should be able to import one but the Sagaris is a car ive always wanted, the raw sport car theme and even the unreliability almost gives the car a character that is uniquely TVR. I really hope the new TVRs make their way over the pond.

[@crispybacon9523]

Love it ed, TVR is one of the most amazing demonstrations of British engineering on a shoe string

[@hotwire96]

Interesting fact about TVR is that the brand is named after its founder. Except ‘T.V.R.’ weren’t his initials, his name was Trevor.

[@georgefloydhadasthma9133]

His voice is just one continuous sound.

[@Raiden8816]

I was always a fan of TVR paint that shifted colors.

[@Greenfield-11]

I grew up 5 miles from the factory and I can assure you that each and every car was 'thoroughly' tested on public roads. Nothing sounds like them

[@calska140]

Classic Griffith, Cerbera, Tuscan, Speed 12, Sagaris, stunningly Beautiful cars. Big fan from the US.

[@snakebitten6967]

TVR Sagaris is one of my fave cars from them. It was the British Viper.

[@qasimmir7117]

No, the Viper is an American TVR.

[@cyjan3k823]

Owning supercar is rare And many people wont have a chance but knowing name of factory workers, going to their house to fix your dashboard is way more unique

[@UnorthodoxMasterOfGames]

Krzysztof Dolecki I agree wholeheartedly, balls out!

[@victor9sur768]

A woman who lived on the high street of the town i used to live in had a sagaris, whenever i went to sainsburys as a teenager i used to see it and thought itemboidied the british sportscar in my eyes with its vents and transparent wing. along with a capri round the corner I'm sure it was what got me into cars and given me a passion to this day

[@michaelwalker1119]

I painted the TVR display engine years back(30+). Now one of my customers is known for painting TVRs . There can't be meny left in the UK that hasn't passed through his paint shop.

[@wideband]

Love TVR ever since I played Test Drive 6 for the Dreamcast. Great looking cars.

[@clintgliford9941]

Last time I was this early, the van buyer was still married.

[@sk8punk318]

The TVR they had in the movie “Swordfish” was pretty cool

[@StevieeG]

Ed, I have an awesome story about owning 2 TVR Tuscans and spending many times what they are worth keeping them on the road.

[@MrNinfofan]

The good Bilbo telling us little hobbits a nice bedtime story

[@ccb5105]

Nice to see a video on a car company / model not oft seen.

[@antonioyzaguirre7540]

Put the the playback speed to 1.25x it sounds way better

[@hacim72]

I've always loved TVR's, but never thought I would see one. When I was in England for Spring Break my uncle took me to see a friend of his' TVR Chimera and I got to ride in it! It was a great experience.

[@furai-ingfalc-kuru8149]

The Sagaris is so damn cool, seen one in Sydney, heading north at Pie in the Sky on Old Pac Hwy in pearlescent purple/orange along with a Griffith 500. Stunning cars

[@ConvoyBebop]

Very educational and super calming episode... he could narrate car documentaries and i would watch em all day

[@Guitarman496T]

TVR always brings me back to the Gran Turismo games, I had never heard of the brand until I played Gran Turismo 3 as a kid. Always thought they were such wild and beautiful cars.

[@P33b4Ugo5omwh3r3]

For me it was Test Drive games then Gran Turismo. Years later my boyfriend's friend had a TVR not sure which model but drove it and it was great and same I do like the look of it and the unique paints it had.

[@chaselandry2962]

The one brand that pulls off the flex paint without looking gaudy.

[@Boris-sq2us]

Thank you for sharing this great story about an amazing car. Great video.

[@ianrynerson6904]

I’ve always loved tvrs for there looks and just how goofy they are would love to own one

[@kieranpenrose]

Great to hear a uk accent on this Chanel! I think Americans would be surprised how many tvr’s you see driving round at least where I live,

[@austinpoage1389]

I love the daily uploads!

[@DMCGINNIGLE]

Great story, I love the American stories, but its nice to hear something close to home

[@dirkfromhein]

Drove a Cerbera in Ireland in 2000 a few times, a very "interesting" car. Shoulders barely fit and my eyes were level with the top of the windshield/A Pillar resulting in nearly zero visibility out of my right eye.

[@craigdixon4625]

I became a TVR nut when I first seen the Cerbera at 15, love them. My old man has a 77 3000m that he's just put back on the road after a full restoration he's had some issues here and there but understood pretty early on it comes from a low volume company and these things are just idiosyncrasies that can be worked around or improved

[@ChewyGDRP]

I live down the road from the old TVR Factory. It's still there. Just not TVR unfortunately.

[@tjsr812]

Great video interview well done love the story told by the handsome British man❤️

[@marlafar]

For anyone interested, there is a really old episode of Wheeler Dealers where Edd China "rehabs" an old TVR.

[@bellluna9017]

I had a TVR in Grand Turismo 2.

[@tobiadams1994]

interesting hearing a story on VINWiki that's not about stolen cars or buying cars from weird places/people, honestly it's a welcome change of pace

[@reaperredni9e605]

Tvr sagaris is like the ultimate rebel car, so illegal in most areas, I'd love to tear thru town in one, no license, ne registration, no inspection, no fucks given.

[@brettbilger1390]

I too love purple cars

[@1Three8Fiver]

Proper Lancashire story that was. Proud Lancashire lad here and great to see a local voice and story on VINWIKI thanks Ed & co. emphasises the cultural difference between the UK & US in one video.

[@drumboarder1]

He sounds like someone you've bought a drink in exchange for a story and he REALLY regrets taking the drink

[@zackcampbell3604]

Well done, love these stories

[@packsorted2189]

lol the Orange Sagaris in the background at 1min 46sec is mine :)

[@dmaxm2498]

Great interview/video! You never hear about TVR’s hear the states. For most of the US the only people that ever saw them was either on top gear BBC or Gran Turismo the video game 😂 👍🏼

[@ourtime-downhere6931]

yeah, I've been a huge fan of them for years and have always wanted to see them in person. I got a car book when I was young and it had a TVR in it and I've been hooked since but have never seen one in person.

[@chawenhalo0089]

Out of all the "modern" TVRs the Sagaris had the more "friendly" chassis. great car, and the engine was reliable by the time Somelensky (or whatever his name was) took over (too shortly) the company. Hope the new outfit works and they get to production stage. TVR is similar to these great British brands like Marcos.

[@BelviGER]

If the LHD one I am planning on buying soon is gone after this video ITS YOUR FAULT!!1!

[@von...]

not gonna say "pics or it didnt happen"... but if you post a video of you driving it, and say my username in the video, I will paypal you $100...dead ass.

[@tomstech4390]

Speed 12 is one of my favourites, Pure violence like a spitfire without wings.

[@Kittievr]

Great guest with alot of knowledge about an interesting brand.

[@neptuned4746]

Call me weird, but I always thought the TVR Sagaris was the most beautiful car I've ever seen.

[@dlgump]

I want to sit down and buy this guy a pint. I really wish we had clubs like there's over here.

[@timthomas1965]

I had a TVR 280i and loved it. It had the Ford v6/4 speed and was far more reliable than the Lotus Esprit I traded for it.

[@TRD-FRS]

The Sagaris is cool, but honestly I’d want a (Cerbera) Speed 12, it looks otherworldly and it looked amazing as a race car!

[@goofyleo3869]

Weird TG vibe I'm sensing though he's not a star, nor is it a reasonably priced car. Love the T-shirt, my man. 😎

[@luke_t2614]

A friend of mine ownes one of the two LHD Tuscan S mk2. Incredible ride!

[@peachyosrs8788]

I thought I recognised this guy!!! My dad's Cerbera was in the photo about 20 seconds in with the purple flag behind it. Listening to the speed 12 going down the Blackpool prom was insane, truly a moment I will never forget.

[@peachyosrs8788]

Also one thing he glossed over was the convoys heading up to Blackpool, 1000+ tvrs heading in the same direction over a two day period meant police were everywhere, we had been about 10 cars from the end of about 40-50 total from our county. At about the 3 hour mark, still an hour from Blackpool all the drivers were starting to get a bit bored, and as such our speed crept up to say 90ish from 80, until someone decided to get to the front of the group, roared off up to probably 130ish at which point a non descript BMW just behind us suddenly thought "we've had enough of this, it's time to stop and teach them a lesson". So on come the blue lights, and as quickly as they went on the accelerating tvr realised and proceeded to finish overtaking, after hitting 150+ easy the police car completely gave up. They knew there was absolutely no way of catching them and the rest of us had just been cruising with traffic. This was not that common but it was completely normal to be driving along a dual carriageway and have 100+ tvrs creep past. We had a few Ferrari and other car owners join us for convoys with no intention of coming to events, but just because they'd heard of our convoys completely lacking in order or rules still making it to events

[@vauldimaut]

Peachy OSRS loved reading this, I am a fellow fan of TVR and run an instagram page called @tvrphotos where I post all the different TVRs that I have seen at different shows and events. Have a look you might enjoy some of them and even recognise some from the massive convoy :-)

[@drshocking1229]

I see tvrs every year at a stone Leigh kitcar show. I love them. All kitcar and cars like this. Except replicas and stuff but it's so big.

[@Very_Angry_Citizen]

I like TVR because it's quite possibly the most British thing on 4 wheels. The lifeblood of that company was the blood, sweat and tears of blue collar labor. The working mans Maserati. Is it possible to put a TVR body on a Fiat, Miata, S2000 or Porsche frame? I know TVR's are impossible to import but you might be able to build your own.

[@mattslip179]

Theres a man in the UK that has made a sagaris kit for an MX5. It looks great. Google it

[@vauldimaut]

Erich Lee If your a fan of TVR’s, I run a instagram page devoted to all different TVRs that I have seen at car shows and different events. It’s called @tvrphotos have a look and maybe follow.

[@chasecourtney1519]

Literally my favorite car from forza horizon 2, never heard of it before that game and I’ve loved it ever since.

[@lparker3484]

Fun fact... Blackpool is rated as one of the unhealthiest regions in the UK so there's no surprise to the poor shop conditions in regards to personal safety... neat cars though!😊

[@RESET1776]

All these years I was under the impression that the TVR line had a hand formed aluminum body. Amazing how the automotive roumor mill works! Great story.

[@Sizukun1]

I hope TVR comes back in a big way with their new Griffith. Wish I could afford it!

[@CalvinKlown]

Mate of mine nicked the promo t-shirts for swordfish out of the back of that TVR when it was returned to the uk. He worked with them until they went bust.

[@StevieeG]

Vin Wiki international reach becomes awesome (2 time TVR Tuscan owner.) Been a big fan for years but your rep has just moved up +100,000 pts. RIP Peter Wheeler

[@sanja3la]

I know a guy in UK he specifically works on TVR's ... cool car :)

[@adenlamb9916]

fuck me, must be kept busy!

[@robb5522]

I have a stash of old Auto Traders from the early 90s. I'm sure there is a TVR Vixen in there somewhere for like $6000 Canadian. I remember thinking I really wanted it, even though I didn't know what it was. But for a 17 year old in the mid 90s, $6000 might as well have been $6 mil haha

[@blitzwing1985]

The late history of TVR was so sad. Bought up by some Russian guy didn't make much in the way of new cars. switched to turbines and then sold. They are taking orders on the new car so helpfully it's going to be a hit.

[@MAG_4]

Happy Friday, have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

[@DAN-xb3vm]

The Blackpool rocket, I have had the dis-pleasure of repairing them but it was always worth it for the roadtest

[@eliasderbes8754]

All ways wanted a 2005 tvr sagaris, but they’re banned in the states 😢😭😭😭

[@gnarshread]

There is just something insane about the TVR story but you have to love them for their insanity.

[@guytoast666]

Great video beautiful day almost forgot I'm at work

[@rwl-pj4kh]

I grew up with a tvr dealership in my village. Managed to swipe some number plates from the dumpster y666 tvr and j666 tvr

[@nicknsb1064]

Me and my buddies dubbed it the "Swag-aris" years ago and I can't call it the correct name anymore, truly a legendary car, and a legendary paint to boot

[@michaelsieber98]

My uncle had two TVRs back in the 90's. Awesome cars

[@TheGreatSteve]

The TVR Cerbera was my main car in Gran Turismo.

[@comjanatl]

Sound and Look of Sagaris? Absolutely Beautiful to me the Ceb Speed 12 was pure gorlla magic

[@ICKY427]

i learned about tvr through project gotham racing 2. had the speed six and speed twelve. of course i was never able to beat the whole game on platinum so i never got to drive that damn cerbera! if i remember right i was a cone challenge or two short of all plat. luckily forza 2 had the speed twelve so i got to drive it there. such as awesome car

[@elesjuan]

Didn't TVRs suffer from no corrosion prevention on the tubular chassis as well? Such amazing looking cars... quite sad they weren't properly built. :(