Trouble at TVR?

[Steve Pyro]

A similar parallel can be drawn with Morgan.  They're a small, niche market, UK car manufacturer, using ancient premises and manufacturing processes to build a very select and specialist vehicle.

10 or so years ago, they were the subject of John Harvey-Jones' Troubleshooter TV series where he investigated small companies to see if their business and bottom-line profit could be improved and moderised.  As I recall, he was dumbfounded that a company that built cars the way Morgan did (do) could have a full order book and a 10 year waiting list.

I guess Morgans appeal to the more mature, traditional, flat-capped middle England buyer who wants an old style, hand built car.  As long as there are these types of people, Morgan will have a market place.

TVR, on the other hand, try to do provide what a large chunk of the market also do - in essence, to build a fast, sporty, 'sexily' styled, 2 seater car at a £40K - £50K ish price tag.
They have a lot of mainstream competition, most with the backing of much larger motor vehicle building corporations.  The Honda S2000 is a case in point - a good car backed by the reputation of a huge company.  Also, how could Honda continue to build the NSX for all those years with miniscule sales figures if it wasn't a Honda.

The UK car industry is continually seeing the much heralded re-launch and resurrection of UK car names from the past.  What happened to the 'new' Fraser Nash, the 'new' Jensen, the 'new' Marcos?
I guess the marketplace just doesn't have that much spare room.

[Bartus]

Hmmmm...is the topic dead or is TVR dead....any news about it?

Bartus(who still considers buying one when he wins his next million)

[Lord Pig-Pen]

Must say I agree with Mr Zarse on this one!

They sound good but are usually driven by people of "that" ilk....

Drove a chimera once years back, fun but got the impression that plastic, uk roads and brute force and ignorance underpinnings would lead to a meeting with Mr hedge backwards very quickly. The owner (not for long), a family friend, advised me not to play with anything apart from gearstick, pedals and steering wheel as if touched it may either come off in hand or not work again!
 Inspired with confidence we had a little blat round the New Forest. It was good but, would rather have my  84' 300c estate (honestly). Equally shiddy handling, better built,all works after 20 years, still sounds good and gives warning of impending doom.

Shame if poor folks lose their jobs after being a part of something special for so long..... but I am sure that there will be some polish/Romanian workers more than happy to pitch in and do it for half the money to keep things moving!! (Sure you get what I mean!!!)

Also had a lift in an early (1976?? ford v6) one once. Horrid bucket of sh1te.

Finally.... one good thing to say!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Metallic Purple Cerebra with N7TRO reg that does rolling burnouts on the M27 eastbound in the mornings traffic is cool!! Bellowing zorst and popping flames on overrun always make the drive to work more bearable. Anyone know him??