| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
Lars. I've read most of the books printed about TVR, so I have no excuse other than poor memory and more interest in the later cars, but I must have forgot it was a 289. Maybe the 427's getting shoehorned in there anyway, confused me. I don't know what is happening with TVR, and I don't think there is anyone that does. Smolenski called in the 'receivers' then outbid everyone else to buy the company back (less their debts of some denomination) for himself. He proceeded to split the company into three pieces. TVR Power, the parts and manufacturing side being one piece, Smolenski sold to a management buy out team. That's secured the future for existing TVR's upto and around 10 years vintage, where parts demand is concerned. The production side of the factory at Bristol Avenue, I imagine that involves the body moulds and bucks, chassis assembly, carbon fibre facility etc etc, Smolenski is said to still have and is reluctant to part with. Peter Wheeler, from whom Smolenski bought TVR, owns Bristol Avenue, and is going ahead with a plan to develop a housing estate on the factory land. Where Smolenski has the TVR factory equipment, I don't know. That leaves the TVR brand itself, which Smolenski has apparently made it clear he wants to keep in the hope of resurrecting TVR once again. There was talk of him having a three way deal with two Florida based US businessmen, but it seems that's fell through. Talk was rife earlier this year of Smolenski having new models produced in Italy by Bertone, but Bertone have since gone to the wall. Right now it's still a guessing game. For me the most disappointing part of the sell off was Al Melling had said he was going to buy TVR lock stock and barrel, and build the current cars and relaunch the Griffith. He wanted to include the building of the Melling Hellcat too, but it seems Smolenski outbid or out smarted Melling. What a pity, since Melling is the 'A' in TVR's own AJP engine, and he seems more than capable of re floating TVR. SPEED TWELVE There's a good read about this model on Wikipedea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVR_Cerbera_Speed_12 Of the one Speed 12 that was sold to a member of the public, I'm not sure which one it was. Seems TVR registered several for the road. For some reason which escapes me, I think it's the Speed 12 in pic 3 with registration number W312 BHG that remains. Wikipedia shows registration number W112 BHG and the silver one in my pic 4 W312 BFV, they all could be the same car! Enjoy Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
Jar Jar Binks. Trevor wasn't that forward thinking. Surely not?  Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
 Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
 Rocket | ||
| Aesquire |
From "Top Gear" a Brit car program. About the 2004 TVR 350C "It's still a TVR, it's raucous, raw, insane to look at, it smells like a fiberglass canoe factory in here, it's also loud, properly, properly, loud. ( punches it...roars off ) It works..." Reminds me of something........ | ||
| Rocketman |
 The last model of TVR was the Typhon. Only three made it to production, of which one was destroyed by fire. The body is entirely carbon fibre. The Typhon was a Smolenski model, though Wheeler and other TVR long term employees were involved from what was essentially a development of the T440 race cars, which themselves share similarities in appearance to the T350. The T350 is basically a fastback Tuscan. The woman that owns the last Typhon to come out of the factory told me her husband was visiting the factory regarding his TVR. During a conversation with Smolenski the husband was taken to a room where the last of the three Typhon's sat. Apparently it was not for sale at any cost, but the husband bought it. They're now selling the Typhon, if you've got £100.000 to blow. Rocket | ||
| Smokescreen |
Rocket, You have anymore on the TVR bikes? The top one looks like a Speed Triple and the bottom like the Daytona. I'd love to see some more pics if you have any. Smokescreen | ||
| Rocketman |
The bikes are nothing more than sketches, but there's a lovely story behind them. When Smolenski bought TVR, sometime soon after he made comment that he was interested in building TVR bikes. At one time, he was supposedly interested in buying Benelli and bringing production to Blackpool. Apparently the Italian's were unhappy to let production leave the country, so it is that the Chinese now own Benelli and still they are produced in Italy. Smolenski still reckoned to want to build TVR bikes though. At this time MCN contacted well known bike designer, Glynn Kerr, and asked him to pen what he thought TVR bikes could look like. For Glynn it was somewhat relevant as he had served a short period of his design apprenticeship at TVR a couple or three decades earlier. What you see is simply Glynn Kerr's sketches as commissioned by MCN. Nothing more. I have the original signed prints, both numbered 5 (the first four he keeps) out of a run of 200. You might still be able to purchase either one, as Glynn sells all his work in limited numbers. Check out Glynn's website. There's a few things in there that will surprise anyone, and you can contact him there too. Incidentally, his artwork is ridiculously cheap all things considered. Glynn Kerr Rocket | ||
| Court |
>>>The bikes are nothing more than sketches That would qualify you to work for KTM . . I mean. . . that's all they did for 3 years.  | ||
| Smokescreen |
Court, You actually looked at a RC8? It's a thing of engineering beauty. It takes the concept of the 1125r and goes even further. More rider ergo adjustments, stronger engine, and yes, even uglier bodywork. The whole bike seems more thought out for "the rider". It's just like my Buell, so ugly, only I could love it. How long did it take Erik to build his dream? I believe KTM wants their dream machine to be in perfect order, before the first one is delivered. Smokescreen | ||
| Rocketman |
A lot of things would qualify me to work for KTM. Was an interesting meeting I shared with KTM's top brass two summers ago. But don't worry, ignorance is bliss. Funny thing about time scales though. In the 1125 'poo' threads, I make mention of me asking for Buell 'timing slips', as you call them, right Court? On the one hand KTM do nothing for three years. Actually the time it took to get the first bike from sketch to production ready. In that time they've also supplied and run engines in Moto GP. Raced and won in GP racing as well as off road racing, and the Dakar. Designed and built the amazing X-bow four wheeled bike \ car thing. And would you believe, redesigned the RC8 and added a whole new engine too. That's a drop in the ocean compared to the other stuff KTM have done in three years, as Court knows. Then on the other hand it's ok to brag about Buell patenting the XB chassis back in the 18th century because it shows Buell ahead of his time. Everyone else is just late to the party. Yeah, right on bro. KTM have an amazing company profile Buell could only dream of, even with Harley holding them back. Sorry, I mean holding them up. No, erm, supporting th........oh what the heck. It's their problem. Rocket | ||
| Old_man |
In the 70's I rode a Penton 250cc. A bike made by KTM. One of the fastest and most stable dirt bikes I have ever ridden. | ||
| 2kx1 |
Good stuff Rocket !! Didn't know Kerr had that much going on, Only the Fischer, of which I have an interest in, remind me to tell you sometime. | ||
| Rocketman |
Yeah, he works from his home based studio, living the idyllic life on the Atlantic coast of France. He puts a lot of work into stuff you'd never get to hear of. India and China for example. Rocket | ||
| 2kx1 |
This past summer I had the opportunity to see some of his work. I also spoke with guy that is going to manufacture some of his work. I thought it was kind of interesting why rotax pulled the plug on him. | ||
| Rocketman |
Crap away. You're wasting your time, not mine. The KTM thing was a business deal I sat in on. I don't do pencils. KTM don't need any skills in their design department. Buell in my opinion do. Buell are heading down a blind alley outside of America. On the other hand, KTM will amaze the world with their RC8 super bike. Is it my fault I recognise class when I see it  Rocket | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
This thread was getting interesting with the facts and ideas behind TVR. Now its just getting stupid. Why the hostility? | ||
| Rocketman |
Yes, why the hostility? Here's a thing. Today we have broached the subject of Buell sharing relationships with their customers. Such were things at TVR that the relationship thing between manufacturer and customer was much closer. When ordering a new TVR, you could take them an object that showed your favourite colour. Be it an ornament. An item of footwear. Whatever. TVR would paint your car that colour. Similar treatment was offered to the interior materials too. At TVR things didn't stop there. When you placed your order, a date was set where you could go to the factory and watch your car being built from the body shell up. You could follow it along right from the start all the way to the finish. This link should give you a good idea of what that meant. TVR Factory Tour Rocket | ||
| Old_man |
"Hooters" means the same here as in England. | ||
| Rocketman |
I've worked on Triumphs too, right back to the TR2, and owned a TR6. The TR chassis is entirely box section constructed from pressed steel, In its original form it had leaf spring rear suspension.  Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
 Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
 Rocket |
