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eBay Find of the Day: TVR Cerbera Speed 12
In 2000, British car maker TVR set out to dethrone the McLaren F1 from atop the automotive performance kingdom. Their weapon? The Cerbera Speed 12. With a 7-liter engine shoved into its 1,000 kilo frame, TVR was talking about an estimated top speed near 240 MPH. An attempt to determine the car's horsepower ended with a busted dyno. Estimates at the time put horsepower output somewhere around 960 HP. Peter Wheeler, owner of TVR until 2004, took the car home only to return it saying it wasn't drivable on the street due to its powerful engine and development of the Speed 12 was canceled soon after.
But three years ago, TVR pulled all the pieces together to make one Speed 12 and sold it to someone rich enough and bold enough to pass TVR's interview process. The new owner then worked with TVR to finish the car and, according to the eBay listing, trimmed the weight down even further through the use of titanium and carbon fiber.
After 32 bids early Wednesday morning, the going price is £150,000, or about $296,000. A tremendous bargain at twice the price, which, during the eBay auction's remaining three days, it is likely to reach. This is one beast of a car, and is unfortunately likely to end up a museum piece. While it can hardly be described as gorgeous, it's easy to respect a car this raw and powerful.
Thanks Steve for the tip!
[Source: eBay]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Misaniovent 5:09PM (12/13/2006)
I totally have this car.
In Gran Turismo.
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MikeW 5:46PM (12/13/2006)
7.7 liters >130hp/liter, yeah that's streetable.
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Proud Japanese 5:57PM (12/13/2006)
What makes you think it is not streetable MikeW?
The one in the picture does have the license plate.
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Quattrofan 6:50PM (12/13/2006)
He means it will likely end up like one of those Enzos, wrapped around trees and such...
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vectorbug 8:00PM (12/13/2006)
Everything about that car makes me smile. Its as if aliens or hellspawn came down and decided to crash our puny racing party here on earth with this monster. Just look at it.
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Mr_Oak 10:32AM (12/14/2006)
This thing looks like the original Viper after a roll-over accident.
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GDUB 8:46PM (12/13/2006)
yes the car of folk lore. I am so happy to see the beast emerge, even if its only one of a kind.
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Steve 9:17PM (12/13/2006)
Glad to help out. I came across this gem whilst perusing the TVR selection and pretending I'll ever be able to afford to buy a (used) TVR (preferably a Sagaris) and bring it over to the states. I thoroughly enjoyed the owner's recap of the car's history and I too hope it ends up in the hands of someone who will put it to good use. On the owner's website people had inquired about the car's possible appearace on Top Gear and he replied that there were discussions between himself and the producers. Though, that was quite some time ago. Perhaps in the hands of a new owner we may finally get to see The Stig put this beast through it's paces on the TG track, or at least a segment about this one of a kind masterpiece.
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Bill E Bobb 9:45PM (12/13/2006)
It was an undrivable freakin' beast in Gran Turismo, the front wheels could never be straight enough to put the power down. Any throttle would spin it.
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J 8:11AM (12/14/2006)
-In-Car Entertainment Options: 880bhp to play with!
-Interior/Comfort Options: --
pretty muuch sums it up...
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Matt Dell 11:41PM (12/13/2006)
For a one-off TVR... that's a bargain basement price!
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MikeW 10:51PM (12/14/2006)
The engine is a basically a race engine, 12.5:1 compression ratio, 'cammy' as soon as the tach hits 6000rpm it will be at 9000rpm.
The Speed12 has a abysmal traction due to its 55/45 weight distribution. Thanks to the 'steel' engine and low overall weight.
Look at how much more braking system is on the front axle.
http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/speed12.htm
and isn't the fuel tank in the central tunnel?
http://www.pistonheads.com/pic.asp?picture=tvr/cerbera/images/gt2-07.jpg
and if Tiff Needell had a hard time with only 600+hp in the McLaren with a weight distribution somewhere between 43/57 and 41/59, 1000+hp and a 55/45 would be hard labor.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8151608931318727812&q=mclaren+f1&hl=en
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