Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Unexpected Greenery: TVR Artemis concept from Niels van Roij]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/unexpected-greenery-tvr-artemis-concept-from-niels-van-roij/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/unexpected-greenery-tvr-artemis-concept-from-niels-van-roij/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/unexpected-greenery-tvr-artemis-concept-from-niels-van-roij/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


TVR Artemis concept from Niels van Roij - Click above for high-res image gallery

TVR, a British sportscar manufacturer with a troubled past and a very uncertain future, has historically been known for producing brutish performance cars with impossibly curvy bodies molded from fiberglass and powerful inline-six and V8 engines. As such, the idea of an eco-friendly TVR never really crossed our minds until we saw Niels van Roij's TVR Artemis concept.

The Dutch designer created the Artemis as his final-year project at the Design Academy Eindhoven in The Netherlands. Theoretically powered by one in-wheel electric motor per contact patch and a hydrogen fuel cell, there seems little chance that a car such as this would ever see the light of day, but it certainly is an interesting take on the modern TVR design ethos. See for yourself in the gallery below of a 1:5 scale model of the Artemis concept.


Gallery: TVR Artemis concept from Niels van Roij


[Source: Niels van Roij]

Unexpected Greenery: TVR Artemis concept from Niels van Roij originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artemis conceptArtemisConceptDesign Academy EindhovenDesignAcademyEindhovenniels van roijNielsVanRoijTVRtvr artemistvr artemis conceptTvrArtemisTvrArtemisConceptWed, 14 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-TVR owner Peter Wheeler: 1944-2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/ex-tvr-owner-peter-wheeler-dies/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/ex-tvr-owner-peter-wheeler-dies/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/ex-tvr-owner-peter-wheeler-dies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Few car companies have been as gloriously 'off the reservation' crazy for as long as British sportscar maker TVR. And while the status of the dormant manufacturer may not be entirely clear, it has lost a key figure who helped make it the wild, wacky and wonderful marque that it is: former TVR owner Peter Wheeler has passed away after a brief illness.

After making his money in oil equipment, Wheeler purchased TVR back in 1981 from Martin Lilley and owned it until 2004, when he sold the firm to young Russian plutocrat Nikolai Smolenski. Over the 23 years he was at the helm, however, Wheeler presided over not just the company's financials, he was present in virtually every decision the specialty car maker made, from model choices to styling decisions. He even raced his company's own creations in the TVR Tuscan Challenge.

Wheeler, 64, leaves behind a rich legacy of uniquely styled, uniquely uncompromised driver's cars from a brand we still hope has a future. Richard Meaden has penned a nice memoriam of Wheeler over at Driver's Republic - click on the link below to check it out.

[Drivers Republic | Image: TVR Car Club]

Ex-TVR owner Peter Wheeler: 1944-2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Richard WheelerRichardWheelerSmolenskiTVRWheelerFri, 12 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Huzzah! TVR lives... again.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/huzzah-tvr-lives-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/huzzah-tvr-lives-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/huzzah-tvr-lives-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



TVR has proven its place as a member of the automotive nosferatu, rising once again and relaunching a revised Sagaris that's being readied for production. Currently a prototype, the Sagaris has received updates to the exterior in the form of a new hood and splitter, as well as 19 inch wheels bolted to a re-tuned suspension. One thing that stays the same is the four-liter straight-six under that new hood. Inside, the TVR interior acid trip has been dialed back with the redesigned instrument panel and center stack atop a new HVAC rig. New seats have been tossed in for good measure, and the build quality is reportedly stepped up. TVR owner Nikolai Smolenski has admitted his intent to distribute the brand worldwide, and the Sagaris has the steering wheel on the left for export purposes. There's no word on when we'll be able to drool all over one of these on North American soil, but when it does come our way, it will likely cost more than the €85,000 it's going for in Jolly Old.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Huzzah! TVR lives... again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>revived tvrRevivedTvrtvrtvr revivedtvr sagaristvr sagaris unveilingtvr unveilingTvrRevivedTvrSagarisTvrSagarisUnveilingTvrUnveilingThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Trevor Wilkinson, TVR founder, dead at 85]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/08/trevor-wilkinson-tvr-founder-dead-at-85/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/08/trevor-wilkinson-tvr-founder-dead-at-85/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/08/trevor-wilkinson-tvr-founder-dead-at-85/#commentsFiled under:


TVR Grantura. Click above for model history and more photos.

Trevor Wilkinson, who founded the British sports car marque, TVR, has died at the age of 85 in Minorca, Spain, where he lived in retirement. Mr. Wilkinson had apparently been seriously ill, according to reports. He built his business in his hometown of Blackpool, and the company name, TVR, is just an abbreviation of his first name. It's first production car was the Grantura (above).

Trevor WilkinsonWilkinson left TVR in 1962 but remained owner until 1965, when the first in a succession of subsequent bosses took the reins. The one constant, however, has been the name -- his name -- that Trevor Wilkinson gave the company all those years ago, which has since appeared on some pretty impressive cars along the way. Rest in peace, Mr. Wilkinson.

[Sources: BBC, TVR Blog]

Trevor Wilkinson, TVR founder, dead at 85 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackpoolobituarytrevor wilkinsontrevor wilkinson deadTrevorWilkinsonTrevorWilkinsonDeadtvrSun, 08 Jun 2008 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Forgotten Supercar? TVR Speed 12 road car for sale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/tvr-speed-12-road-car-for-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/tvr-speed-12-road-car-for-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/tvr-speed-12-road-car-for-sale/#commentsFiled under:


Click above to view gallery of the TVR Speed 12

The TVR Speed 12 seems to be the forgotten supercar, although it certainly has the proper credentials to be remembered as one of the best. With a massive 7.7-liter V12 pushing 820 horsepower and a curb weight of just over 2,000 lbs., the Speed 12 has a power-to-weight ratio nearly twice that of the Bugatti Veyron. The stunning bodywork is done completely in carbon fiber and shifting is done with a true sequential gearbox. Then why the lack of attention? It probably has something to due with the fact that only one road car was built, along with a handful of race cars, and only one test was ever done by the media when it appeared in EVO magazine. The car is now for sale, and we hope the new owner doesn't find it too much of a handful and wreck the one and only example. It's not like it's an Enzo, where you can just go out and buy another. No price is listed, but we would venture to guess it's not cheap.

Gallery: 2000 TVR Speed 12


[Source: Legends Automotive]

Forgotten Supercar? TVR Speed 12 road car for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Speed 12Speed12TVRTVR Speed 12TvrSpeed12Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR once again ready to get back on track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/08/tvr-once-again-ready-to-get-back-on-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/08/tvr-once-again-ready-to-get-back-on-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/08/tvr-once-again-ready-to-get-back-on-track/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Earlier this year we reported that TVR had been sold to a pair of Floridian businessmen. In actuality, the sale was never consummated, and the company remains in the hands of Russian billionaire Nikolai Smolenski. Although it is still finding its way out of the woods, the company has laid out a recovery plan that could see it producing cars again as early as next year.

TVR has essentially pieced together a corps of suppliers that would provide it with parts that would then be assembled by Bertone in Italy. Design would be handled by TVR in Lancashire; engine consultant Ricardo is tuning TVR's 6-cylinder engine to 400 BHP and Euro 5 emissions specs; IM Kelly would supply trim; and Multipart would provide parts, as well as replacements for dealers.

TVR wants to make its '07 cars until 2009, when the newly designed vehicles would be ready, with projected production of 2,000 units. The entire plan would rely on -- as usual -- finding the money. TVR recently held a meeting with 60 potential dealers and investors, and the company is optimistic, but no one has even hinted at where the money might come from.

[Source: Autocar]

TVR once again ready to get back on track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smolenski tvrSmolenskiTvrtvrtvr bertonetvr nikolai smolenskitvr productiontvr soldTvrBertoneTvrNikolaiSmolenskiTvrProductionTvrSoldMon, 08 Oct 2007 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Be afraid -- and very happy -- TVR is returning.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/be-afraid-and-very-happy-tvr-is-returning/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/be-afraid-and-very-happy-tvr-is-returning/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/12/be-afraid-and-very-happy-tvr-is-returning/#commentsFiled under:

TVR is the formerly Blackpool, England-based maker of fearsome coupes and roadsters not seen in this land (outside of movies like Swordfish) since the 1980s-era TVR Tasmin. Now TVR is owned by an Orlando party planner and a guy who imports Japanese domestic-market cars, who recently held a coming-out party for potential dealers of the troubled and now-practically-American marque in Polk City, Florida.

TVR makes three models (Sagaris, Tuscan S, Tuscan S convertible), but the planned 45-dealer US network will start with only the Sagaris. Bodies will be made in England, with Bertone (in Italy) performing final assembly. The Sagaris will use a 4.0L Ricardo Speed-Six, an inline 6-cylinder with 400 hp, and production is due to begin next year, with an annual run of 5,000 cars at $120,000 per. While the new owners would like to start a racing series, the first thing they need to do is build a few reliable cars. If they can do that, then more TVR for everyone is a good thing.

[Source: Cool Brit]

Be afraid -- and very happy -- TVR is returning. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sagaristvrThu, 12 Apr 2007 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Straight from the horse's mouth: Here's the deal at TVR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/06/straight-from-the-horses-mouth-heres-the-deal-at-tvr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/06/straight-from-the-horses-mouth-heres-the-deal-at-tvr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/06/straight-from-the-horses-mouth-heres-the-deal-at-tvr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It seems that the never-ending story of TVR has been given a new chapter. Russian Nikolai Smolenski, just days after selling the company, has bought it back for an additional £2 million. This time he has additional backing from two Americans. CAR Magazine interviewed all three of them to get the whole story in their own words.

Smolenski, apparently, will be a part-time partner. Jean Michel Santacrue and Adam Burdette from Florida will eventually take over the operation, with Smolenski backing away after he recovers some of the £15 million he has dumped into the company so far. The Americans, meanwhile, plan to reintroduce and grow the marque. They say the plan is to sell 5,000 cars a year. They even say they already have 2,000 pre-orders from American buyers. A U.S. dealer network is also said to be in the works. Of the 5,000 units annually, 2,000 will go to the U.S., 2,000 to Asia, and 1,000 to Europe. Cars are expected to reach dealers as early as the end of this year or possibly the beginning of 2008.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story.

[Source: Car Magazine]

Continue reading Straight from the horse's mouth: Here's the deal at TVR

Straight from the horse's mouth: Here's the deal at TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adam BurdetteAdamBurdetteJean Michel SantacrueJeanMichelSantacrueNikolai SmolenskiNikolaiSmolenskiTVRTue, 06 Mar 2007 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Enough already! Smolenski sells TVR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/enough-already-smolenski-sells-tvr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/enough-already-smolenski-sells-tvr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/enough-already-smolenski-sells-tvr/#commentsFiled under:



We'll parrot our friends over at Hemmings Auto Blog when they say, "Now it's just getting ridiculous." After Nikolai Smolenski bought back what assets were left of TVR last week, we're now getting word from Autocar that Adam Burdette and Jean Michel Santacreu, owners of Evolution Imports, have bought the quirky sports car manufacturer.

The duo has a history of importing "grey market" vehicles Stateside, and they have long sought to bring TVRs to U.S. consumers. How will they succeed actually running an automaker? Ummmm... we're not saying we're worried -- okay, yeah, we are.

[Source: Autocar via Hemmings]

Enough already! Smolenski sells TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam burdetteAdamBurdetteevolution importsEvolutionImportsjean michel santacreuJeanMichelSantacreunikolai smolenskiNikolaiSmolenskitvrWed, 28 Feb 2007 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR sold again, to Smolenski]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/tvr-sold-again-to-smolenski/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/tvr-sold-again-to-smolenski/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/tvr-sold-again-to-smolenski/#comments

The soap opera that has been the recent history of TVR has taken another turn. The administrators of PKF Partners have announced the sale TVR's asset's to none other Nikolai Smolenski, the previous owner who oversaw the failure of the company in the first place. The sale price hasn't been released, but is believed to be over £2 million.

Smolenski has signaled his intention to resume production of TVRs outside of England, probably in Italy with Bertone doing the assembly work. Al Melling, who had previously designed many of TVRs engines, was another bidder, but Smolenski offered more money and in the end, won back the quirky automaker.

[Source: CAR]

TVR sold again, to Smolenski originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Nikolai SmolenskiNikolaiSmolenskiTVRFri, 23 Feb 2007 08:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Al Melling and Nikolai Smolenski start bidding war for TVR?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/will-al-melling-and-nikolai-smolenski-start-bidding-war-for-tvr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/will-al-melling-and-nikolai-smolenski-start-bidding-war-for-tvr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/will-al-melling-and-nikolai-smolenski-start-bidding-war-for-tvr/#commentsFiled under: ,

TVR Griffith

TVR SagarisYou may have noticed our post Wednesday about TVR's owner Nikolai Smolenski losing his trademark rights and certain tooling. Yesterday, it was revealed that the entire company is, in fact, for sale. Expected bidders include Al Melling and possibly even Nikolai Smolenski rebidding.

Al Melling recently revealed his Melling Hellcat (could it be released as a TVR?), powered by a 1200 bhp, quad-turbo V10 engine, and has designed TVR V8 and in-line six-cylinder engines. He said, "I'd need the old workforce... it would take between six and 12 months to get the place back in full production, but I'd never expect to make more than 10-15 cars a week, two-thirds of which would be sold in the US." He also said the Sagaris and Griffith would be the two models they'd concentrate on.

Related:
[Source: Autocar]

Will Al Melling and Nikolai Smolenski start bidding war for TVR? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Al MellingAlMellingGriffithMelling HellcatMellingHellcatNikolai SmolenskiNikolaiSmolenskiSagarisTVRFri, 09 Feb 2007 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR's trademarks swiped from teenage Russian owner]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/tvrs-trademarks-swiped-from-teenage-russian-owner/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/tvrs-trademarks-swiped-from-teenage-russian-owner/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/tvrs-trademarks-swiped-from-teenage-russian-owner/#commentsFiled under:

The iconic British auto brand TVR will almost certainly not be making any more vehicles in the U.K. Instead, as the Independent reports, future models will most likely be built in Asia. Why? Because, Nikolai Smolensky, known as the "Baby oligarch," split off an administration arm from the company late last year. Just last Friday, that arm put the TVR name and some of it's tooling up for sale. Interested parties, apparently, include low-cost
Asian companies.

This is something that has been happening to many storied motorcycle brands as of late, including Benelli, and some fabled car marques as well, such as MG. Will we be seeing any new models from TVR, and if we do, will they be Asian, Russian or British? Got us... wait and see right?

[Source: the Independent]

TVR's trademarks swiped from teenage Russian owner originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AsianBaby oligarchBabyOligarchBenelliChinese carsChineseCarslow cost carsLowCostCarsMG RoverMgRoverNikolai SmolenskyNikolaiSmolenskyTVRThu, 08 Feb 2007 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR Typhoon takes shape]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/tvr-typhoon-takes-shape/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/tvr-typhoon-takes-shape/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/tvr-typhoon-takes-shape/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It ain't over till the fat lady sings, and although it promises to be a real screamer, TVR's seductress is anything but fat. We were pleased to bring you earlier information on the upcoming Typhoon, and now more details and computer-generated preview images have surfaced.

Once it hits production, the Typhoon will be TVR's first completely computer-designed car, helping the automaker fine-tune the aerodynamics to a more efficient extent. Power will come from TVR's 4-liter inline-six, only with a big nasty supercharger pumping horsepower up to 600 and torque up to 500 lb-ft. Supercharger or no supercharger, six hundred horses out of a six-cylinder engine is no mean feat, and the engine specialists at Ricardo helped along the way.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story and some additional renderings of the Typhoon.

[Source: evo]

Continue reading TVR Typhoon takes shape

TVR Typhoon takes shape originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>600carbonfibersupercartvrtyphontyphoonTue, 06 Feb 2007 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[FOR SALE: TVR needs new owner to stay alive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/for-sale-tvr-needs-new-owner-to-stay-alive/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/for-sale-tvr-needs-new-owner-to-stay-alive/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/for-sale-tvr-needs-new-owner-to-stay-alive/#commentsFiled under: ,



A brief report on TopGear.com reveals that the British sports car builder TVR has been "placed in adminitstration," which we believe is Brit for something akin to Chapter 11. The report states that administrators PKF (UK) intends to sell the automaker to keep it alive. TVR was purchased by Russian millionaire Nikolai Smolensky back in 2004, and though the Russian did much in the way of reviving TVR with new models and a new sense of hope, it appears that recent efforts to relocate production, reduce costs and unveil a new supercar are too-little-too-late moves for the company.

Thanks for the tip, Zane!

[Source: TopGear.com]

Related posts:TVR doing well, rehires laid-off workers

TVR plans to double production with entirely new lineup
TVR calls it quits in UK
Pissed off TVR owners converge on factory

FOR SALE: TVR needs new owner to stay alive originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Nikolai SmolenskyNikolaiSmolenskyTVRTue, 02 Jan 2007 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Owners of TVRs make noise for carmaker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/28/owners-of-tvrs-make-noise-for-carmaker/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/28/owners-of-tvrs-make-noise-for-carmaker/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/28/owners-of-tvrs-make-noise-for-carmaker/#commentsFiled under:



More than 400 TVR owners paraded their steeds through London this past Sunday, in an attempt to kill two pheasants with one (very loud) stone. London Thunder was first an attempt to break the world record for the largest convoy of a single car make. And the second goal was to impress upon the British government the importance of TVR to the country. TVR's Russian billionaire owner plans to move production of the iconic British sports car off the island.

It remains to be seen if Tony Blair is motivated by the rally to help keep TVR British, but the Guinness record might have been beaten. While the count isn't official yet, those participating in the rally say they bested the 2005 Mazda-organized record-setting event that gathered 249 Miatas in New Zealand.

More photos of the event can be seen here and here.

A couple of London Thunder amateur videos are after the jump.

[Source: www.autoindustry.co.uk]

Continue reading Owners of TVRs make noise for carmaker

Owners of TVRs make noise for carmaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>London ThunderLondonThunderTVRTVR Guinness World RecordTVR London ThunderTvrGuinnessWorldRecordTvrLondonThunderTue, 28 Nov 2006 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR enthusiasts unite to honor idled Bispham factory workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/tvr-enthusiasts-unite-to-honor-idled-bispham-factory-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/tvr-enthusiasts-unite-to-honor-idled-bispham-factory-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/tvr-enthusiasts-unite-to-honor-idled-bispham-factory-workers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a demonstration of support and thanks, TVR owners and enthusiasts from across the UK rallied together to show the workers at the TVR assembly plant on Bristol Avenue that their efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

As the workers left the plant, a long line of owners and admirers parked outside the gates greeted them with cheering, applause, revving engines and blaring horns. The workers were also invited to join the enthusiasts at the Red Lion Pub in Devonshire, who agreed to block off part of the parking lot for them and have extra staff on hand. The cheering group also took up a collection to cover the bar tab for the displaced workers.

Hmm. I don't remember any stories about people rallying around any Ford, GM or Chrysler workers as their plants closed. Maybe it would take a closing at Bowling Green or Flat Rock to generate this kind of public display? Well, it certainly didn't happen at Dearborn. In this day and age it is great to see people actually show some appreciation for something that they are passionate about. Demonstrations like these, regardless of size or scope are too few and far between.

[Source: www.pistonheads.com]

TVR enthusiasts unite to honor idled Bispham factory workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BisphamDevonshirefactoryTVRTue, 07 Nov 2006 08:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Pissed off TVR owners converge on factory]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/pissed-off-tvr-owners-converge-on-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/pissed-off-tvr-owners-converge-on-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/pissed-off-tvr-owners-converge-on-factory/#commentsFiled under: ,



Our friends at Hemmings came across an article in Blackpool Today that reports about an angry mob of TVR loyalists that are intent on voicing their opinion about the plant's closure en masse. A TVR club is organizing the convergence and is expecting over 7,000 members to show up in Blackpool on November 3rd.

Earlier in the month, Nikoloi Smolensky announced the impending closure of the plant and the fallout from locals, unions and the die-hard fans has been obvious.

If you're a reader and plan on attending the event, we'd ask you to bring along a camera and send us some shots here.

[Source: Hemming's Auto Blog and Blackpool Today]

Related Posts:

Pissed off TVR owners converge on factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackpoolnikoloi smolenskyNikoloiSmolenskyTVRTue, 31 Oct 2006 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR taps Bertone in Italy to build lineup?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/tvr-taps-bertone-in-italy-to-build-lineup/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/tvr-taps-bertone-in-italy-to-build-lineup/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/tvr-taps-bertone-in-italy-to-build-lineup/#commentsFiled under: ,



A new Autocar item is saying that the next-generation of TVRs will be built by Bertone in Italy, using Ricardo-produced engines. This comes on the heels of reports that the tiny manufacturer was leaving the UK. And that announcement followed the initial declaration that the firm would remain British. Nikolai Smolenski made the announcement yesterday that the current factory in Blackpool would be shut down. French and Russian plants have been rumored as potential sites, but Autocar's sources believe that Italian coachbuilder Bertone will be used to produce the '07 Sagaris, Tuscan and Tuscan convertible in Turin.

According to TVR, drivetrain production will remain in the UK. Autocar supposes that Ricardo will build a production line to supply new Euro IV emissions compatible motors. Ricardo is already working on bringing the TVR engines up to those standards, so going one step further and actually building them for TVR makes sense. Still, the fact that another British marque has left the island must sting the monarchy just a bit.

[Source: Autocar]

Thanks for the tip, Dino!

TVR taps Bertone in Italy to build lineup? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BertoneBlackpoolEuro IV emissionsEuroIvEmissionsNikolai SmolenskiNikolaiSmolenskiRicardoSagarisTuscanTVRThu, 19 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR calls it quits in UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/tvr-calls-it-quits-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/tvr-calls-it-quits-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/tvr-calls-it-quits-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: ,



Despite having raised the hopes of workers and proud TVR enthusiasts in the UK, Russian owner Nikolai Smolensky has announced that he will be moving production of the niche sportscars out of the UK to another undisclosed European country. The move will result in 250 workers being laid off at the company's Blackpool assembly plant. The Transport and General Workers' Union that represents the TVR workforce said it was "bitterly disappointed" over the decision, especially considering that temporarily laid-off workers were rehired back in July and Smolensky had just moved his operations into a new facility within Blackpool. Smolensky seems to have mastered the art of false hope, having also announced in the past year that he would double TVR's production with a new lineup and may begin selling cars in the U.S. Pardon us if we don't get our hopes up.

[Source: BBC]

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TVR calls it quits in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SmolenskyTVRU.K.unionUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomWed, 18 Oct 2006 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR production continues, we hope]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/tvr-production-continues-we-hope/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/tvr-production-continues-we-hope/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/tvr-production-continues-we-hope/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Apparently, there are still a few souls stirring at the TVR plant in Blackpool and word is that they'll be producing 60 limited edition Sagaris' in the next six to eight months.

The T440R based coupe will benefit from the addition of a supercharger to its 400 hp, 4-liter, straight six and will be renamed the Typhoon. More power is all well and good, but considering TVR's reputation for, shall we say, "quirky" driving characteristics, it should be interesting to see how this revised TVR will handle the additional horses.

The announcement was accompanied with news that the Russian owned, British marque will campaign a Cerebra at LeMans in 2007 and will debut the race-prepped vehicle in Geneva this March. Additionally, plans are in the works to bring several vehicles to market within the next few years that have the potential of meeting both European and American emissions standards.

As Hemmings' Blog pointed out, TVR produced a left-hand drive version of the Sagaris for the European market, so the concept is there. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Source: Hemmings Auto Blog]

Since most of us on this side of the Atlantic have rarely seen a TVR in action, we embedded a clip of Clarkson in the Sagaris after the jump. Enjoy!

Continue reading TVR production continues, we hope

TVR production continues, we hope originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sagaristvrtyphoonFri, 06 Oct 2006 11:05:00 EST