Author: TVR Cars Official News

Goodwood Track Day

The Griffith heads to Goodwood, for a brief blast on track.

We were lucky enough to receive an invite to a private track day at Goodwood in late September, which was another great opportunity to air the Griffith's lungs in a safe environment, so not to be missed. Unfortunately we were unable to publicise the attendance beforehand due to Covid restrictions imposed, which strictly controlled the number of attendees meaning only drivers, mechanics and support staff were allowed entry.

As anticipated the Griffith performed faultlessly amongst some other very fast machinery, and many other attendees complimented us regarding the build quality and obvious pace that was demonstrated on track. One such driver commented, “she certainly doesn't hang about!” No sir she does not.

A selection of other snaps from the day.

As they're near to Goodwood, our CEO Jim Berriman also took the opportunity to drop by another old haunt, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

He resisted the temptation to lay a signature set of black lines on their forecourt though. (We'll save that for another time..)

TVR Parts News

After many years of working with TVR Parts Limited as the exclusive supplier of TVR Genuine Parts worldwide, we shall be transferring the license to a new partner.

Enquiries around the supply of TVR Genuine Parts will be temporarily taken back in-house, whilst the new heritage parts partner makes final preparations for their own launch.

Meeting the needs of our existing owners and the members of the TVR Heritage Network is an integral part of our mission to rejuvenate the brand and bring Griffith into production, so we have to ensure that we have exactly the right partners in all aspects of our business.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR, said: “The team at TVR Parts has done a fantastic job over the past six years, restarting the supply of previously unavailable parts and carefully looking after the many thousands of faithful TVR owners across the world.

As we move nearer to production of Griffith, we have taken the opportunity to reassess many aspects of our existing operations and partnerships. We felt that with the expiry of the current licence, it was an appropriate time to thank the team at TVR Parts for their efforts and move on.”

The existing TVR Parts business is being rebranded by their current owners and operators as Racing Green Parts, and will continue to use their existing suppliers.

Factory gets green light!

TVR announces the start date of renovation works at its new home in the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, South Wales.

After extensive liaison with its partners in the Welsh Government, TVR is delighted to announce that the factory renovation and enhancement programme has today received the green light and that preliminary site works will begin in mid January.
Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd have been awarded the principal contract for a significant programme of works including replacement of the main building’s roof, the recladding of the building, extensive groundworks and also preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended main production area.
Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “This is a fantastic milestone in our mission to rejuvenate an iconic British brand, and we are all tremendously excited to witness the renovation of our new home in Ebbw Vale. We have hundreds of faithful depositors worldwide who are patiently waiting to take delivery of their Griffiths, so today I hope they are just as delighted as we are. Our partners at the Welsh Government have shown stoic support through challenging times and I must extend my personal thanks to all those who share our vision of helping to develop a sustainable automotive sector in South Wales.”
Welsh Government Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “I’m very pleased we are moving ahead with our investment in a strategically important building on Rassau Industrial Estate, which is situated within the Tech Valleys. The Welsh Government’s investment will help secure this significant building for extensive refurbishment for the beneficial use of business. The former ‘Techboard’ building has enormous potential and would be an ideal location for TVR which has identified the property as its prospective new home in Wales.”

Griffith tunnels into Holland..

Well not exactly, but we were delighted to be invited by Network member Louwman Exclusive to their TVR unveiling event in Utrecht Holland.

As an event laid on for invited guests together with members of the local TVR / Morgan car clubs, there was huge anticipation for the new TVR and its attendance did not disappoint.

Looking every bit the part amongst the other high end marques that Louwman Exclusive provide sales and service support for, the Griffith was afforded much interest from all who attended. Louwman being masters of the game put on an exceptional show including a Q&A session for attending press.

A few selected images of the event.

First New Griffith Registration

As part of our development and test programme, the new demonstrator prototype Griffith has now been registered for road use.

This enables us to put more road miles on the clock and equally important, get feedback and opinion to pass back into the pre-production development process. Unfortunately the scheduled attendance of events has now been somewhat curtailed for obvious reasons given the requested lockdown and avoidance of non-vital travel, however detailed below are a few first thoughts from one of our development drivers' recent experience:

“…we genuinely have an amazing car on our hands. She’s very quick, but accessibly so, with no nasty behavioural traits. All control weights are lovely, the ride is excellent, road holding and handling equally so and doesn’t tramline or fidget. Oh, and a sound track to die for! We ran her down to Goodwood and back – a mix of all road types and conditions and she not only didn’t put a foot wrong, but impressed on every level.”

Some additional images of the Griffith out and about pre-lockdown.

More just as soon as we're able.

New Griffith on track at Silverstone Classic 2018

TVR were delighted to be selected for the Supercar lineup at the Silverstone Classic weekend of action..

The display was not just a static lineup but one that saw the new Griffith take to the track for the Supercar Parade sessions on both Friday and Saturday, where accompanied by a 1965 Griffith and a stunning TVR Typhon all attracted great interest despite their time on track being heavily restricted.

Lined up two-by-two the cars headed onto the circuit for the parade however due to the level of traffic and safety rules applied, it resulted in little of the performance available being demonstrated thereby leaving much for a future event. There is however a short clip from inside the Griffith that can be viewed via this Link to youTube video and as seen from Trackside Shame about all the high fencing but that's Silverstone.

The TVR Car Club and many owner, driver / enthusiasts were also at the event, with an exceptional display of Heritage TVRs, a few of which can be seen in the images below.

For those interested in viewing the racing coverage, which may or may not include the parade lap sessions, the Silverstone Classic ITV4 highlights programme will air on Sunday 12 August at 17:45 (directly after live coverage of the British Touring Car Championship).

Repeats will additionally be shown:
Wednesday 15 August at 20:00
Saturday 18 August at 08:30
Saturday 15 September at 15:15
Plus the programme will be available on catch-up for 30 days after each transmission.

Finally, for a longer video clip from inside the Griffith click HERE to view on youTube although be warned, even edited down it was over 6 minutes for 2 laps – such was the pace!

Griffith caught smoking at Beaulieu

No smoke without fire? – Well there was at Beaulieu where the prototype Griffith laid down the rubber, without any fire or flame..

It was all hell and fury at the Beaulieu Supercar weekend where the new Griffith laid down the law, well rubber at least, as it got to air its lungs on both days.

The weekend saw some 800+ high performance sports and supercars gather for both static club displays and also the hugely popular demonstration runs by a selected few. These comprised a short blast from standstill, followed by a stop at the crossroads on the picturesque tree-lined Chestnut Avenue, not a track! (as drivers were repeatedly reminded during pre-run briefings) and then another short blast plus return. Only a few hundred metres each way but a very popular spectacle for the crowds.

Les 'Leadfoot' Edgar gave it the beans on Saturday and our very own Matthew 'Stig' Truelove had the pleasure on Sunday. Both ably demonstrating the fun that a driver-focussed, manual, devoid of electronic trickery, supercar can provide. Some short video clips from the weekend can be viewed by clicking the links below and more lively on-track professionally produced action from another circuit location will follow soon.

Click to view Les 'Leadfoot' Edgar – Click to view Matthew 'Stig' Truelove

We were delighted to share the weekend with the TVR Car Club, who yet again provided a fantastic line-up of earlier model TVRs; we'd like to thank all involved with the weekend's activities, and for providing such spectacular performances on the track, sorry road!…

TVR conquer France, oh and take 1st and 2nd place at Le Mans!

TVR with Rebellion Racing took an amazing 1st/2nd placing at the 86th running of the Le Mans 24hr endurance race last weekend in France, finishing 3rd / 4th overall and leading the other non-hybrid cars by a margin of 8 laps.

The weekend's activities at Le Mans commenced with a brief showing as invited guests at the Classic British Welcome in Saint-Saturnin, followed by attendance at the driver parade through Le Mans town that precedes the racing itself.

This year and in association with Motul we were honoured to be invited to head the parade with the new Griffith and to also display a fantastic lineup of heritage models that had made the pilgrimage to what was the 86th running of the Le Mans 24 hours race.

The Rebellion Racing – TVR LMP1 cars excelled, with a podium finish, 3rd and 4th overall and excluding the Toyota Hybrids, finished 1st and 2nd ahead of the rest of the 60 strong field by some 8 laps at the finish.

An amazing display of performance, skill, quality and leadership and firmly casting TVR Racing as being focused on returning to the track.

With the next round of the World Endurance Championship taking place at the home of Motorsport in the UK – Silverstone on August 19th, we look forward to seeing many TVR owners there, flying the flag and supporting the team.

Gustavo Menezes – Les Edgar – Thomas Laurent – John Chasey – Mathias Beche

– – –

Are you making the annual pilgrimage to Le Mans? Here’s your chance to join us for the drivers’ parade!

With TVR returning to Le Mans with Rebellion Racing – we present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the action.

Endurance racing – there's nothing quite like it to set the heart beating faster. It's the hour by hour proof of a team's skills, preparation, versatility, will, determination – and occasionally luck – to succeed. Even to finish any race of more than a few hours' duration is a huge achievement, and a true testament to all those involved, but few races test a team more than the (in)famous 24 hour endurance event at the Circuit du Sarthe.

TVR is no stranger to Le Mans, having taken part on many occasions over the years, both with privateer entries and with official factory backing; this year, for the 86th running of the event, TVR are proud to be officially returning as a member of the hugely successful Rebellion Racing LMP1 team alongside Motul and Gibson Technology. Powered by the Gibson GL458 engine, the team will field two cars in the LMP1 class and despite the bias in favour of the hybrids, are in strong contention to win the normally aspirated class, if not (whisper it, and keep those fingers firmly crossed, please!) the event outright…

For those of you that have been before, you'll know the amazing party atmosphere that surrounds the event, both trackside and in the surrounding campsites and villages – and this year, you have a chance to be parts of the very heart of the action. On Friday afternoon prior to race day, all the teams present their drivers in open-topped cars for a parade through the historic old town of La Sartre, and we at TVR have been honoured to be invited to lead the parade with the new TVR Griffith and a selection of existing TVRs. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those taking part, and the limited positions available will be filled by application from members of the TVR Car Club.

So how do you take part?
Simple – first please send your full details (including TVR CC membership number), together with a recent photograph of your TVR, to heritage@tvr.co.uk Please include some brief details of your car, including its history if possible – and note that you need to act fast, as we will be making the selection on Friday June 8th, following which we will promptly let the winners and losers know the outcome. Please note that the roads around the area will be very busy, and you will need to be free from 2pm on Friday 15th for the pre-parade preparations (which will include a Motul sun visor being added to the car and some light cleaning / detailing), until circa 8pm when the roads are clear, so please ensure that you are available all afternoon should you wish to participate. Please also ensure your cooling system is up to scratch, as the weather will almost certainly be very hot, the pace of the parade is slow (think walking pace), and the last thing we want is inadvertently to be reinforcing any historic prejudice or stereotyping about our beloved TVRs..!

We look forward to your entires – and beyond the parade itself, we look forward to seeing everyone there during the course of what promises to be a fantastic weekend, win or lose (but especially win!)

Show show show (and more show!)

Well we're in full swing show season, with even more busy times ahead.

Everybody wants to see the new Griffith. Following the dash to Autosport, it was exhibited at the TVR Car Club's season opener at Burghley House, where despite the weather, all present had a great time.

As ever, the event was brilliantly supported by the TVR faithful, comprising owners and enthusiasts alike and the feedback we received was all both positive and supportive. Many commented once again that the new Griffith really has to be viewed 'up close and personal' in natural daylight, since photographs under the spotlights alone really do not convey the full picture when it comes to the styling drama and aesthetics, the quality of the car's construction, the attention to detail, and the overall fit and finish, which is light years ahead of the cars of yesteryear (which we still love!) To all who made TVR so welcome at this annual pilgrimage, we thank you.

After Burghley, the car was whisked to the the London Motor Show at the ExCeL, where it was invited to feature in the 'Built-In-Britain' display. Accompanied by a late model heritage Griffith 500 that was kindly provided by a local owner, (thank you Aaron!) the pair attracted a suitable degree of attention throughout the duration of the show – especially when the new Griffith was fired up from time to time, sounding truly epic within the confines of the hall.

Where can the car be seen next?
The following appearances are currently scheduled (but as ever, without sounding all 'e + oe' please check back before travelling as the car is in huge demand and some plans are subject to change accordingly)

June 7th / 8th – London City Concours
June 15th – 17th – Le Mans 24h – supporting the official Rebellion Racing entry and leading the drivers parade on Friday 15th.
July 20th – 22nd – Silverstone Classic Event (On Track)
August 4th / 5th – Supercar weekend with TVR Car Club at Beaulieu Motor Museum

Further appearances will be added as confirmed, so please keep checking back!