Men and Motors – Filming with the TVRCC

Laura Caveney from Granada Media received some 200 offers of cars following the recent request featured on this web site.

The production team were seeking cars covering the 70’s 80’s and 90’s and listed as their requirements as 3000M, a Tasmin, a Griffith and a Tuscan.

The production team were based at the Granada studios in Manchester so decided on taking the hours drive to Blackpool as the preferred option for the shoot.

Blackpool region were happy to arrange for these cars to be present on location on Blackpool Promenade.

A dull but dry Friday in December was the agreed day of the shoot. Filming took place on the promenade on the north shore near the Metropol hotel. The area has been used for TVR photography several times in the past by the club.

The Griffith was first up and was duly driven on to the sea wall access road. An interview ensued with car , sea and North pier in the back ground. Questions such as ‘why did you buy the car? what do you enjoy about it ? and what should look for what should you look for when buying second hand ?’ were answered in more or less one take. The various ‘what to look for’ features of the car were filmed culminating in engine and exhaust smoke close ups.

Next up was an excellent example of a 3000M, owned by Chris Heaton. The same format of filming was used for this car.

The location was altered for the Tasmin . At the side of the cenotaph was the chosen spot.

Every one interviewed was primed to give, as may plugs as possible to the benefits of being a Member of the TVRCC. The technical benefits as well as the social advantages were justifiably mentioned.

Around Lunch time the Tuscan arrived for its session. Brian Lister had come over from Halifax so a clean up of the car was needed before filming could begin. The car as usual attracted a great deal of attention even though the promenade was relatively deserted. It may have had something to so with the couple of Doughnuts executed by Brian as he drove the car in to position.

Filming was finally finished Mid Afternoon. The team from Granada Media seemed well pleased with the days work which is due to be broadcast on Men and Motors in the February or March. See the future program listings on www.menandmotors.co.uk

Report by Russell Larcombe