TVR Car Club Pre-M Series Meeting - Crich Tramway - 20 August 2006

It all started back in December 2005 when the then recent Club member Alan Snowling asked if the Club held any specific meetings for M Series cars.  Given that the last time that the Club had done so was the Lilley Picnic at Duxford about seven years ago, it was generally thought to be a sound idea and a volunteer was sought to organise it.

Step forward long serving East Midlands member Geoff Gwynne who was one of the driving forces behind the extremely successful inaugural TVR Mania at Holme Pier Point near Nottingham in 1996.  Geoff sourced a venue - the Crich Tramway Musuem near Derby - and a date - 20 August 2006 - and serious planning began in earnest.

Martin Lilley, owner of TVR from 1965 until 1980, was the guest of honour but it was especially good to see Mike Bigland there as well who had been the chief designer of the M Series. Mike brought along his very own 1979 "Taimar evolution" in which he has made a large number of significant improvements to overcome some of the shortcomings that have become known about these cars in over 30 years of use.

In all some 59 TVRs were displayed around the Crich Museum roads and parks with many more post-M series cars being parked separately outside.  A huge vote of thanks must go to Geoff for all his work but also to his small band of co-organisers who helped out on the day.  These photos are predominantly from Club Archivist Richard Sails and member Ian Levitt-Smilie and tell the story better than words can ever do.

1600M with Vauxhall 2.0 twin cam	Mike Bigland's improved Taimar
Heavily modified 3000M Turbo	1972 Vixen 1600
Looks are deceptive.  This Grantura boasts a 4.0 Rover V8.	Mike Bigland's Tarimar showing the solid bottom hose
Martin Lilley at the wheel of Colin Lyons' magnificent 3000S