A brief history of TVR
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TVR was founded in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson (see right) (who gave his name to the make - TreVoR) in Blackpool as Trevcar Motors. He built his first car in 1949 using a multi-tubular chassis, Morris 8 mechanicals and a Ford 100E engine to which he added his own design metal bodyshell. This car sadly no longer exists but its successor, TVR No 2, does and is owned by a current TVRCC member. Soon Trevor realised that the bodyshell would be much more cost-effective it it were made in GRP and in 1953 started fitting RGS Atlanta bodies to his chassis before the first real production TVR with an in-house produced GRP body, the Grantura, appeared in 1958.
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The years since have seen the company pass through tumultuous times and a variety of different models - Griffith 200 and 400, Vixen, Tuscan V6 and V8, 2500 and 3000M, Taimar, 3000S, Tasmin/280i , 350i, 390SE, 420 and 450SEAC, 400 and 450SE, S1, S2, S3 and S4, V8S, Griffith, Chimaera, Cerbera, Tuscan, Tamora, Sagaris and T400R/Typhon and a selection of engines from Ford 1100 to Rover 5.0-litre and finally TVR's own 6, 8 and 12 cylinder engines. Throughout all the changes, Trevor's basic concept of fitting a GRP body to a multi-tubular chassis with front engine and rear wheel drive, with particular attention being paid to power/weight ratios, has produced ever more exciting cars for the enthusiast.
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Trevor in Blackpool, 1997 © Colin Lyons
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Local Events
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One of the best ways to enjoy the TVR Car Club is to get out, drive your car and meet fellow enthusiasts. With more than 40 regional groups meeting regularly across the UK — from Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland, and from Kent to Northern Ireland — there is always a welcoming local community nearby.
Our members come from all walks of life and own every type of TVR imaginable, from early pre-Grantura cars through to Cerberas, Tuscans, Sagaris and Typhons. Many members own both classic and modern TVRs, and the Club has always prided itself on being welcoming to every model and every enthusiast. Older cars are especially appreciated, as seeing them out on the road has become increasingly rare and special. Regional Organisers arrange a wide variety of activities throughout the year, including social evenings, scenic drives, visits to classic car shows and attendance at motoring events where members proudly promote the TVR marque. Some regions also organise local driving experiences and circuit-based events, giving members the opportunity to better understand and safely enjoy the performance and character that make TVRs so unique. |
National and International Events
The national events programme includes a wide variety of social and sporting activities, all centred around enjoying and celebrating TVR ownership.
For many years the Club organised regular visits to Blackpool, the historic home of TVR, where members gathered to celebrate the marque and its heritage. While factory tours are no longer possible following the closure of the Bristol Avenue site in 2006, the connection between TVR and Blackpool remains an important part of the Club’s history.
Each summer the Club organises a National Gathering, bringing together large numbers of TVRs and enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond. Previous events have been held everywhere from Kent to the Isle of Man, South Wales to East Anglia, and from the Home Counties through the Midlands to Scotland.
Many national events have also included track activities at some of Britain’s best known circuits, including Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone, giving members the opportunity to experience their cars in a safe and controlled environment with expert instruction available where required. Over the years, additional Club track days have taken place at venues across the country, from Knockhill and Croft in the north to Snetterton and Castle Combe in the south.
The Club has also maintained a strong presence at major classic and performance car shows, including the Classic Motor Show and the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC, while the events team continues to explore new opportunities to promote the TVR marque and bring enthusiasts together.
For many years the Club organised regular visits to Blackpool, the historic home of TVR, where members gathered to celebrate the marque and its heritage. While factory tours are no longer possible following the closure of the Bristol Avenue site in 2006, the connection between TVR and Blackpool remains an important part of the Club’s history.
Each summer the Club organises a National Gathering, bringing together large numbers of TVRs and enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond. Previous events have been held everywhere from Kent to the Isle of Man, South Wales to East Anglia, and from the Home Counties through the Midlands to Scotland.
Many national events have also included track activities at some of Britain’s best known circuits, including Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone, giving members the opportunity to experience their cars in a safe and controlled environment with expert instruction available where required. Over the years, additional Club track days have taken place at venues across the country, from Knockhill and Croft in the north to Snetterton and Castle Combe in the south.
The Club has also maintained a strong presence at major classic and performance car shows, including the Classic Motor Show and the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC, while the events team continues to explore new opportunities to promote the TVR marque and bring enthusiasts together.
Sprint MagazineAs a member you will receive a copy of the award winning full colour magazine TVR Sprint every month. Produced in A4 format and packed with 64 pages of content, it is widely regarded as one of the finest car club magazines in the UK.
Over the years, TVR Sprint has received numerous industry awards and accolades, including being named Best Club Magazine by Classic and Sports Car magazine in both 2004 and 2016, alongside multiple runner up and finalist positions. Each issue includes a wide variety of TVR related content including technical features, specialist and dealer updates, archive road tests, motorsport coverage, regional news, member stories, classified advertisements, event listings and contributions from some of the leading companies involved in TVR servicing, restoration and support. Club OfficeThe TVR Car Club maintains a dedicated Club Office in Telford, providing support and advice on all aspects of TVR ownership, including buying, maintaining and insuring your car, as well as answering any questions about Club membership.
The office is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday, and from 9.00am to 4.30pm on Fridays. The Club Office telephone number is 01952 822126. If the office is unattended, please leave a message and a member of the team will return your call as soon as possible. The postal address is: TVR Car Club Ltd Suite 5 Nova House Audley Avenue Enterprise Park Newport Shropshire TF10 7DW |
TVRs in PrintSince the closure of the TVR factory, the TVR Car Club has become one of the main sources of cars and owners for national motoring magazines, television features and media road tests. Each year, a number of members’ cars are featured in publications and online media covering the history, performance and character of the TVR marque.
These opportunities often arise at very short notice, so requests for volunteer cars are usually posted within the members’ forum whenever possible. To help support media enquiries, the Club also maintains a list of members who are happy to be contacted directly if an urgent request arises. Members interested in having their car considered for future magazine features, photography sessions or media road tests are encouraged to contact the Public Relations Manager through the Members’ Area of the website. MerchandiseThe TVR Car Club online shop offers members a wide range of exclusive merchandise and accessories designed for both owners and enthusiasts alike.
From quality clothing including T shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jackets and hats, through to mugs, umbrellas, badges and stickers, there is something for every TVR fan. Members can also browse a selection of garage and workshop accessories. Whether you are looking for practical items, gifts for fellow enthusiasts or simply a way to show your passion for the marque, the Club shop continues to expand with new products and member favourites being added regularly. The complete Merchandise range is available on line in our shop. InsuranceWhat type of insurance do you need? Classic or everyday use? Track day cover included or not? Garaged or non garaged? Limited or unlimited mileage? And what experience do you have driving a TVR or a similar high performance rear wheel drive sports car?
These are all important factors when choosing the right cover for your TVR. Members can find more information and details of specialist providers on the Club insurance pages. |
Club WebsiteThe award winning TVR Car Club website has long been recognised as one of the leading club websites in the UK motoring scene, winning Best Large Club Website from Classic and Sports Car magazine in both 2007 and 2012, along with several runner up awards in other years.
The website is divided into public and members only sections. The public area provides information about the Club, the TVR marque, membership benefits, events and classified advertisements. Once you join the Club, you gain access to the secure members area, with access linked directly to the Club membership database. The members area includes a wide range of exclusive content and resources including member discounts and benefits, technical information, event details, Club contact information, model specific resources and access to the Club’s digital archives. Members can also access the Club forum, where experienced owners and enthusiasts are always on hand to offer advice and support, along with TVRCCTV, the Club’s online video library, and information relating to insurance schemes, motorsport activities and other member services. One of the most significant recent additions is the archive collection of TVR Sprint magazines dating back to 1962, all available in digital flipbook format. This major preservation project took many years to complete and provides members with a remarkable historical record of both the Club and the TVR marque. Club RulesThe Club Articles of Association can be downloaded in pdf format below. Note - to read this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have this software, you can download a free copy.
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TVR Motorsport
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Motorsport has always been a major part of TVR culture and the TVR Car Club has proudly supported members competing in sprinting, hill climbs, rallying, circuit racing and endurance events for many years.
Club members have competed in prestigious championships and events including Britcar, the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the Dunlop TVR European Challenge, numerous 750 Motor Club series and a wide variety of championships organised under the HSCC banner. TVRs have also competed regularly at Le Mans Classic, where the marque continues to attract huge interest from enthusiasts across Europe. The Club previously organised its own successful TVR only championships. In 2000 the TVRCC launched the Tasmin Challenge, designed as an accessible entry point into motorsport for TVR owners. In 2004 this evolved into the TVR Car Club Challenge Cup, open to all TVRs and split into classes based on power output. Two years later, the championship combined with the famous factory backed TVR Tuscan Challenge to create one of the most exciting eras of modern TVR racing. The series became renowned for its diversity, where lightweight V6 Tasmins could compete alongside — and occasionally beat — powerful V8 Tuscans, Cerberas and Sagaris. Remarkably, the championship was won twice after 2007 by drivers competing in lower powered Class C Tasmins. Today, dedicated TVR racing is best represented through Bernie’s V8s, which continues to support and showcase competitive TVR motorsport: www.berniesv8s.com The TVR Car Club also has a proud history of supporting TVR’s factory backed Le Mans efforts. In both 2003 and 2004, the Club sponsored TVR entries at the Le Mans 24 Hours, including the historic 2004 finish achieved by both Synergy Motorsport T400Rs, marking the first time TVRs had successfully completed the race. |
Those Le Mans years remain some of the most memorable in the Club’s history. More than 2,000 members travelled to France in both 2003 and 2004 to support the TVR teams. In a moment that perfectly captured the unique spirit of the marque, the drivers, engineers and team management joined Club members on the campsite for two unforgettable impromptu parties. It was the kind of atmosphere and accessibility that few manufacturers could ever match — certainly not Bentley or Audi.
Le Mans continues to be one of the highlights of the TVR calendar, with large numbers of members still making the annual pilgrimage to La Sarthe each year. The Club has also maintained a strong connection with Le Mans Classic, including support for the famous Granturas that returned to the circuit during the 50th anniversary celebrations of TVR’s first Le Mans appearance in 1962. |
