American May Buy TVR

Mally Dangerous · March 2nd, 2007, 1:06 AM

Quote:

American Businessmen Set to Buy TVR
Written by: Autocar staff London, UK – 3/1/2007

TVR's tortuous ownership saga continues. It emerged today, at a low-key press conference held at a hotel on London's Mayfair, that current company owner Nikolai Smolenski is planning to sell the sports car firm to two Florida-based business partners, Adam Burdette and Jean Michel Santacreu.

The Americans' first contact with TVR, made 18 months ago, was as potential importers of the cars to the USA. The pair, who live in Orlando, will rapidly take over control of TVR from the Russian-born “baby oligarch”, as the new faces of the management.

They envisage a 5000-cars-a-year future for Blackpool's best-known automotive brand, and claim they already have firm orders for 2000 cars from dealers in the USA. However, they also believe that, in future, only between 250 and 500 cars a year will be sold in the UK – and that none of those cars will be built there.

TVR is on course to become a “virtual” car company, whose only tangibles will be the brand, its UK-based day-to-day management, and a 20-strong team of engineers and designers.

Under present plans, TVR will have a collection of partners to manufacture its bodies, chassis, primary components and castings. Shoreham-based Ricardo Engineering will develop and assemble the engines, and final assembly of cars will be at Bertone in Italy. Many of these links have been mooted in the past but have fallen dormant; the partners have the next few weeks to re-activate them.

TVR's new owners (Smolenski expects to take no part) believe they can be making cars within three months. The cars will be updated versions of the Sagaris and Tuscan, (possibly with new names and new-shape bodies), but the tubular backbone chassis and slant-six engine (updated with Bosch electronics) will be based on the familiar models.

Prices will be held at present levels, according to the Smolenski-appointed managing director, David Oxley, who will be assisting the new owners “for a period of time”.

Steve Cropley/Autocar magazine.

Source Article

KaJuN · March 2nd, 2007, 1:16 AM

I think it makes sense that TVR would be American owned. TVR's are basically modern day versions of 60's muscle cars; a big engine in a basic car.

jayhawk · March 2nd, 2007, 1:18 AM

Awesome. In my opinion, it seems fitting, as the TVR's in the past ten years seem "American" to me, with their over the top, extreme design.

Now for the people who live in the UK, I do not construe that to be offensive. It is just that when I think of a UK sports car, the TVR's of the past decade do not seem fitting, like they are not a reflection of the culture.

bartboy9891 · March 2nd, 2007, 1:58 AM

I swear I just read a few days ago that Smolenski had just bought back TVR.

pfrocker · March 2nd, 2007, 2:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartboy9891

I swear I just read a few days ago that Smolenski had just bought back TVR.

ya I saw that on TopGear.com
Here it says that the Russian got it back: http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/1630/

and now couple days later it says the Americans are going to get it: http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/1642/

Can this guy make up his mind? No wonder TVR is in trouble

NAIDANAC A · March 2nd, 2007, 2:45 AM

I hope a guy from the States buys it. Then it might come over here.

epp_b · March 2nd, 2007, 2:49 AM

Could this mean TVRs being sold in North America? BRING IT ON!! images/smilies/drool.gif

Quote:

...the TVR's of the past decade do not seem fitting, like they are not a reflection of the culture.

Hmmm...well, they have big engines, they always break down and their not put together properly. Sounds British to me! images/smilies/lol.gif

It's just a joke!! images/smilies/biggrin.gif

fbc · March 2nd, 2007, 7:54 AM

Provided the insanity remains, and this guarantees we'll have TVR's nutter cars with us for a while longer, I see no problem with it. The American muscle car history ties in nicely with TVR.

Dsemaj · March 2nd, 2007, 12:48 PM

Keep the insanity and i'm happy.

Still fellas, if this doesn't work out, we can still buy TVR! images/smilies/smile.gif

vanMould · March 2nd, 2007, 1:44 PM

Interesting that all posts are american (or well...5 american, 2 aussies and one unknown). Oh well...american TVR:s might work out. Hope they don't replace the speed 6 engines though.

fbc · March 2nd, 2007, 1:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanMould

Interesting that all posts are american (or well...5 american, 2 aussies and one unknown).

You do realise Canada isn't part of America don't you? images/smilies/tongue.gif

vanMould · March 2nd, 2007, 9:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbc

You do realise Canada isn't part of America don't you? images/smilies/tongue.gif

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I actually think it is. Isn't America a continent?

NAIDANAC A · March 2nd, 2007, 9:13 PM

No North America is a continent.

It is kinda rude to call a Canadian an American...so many things different (a lot the same though)

Paul · March 2nd, 2007, 9:23 PM

Yah, i though North America is a continent too. Canada, United State and Mexico all there.

3Colin · March 3rd, 2007, 6:00 AM

Does Mexico count? I know they're in NAFTA and all, but still...

A Canadian should buy TVR. It would be good for international image.

Hercules286 · March 3rd, 2007, 10:13 AM

You're all wrong.

One fundamental difference between muscule cars and TVRs - muscule cars never had insane interiors. Or (maybe except the Corvette) were designed to be light. OK, two differences. Or slippery. That's three. Oh, and the guys who built the cars never cared if you crash and die. Four. But who's counting?

TVRs are as British as can be - they're supercars for broke masochists. And there's nothing even remotely American about that.

Cobol74 · March 3rd, 2007, 11:02 AM

Lets hope that they become the P51d of the car industry; Britain and US together better than the sum of the parts.

epp_b · March 3rd, 2007, 4:03 PM

Quote:

One fundamental difference between muscule cars and TVRs - muscule cars never had insane interiors. Or (maybe except the Corvette) were designed to be light. OK, two differences. Or slippery. That's three. Oh, and the guys who built the cars never cared if you crash and die. Four. But who's counting?

TVRs are as British as can be - they're supercars for broke masochists. And there's nothing even remotely American about that.

I agree. Oh, and a forth reason: TVRs know what corners are.

NAIDANAC A · March 3rd, 2007, 5:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epp_b

I agree. Oh, and a forth reason: TVRs know what corners are.

And a vette, s7, mosler, viper, ford GT cannot corner?

Give it to Canada and let the t-rex guys play with it images/smilies/tongue.gif

epp_b · March 3rd, 2007, 9:09 PM

^ He was comparing it to older muscle cars, I think.

March 2nd, 2007, 1:16 AM	#2
KaJuN Disco Inferno Joined: Jul 31st, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: American in Okinawa Age: 23 Posts: 5,068 Car: Suzuki Swift, Honda Benly CL50 Rep Power: 176	I think it makes sense that TVR would be American owned. TVR's are basically modern day versions of 60's muscle cars; a big engine in a basic car. __________________ ...and Michigan still sucks. D-Fence: Kajun is just outside caressing his Discovery....touching it gently, you know......it is such a dirty bitch.....but he seems to love dirty girls in high heels who are taller then him and have "quite a few pounds" on their hips ^^ This post was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. My Flickr

March 2nd, 2007, 1:18 AM	#3
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 1:24 AM Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,475 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	Awesome. In my opinion, it seems fitting, as the TVR's in the past ten years seem "American" to me, with their over the top, extreme design. Now for the people who live in the UK, I do not construe that to be offensive. It is just that when I think of a UK sports car, the TVR's of the past decade do not seem fitting, like they are not a reflection of the culture. __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead.

March 2nd, 2007, 1:58 AM	#4
bartboy9891 I'm not Moe Joined: Dec 1st, 2004 Last Online: November 17th, 2009 Location: University of Michigan Age: 20 Posts: 8,810 Car: 1996 Grand Am SE sedan, and dad's 2006 S60 2.5T Rep Power: 79	I swear I just read a few days ago that Smolenski had just bought back TVR. __________________

March 2nd, 2007, 2:45 AM	#6
NAIDANAC A Joined: May 30th, 2006 Last Online: 1:10 AM Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 19 Posts: 3,677 Car: 300E Rep Power: 70	I hope a guy from the States buys it. Then it might come over here. __________________

March 2nd, 2007, 7:54 AM	#8
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,776 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 128	Provided the insanity remains, and this guarantees we'll have TVR's nutter cars with us for a while longer, I see no problem with it. The American muscle car history ties in nicely with TVR. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

March 2nd, 2007, 12:48 PM	#9
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Adelaide, Australia. Age: 18 Posts: 2,671 Car: '95 BMW 530i, '85 Nissan Bluebird S3 GXE Rep Power: 40	Keep the insanity and i'm happy. Still fellas, if this doesn't work out, we can still buy TVR! __________________ 1995 BMW E34 530i V8 M60B30 218HP/163kW 5sp Auto 1985 Nissan 910 Bluebird I4 CA20S 105HP/78kW 3sp Auto

March 2nd, 2007, 1:44 PM	#10
vanMould Joined: Apr 19th, 2005 Last Online: 1:10 AM Location: Södertälje, Sweden Age: 22 Posts: 898 Car: Volvo 480ES -88 Rep Power: 25	Interesting that all posts are american (or well...5 american, 2 aussies and one unknown). Oh well...american TVR:s might work out. Hope they don't replace the speed 6 engines though.

March 2nd, 2007, 9:13 PM	#13
NAIDANAC A Joined: May 30th, 2006 Last Online: 1:10 AM Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 19 Posts: 3,677 Car: 300E Rep Power: 70	No North America is a continent. It is kinda rude to call a Canadian an American...so many things different (a lot the same though) __________________

March 2nd, 2007, 9:23 PM	#14
Paul Previously Known As pmosiun Joined: Nov 29th, 2006 Last Online: November 19th, 2009 Posts: 322 Rep Power: 0	Yah, i though North America is a continent too. Canada, United State and Mexico all there.

March 3rd, 2007, 6:00 AM	#15
3Colin Joined: Jun 28th, 2005 Last Online: November 18th, 2009 Location: Markham or Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Posts: 340 Car: Subaru Legacy Rep Power: 0	Does Mexico count? I know they're in NAFTA and all, but still... A Canadian should buy TVR. It would be good for international image.

March 3rd, 2007, 10:13 AM	#16
Hercules286 Previously Known As petarkb Joined: Feb 12th, 2007 Last Online: August 6th, 2009 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 54	You're all wrong. One fundamental difference between muscule cars and TVRs - muscule cars never had insane interiors. Or (maybe except the Corvette) were designed to be light. OK, two differences. Or slippery. That's three. Oh, and the guys who built the cars never cared if you crash and die. Four. But who's counting? TVRs are as British as can be - they're supercars for broke masochists. And there's nothing even remotely American about that.

March 3rd, 2007, 11:02 AM	#17
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 1:24 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,592 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	Lets hope that they become the P51d of the car industry; Britain and US together better than the sum of the parts. __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

March 3rd, 2007, 9:09 PM	#20
epp_b Unexperienced lover. Joined: Jun 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 1:02 AM Location: Canadaland :) Posts: 7,424 Car: 1995 Nissan 240SX Rep Power: 144	^ He was comparing it to older muscle cars, I think.

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