Irrational Want of the Day: TVR S Series Edition

"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
05/03/2016 at 06:08 • Filed to: Want of the Day, TVR, S Series

Didn’t even know these existed, and now I want one. Any (probably UK) Oppos who’ve got some experience with these beauties?

DISCUSSION (12)

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 06:33

Do it Wout, we need more TVR on Oppo! I already found one for you:

http://nl.ww3.autoscout24.be/classified/287…

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/03/2016 at 06:40

Haha, I learned about its existence by finding this surprisingly budget friendly one .

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 07:00

Stay away from our TVRs, they are scarce!

Hmm, joking aside, thats very friendly priced. Makes me question the technical state of it though. I could test drive it for you, if you are really interested, though I’m not really a specialist or a mechanic.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
05/03/2016 at 07:13

The Netherlands are on of the biggest TVR markets in Europe, funnily enough.

It needs further investigation for sure. I’ve got the impression that most S Series in continental Europe are overvalued though, probably the owners thinking “it’s rare, so it’s got to be worth something”.
Decent RHD ones should be for sale for €6000-11000 to be competitive with the UK market, but you can find some people asking €16000. LHD is more valuable of course, but that shouldn’t be a lot more than an extra €2-3000.

Thanks for the test drive offer by the way! I’m first trying to get a job, once that’s done, I’ll start looking for a car full time.

Svend > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 07:17

I can’t speak from an ownership side but with the restart of TVR production coming soon with a new model and the restart of remaking parts for existing cars already underway with a supplychain. I imagine the prices of TVRs going up quite a bit. When TVR was dormant, prices dropped somewhat, only being held up by loyal enthusiasts. Prices of existing cars will only increase and if TVR is seen to be making good headway to being healthy then prices will increase further as the fear of sourcing parts and getting repairs will deminish.

Personally I’d go for a later TVR like a Griffith or Cerbera.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Svend
05/03/2016 at 07:24

The interesting thing about the S Series is that most of them are over 25 years old, so extremely low taxes: €35/year, rather than >1000 for the 2.8/2.9 in the S or >3000 for the 4.0 and 5.0 in the later TVRs.

Good point about value and parts availability!

Svend > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 07:40

The sure thing that will keep prices of cars down and people away from the cars is the worry of sourcing parts when repairs are needed. TVR have spent over the last year remanufacturing parts for existing cars so car prices go up. Once the company is properly re-established the secondary worry of the parts drying up again disappears and car prices shoot up again as people want to buy back into TVR but can’t afford the new car price so use it as a stepping stone to newer models.

The S Series is an attractive car but of the period I’d go for a Tasmin convertible, the long nose and nore angular shape sets it apart from the rest.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 07:53

Oh, didn’t expect that! You’re completely right on the LHD premium, especially on such a fun car it doesn’t matter that much.

Good luck with finding a job, they always tell me at university that finding a job won’t be very hard for an electrical engineer, so I hope that’s also true for you.

Kanaric > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 12:07

do these have that essex v6?

I’d totally grab one.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Kanaric
05/03/2016 at 12:13

They have the Cologne V6, TVR made the switch somewhere at the end of the 70s.

Kanaric > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
05/03/2016 at 12:18

I’m thinking of the 3000S I guess this is a different car lol

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Kanaric
05/03/2016 at 12:36

They do look similar, but there’s a 10 year difference between them. (and a couple of €10000)