History of TVR Sports Cars – Part–4

A New Model of TVR Tuscan

On 27th May 2005, the TVR Tuscan 2 was shown at the Sunday Times Motor Show in the UK. The design and appearance of the original Tuscan had always been controversial, and viewed by many critics as too radical.

Although this car was not vastly different to the older model, the appearance had been toned down slightly and it was now available for the first time as a proper convertible, instead of the targa design of the previous car.

The Tuscan 2 received a warm welcome from the motoring press, but still there were questions concerning whether TVR had got its reliability issues and build quality control sorted out.

By now the TVR Cerbera, Tamora and T350 models had been dropped from the line–up, leaving just the Tuscan 2 (hard top and convertible) and Sagaris.

Despite these concerns, TVR had become the largest true British car manufacturer, and was consistently producing cars that were ever more exciting in their performance, sound and appearance. Under the direction and ownership of Nikolai Smolenski it seemed as though the future of TVR, for the foreseeable future at least, was very secure.

Dealers were reporting how there was a noticeable improvement in both build quality and reliability, and owners were actually using their cars more, indicating confidence in the brand was increasing.

TVR Announce it is to Lay Off Workers

On 21st April 2006, news broke that TVR was again in financial trouble. Over the winter of 2005 into 2006, sales had been very poor. Oil prices were spiralling upwards and it seemed a lean period had yet again befallen the company.

The news came as stark contrast to what had been said before. Not long prior to this announcement there had been talk of the acquisition of a new site for a new built factory, but now the economic facts were straightforward. TVR had changed from producing 12 cars a week at the end of 2005, to just 2 cars a week for spring 2006. This was unsustainable.

2006 was not a good time for car manufacturing in the UK. On almost the same date as this bad news came from TVR, it was announced that Peugeot were to close their factory in Coventry, and at a time when the collapse of the Rover group was still very recent event.

TVR laid off a third of the workforce and announced it was seeking alternative accommodation. The change in fortune for the company also coincided with the expiration of the Blackpool factory, premises that were still owned by Peter Wheeler.

The concern for observers now was whether Nikolai Smolenski would keep the ailing company on British soil, or would he take it to his homeland, Russia, or somewhere else in the world?

A meeting took place between TVR management and the local authority, who wanted to preserve the jobs in the area and to keep TVR in the town where it belonged. There was a promise of alternative premises on an industrial estate close to Blackpool airport, but all the time fresh details and news were in scant supply. This had the effect of fuelling rumour, and with that came an air of impending doom.

Nikolai Smolenski Vowes to Keep TVR in Britain

On 24th April 2006, Nikolai Smolenski issued a statement to say how he regretted the current situation, but no matter what happened he would remain loyal to TVR, and was committed to securing the company’s future. Prime Minister, Tony Blair, pledged to help the company and its workforce, who were facing possible redundancy. 260 people were likely to be affected.

On 16th June 2006, there was another announcement, this time to confirm that TVR were definitely to remain in Blackpool and on a new site. David Oxley, managing director, said there was much to do to prepare for the move. Although he said this would not be easy, it as a means of securing the future of TVR.

However, hopes were soon dashed when on 20th September 2006, it was revealed the proposed plans to move to the new Blackpool site had fallen through, supposedly on health and safety grounds.

A Change of Plan – TVR to Leave Britain

On 18th October 2006, the announcement came that no one wanted to hear. Nikolai Smolenski was taking TVR out of Britain, possibly to Italy where a well–known vehicle design house Bertone had shown an interest.

Emotions were now running high, not only among those loyal to TVR cars, but also in those who wanted this British manufacturer to remain on British soil. David Oxley again spoke for TVR, saying,

"We are continuing to talk to a number of people about the plans they are putting forward for the Bristol Avenue factory, but in the meantime we need to make sure we are ready to move production to the new facility as quickly and as efficiently as possible."

He went on to say, "We therefore took the decision to stop production at the optimum point for training and handover, which unfortunately means that we have no further work for production staff here. We regret we had to take this decision, but we must remain focused on the future of the company and be ready to implement our outsourcing plans quickly."

A Procession of TVR’s Drive to Downing Street

This did nothing to calm the emotions of TVR owners and fans, and as an indication of their feelings on the subject, on 26th November 2006, procession of some 350 TVR’s made its way to Downing Street to deliver a petition, appealing to the Government to step in and support the ailing British car maker. During the parade, representative workers from the Blackpool factory rode as passengers in the cars they helped to build.

On 4th December 2006, it was announced that TVR had sold off TVR Power, the engine, parts and spares supplier. This at least promised to secure the future of existing models. TVR Power was bought by its director, Dom Trickett, and under a contract signed by TVR management, TVR Power would be the sole distributor of parts to the dealer network in the UK and Ireland.

Blackpool Automotive Limited

Over the Winter of 2006 into 2007, some major administration changes took place for TVR. Not only had the sale of TVR Power been announced and settled, but the factory at Bristol Avenue, referred to as the manufacturing arm of the company, was given the status of being a company in its own right. This was now called, Blackpool Automotive Limited.

Having been named as such the new company was promptly put into liquidation and offered for sale. Indeed, at the beginning of January 2007, the Financial Times newspaper confirmed that TVR was to move its manufacturing capability to Italy for cars to be made by Bertone.

Rumour – TVR May Stay in Britain

However, just as everyone was getting used to the idea that TVR production was moving to Turin, and under the continued ownership of Nikolai Smolenski, an announcement was made in the form of a new article, this time in the Independent newspaper.

The article revealed that following the division of what used to be TVR as a car maker, the company called Blackpool Automotive, formally known as TVR engineering, was still the owner of the TVR brand name and therefore held the rights to use it in the UK, US and the EU. This sparked speculation that any future TVR production could still remain on British soil as the brand was no longer owned by Smolenski.

However, on 22nd February 2007, TVR was sold, but not to the former work force or to the former management team. It was not even sold to any of the interested third parties who had been negotiating to buy the company.

In fact, just when it was thought this story could not become any more bizarre, it was revealed the new owner was none other than Nikolai Smolenski. In what turned out to be a shrewd move he re–took possession of all TVR trademarks, certain vehicle stock, work in progress, as well as the manufacturing plant and equipment.

This strange set of circumstances inspired questions as to why the company has been allowed to go into administration, only to be bought back again by its former owner. This move was also said to have absolved Smolenski of any responsibility for redundancy packaged for the displaced workforce.

TVR is Sold Yet Again

Having re–taken possession of the company, and with the ink barely dry on the paperwork, it was announced on 1st March that TVR had been sold again, this time to a pair of US businessmen, Adam Burdette and Jean Michel Santacreu. The two men had been involved in earlier meetings with Smolenski over interests in exporting the cars to the States.

The two Amercan’s, based in Orlando, would build TVR sports cars for the US market at a rate of 5,000 units per year. However, very few would be supplied to the British market. Engine designer, Ricardo, would produce the engines, and car design would be carried out by Bertone of Italy. However, a year after the announcement, there was still no news of anything coming forward that might have a TVR badge on it.

On the face of it, TVR as a company had been fortunate to survive as long as it did, considering the events that took place in its history. In the past, each time TVR looked as though it would fade away it was snatched from the jaws of death by those enthusiastic enough to refuse to see the name pass by.

In a way, the story is similar to that of Aston Martin, which after several close shaves with financial ruin, and in its final hour of dire need, was fortunate to be taken on by a car giant, Ford. TVR, on the other hand, was less fortunate in its choice of benefactor, as in the case of the Blackpool Company, those who sought to save it from extinction became instrumental in accelerating its demise.

The Passing of a Great Man

Sadly, and without seeing TVR again rise from the ashes, as it had done so many times before, on Friday 6th June 2008, Trevor Wilkinson, the founder of the TVR brand, died at the age of 85 in Minorca, Spain; a place to which he had retired some years earlier.

The Telegraph newspaper, reporting on Wilkinson’s death, printed the following.

"Having left school at 14 with no qualifications, Wilkinson took an engineering apprenticeship and started his own car repair workshop, building his first sports car from the remains of an old Alvis. Later, he assembled another from scratch, using springs salvaged from a dodgem ride at a fairground, where he had taken a job repairing machinery to support his fledgling car business.

Late in life, Wilkinson moved to Minorca, spending as much time as possible on his small yacht. A quiet, reserved man, he seemed unaware of the awe in which he was held by TVR enthusiasts. He lived to see TVR’s finish at Le Mans and last year’s anniversary celebrations marking TVR’s foundation."

Yet More Rumour and Speculation

In April 2008, a TVR logo on a barn at a farm near Wesham (15–miles from Blackpool) in Lancashire sparked a rumour of the defunct sports car manufacturer making a come–back.

Local press picked up the story and Derek Smith, deputy editor of the TVR Car Club magazine, said that former owner of TVR, Russian millionaire Nikolai Smolenski, and TVR managing director, David Oxley, were reportedly involved.

Derek Smith also said the TVR Car Club had information from a reliable source the site was going to be used as a design, research and development office. An engineering company in Kent was said to have been approached to supply engines, but it was unsure where the cars were going to be built, if at all.

TVR Sagaris 2

On 10th July 2008, carefully selected people from the TVR Car Club and the dealer network answered invitations by attending a presentation delivered by the TVR factory team, headed by David Oxley. The event was staged at Wesham House Farm, Lancashire, where a revamped version of a TVR Sagaris, introduced as Sagaris II, was unveiled.

David Oxley announced he was about to retire and would be handing over the reins of the business to James Oxley over the next year. Other members of the TVR team were in attendance, including Jason Oxley, Nikolai Smolenski, and the team who designed and built the Sagaris II.

The car itself featured a significantly refocused interior, including a much roomier cockpit, improved seating, climate control, and built–in touch screen information and control system and boasted features such as ipod compatibility and satnav. On the exterior, the car sported a one piece bonnet, redesigned front and rear diffusers, rear facing exhausts and other subtle panel redesigns.

The Worst Recession in 50–Years was Beginning

However, Britain was just beginning the worst recession of its post war years and whilst this was a bold show of determination by the old TVR management team, there was great scepticism as to whether TVR sports cars would be built commercially; especially in the UK.

Throughout the rest of 2008, the name TVR faded into the background. Sadly though, and on 11th June 2009, almost exactly a year after the day Trevor Wilkinson passed away, Peter Wheeler, owner of TVR from 1980 to 2004, also lost his battle against illness, and died aged 64.

On 22nd February 2010, it was announced by the popular Pistonheads website that Nikolai Smolenski would again build TVR sports cars, not in Blackpool, but in Germany and under the name of TVR Motors Company Ltd.

The report said the cars would be powered by an American V8 engine and that existing TVR parts suppliers had been served with cease and desist notices, basically saying they are banned from using the TVR name when marketing their products.

At the same time, plans were announced to show a prototype TVR sports car at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed meeting, but as the event has not yet arrived, it remains to be seen if there will be a new TVR in the offing.

To be continued …

History of TVR Part–1
History of TVR Part–2
History of TVR Part–3
History of TVR Part–4

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History of TVR Sports Cars – Part–4