British Boutique Sports Car Maker TVR Sold to 24 Year Old Russian Investor

TVR differed from many other British sports car manufacturers at this time as it only produced turnkey vehicles, and no kits;

TVR's range of sports cars is phenomenal, both in the high and medium segments. (Photo: TVR)

all products were hand-built and finished for the company's select clientele. All successful, modern TVRs, including the Tasmin, the 280S, 390SE and the carbon-fiber bodied SEAC, can all be linked back to Peter Wheeler.

Today, TVR designs and builds its own engines; styles, shapes and moulds its fiberglass bodies in house; and completes its production vehicles at its Blackpool facility in the UK. Unlike Lotus, which is banking its entire empire on engineering consultation, as well as the Elise and related Exige road cars, TVR's range of sports cars is phenomenal, both in the high and medium ranges. The automaker does not rely on outsourced motors or mechanicals, giving it the freedom to produce to its own specifications. While sales hover around the 1,000 mark annually, TVR's staff of 400 is pulling in the green, which is commendable considering the company's narrow target market, the need to continually develop future road cars, and the massive costs associated with developing and backing full racing teams.

Although the first TVRs were imported to the U.S. in 1966, it was Canada that proved to be TVR's most important foreign market. But like many small British sports car companies, money was always a problem. Therefore it was not uncommon to see the title of TVR North America

With an energetic, young, entrepreneurial owner now at the helm, there is little doubt that TVR will once again be back in North America soon. (Photo: TVR)

ownership changing hands, a process which occurred several times during the company's existence on our side of the Atlantic.

Restrictions on emissions, bumper regulations, and federal safety standards prevented many popular TVR models from being sold in the U.S., including the TVR S and SE models. These, however, were sold in Canada. TVR North America officially ceased importing vehicles in 1987, but they are still around today providing parts and service support.

With a new wave of British sports cars coming across the Atlantic, including Noble, Ariel, and Caterham, and an energetic, young, entrepreneurial owner now at the helm, there is little doubt that TVR will once again be back in North America soon.