TVR

Year of foundation 1947

The Origins: The Trevor Wilkinson Era (1947-1965)

1947: Trevor Wilkinson, a young 23-year-old engineer, founded Trevcar Motors in Blackpool, England, with the intention of repairing and selling cars. That same year, he built his first car, a two-seater on an Alvis Firebird chassis.

1949: The company was renamed TVR Engineering, a name derived from the consonants of the founder's name (TreVoR). The first true TVR car was built, featuring a tubular chassis and an aluminum body.

1953: Production began on a new chassis, featuring a fiberglass body for the first time. This, along with the tubular steel chassis, would become a hallmark of TVR for decades.

1958: The TVR Grantura, the company's first series production model, was introduced. The Grantura, with its fiberglass body and tubular "backbone" chassis, cemented TVR's philosophy: lightweight, powerful sports cars, often powered by engines from other manufacturers like Ford and MG.

1962: Due to ongoing financial difficulties and internal tensions, Trevor Wilkinson leaves the company he founded.

1963-1965: The company experiences a period of great instability, changing hands several times and facing bankruptcy. During this period, the TVR Griffith was born, an iconic model resulting from a collaboration with American dealer Jack Griffith. The Griffiths combined the Grantura's chassis with a powerful Ford V8 engine, creating an extremely fast yet difficult-to-control car that quickly became legendary.

The Martin Lilley Era (1965-1981)
1965: Martin Lilley and his father, Arthur, purchase the company, which was in liquidation. Under their leadership, TVR began a period of relative stability and growth.

1960s-1970s: The company launched several models based on the Grantura philosophy, including the Vixen and the M Series (which included the 1600M, 2500M, and 3000M). These cars continued to use engines from other manufacturers and were also sold in kit form to avoid assembly taxes on finished cars.

1976: The Taimar, the first TVR with a hatchback, was launched, offering greater practicality.

1978: The 3000S, an open-top version of the 3000M, marked a shift away from closed coupés.

The Golden Age: The Peter Wheeler Era (1981-2004)
1981: Peter Wheeler, an engineer and avid TVR customer, purchased the company. His arrival marked the beginning of an era of great transformation and success.

1980s: Wheeler introduced a new design style, known as the "Wedge Series" (Tasmin), characterized by square shapes. However, the greatest success came with the return to softer, curvier lines with the "S" Series and, especially, with the new Griffith and Chimaera.

1991: The second-generation TVR Griffith was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show. With its sinuous design and Rover V8 engine, it became a resounding success and a symbol of the brand's rebirth.

1992: The Chimaera, a slightly more practical and comfortable version of the Griffith, was launched, becoming the best-selling model in TVR's history.

1996: The TVR Cerbera, a 2+2 coupé, marked a revolution. It is the first TVR to feature an engine designed and built in-house, the inline-six "Speed ​​Six" and the V8 "Speed ​​Eight." The Cerbera is one of the most extreme and radical cars ever produced by TVR, devoid of electronic aids such as ABS or traction control.

Late 1990s - Early 2000s: TVR produces a series of iconic models that best embody Wheeler's philosophy: brutal performance, bold design, and the absence of electronics. These include the Tuscan, the T350, the Tamora, and, in particular, the latest and most aggressive, the Sagaris (2004).

Decline and Suspension (2004-2013)
2004: Peter Wheeler sells TVR to a young and controversial Russian banker, Nikolai Smolensky. Smolensky's intention is to modernize production and improve quality, but his management proves chaotic.

2006: Due to financial problems and a drastic drop in sales, production is halted and the Blackpool factory closes. Smolensky dismembers the company and sells off its various branches.

The Attempted Rebirth (2013-Present)
2013: A consortium of British entrepreneurs, led by Les Edgar, acquires the rights to the TVR brand. The goal is to revive the company and bring a new sports car back into production.

2017: The prototype of the new TVR Griffith is unveiled at the Goodwood Revival. Designed in collaboration with Formula 1 engineer Gordon Murray, the car features an "iStream" carbon fiber chassis and a 500 hp Ford V8 engine (tuned by Cosworth).

2017-Present: Despite initial enthusiasm, the new Griffith project suffers numerous delays due to financing, bureaucratic and regulatory issues.