Is there an alternative?
A great deal of fuss and controversy is generated by any mention of an alternative parts list for TVRs. The arguments revolve around whether the TVR spec parts are in any way different to those of the original manufacturer. There seems to be general acceptance that the internal spec of later engines is bespoke TVR but that only the occasional other part is.
As to prices: there was a suggestion that TVR prices from main dealers was at rip-off level. Research for a still-born article proved less easy to classify. While some prices were indeed higher, others were lower. The only firm conclusion was that ‘rip-off’ was not an applicable adjective.
If saving a few pounds a year, and that is what it would amount to, is important to you then shop around. But there is a certain convenience to getting all your items from one stop and although prices may be a little higher – or lower – you have to balance it against the disadvantages of multiple orders. If you go via a reputable - discuss this at a TVR Car Club Regional meet - TVR specialist you can feel reassured that they know what they are talking about.
I am reluctant to give you advice on such matters. What I will say is what I do and why.
Few TVR specialists retire early to the Seychelles and it is a truism that you don’t get rich by servicing the TVR community. It is quite crowded and specialists need to be competitive to stay in business.
Whatever the rumours suggest, specialist prices are generally quite reasonable. You seem to get what you pay for. Despite items on ebay often being cheaper I buy my TVR spares through a local main dealer.
One reason is the reassurance that returns will, hopefully, be dealt with promptly. I say hopefully as in my five years of TVR ownership I’ve not had to return anything I’ve bought from my favoured dealer. So there’s another reason.
Personal experience
My car recently failed its MoT on a defective rear calliper. As the car was already in a garage I opted for them to change it. What could go wrong. I ordered the part from Racing Green Cars under the instructions from the garage. The wrong ‘side’ was sent as the garage gave the wrong info. The delay was irritating and to speed things up Racing Green Cars gave the garage details of which car the calliper was from. The garage were unaware that TVR had turned the callipers around, the n/s going on the o/s so the saving in time was illusory. Later, on picking up the car, I found that the price they charge was nearly a third dearer than that of Racing Green cars.
I’m not suggesting it is always cheap
Simon Constable has put a great deal of effort into collating a parts list for the
Chimaera. It is also suitable in the main for the Griffith.
HOWEVER: The list of parts in the ensuing seven pages of the Resource is his best
effort. He does not know what parts are applicable to what particular model and this
superb and very helpful list is only of use as guidance.
IT IS NOT DEFINITIVE
I spoke with a member of staff at TVR asking for a date when a certain change to
the specification of a Chimaera occurred. He said that there was never any precise
date that could be quoted. The old parts bins were often used up and the new parts
added when required. I was told that sometimes new suppliers could not fulfil their
quotas and production often ‘reverted’ to the old specifications. Dealers tend to
know what questions to ask.
Thanks to Simon for all his efforts.
