FIVE TRIALS
We enjoy the TVR V8S and put it fully to the test
1 DAILY DRIVING
Few V8S owners use their cars every day. It is not impossible, but the cramped cabin and poor fuel economy makes it undesirable. That said, they don’t need to be mollycoddled and reserved for ‘ high days and holidays’, either. The glassfibre bodywork means that they are relatively easy to protect from corrosion, so mud and road salt need not be such a concern, while the cars are not quite as much of a handful in the wet as other TVRs, such as the Griffith. None has power-assisted steering, though, so parking is a bit of a chore.
2 IN THE SERVICE BAY
The V8S is well serviced parts-wise, thanks to the huge Rover V8 aftermarket, while the TVR Car Club caters for most specific parts. The DIY mechanic won’t find anything too scary to deal with, either; the fuel injection system is where any kind of complex electronics begins and ends, but access can be a problem for some jobs. The clamshell bonnet does help, with the cooling and braking systems particularly easy to get to, but the engine is set back far in the car, making the sides, especially at the rear of the engine, quite difficult to reach.
3 ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT
The TVR Car Club usually organises plenty of regional, model and national meets. At more general car shows, the car should normally be welcomed, as long as the car isn’t considered too new. Most car enthusiasts will assume that it is a V6, however, so it’s not a car for those who would be upset about their car being mistaken for a ‘ lesser’ model.
4 THE LONG WEEKEND
The Rover V8’s lazy and reasonably relaxed gearing mean that the V8S is a great companion on longer journeys – as long as you can afford the fuel consumption. The folding roof helps to make more of an occasion of things, of course, but the fair-sized boot is big enough for the two people it can carry, at least. It’s not uncomfortable over long journeys, though the footwell is cramped and the seats very low, which will cause leg-ache for some. In fact, the car’s refinement on the cruise is better than many might expect from a ‘ hairychested sports car’.
5 THE B-ROAD BLAST
This is what the V8S is all about. Grip in the dry is good, but how the car handles is even more impressive. With good weight distribution and great feel through the quick steering rack, it is easy to have fun with the TVR and find its limits without scaring yourself silly – something that is quite easy to do in later TVRs. Handling in the wet is predictably entertaining, but the car is capable of being sensible if treated gently. More than the car’s capabilities, however, the V8S can make even relatively dull stretches of road entertaining – just pull down the roof and enjoy to the noise of that engine.