TVR 'S'

I suppose this was the very first of the 'Big Boyz Toyz' to enter my life. I bought it in 1989 when it was 2 years old with 12,000 miles on the clock for exactly the same price it commanded when new. This phenomenon has always been present with marques like Ferrari and it is a testament to TVR that they could reproduce the effect with one of their models. For the first time the ordinary man in the street could gain access to a piece of automotive exotica. Finally I had found a way to satisfy my champagne tastes on a homebrew budget.

I suppose this vehicle was the catalyst for what is known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. I convinced myself everything on this car needed cleaning down to the molecular level. It was a sad state of affairs to witness, yet being chosen as one of the Concours finalists at the very first national TVR Owners Club rally still gives me a warm feeling of satisfaction even now.

Mitsubishi L200 Triton

A real "yes I do own the road" vehicle if ever there was one. Take Shogun Sport running gear and chassis and drop a doublecab pickup truck body on top. Running a behemoth such as this must be incredibly expensive, I hear you say. Surely a simple 4WD diesel would have been a better option. The L200 Triton returns around 18 mpg of petrol whilst the diesel variants gets about 28 mpg. But diesels can't be easily converted to run on L.P.G. When you look at the difference in price per litre, it actually works out that the gassed L200 returns the equivalent of over 40 petrol miles to the gallon!! None too shabby, I think you'll agree. With 178 bhp coming from a 24v 3-litre V6 engine it's not TVR quick but doesn't embarrass itself either. Five seats, automatic gearbox, aircon and electric everything gives it the manners of a family car yet has ' go anywhere' ability coupled with the carrying capacity of a small van.

They have been referred to as Chelsea tractors when seen in the cities. At least I don't have to buy any of the spray-on mud that has now appeared on the accessory market, there's plenty of the real thing available for free around here.

© TUF E. NUF Productions 2005