1999 TVR CERBERA - 4 litre SPEED SIX -Blue with magnolia leather 12 months MOT

Thanks for looking at my epic TVR Cerbera speed 6.I will list the main specification and then tell you a little about the car


1999 TVR Cerbera (T Registration)
Metallic blue with full Cream / Beige leather interior
48,000 miles (Full top AND bottom end rebuild at 26,000 miles)
Comprehensive service history (Last service carried out 6 weeks ago at a cost of £1350 (12k tappet service))
4 litre speed 6 engine with 360bhp
5 Speed gearbox
AP Racing brakes
Gaz suspension
TVR stainless steel 'quiet' Sports exhaust and also 'loud' sports exhausts included


To be honest, spec wise there is not a lot to list.The car is a real drivers car with no fancy ABS, Traction control etc etc.It does benefit from having power steering though which I prefer to the non power steering models.These cars are an enthusiasts car rather than a technical specced up masterpiece so if you are still interested in the car please feel free to read below my history of owning the car to see if it helps give a good overall opinion of owning a supercar.I understand that these cars are quite specialized so you may be travelling quite a way to see the car so I will try to give you a good overview of the car so you know what to expect


I purchased the car after having a 911 for a few years as I had always wanted a TVR and the cerbera was the stand out model for me.I like the tuscans and older griffith models etc but the Cerbera just has a classy look about it and is slightly understated compared to other modelswhile still being able to catapult you to 170mph+ and 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.I had previously test driven a 4.5 V8 Cerbera but just found it a little too firm and hardcore and the engine, although an absolute animal when driven hard, was quite hard work under normal driving conditions.A friend suggested taking a drive in a speed 6 model.Now, this really wasn't for me as I had my heart set on a thumping big V8 and did not want the 'junior' speed 6.Anyway, this car came up for sale and I arranged to go view the car to put my mind at rest on which model I wanted.All I can say is that I was blown away.In real life driving the car feels as fast as the V8, and it still has 360bhp..only 10bhp less than the 4.2 V8 Cerbera!!!!!!The ride is far better for the driving I do and as comfy as my 911 was on long runs.I was smitten.


The current mileage on the car is 48,000 miles and it is the quietest speed 6 engine I have ever heard.There are no tapping noises at all coming from the engine.When reading TVR Cerbera buying guides it generally tells you to look out for evidence of an engine rebuild as from the factory some Speed 6 engines were prone to breaking.This car was no exception and at 26,000 miles it had a full engine rebuild, including bottom end (some rebuilds consist of just headwork but this engine even had a new block).The receipts from Hexham Horseless carriage are present for this and the total cost was an eye watering £7800.00!!!!!!!!So, thats the engine sorted and it has been maintained since then with regular servicing at TVR and/or TVR Specialist garages.The service book is present and all stamped.When you hear the engine I think you will be surprised by how quiet it is and how smooth it is.


The next worrying thing about TVR cerberas is that the chassis can tend to corrode if not looked after and protected.This is also well documented so upon purchase of the car I went to TVR Chassis specialist RT racing to get a full inspection of the chassis.(My thinking was that if it needed work at least I was prepared for what was to come rather than have it suddenly pop up one day on a routine service)Ihad a look when I purchased the car but really did not know what I was looking for so felt better taking it to a trusted Specialist to give me a honest review of its condition.The chassis has been coated several times so I was hoping that it had done a half decent job at protecting the chassis.RT got the car on the ramps and started to scrape and clean off the old coating to give the chassis a thorough inspection.I was dreading the outcome of this.Out came the scrapers, hammers, screwdrivers and the chassis was tapped, prodded and pokedAnd came back with a completely clean bill of health.To say I was happy was an understatement.Having talked to RT I was informed I had bought 'a good one' and that no work was required to the chassis.I was chuffed to bits.The car was booked in for a major service with RT and the chasis was re-coated when it went in 6 weeks ago so the chassis is now fully re-protected.


I booked the car in for a full GOLD (12k tappet) serivce at RT racing and asked them to go over the car with a fine tooth comb to highlight and problems with the car that I can start to tackle during my ownership.The aircon was not working but apart from that absolutely everything worked.During the service the car had various odds and sods replaced, had a new Lambda sensor and the full 12k service which included the obligatory tappet check..As testament to the full service history and health of the engine only 1 tappet needed any adjustment.The aircon problem was traced back to a broken primary switch on the air con compressor and also the Heater control box.The box was sent away for refurbishment by PS but unfortunately it still does not seem to want to co-operate. I didnt really want to keep throwing money at the air con as for me it is not a big requirement in a specialist car so i have not had this investigated any further..The GOLD service includes all fluids changed like Diff oil, gearbox oil, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid etc so you are safe in the knowledge this car is ready to drive for the next year with no big bills heading your way.The only comment that RT made was that it would be nice if the car had new suspension bushes as the current ones are 15 years old but it is not a necessity.


The car is running like an absolute dream.It is as easy to drive around town as a standard car but on a b road it is an absolute joy to drive.After the Porsche it was lovely to have something that really made you think about, and enjoy driving.Although I prefer the look of the 18” spider alloy wheels they are prone to cracking and after driving this car on the 16” OZ wheels that are standard fit I can honestly say this is the best set up.The high tyre walls really suit the cars characteristics and give a much more compliant ride.


The wheels have just been freshly refurbished due to some pitting on the spokes which you couldn't really notice that much.until you cleaned the wheels, and so off they went for a refurbishment.Also, when I purchased the car it had toyo tyres on the front.and Goodyear eagle F1 tyres on the back.I absolutely hate having mixed tyres so the rear tyres were changed for Toyo Proxies T1-R to match the front tyres.These are pretty much brand new with 7.5mm of tread (new tyres have around 8mm). The fronts have around 5mm of tread.


The car does have marks that are to be expected of a car of this age, mileage and also in this price bracket. The front has some stone chips on it but i dont find them detrimental to the car. The interior of the car is an absolute joy to be in with its swooping lines and everything to hand. The leather is magnolia and navy blue. The only upgrade inside is that the original stereo has been changed for a later cd / mp3 player. The interior is generally in good fettle as you can see from the photos but there is some slight discolouration on the drivers bolter and also wear to the drivers bolster from getting into the car. If you have never tried getting in one you will understand why i have not had this repaired.
The car is HPI clear with the only flag being that it has had numerous private plates fitted over the years, as with most specialist cars.The car currently has my own personal plate fitted to the car.This will be removed upon sale of the car and it will revert back to its original T registration.


Over the last 2 years the car has had over £4500 spent to get her just right and keep on top of those niggly jobs that can sometimes mount up.I honestly think the car is very well sorted example.The 2 main pitfalls of Cerbera ownership (engine and chassis) have both been addressed and the car comes with Full service history.Any inspection is more than welcome .The mileage may creep up as I still use the car.Due to other commitments and job change one more of my toys has to go


Here is a quick summary of the last 2 years invoiced work


13/04/2012 – TrackVroad.Brand new Gaz Nikel suspension fitted, replace oil pipes, rear drop links, driveshaft boot, 12,000 mile service,with a total cost of £2508,58


21/06/2013 – TrackVroad, 6k service, Radiator repair and other little jobs like attaching the underbonnet heat shield and front indicator lens with a total cost of £749.55


08/06/2013 – RT Racing. 12K service with full chassis inspection.Primary switch and investigation into innoporative air-con, re-gas aircon system, New lambda sensor, New crank sensor - £1320


Here is a breakdown of the service book


27/02/199951 milesBrundle TVR
07/06/19991111 milesBrundle TVR
22/05/20006165 milesBrundle TVR
21/05/200111786 milesFenhurst TVR
24/05/200215840 milesHarrogate horseless carriage TVR
20/05/200319159 milesHillfoot Motor group TVR Specialists
21/07/200427708 milesHexham Horselsess carriage TVR (Engine rebuild 1st service)
20/05/200737270 milesSSCC TVR Specialist
06/02/200942380 milesBoss Prestige and performance
13/04/201245040 milesTrack V road TVR Specialist
25/06/201345847 milesTrack V road TVR Specialist
06/06/201447842 milesRT Racing TVR specialist


Current mileage is 48,000 miles but may increase as I am still using the car on nice days


I have tried to think of anything I would change about the car and to be honest I cannot think of anything.Everything works on the car with the exception of the air conditioning and there are no niggles that I can think of that need addressing.The car comes with a full years M.O.T. And is taxed until November.The only suggestions by RT racing that would be good to have is a new set of suspension bushes.My plan is to have these fitted during the winter layoff but it is your own choice if you wanted this doing or not.The car starts first time, everytime whether it is hot or cold.I keep her connected to a C-Tek trickle charger just to keep the battery in tip top condition but even when left unattended for a week before I got the C-Tek she would always start with no hesitation.


If there is anything else you would like to know please feel free to get in touch.
P.S I would consider a p/x downwards with a car up to the value of £5000 with the balance in cash / bank transfer. Without trying to insult anyone I am not looking for a 'normal car' to replace the cerbera with so please no offers of Mondeos / vectras, focus etc etc.

Also published at eBay.co.uk