TVR is the umpteenth British example of a great passion for cars, a love sometimes so unrestrained that it does not consider—more or less consciously—the market rules. But it is well known that history gives us extraordinary masterpieces especially when such rules are challenged.
Born in 1947 in Blackpool, it was one of the many British companies producing bespoke cars the traditional way, and always with the racecourse in mind. After Trevor Wilkinson, founder and head until 1962, came other relevant figures such as Martin Lilley and Peter Wheeler. The latter, a bold visionary who gave life to some of the most noteworthy cars in the history of TVR (Cerbera, Griffith, Tuscan, etc.), revealed the Sagaris project at the end of 2003, which was presented as a prototype at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham just a handful of months before Wheeler gave up his position in the company.
The car was born from an experiment driven by competitive needs—that is, to bring the elegant T350 (already in production) to compete in some categories of the British GT-endurance championships. Therefore, the Sagaris is actually nothing but a competition vehicle with a number plate. The design was entrusted to Graham Browne, who emphasised the concept of the previous models, which resulted in a somewhat bizarre body, especially when compared to the style of sports car in the early 2000s. In spite of the clean lines, the Sagaris showed off its many aerodynamic frills arrogantly and ostentatiously—the front splitter, the gills above the fenders, the plexiglass rear spoiler: everything stayed unchanged during serial production.

In 2004, Peter Wheeler relinquished the company to young Russian millionaire Nikolai Smolenski, who followed up with the creation of this sports car, which, as of today, represents the swan song of TVR production. Or, at least, of the cars made in Blackpool. Mr Smolenski tried to refine the product to guarantee his clients a qualitative improvement of the details and finish as well. Only very few vehicles were produced, around 200, equipped with just a 4.0 L, naturally aspirated I6, capable of putting out a little over 400 hp (406, as stated) for a car of around 1,070 kg. The Speed Six engine, developed and manufactured by TVR, completed the picture of an artisanal company that produced its own bespoke cars completely independently.
Just like with other cars equipped with the same engine, there were several mechanical issues because the Speed Six, which was built for races and had very high power density (100 hp/L in the early 2000s), needed regular upkeep and careful handling from the owner. For this and other reasons, the real engine power in different cars could vary, often to guarantee a higher reliability to the customer. In Great Britain, an extensive network of TVR workshops, constituted by real experts of the Speed Six, would perform power upgrades tailored to the customers’ needs, starting from simple electronic modifications, increase in engine size, up to true transplants using other manufacturers’ vehicles. This kept up even after 2006, when the Blackpool factory closed down, leaving behind hundreds of unemployed workers, as well as a tale of genius, folly, and a strong identity that to this day keeps aficionados from all over the world united. Lightness, power, no electronic aids, and a beauty that always starts from a blank sheet, with no regards to stylistic trends. Sagaris is the last born from this line and, even though the TVR production will probably be resumed in the coming years—under businessman Les Edgar’s leadership—this will most likely happen under a different philosophy to that which inspired the people in Blackpool.
A few specimens of this extremely sharp weapon arrived in Italy as well, with a reasonable pricing just short of 110,000.00 euros. However, aficionados aside, the local market was unable to enthusiastically welcome these odd outsiders from the other side of the Channel, too attracted to a new generation of sports cars heavily assisted by electronic gadgets (airbags, electronic controls, F1 gearbox, etc.). Additionally, TVR was a mostly unknown brand, and it reached good notoriety in Italy only thanks to the British TV show “Top Gear”, the Internet, and videogames. But this coupé’s magnetic charm conquered many fans, and today the Sagaris is a collector’s item, the legacy of an almost completely abandoned car-making philosophy.