TVR Cerbera

IT'S TIME TO DOWN A BIG DOSE OF THE BRAVE PILLS AND DIVE INTO BLACKPOOL'S FIERCEST FOUR SEATER

THERE AREN'T VERY many TVR Cerberas in Australia. Why would there be? There aren't that many in the UK. From a high of 1023 licensed vehicles there back in 2003, there were only 276 left on British roads by the end of last year. In other words, the magnificent Cerbera is becoming a very rare vehicle everywhere. Flawed but fabulous, it's a car with such breathtaking audacity and ambition that it certainly deserves to be saved, so when we tracked down this beautiful Cerbera Speed Six in Melbourne, we were determined to give this Blackpool unicorn its moment in the spotlight.

The Cerbera developed a reputation as a metronomically unreliable car.

Owners wanted a classic British sports coupe. What they got was a classic British project. When asked what they would like to see improved on the Cerbera, owners cited better ventilation, rear suspension that was more accommodating, a handbrake that worked, brighter air conditioning LEDs, less wind noise, a better stereo and windscreen wipers, fewer electrical problems with doors and security, a clutch footrest, non-vibrating rear-view mirrors, better rear ground clearance and less brake squeal. Oh, and you only got a one-year warranty from new. That's if the dealers would entertain your claim.

That was then. It's fair to say that any Cerbera still perambulating the roads will likely have had most, if not all, of its snagging points fixed at least once by now. Given that nobody buys a TVR to cover big mileages, they're now in a comfy spot where they become event cars - the sort of thing you'd take to a car meet, to an owners club event, down the pub of a weekend or just to squirt around when the sun's out. After more than 30 years, the Cerbera might have settled comfortably into its niche.