.jpg?p=120125_02:45)
.jpg?p=120118_04:40)
.jpg?p=120117_01:53)
.jpg?p=120110_05:14)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
Clarkson has just emailed us with a tribute to his friend, ex-TVR boss, Peter Wheeler, who passed away last week following a short battle with illness:
'I used to shoot with Peter. He was a damn good host, and was so fit,
striding up and down the hills as though they weren't there. I bet that
wherever he is now, he's cross he didn't live to see the end of the
Labour Government that he hated so much.'
Wheeler was chairman of the Blackpool sports car company from 1980 until 2004, turning TVR from a tiny operation into a well-recognised, oft-infamous marque with a generation of lightweight, powerful cars including the Chimaera, Griffith, Cerbera, Tuscan and Sagaris.
After selling TVR to Russian businessman Nikolai Smolensky in 2004, Wheeler continued to dabble in the world of gently daft cars, creating the giant, cockroach-like amphibious ‘Scamander' in 2008 (pictured). He was a passionate racer, too, competing in a classic Aston Martin DB4 until recently.
Wheeler worked closely with Top Gear for many years: the very first issue of Top Gear magazine featured a Griffith 500 on the cover, while Peter and Jeremy remained good friends despite occasional, er, disagreements about cars.
Wheeler was a true legend of the British car industry and will be greatly missed. Top Gear's condolences go out to his family.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Gibby commented on this article
at 11:00 pm on 12 June 2009
RIP dragged TVR into making some of the worlds greatest cars!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Tommyms commented on this article
at 11:11 pm on 12 June 2009
how sad tvr wos arsem car maker
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Tommyms commented on this article
at 11:11 pm on 12 June 2009
how sad tvr wos arsem car maker
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
SteveBarnes commented on this article
at 04:18 am on 13 June 2009
Men like him are few these days. Peter Wheeler, gone but never forgotten. RIP
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Horsepowerrrr commented on this article
at 05:21 am on 13 June 2009
aww :( RIP I love TVRs, they're so bonkers and awesome.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.