Not Porsche or 944 related, but RIP Peter Wheeler

[mik_ok]

Just posting it here 'cos I like you guys. []

The ex-owner of TVR has slipped away. [&o]

A real character by all accounts - He did a superb job of turning round TVR through the 80's to the 00's IMHO and I'd still deeply love a Griffith in the garage - despite their faults and overexaggerated output claims.



Some nice words from Richard Meaden HERE.

 

[appletonn]

That's a shame - he was TVR through the last 2 decades for me and brought some of the finest and most avant garde cars to the market during that time.

I also would love a 4.3 Griffith in my garage, or a late model Sagaris.[]

Always looked forward to the British motorshow to see what outlandish new car Mr Wheeler was going to present that year!

 

[mik_ok]

ORIGINAL: appletonn
I also would love a 4.3 Griffith in my garage

Yes. Either a 500 or preferrably a pre-cat 4.3.

 

[lawsi]

A proper english eccentric - did anyone see that completely bonkers land/water vehicle he was working on after he sold TVR - salamander I think it was called?

 

[Tam Lin]

ORIGINAL: appletonn

That's a shame - he was TVR through the last 2 decades for me and brought some of the finest and most avant garde cars to the market during that time.

I also would love a 4.3 Griffith in my garage, or a late model Sagaris.[]

Always looked forward to the British motorshow to see what outlandish new car Mr Wheeler was going to present that year!

I'm very sorry to hear the news. I loved the motorshow interviews with him, and following the developments of his bonkers cross-country vehicle after he sold the remains of TVR to Smolenski. The TVR Cerbera, which probably broke the back of his company financially, was one of the most entertaining cars I've ever owned. And the scariest.

 

[944 man]

Im sad to read this. Peter was a friend of my uncle's, and quite a character.

 

[ocallen]

I never met the man or knew anybody who knew him well but I always read what he had to say and loved his philosophy. A true motor enthusiast, a real man's man who loved his cars and guns ( a very good shot by all accounts) and his efforts with TVR will be remembered by many but just a shame that his successor with the company let it all go to pot. I hope that his family understand the reverance which motor enthusiasts of all ages placed with him and, no matter what marque we had our alliance to, he was a special person and made cars from the heart rather than the profit sheets.

 

[Flick]

his efforts with TVR will be remembered by many but just a shame that his successor with the company let it all go to pot.

I realise it's not the right time but the demise of TVR cannot be rested on the shoulders of Smolenski alone.

RIP Peter, best wishes for his family.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

The man who added a cutout in the lower bumper of a car because he liked the look of the styling buck after his dog took a chunk out of it. A breed of designer/engineer/eccentric that we don't appreciate enough.

 

[TTM]

Sad to read this. []
I would like to thank Mr Wheeler for his approach as a car designer and for all the characterful cars he made when with TVR.

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

This is truly sad news and a great loss, I very much doubt we'll ever encounter the likes of him and his motor vehicle creations again.

 

[craig2105]

Sad news. I met the man on his motor show stand a few years ago. I was welcomed onto the stand where others, Porsche included, had ropes and guards stopping you getting anywhere near. I bought one eventually - hilarious fun but flawed. And gorgeous to look at.

 

[Kevin Cooke]

Sad news, met him in 93 when TVR invited me to Castle Combe to watch the Tuscans, he was racing and having a great time.

Made his money in oil or chemicals and spent it on TVR, don't think it ever made a profit but he didn't seem to care.

Agree re 4.3 pre cat or 5 ltr Griff, love them.

Kevin

 

[mik_ok]

This low mileage 500 is on Pistonheads at the moment ~ gorgeous with the 17" Cerbera speedlines. (wipes mouth) [8D]

 

[bryno]

Sad to hear of the loss of Peter Wheeler, certainly a character with some philosophy on sports cars. I owned 2 Chimeras before I got my Boxster and the Chimera 500 I owned is the car that gave me the most enjoyemt of all the cars I've ever owned. I still miss it's comfort, looks and lairy road manners never mind its ability as a track day tool !

Peter Wheeler RIP.