12.06.2009
It’s with great sadness that we report the death of former TVR boss Peter Wheeler, who passed away last night after a short illness.
Many of you will feel you knew Peter, and consequently share our sense of loss at the sad news. The uniquely dramatic cars TVR built under his tenure fired our imaginations like few others, while his refreshingly plain speaking character marked him out as an autocratic engineer and car builder who revelled in shunning industry convention.
Read the remainder of this Obituary in News
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10 Comments
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
June 12, 2009Posted on DR: Obituary: Peter Wheeler 1944 – 2009 http://bit.ly/Eja1t
DriversRepublic (The DR Team)
June 12, 2009Posted on DR: Obituary: Peter Wheeler 1944 – 2009 http://bit.ly/Eja1t
lee_nixon (Lee Nixon)
June 12, 2009RIP Peter Wheeler, who revived TVR http://bit.ly/Eja1t
lee_nixon (Lee Nixon)
June 12, 2009RIP Peter Wheeler, who revived TVR http://bit.ly/Eja1t
Richard - DR
June 12, 2009I have to say I’m still feeling extremely sad at this news. As you can imagine, you get to meet some fascinating people in this trade, and it was a real privilege to have met Peter Wheeler on many occasions. I wouldn’t presume to say I knew him as a friend, but I’ve got many happy memories of shooting at his Lancashire estate. That said they accompany a few not-so-rosy memories of waiting to interview him at the Blackpool factory, stood nervously with notepad in hand like a schoolboy outside the headmaster’s office!
You always tend to take people for granted at the time, but I more than share the view that he was our generation’s equivalent of Enzo Ferrari or Colin Chapman. No, TVR never quite scaled the heights of Ferrari or Lotus, but he shared their spirit and maverick attitude. For example, how many small, independent car companies today would have the nerve to build its own engines? Of course that decision came with its own problems, but the sheer bloody-mindedness and utter conviction required to do that is sorely lacking today.
By all accounts engine supply deals with big manufacturers or crate engines from the USA are a far more convenient, simpler solution, but then Peter Wheeler didn’t do things because they were easy. And the results, whilst undeniably temperamental beasts, still make me smile as I recall driving them, doubtless too fast and making too much noise or often as not, scaring myself silly. Unforgettable cars, unforgettable man.
Richard - DR
June 12, 2009I have to say I’m still feeling extremely sad at this news. As you can imagine, you get to meet some fascinating people in this trade, and it was a real privilege to have met Peter Wheeler on many occasions. I wouldn’t presume to say I knew him as a friend, but I’ve got many happy memories of shooting at his Lancashire estate. That said they accompany a few not-so-rosy memories of waiting to interview him at the Blackpool factory, stood nervously with notepad in hand like a schoolboy outside the headmaster’s office!
You always tend to take people for granted at the time, but I more than share the view that he was our generation’s equivalent of Enzo Ferrari or Colin Chapman. No, TVR never quite scaled the heights of Ferrari or Lotus, but he shared their spirit and maverick attitude. For example, how many small, independent car companies today would have the nerve to build its own engines? Of course that decision came with its own problems, but the sheer bloody-mindedness and utter conviction required to do that is sorely lacking today.
By all accounts engine supply deals with big manufacturers or crate engines from the USA are a far more convenient, simpler solution, but then Peter Wheeler didn’t do things because they were easy. And the results, whilst undeniably temperamental beasts, still make me smile as I recall driving them, doubtless too fast and making too much noise or often as not, scaring myself silly. Unforgettable cars, unforgettable man.
daytonafan
June 12, 2009RIP. While I can never imagine myself owning a TVR I do see the appeal particularly of the Wheeler era Griffith and Chimera. I think he successful saw the gap in the market for the big engined british sports car and for a time exploited it to the full. Whether or not the decision to develop their own engines was a folly is moot (although TVR’s ultimate demise was more as a result of poor management by the business boy who brought it)
daytonafan
June 12, 2009RIP. While I can never imagine myself owning a TVR I do see the appeal particularly of the Wheeler era Griffith and Chimera. I think he successful saw the gap in the market for the big engined british sports car and for a time exploited it to the full. Whether or not the decision to develop their own engines was a folly is moot (although TVR’s ultimate demise was more as a result of poor management by the business boy who brought it)
Panos Passalis
July 4, 2009It is with great sadness to read about the demise of such a person with great magnitude in the british sports car industry. His cars were the most “truthfull” on the road in comparison to others . They were and are fun to drive , little beasts on the road , with character and attitude. I hope that soon I’ll own a TVR and keep it until the end of my days.
PETER RIP AND KNOW YOU WIIL “HANG OUT” WITH ENZO , SIR WILLIAM LYONS, COLIN CHAPMAN , PETER MORGAN AND MANY OTHERS.
YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST
RIP
Panos Passalis
July 4, 2009It is with great sadness to read about the demise of such a person with great magnitude in the british sports car industry. His cars were the most “truthfull” on the road in comparison to others . They were and are fun to drive , little beasts on the road , with character and attitude. I hope that soon I’ll own a TVR and keep it until the end of my days.
PETER RIP AND KNOW YOU WIIL “HANG OUT” WITH ENZO , SIR WILLIAM LYONS, COLIN CHAPMAN , PETER MORGAN AND MANY OTHERS.
YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST
RIP