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1996

TVR Cerbera

Blackpool builds its own V8, and a four-seater to put it in.

P96 TVR
TVR Cerbera
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

Until the Cerbera, TVR bought its engines from Rover. Peter Wheeler decided to make his own, a light racing-style V8. In a car weighing little more than a tonne it gave ferocious performance.

Inside

A swooping cabin with extra dials below the steering wheel and buttons on the wheel itself. The front passenger seat slides further forward to make room for a third adult behind.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Purple
Did you know?

There are no door handles. You press a button under the door mirror.

Meanwhile, in 1996

England hosted Euro 96, and the Spice Girls released Wannabe.

Best-selling single of 1996: Killing Me Softly by Fugees

Buying and running

Before you buy a 1990s car

  • On petrol engines, check the cooling system and any sign of head gasket trouble.
  • Ask when the timing belt was last changed, where fitted.
  • Parts for mass-market cars are widely available; specialist and low-volume models can be hard to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

Noble M12 GTO2000 · 165 mphCompare
Jaguar XK81996 · 155 mphCompare

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.

Flat out 04080120160200 MPH
180 mph
First builtShown 1993, built from 1996
Age today30 years since launch
Built atBlackpool, Lancashire
On sale1996–2003
Years in production7 years
Number madeAbout 1,500
Kerb weight1,000 kg (approx.)
Fuel economy27 mpg combined (approx.)
Engine4.2-litre TVR AJP V8
Power360 bhp
Top speed180 mph
Speed rankingJoint 14th fastest of 164
0–60 mph4.2 seconds
Price when newAbout £40,000
In today's moneyAbout £97,500
Designed byTVR, under Peter Wheeler

Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.