The Early Years: 1947 - 1965
 
Trevor Wilkinson created TVR in the late 1940's. It's original name was Trevcar motors, but was given the name TVR in 1954. Those very first vehicles held no likeness to the outstanding cars currently available. That said, since 1953 the cars have had a fibreglass body laid on a tubular-steel chassis.

The first vehicles were sold as a kit, thus avoiding high British taxes. However, by the early 1970's this tax loophole was stopped, marking the end of sales in kit form.

which just like their arch-rivals of the time were less than 2L, and produced less than 100 bhp (the TVR Tamar and Grantura being the principal outputs of that time).

An exception to this came in the form of a special which was made by Jack Griffith, an American car dealer, in the 60's. His TVR Grantura standard engine was replaced with a 4.7L V8 (moved from an AC Cobra!). Years later the TVR Griffith was named so in his honour.

Leaving TVR in the early 1960's, Trevor passed ownership to Martin Lilley (1965)

The Lilley Years (1965-1981)

During the 1960's & 1970's TVR employed many engines, including Triumph's 2500 and the 3L Ford V6 Zodiac. The first Tuscan Taimar, S Series, The Tasmin and Vixen and the M Series were the main models created during this time.

The Wheeler Era (1981-2004)

It was during the 1980's that TVR used the Rover V8 as opposed to V6's (From the 3.5 to the 4.5L).
The AJP8 (TVR's very own engine) was developed in the 1990's. This alloy engine developed by A. Melling, J. Ravenscroft and P. Wheeler (AJP!) was a lightweight engine.
Used initially in the Tuscan and Cerebra  race versions. P.Wheeler developed a straight 6 version of the AJP8 known as The Speed. This engine powers all modern TVR cars.
It was the Wheeler Era which saw most of the TVR cars we are all familiar with produced in the SX SE S1-S4, Griffith, Chimaera, Cerebra, Tamora, T350, Typhon and Tuscan.

2004 - 2009 Smolenski and the future

In 2004, the TVR group was struggling, but it was purchased by Nikolay Smolenski (age 24). More serious financial troubles followed by 2006. Promises had been made that TVR would remain British, but by 2006, 300 workers were laid off and an announcement was made to move to Italy for production.

2007 proved turbulent, ownership became uncertain and late in 2007, Smolenski made it known that during 2008 TVR production would restart.
During the time TVR spent under Smolenski's control the only noticeable development has been the amazing Sagaris.

Let's hope things look better in the future.