The Fridge of Fukushima
As with every great road trip, there comes a moment when disaster strikes. You might expect it to happen in a foreign lay-by, or halfway up a mountain pass. But this time, it happened in the least exotic location imaginable — my own garage. And surprisingly, it had nothing to do with the car.
I’d managed to leave the freezer door slightly ajar. Not wide open. Just enough to cause a slow, creeping apocalypse. By the time I realised, there had been a full-scale meltdown, or rather, a freeze-up of biblical proportions. I opened the door to be greeted by a solid wall of arctic-grade ice, the kind of frost build-up that would make the engineers at Rjukan Hydroelectric look on with admiration. And dread.
Worse still, I had to tell R.
This was not going to be easy. She had already defrosted the exact same freezer the week before, in what can only be described as an act of domestic heroism. Like some kind of white goods archaeologist, she had unearthed layers of ancient leftovers with patience and precision, restoring order to what had previously looked like a failed cryogenics experiment.
And now, I had single-handedly undone it.
There was no hiding it. The ice had returned like an uninvited sequel. The jam roly-poly (long thought lost to time) was once again suspended in prehistoric stasis. A bag of peas had fused to the side wall. A Tupperware container containing something red and unidentifiable had broken through a layer of frost like a woolly mammoth poking out of a glacier.
This wasn’t just food. This was culinary sedimentary history. A Viennetta in there had survived more house moves than some of my furniture. Its majestic ripples had grown over the years, making it practically an heirloom, and easily double the size of its modern counterparts.
It was, frankly, a catastrophe. The Fridge of Fukushima had struck, and my calm preparation for the evening had been totally derailed. I was supposed to be getting ready for a TVR driving evening, where the priority was supposed to be petrol, headlights and road maps, not freezer defrost schedules and failed food preservation.
Time was ticking. The sun was dropping. If I didn’t leave soon, I’d be losing the light — and with it, my chance to make it to D’s house before darkness turned the journey into a game of blind optimism in a low-slung British sports car. Not ideal.
So, I did what any self-respecting freezer saboteur would do. I apologised. I promised a defrosting session involving wine, towels and a heat gun. And then I grabbed my keys and left the house with the nagging feeling that the true test of endurance wasn’t the road ahead, it was waiting for me in the garage.
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The TVR Cerbera.
The T350 was undeniably fun—its sharp handling and compact size made it perfect for short journeys, whether nipping across North Wales or blasting around local roads. It’s a thrilling car that delivers an engaging driving experience in every corner.
But when it came to covering serious miles in the Alps, the Cerbera truly shone. It had the power, the presence, and a sense of occasion that made every twist and turn of the mountain roads unforgettable. There’s something about the way it devours long distances while still feeling raw and exciting that cemented it as my favourite for the trip.
The T350 may be the perfect car for quick weekend blasts, but for epic road trips, the Cerbera wins hands down.
Technically, the TVR Sprint Magazine article was finished before the blog, but the blog was started first.
When we embarked on the unforgettable TVR trip to the Eagles Nest, we knew it was something special. The journey, featuring the TVR Cerbera and TVR T350, took us through some of the most breathtaking Alpine roads, including the Rossfeld Panoramastraße, where we captured the now-iconic magazine cover shot.
The blog began as a way to document the trip as it unfolded, providing real-time updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and additional insights that didn’t make it into the magazine. However, writing for Sprint Magazine Issue 570 (June 2023) required a more structured and polished approach, with final details, images, and editing completed before the blog was fully wrapped up.
So, while the blog came first in concept, the Sprint article was finalised and published first. Both tell the story of the trip in their own way—one as an exclusive magazine feature, the other as an extended, behind-the-scenes account that continues to evolve.
Yes! Our unforgettable trip to the Eagles Nest was featured in TVR Sprint Magazine, Issue 570 (June 2023). The feature included stunning images and detailed notes about the cars, capturing the essence of the adventure.
For this trip, we took both the TVR Cerbera and the TVR T350, driving through breathtaking Alpine roads, with the highlight being the Rossfeld Panoramastraße, where we managed to get the main cover shot for the magazine. The article covered the journey, the cars, and the incredible driving experience, bringing the spirit of TVR ownership to life for readers.
Experience Photography provided all photography for the feature, showcasing the cars against the dramatic mountain scenery. The trip itself was expertly organised by Ben Coombs, well-known for his epic road trips and adventures. It was an incredible experience and a proud moment to see it featured in Sprint Magazine!
If you own a TVR (such as the TVR T350) or simply love the brand, you might have heard about TVR tours, but are they worth it? These road trips bring TVR enthusiasts together for epic drives on some of the best roads in the UK and Europe, often featuring scenic routes, social events, and the unmistakable roar of TVR engines.
A TVR tour isn’t just about the driving (though that’s a huge part of it). It’s also about meeting like-minded people, swapping stories, and experiencing the quirks of these legendary cars in a group setting. Expect a mix of thrilling A-roads, breathtaking landscapes, and well-planned stops at car-friendly hotels, pubs, and landmarks. Some tours even include exclusive access to motorsport venues or special TVR-related experiences.
But what if you don’t own a TVR? Many tours allow passengers or support vehicles, making it possible to join in and enjoy the experience from the passenger seat. Whether you’re considering buying a TVR or just want to see what all the fuss is about, a TVR tour could be the perfect way to get involved in the community. See our Instagram channel here for more photos.
A TVR tour is a group driving experience where TVR owners and enthusiasts take their cars on scenic road trips, often exploring some of the best driving routes in the UK and beyond. These tours range from single-day meetups to multi-day road trips, with planned stops at scenic locations, car-friendly hotels, and sometimes even motorsport venues.
But should you go on one? If you love driving and want to experience your TVR (such as the TVR Cerbera) as it was meant to be driven, on open, exciting roads alongside like-minded enthusiasts, then the answer is probably yes! TVR tours offer the perfect mix of thrilling drives, social meetups, and opportunities to swap stories with fellow owners. Even if you don’t own a TVR, you might still be able to attend as a passenger or support vehicle.
Every tour is different, with some being casual meetups and others professionally organised events with set routes, accommodation, and breakdown support (just in case). Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or an epic road trip, there’s likely a TVR tour that fits your driving style. Have a read of Ben Coombs book to get a feel for the ultimate adventure and follow us now on Instagram to see all the latest images. Photography by Experience Photography unless otherwise stated.
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