TVR Cerbera - AJP Engine

Melling, 54, has been designing engines since 1964 in Rochdale, Lancashire. His lack of public profile was due to client confidentiality. This all changed a few years ago when approached by PW to design the AJP range. AJP being an anacronym for Al (Melling), John (Ravenscroft) & Peter (Wheeler). His latest project is a new 6 speed gearbox for TVR.

There is a camp centered around MCD Engineering's boss, Al Melling to take over Rolls Royce to prevent it being sold to a foreign company. His aim is to build no more than 2,500 a year at a minimum price of Ł200,000. Al has owned Bentleys for years.

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	1996 Catalogue
	1996 TVR Postcard
	1998 Motorshow
	2000 @ Hexham HC
	2000 @ Hexham HC

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The engine was first shown in 1992 at the NEC motor show having taken a mere 6 months to design. Manufacturing it, however, was more problematical due to difficulties in actually getting the components made. It is difficult getting quality components made these days & this resulted in a 4 month delay between the finished design & the first running engine.

The unit is exceptionally compact and was designed so that it could be used as a stressed member to hang the suspension off in a race car. In Tuscan form the engine has the highest specific output of any normally aspirated car, 90 ft/lbs/ltr.

If you look closely you will notice that there are no breathers. This is because the engine actually runs at what is called negative pressure or vacuum. Many of the internal components are forged & heat treated as in Formula 1.

For further information on this engine please contact MCD on +44 (0) 1706 711608 or ask your TVR dealer for a copy of the Spring '96 product catalogue.

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	BACK HOME '98
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	1998 Motorshow
	1998 Motorshow

The 6 cylinder version was originally intended to be less powerful than the V8 we are now familiar with, but then John Ravenscroft got carried away. Peter wanted a 6 cylinder to replace the Rover V8 used in so many of the company's previous offerings as the supply will eventually dry up.

It is not known whether the engine will use belts or chains for the production models. They are currently using the Speed 12's lump to test belts. Whether it needs a dry sump or not will also be discovered.

A running AJP 6 is currently being proved in a Cerbera. I assume they are referring to R460 FCW. This will have been seen by many of you on the stand at the 1997 Earl's Court Motor Show. You will probably remember the child's seat in the back. I understand it was made especially for Wheeler Jnr.

It appears that the prototype has 410 bhp @ 7,500. Naturally, production models will be de-tuned somewhat. It also sounds noisier than one too. An experimental AP twin plate clutch is also being trialed.

Whilst the road testers were impressed with 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.9 and a standing quarter in 13.2, John Ravenscroft was not.

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	1998 Motorshow
	1998 Motorshow