420SE in Dubai checking in.
Discussion
Good morning, I recently picked up my first TVR and wanted to say hi.
Its an '87 420SE, supplied new here in Dubai via the then approved dealer, first registered in '89 and just the one owner before me. I've been here for about 8 years and never seen a TVR here let alone a wedge (I heard tale of the odd Chimaera) - so I was pretty excited to see this one and amazed the owner parted with it after 28 years!
I've some great paperwork amongst the original purchase and import docs - a reply from TVR to the dealer who was criticising the build quality
Anyway from the pics the car is pretty standard - LHD of course with AC (non-functioning) the original owner changed the radiator and fan to assist cooling - the revised piping has caused the damage on the bonnet as it fouls when fully open. Not knowing the cars I'm not sure if anything else is changed, but the more eagled eyed of you may let me know from the pics It was resprayed about 10 years ago and the spoiler disappeared at some point - from the letter to TVR I mentioned from the dealer, it could have been on arrival.
I've got the 'bible', so after a tidy up of the interior and hood, it's all about improving the cooling and perhaps trying to get the AC working...
Enough words, here are some pics and I look forward to hanging out here with you all...
Its an '87 420SE, supplied new here in Dubai via the then approved dealer, first registered in '89 and just the one owner before me. I've been here for about 8 years and never seen a TVR here let alone a wedge (I heard tale of the odd Chimaera) - so I was pretty excited to see this one and amazed the owner parted with it after 28 years!
I've some great paperwork amongst the original purchase and import docs - a reply from TVR to the dealer who was criticising the build quality
Anyway from the pics the car is pretty standard - LHD of course with AC (non-functioning) the original owner changed the radiator and fan to assist cooling - the revised piping has caused the damage on the bonnet as it fouls when fully open. Not knowing the cars I'm not sure if anything else is changed, but the more eagled eyed of you may let me know from the pics
It was resprayed about 10 years ago and the spoiler disappeared at some point - from the letter to TVR I mentioned from the dealer, it could have been on arrival.I've got the 'bible', so after a tidy up of the interior and hood, it's all about improving the cooling and perhaps trying to get the AC working...
Enough words, here are some pics and I look forward to hanging out here with you all...
I'm assuming that if you drive it everywhere with the top down you are likely to fry?Thanks.
It does seem to have survived well despite the 50 degree plus summers. The previous owner didn't use it much and kept it tucked away in a multi-storey. It was a winter car for him, so three or four months of the year - hood down, no need for the AC. TBH I think it'll struggle with the heat most of the year, so that'll be the focus... cooling.
Sand in the engine bay? that's positively clean, you should see the Raptor's engine Seriously though, once properly registered it'll be subjected to some proper tlc.
It does seem to have survived well despite the 50 degree plus summers. The previous owner didn't use it much and kept it tucked away in a multi-storey. It was a winter car for him, so three or four months of the year - hood down, no need for the AC. TBH I think it'll struggle with the heat most of the year, so that'll be the focus... cooling.
Sand in the engine bay? that's positively clean, you should see the Raptor's engine
Seriously though, once properly registered it'll be subjected to some proper tlc.mrzigazaga said:
mattrsd said:
Sand in the engine bay?
It give anything to have that inconvenience...
Didn't notice the 'damage' to the bonnet but if you're refering to the bonnet edges hitting/ interferring with the pipework well TADTS.
A/C is likely to been worse than a Lambo of that period so how far do you want to go into things? By cooling do you just mean A/C or do you also mean the engine?
The [standard] plumbing has too many pipes in it so simplification of that is an easy starting point.
Next the heater box (for the cabin) is terrible. Reliable off the self 'kit car' units are widely available so a worth while upgrade. Next is the poor sealing (and lack of hose clips if the S is any indicator) of the ducting. Not rocket science but thr dash needs to come out along with the associated faff / issues there.
Main radiator is big enough to do the job over here but will struggle in the higher temps and humidity over there. There is an alternative radiator thread in this forum which is well worth a read.
I would look at getting the manifolds ceramic coated to help divert the heat out of the engine bay. Will move it further down the exhaust but you could get the pipes done below the seats as well.
The engine bay looks packed - I assume due to the A/C gubbins - I'd be tempted to change the ECU set up and go Megasquirt or similar. Won't help cooling (in simple terms) but will remove the air filter and flow metre from that cramped position. The reason for the 'alternative radiator' thread was to provide a colf feed for the intake of a car with Megasquirt.
A/C system is likely to be poorly thought out and very inefficient. Just replace with a modern system.
Nice car!
Thanks all.
That certainly gives me some things to think about
I'll have it registered and off the export plates by the end of the week, then I'll get it up on a ramp for a proper run through. The plan is to use it for the next few months before the temps rise too high, then worry about the engine cooling mainly, the AC later.
I've had a Karmann Ghia with aftermarket AC which was pitiful and a pretty useless leaking system on an old Esprit, so if possible I want to avoid that experience again. This needs to be a Spring and Autumn car.
gmw9666 - Nice 420SE - if you don't mind, what size are the decals, I read somewhere 10.5 inches but wanted to be sure, I've got a friendly signage co running some off for me.
Cheers
Matt
That certainly gives me some things to think about
I'll have it registered and off the export plates by the end of the week, then I'll get it up on a ramp for a proper run through. The plan is to use it for the next few months before the temps rise too high, then worry about the engine cooling mainly, the AC later.
I've had a Karmann Ghia with aftermarket AC which was pitiful and a pretty useless leaking system on an old Esprit, so if possible I want to avoid that experience again. This needs to be a Spring and Autumn car.
gmw9666 - Nice 420SE
- if you don't mind, what size are the decals, I read somewhere 10.5 inches but wanted to be sure, I've got a friendly signage co running some off for me.Cheers
Matt
mattrsd said:
It was resprayed about 10 years ago and the spoiler disappeared at some point - from the letter to TVR I mentioned from the dealer, it could have been on arrival.
I've got the 'bible'...
You'll probably find the 'bible'
doesn't help you find God (or Allah, given where you are 
).That looks like a great car - have fun!
I couldn't stop myself laughing out loud when I saw the fascia - TVR have taken the RHD part and flipped it upside down to suit the LHD so the warning lights end up at the bottom of the dash; can you still see them?
The top rad hose fouling the bonnet when open thing? They all do that Sir...
I couldn't stop myself laughing out loud when I saw the fascia - TVR have taken the RHD part and flipped it upside down to suit the LHD so the warning lights end up at the bottom of the dash; can you still see them?
The top rad hose fouling the bonnet when open thing? They all do that Sir...
Wedg1e said:
mk1fan said:
As it is LHD how about flipping the plenum over as well.
What the hell for? You'd have to swap half the engine bay.. to no good end.I can see the temptation to "improve" stuff, but personally I would leave it "as is", as it's a little bit of motoring history and looks quite original, with some nice patina here and there.
Probably OK to replace the aircon but it would need to look similar to the existing installation.
With all that sand about get the oil changed frequently - 3000 miles or less. But then I expect oil is cheap as chips out there!
Probably OK to replace the aircon but it would need to look similar to the existing installation.
With all that sand about get the oil changed frequently - 3000 miles or less. But then I expect oil is cheap as chips out there!
I've a couple of other projects going on at the moment - A Porsche '63 356B that is a total restoration back to original (almost finished) so that scratches that itch. Also a '72 Jensen Interceptor that is going full restomod, 512 stroker, 6 barrel EFI, modern gearbox, AC, electrics etc etc, that sorts that itch - probably take another year.
Both those are taking time, hence the TVR to have something to actually use - so I think this is TLC and get it all working as efficiently as possible, but the engine cooling is a must...
... that said both the Porsche and the Jensen started out with the same plan
Both those are taking time, hence the TVR to have something to actually use - so I think this is TLC and get it all working as efficiently as possible, but the engine cooling is a must...
... that said both the Porsche and the Jensen started out with the same plan
Cooling-wise, do you get any bubbles in the coolant and/or burping out of the system into the overflow? As a small head gasket leak could be the culprit. Also - does the cooling system retain pressure for a good hour after switching off?
Respect for the Interceptor - now THAT needs cooling! Please wind us up by telling us how much petrol is a litre out there....
Respect for the Interceptor - now THAT needs cooling! Please wind us up by telling us how much petrol is a litre out there....
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