Early TVR Suggestions

Author
Discussion

jjbradders

Original Poster:

80 posts

100 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
Hi All


I'm looking at getting a TVR project this coming spring, something early (pre wedge) and a decent car to drive. I'm not too worried about condition or how hard they are to work on.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best earlier TVRs? In particular I've looked at Vixens and Taimars, but having sat in a Grantura, I've definitely got the bug for something early!

Cheers

James

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
jjbradders said:
Hi All


I'm looking at getting a TVR project this coming spring, something early (pre wedge) and a decent car to drive. I'm not too worried about condition or how hard they are to work on.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best earlier TVRs? In particular I've looked at Vixens and Taimars, but having sat in a Grantura, I've definitely got the bug for something early!

Cheers

James
A 3000M would be my choice, nice drive, not as raw as the pre-Ms, and IMO much better value for money than any of the pre-Ms.

Most parts available new, others through specialist or e-bay.

Chassis condition would be my biggest concern when looking at either a restoration project or something that has been "restored".

Good luck with what ever you choose.

ThePrisoner

1,055 posts

207 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
TVRMs said:
A 3000M would be my choice, nice drive, not as raw as the pre-Ms, and IMO much better value for money than any of the pre-Ms.

Most parts available new, others through specialist or e-bay.

Chassis condition would be my biggest concern when looking at either a restoration project or something that has been "restored".

Good luck with what ever you choose.
I to agree. The 'M's are fantastic cars. I had a couple of Taimars, the rear Window, the silky smooth Ford Essex V6, that would be my choice. Good Luck biggrin

jjbradders

Original Poster:

80 posts

100 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
Fairly unanimous then biggrin

So how come the vixen/Grantura are not as good as the M-series?

So 3000M over a Taimar, but are they fairly practical?

Final thing I should probably have said is that I'm sadly only 18, so I can't imagine that will help. I've done my fair share of car restorations, and I spoke to a car insurance guy who said that might work in my favour? Just whether a 3L iron V6 might be pushing G that biggrin

Thanks again

James

Matt

136 posts

283 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
jjbradders said:
Fairly unanimous then biggrin

So how come the vixen/Grantura are not as good as the M-series?
James
Depends whom you speak to. The Grantura and Vixen S1 have a smaller door aperture so ingress/exit tricky for some, but once in is a very comfortable space to be. Restoration is slightly more tricky than the later Vixens as the body is bonded to the chassis, but a great car nevertheless.

The S2/S3 Vixens are very capable and will out handle a 3000M in standard form..
(Expect this will raise a few comments..)

The M series are a little more refined, but the newer model you get the more refined they become, my Wedge was more refined than an M. my V8S more than the wedge etc..

jjbradders said:
So 3000M over a Taimar, but are they fairly practical?
Yes both are fine, the Taimar obviously has the opening boot which is more convenient. Easy to drive and use daily. Shares a lot of parts with Triumphs so easy to fix.

jjbradders said:
Final thing I should probably have said is that I'm sadly only 18, so I can't imagine that will help. I've done my fair share of car restorations, and I spoke to a car insurance guy who said that might work in my favour? Just whether a 3L iron V6 might be pushing G that biggrin

Thanks again

James
If it's insured as a second car on a classic policy it should be reasonable - you'll need to shop around.
Price wise the M series are (at the moment) cheaper and more plentiful than the Vixens & Granturas. Worth looking at the 2500M or even the 1600M, which may be a little under powered in standard form, but easily tuneable. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Matt


jjbradders

Original Poster:

80 posts

100 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the insight Matt, I'll have a look around at a few other M-series then. Is the owner's club worth joining to try and get hold of one? I'm definitely set on a Trev so might be worth it?

Matt said:
If it's insured as a second car on a classic policy it should be reasonable - you'll need to shop around.
Hmm, would a 400 Chimaera fit in this bracket? My Dad owned one about 8 years ago, all I remember was a big boot, great noise and stupid fast (I know to most people they're not, but I'm a beginner) so they might be worth a shout? biggrin

Cheers

James

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
Not sure we'll ever see a handling comparison with a "standard" vixen and a standard 3000m smile

Matt

136 posts

283 months

Thursday 11th August 2016
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If you are considering a newer TVR then the 'S' series is worth a look. Classic looks and similar in appearance to the M series, Ford mechanicals 2.8/2.9 V6. The V8s is great - regret selling mine!

Prices are still reasonable for a running restoration with MOT, need to check Chassis, trailing arms etc.

Worth joining the Car club? if nothing else classic insurers like you to be a member of the relevant owners club and some suppliers offer discount to members. Take a look at their website.
rgds

Matt

AutoAndy

2,265 posts

214 months

Thursday 11th August 2016
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jjbradders said:
and I spoke to a car insurance guy who said that might work in my favour? Just whether a 3L iron V6 might be pushing G that
as long as you dont do a major mod to it... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...wink

Seriously...Look at a V6S - very good value for money and excellent driving fun.

jjbradders

Original Poster:

80 posts

100 months

Thursday 11th August 2016
quotequote all
AutoAndy said:
as long as you dont do a major mod to it... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...wink

Seriously...Look at a V6S - very good value for money and excellent driving fun.
That's a minor mod isn't it? ;-)

Yeah I looked at a few V6s at Silverstone Classic a few weekends ago, they do seem decent and I've not heard a bad word against them.

What actually counts as a classic when it comes to insurance? Is 20+ years the rule?
I know definitely that my favourite Trev is the Chim - I would absolutely love to own one and I've seen a few projects in my budget, but would insurance bankrupt me, even as a club member and restoring it myself?

Cheers again

James

ChilliWhizz

11,990 posts

160 months

Friday 12th August 2016
quotequote all
jjbradders said:
Final thing I should probably have said is that I'm sadly only 18,
Thanks again

James

Sadly only 18? Good grief man don't be sad about that... wink

I was 17 when I bought my first car, a 1962 Lotus 7, which I proceeded to rebuild within 12 months of buying it (from Caterham Car Sales, who I later worked for) smile Much to my mothers disgust I stripped and rebuilt a 1600 Ford xflow in my bedroom which replaced the knackered 997 (was originally 1340) Cosworth lump that was in it when I bought it.... I think my insurance at the time was more than three times what I paid for the car hehe

I don't know about insurance these days, but if you can afford to buy one and have the space/kit etc then just do it... It's without doubt the best way to learn what makes a car a car, and the ownership and driving experience is just soooo much better if you've rebuilt the thing yourself smile

All the very best luck, and make sure you start a thread on your project with lots of pictures!

Chilli smile

jjbradders

Original Poster:

80 posts

100 months

Friday 12th August 2016
quotequote all
ChilliWhizz said:


I was 17 when I bought my first car, a 1962 Lotus 7, which I proceeded to rebuild within 12 months of buying it (from Caterham Car Sales, who I later worked for) smile Much to my mothers disgust I stripped and rebuilt a 1600 Ford xflow in my bedroom which replaced the knackered 997 (was originally 1340) Cosworth lump that was in it when I bought it.... I think my insurance at the time was more than three times what I paid for the car hehe
Yeo, done the "car parts in the bedroom" thing before biggrin At one point I had two MX5 seats, the bonnet, boot, block and the alternator in a pretty small room. I think stripping and rebuilding two Weber carbs full of fuel was probably the final straw on that line :/

I've currently got a Fiat X1/9 in pieces all over the garage and a Jag XK140 I'm restoring for a friend. Plan is to sell the Fiat come springtime and use whatever I get from that to buy a Trev.

I've always loved the idea of a V8, namely the sound, and a Chimaera seems to be the best way into this (besides Landies.... Different kettle of fish)

I guess I'll try and get quotes for a Chim, V6s and M-series when I finish the Fiat and see where to go from there.

Cheers

James

jjbradders

Original Poster:

80 posts

100 months

Sunday 14th August 2016
quotequote all
Hi all

Been looking at S-series too. Which is better to tune, the 2.8 with the weird ports or 2.9 with 6 ports? Not looking to get stupid power, just a little extra with a couple of engine things (I'll be stripping whatever engine I get anyway biggrin)

Cheers

James