Would you dare ? Or do I need to take a cold bath....
Discussion
after a vast number of years away from TVR's I still haven't managed to shake them off... I now find myself looking for a cerb and have come across what appears to be cheap example (or a nightmare waiting to happen). It seems the Tuscan rr I owned way back when inspired a friend of mine and years later he acquired an early 4.2 with a damaged engine which had stood in this state for nearly 8 years.... The engine turned out to be goosed and had to be replaced along with the clutch and slave cylinder.
Now the car does require some paint (probably a full respray) although none due to damage, it's HPI clear and the outriggers look good although I've not managed to get the car up on the ramp for a full chassis inspection yet ( this will happen before I make up my mind).
I've taken it for a good test drive and it seems to drive straight and pulls well, discs will require replacing as they are clearly warped...
Interior is tidy and everything seems to work although aircon wasn't all that cold.
History wise it's patchy I'll be honest, mainly due to it being off the road for a number of years.
It has 16" spiders fitted which I'm not a fan of but good tyres all round.
Bear in mind I carry out all my own servicing and maintenance and fully understand that niggles were fitted standard at the factory.
So the big question is.... At £12k would you take a punt or run a mile ?
Now the car does require some paint (probably a full respray) although none due to damage, it's HPI clear and the outriggers look good although I've not managed to get the car up on the ramp for a full chassis inspection yet ( this will happen before I make up my mind).
I've taken it for a good test drive and it seems to drive straight and pulls well, discs will require replacing as they are clearly warped...
Interior is tidy and everything seems to work although aircon wasn't all that cold.
History wise it's patchy I'll be honest, mainly due to it being off the road for a number of years.
It has 16" spiders fitted which I'm not a fan of but good tyres all round.
Bear in mind I carry out all my own servicing and maintenance and fully understand that niggles were fitted standard at the factory.
So the big question is.... At £12k would you take a punt or run a mile ?
Edited by lew_boi on Wednesday 4th May 15:24
I did something similar and bought a low millage car that had been stored from TopCats. Latest bills to date to bring it up to scratch come to around £9k. Depends if you think it is worth that!
I am starting to think not and considering moving back to a Chim/Griff which I had previously and preferred.
I am starting to think not and considering moving back to a Chim/Griff which I had previously and preferred.
Not when billynobrakes 90% sorted car sold for not a lot more recently. Needed some interior trim work.
Stood for so long I'd expect a long list of things to do. AC may just be a regas but could also be a rebuild of an obsolete system.
16-inch wheels seem an odd choice. Thought they were 17 from the factory.
Stood for so long I'd expect a long list of things to do. AC may just be a regas but could also be a rebuild of an obsolete system.
16-inch wheels seem an odd choice. Thought they were 17 from the factory.
env said:
I did something similar and bought a low millage car that had been stored from TopCats. Latest bills to date to bring it up to scratch come to around £9k. Depends if you think it is worth that!
I am starting to think not and considering moving back to a Chim/Griff which I had previously and preferred.
What did you come up against ? I must admitt it sitting idle for so long does worry me.I am starting to think not and considering moving back to a Chim/Griff which I had previously and preferred.
Do you work on the cerb yourself or specialist maintained ?
As a few have said the chassis Condition is the biggest issue playing on my mind, need to organise getting it on the ramps.
16" saturns standard but think 16" spiders were tamora !?! Could be wrong.....
I did this very thing a few years ago.
Tired Cerbera, albeit with lovely paint but not much else going for it. Bought it for about the money you're talking about with the intention of fixing it up and making it mine.
I'm just doing everything slowly as I get the time/money but also using it virtually every day, put 20k miles on the clock (despite thinking the engine will need a rebuild at some stage and thinking every rattle is it's death breath).
Eventually, it'll have a new chassis, engine and interior but so far I've refurbished the brakes, gearbox, clutch, slave and I'm working through the electrical faults.
I'm enjoying using the car, I don't feel guilty as the miles go 75k+ and if something needs doing, it'll get done as and when it needs it.
I'd go for it.
Tired Cerbera, albeit with lovely paint but not much else going for it. Bought it for about the money you're talking about with the intention of fixing it up and making it mine.
I'm just doing everything slowly as I get the time/money but also using it virtually every day, put 20k miles on the clock (despite thinking the engine will need a rebuild at some stage and thinking every rattle is it's death breath).
Eventually, it'll have a new chassis, engine and interior but so far I've refurbished the brakes, gearbox, clutch, slave and I'm working through the electrical faults.
I'm enjoying using the car, I don't feel guilty as the miles go 75k+ and if something needs doing, it'll get done as and when it needs it.
I'd go for it.
Edited by Byff on Wednesday 4th May 17:32
Hi,
Great advice about doing it yourself as this a HUGE factor. I'm only into a few months ownership and I have already fettled with my 4.5 more than any other car I've previously owned.
I would also add the factor of having somewhere to store it if it does need some work. I'm lucky to have a garage where it has sat for the last 2 weeks. Yours will need a fair amount of work by the sound of it and it depends if it is laid up in doing it. My engine runs really well but there are lots (and I mean lots) of little niggly things that need doing.
I feel it is and will always be a project, however far you get it sorted as it will always need to be checked over every week ( fluids, underneath etc).
My 10c.
Great advice about doing it yourself as this a HUGE factor. I'm only into a few months ownership and I have already fettled with my 4.5 more than any other car I've previously owned.
I would also add the factor of having somewhere to store it if it does need some work. I'm lucky to have a garage where it has sat for the last 2 weeks. Yours will need a fair amount of work by the sound of it and it depends if it is laid up in doing it. My engine runs really well but there are lots (and I mean lots) of little niggly things that need doing.
I feel it is and will always be a project, however far you get it sorted as it will always need to be checked over every week ( fluids, underneath etc).
My 10c.
env said:
I did something similar and bought a low millage car that had been stored from TopCats. Latest bills to date to bring it up to scratch come to around £9k. Depends if you think it is worth that!
I am starting to think not and considering moving back to a Chim/Griff which I had previously and preferred.
I think I've spent around £15k on mine over ten years, but all the majors stuff has been done now.I am starting to think not and considering moving back to a Chim/Griff which I had previously and preferred.
Thanks for all the advise and opinions guys
Storage and working facilities isn't to much of a problem, have afew garages I tend to keep my collection of 4 wheeled junk in, mainly aircooled VW tat that rarely sees the road these days.
How many people look after their own TVR's ? and how does this affect resale in the future ?
I must admit I enjoy working on cars/bikes as much as, if not more than driving them
so not phased by that. The last 911 spent more time on stands than on the road and that was meant to be a driver from the off.
Suppose it all comes down to what it's set to need. At present the list doesn't seem that long but the future could be a different story!
Need to have a poke around underneath......
Storage and working facilities isn't to much of a problem, have afew garages I tend to keep my collection of 4 wheeled junk in, mainly aircooled VW tat that rarely sees the road these days.
How many people look after their own TVR's ? and how does this affect resale in the future ?
I must admit I enjoy working on cars/bikes as much as, if not more than driving them
so not phased by that. The last 911 spent more time on stands than on the road and that was meant to be a driver from the off. Suppose it all comes down to what it's set to need. At present the list doesn't seem that long but the future could be a different story!
Need to have a poke around underneath......
lew_boi said:
Bear in mind I carry out all my own servicing and maintenance and fully understand that niggles were fitted standard at the factory.
So the big question is.... At £12k would you take a punt or run a mile ?
In that case once you negotiate down to reflect the cosmetic condition then it sounds like a great idea. You just need space, and time, and patience, and commitment, then one day you'll have a superb car to sell on.So the big question is.... At £12k would you take a punt or run a mile ?
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