Central TVR

[chris watton]

OK, I thought I'd start a thread about this company, as I have emailed them with a list of work to do and a booking in date for late April - and I will post all of my experiences here.

This is what I want to have done:

Complete re-trim including carpets (Still not sure about what to go for regarding new colour scheme - I may need help here..)
New roof and rear screen (Black)
Wheels in shadow chrome
H4 H7 HID headlamp upgrade
Powder coated speed six rocker cover
Painted callipers (Red)

Service

Extras with parts supplied by me:

I have a new set of Nitron shocks to be fitted
I need a dash cam wire hidden in windscreen trim
An active sub-woofer fitted behind seat and connected to head unit (I thought it best to wait until the car is re-trimmed)
Momo Trek R steering wheel to be fitted
LED front indicators
I have a couple of niggling issues with the car, the speedo stops working intermittently - could this be the transducer?, and the door windows (especially the driver’s side) are very slow to raise.

Finally, an MOT to finish the car off.

The bodywork and paint seem great and not one stone chip is to be found, so no need for any work in that area. I am hoping that the car, aesthetically-wise, will look as good, or even better than new.

One extra thing since that list is lumbar support. Now, I am quite a short-ass at 5'7", and, although I find the position when driving comfortable, I have always wished I could sit just a tad higher. With that in mind, I have just ordered this:

http://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/tvr-car-part-v0322...

Along with the pump adaptor, to be fitted when the seats are re-trimmed. I have never had one of these before, do they help?

I am struggling to decide on interior colour scheme, do I stick with a smidgeon of blue, or a completely neutral colour scheme, so if the car has a colour change in the future, the interior wouldn't then look out of place.

I really like this, though:



But would subtle be better?:


I have no real preference for the colours, I just want it to look good, so any suggestions welcome...

This is the interior that is to be changed:



Very blue!

And this is the outside (pics taken just after I bought it):



I think that overall, the colour scheme was blue!

ETA - it's like looking at the world through a blue filter when inside! lol

Edited by chris watton on Saturday 1st March 14:22

[GTRene]

I like the more subtle interior.

[garreth64]

Will follow the thread with interest Chris. Might want to change my roof at some point.

i prefer the more subtle one as well, maybe in a dark blue that complements the exterior?

[chris watton]

garreth64 said:

Will follow the thread with interest Chris. Might want to change my roof at some point.

i prefer the more subtle one as well, maybe in a dark blue that complements the exterior?

Perhaps a dark blue with Portland grey?

I am erring more towards a very dark grey with Portland.

I think my favourite exterior colours are red or yellow pearlescent - as this car is intended to be a long term keeper, I would like the option to change the colour without having to re-trim the interior again (which, I am hoping will be good for at least another 10/15 years...)

[A900ss]

Whilst I love to see what changes people make to their cars, it won't really be a thread about Central TVR.

If you have a good experience, you can post it.

If you have a bad experience, you can't due to naming and shaming rules.

(I still want to see the photos though )

[DJR 7]

Chris have you thought about talking to Dave the trimmer?
He has some great ideas and he's very enthusiastic. I entrusted him with the project car and I can't recommend him highly enough, his attention to detail is superb.

D

[chris watton]

If expectations aren't met, I promise that I'll be as diplomatic as possible to avoid breaching any N&S rules.

Right now, I have three big upgrades planned and three different companies in mind to make my semi-decent (but tatty around the edges) looking Tam into my perfect Tam - central for the aesthetics (stage 1) TVR Power for the oily bits and 4.3 (stage 2) and perhaps Gearboxman for the CR box and Quaife LSD (stage 3). I am hoping that, if all goes well, I will have all the car I could ever want. It will end up costing much more than buying one when brand new, but I am hoping it will be better than new, once complete and all work done to a high standard.

Edited by chris watton on Friday 28th March 13:01

[slimtater]

Me too

chris watton said:

I really like this, though:

That looks like Oxford Blue leather with Cream Ambala, Oxford Blue stitching and Oxford Blue carpet.....

Edited by slimtater on Saturday 1st March 18:16

[chris watton]

slimtater said:

Me too

chris watton said:

I really like this, though:

Is that yours?

I was all set for greys until I seen that pic!

[slimtater]

chris watton said:

Is that yours?

I was all set for greys until I seen that pic!

Yes it is Chris - one of a series of cracking pics taken a couple of years ago:

[chris watton]

Very nice indeed! If mine ends up looking half as good as that, I shall be happy

Damn - Just realised, I didn't ask to quote for the seat backs being re-painted in black, rather than the silver they are now....That first pic just reminded me!

[slimtater]

Back on topic. My car went to Central a couple of years ago - I think they were linked to TVR Power at the time. They did a really good job of refurbing my wheels and fitting new side windows.

[chris watton]

slimtater said:

Back on topic. My car went to Central a couple of years ago - I think they were linked to TVR Power at the time. They did a really good job of refurbing my wheels and fitting new side windows.

I have had both good and not so good reports, but on the whole, most of the feedback I have had privately has been positive. I think it's important that people who know these cars inside out do the job - less chance of messing it up...I hope...

[alex_gray255]

Contact me nearer the time. I removed the post because I think the box
maybe used in another project car I have, but if not and you're still interested
I'll let you have it.

[chris watton]

OK Alex, cheers

[peteA]

Hi Chris

My Tamora is a similar paint colour to yours and mine is away being trimmed at the moment. I went trough a similar thought process as you - vibrant vs more restrained and eventually went for Black and Tan (think latest Ferrari interiors) with black carbon fibre leather thrown in for good measure!

Should get it back next week is ill post some pics if you like?

[chris watton]

peteA said:

Hi Chris

My Tamora is a similar paint colour to yours and mine is away being trimmed at the moment. I went trough a similar thought process as you - vibrant vs more restrained and eventually went for Black and Tan (think latest Ferrari interiors) with black carbon fibre leather thrown in for good measure!

Should get it back next week is ill post some pics if you like?

Excellent, yes please!

I think it's harder choosing the colours when you have no real preference - you just want it look 'right'!

[peteA]

chris watton said:

Excellent, yes please!

I think it's harder choosing the colours when you have no real preference - you just want it look 'right'!

Will do.

In the meantime here's a pic of my car (on its new black SP12s and new, upgraded front brakes) so you can see the similar colour...





and a teaser shot of my partially completed re-trimmed seat...

[chris watton]

peteA said:

Will do.

In the meantime here's a pic of my car (on its new black SP12s and new, upgraded front brakes) so you can see the similar colour...





and a teaser shot of my partially completed re-trimmed seat...

Looking good! I do like the TVR logo stitched into the seats.

[Zippee]

peteA said:

and a teaser shot of my partially completed re-trimmed seat...

I like the striped stitching, a nice change from the quilted stuff everyone seems to be going for.