About to buy - advice on 2 points?

[TVRless]

Hi guys and gals

My next post hopefully will be how to change my nickname to something more appropriate - as I have found an S3 I hope to pick up at the weekend.

It's actually more of an S2.5, as it has a S2/S3 hybrid dash, with S2 mirrors (not electric), so first point:

The nearside S2 mirror is useless, unless tilted up at a 'bunny ear' angle - and they are none too pretty in the first place. Has anyone found a nice replacement that doesn't require major door surgery. I am happy with manual mirrors.

Second point is one rear wing has stress cracks at the top, for which one specialist estimated £500-600 to repair . I hear cries of walk away, but the rest of the car has so clearly been cherished (including fantastic chassis) that I think it's worth it. Does anyone know of a good fibreglass bodyshop man in the Herts/Essex area they can recommend (hopefully for less than above)?

[Roy C]

It's actually more of an S2.5, as it has a S2/S3 hybrid dash

I reckon that if it has the short door body it's an S2 and if it has the long door body it's an S3.

The nearside S2 mirror is useless, unless tilted up at a 'bunny ear' angle - and they are none too pretty in the first place. Has anyone found a nice replacement that doesn't require major door surgery

There is a bigger-looking version of the "speed-up" mirror (as fitted to S1, S2 and some S3). I presume it has the same fitting as the original, so it may be a straight swap (no surgery). It's still ugly though. See page 10 of the Merlin catalogue: www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/

Second point is one rear wing has stress cracks at the top, for which one specialist estimated £500-600 to repair

An odd place for stress cracks. Accident damage?

[Psychobert]

Mirrors wise, its one of those things, just depends.. Shnozz's car was off the line shortly after mine, but mine I think is the more modern in terms of mirrors, interior switches and so on.

Not sure about the stress crack. Does make me think there has been a bump, but not sure. Not in your area, drop Podie a line as he is and may be able to point you to someone that can help..

[Rower]

It will not be a stress fracture , the body just sits on the Chasis, It must have had a bang , probably nothing serious and when fixed is unlikeley to re-appear.

Good luck with it !

[TVRless]

Thanks for the help guys

This S3 (and others already seen) is definitely an S3 (long doors) and the interior is S3 style, but still uses the S2 rotary switches and ugly door mirrors - and wooden dash absent. (having seen S3 wooden dashes - not a worry as they all flake off before your eyes - one less job!)

Thanks Roy for the Merlin Motorsports tip - bigger mirrors might bring up line of sight enough so will call them.

I agree with comments - cracks probably due to someone being caught out on a wet day and a rear end slide!

I would really like to upgrade to the S3 Citroen mirrors as they are a) more attractive, and b) sit above window line, therefore passenger mirror can be used. I am not worried about electrical (as nowhere to put switch!) as long as I can move glass with thumb that's good enough. Will they cover the hole left by the S2 mirrors?

[dern]

This S3 (and others already seen) is definitely an S3 (long doors) and the interior is S3 style, but still uses the S2 rotary switches and ugly door mirrors - and wooden dash absent.

Do you mean like this...

www.cwork.co.uk/mark/cars/tvr/tvr2.jpg

Argh! Bloody pictures, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Wednesday 11th June 09:25

[RichardR]

TVRless said:I would really like to upgrade to the S3 Citroen mirrors as they are a) more attractive, and b) sit above window line, therefore passenger mirror can be used. I am not worried about electrical (as nowhere to put switch!) as long as I can move glass with thumb that's good enough. Will they cover the hole left by the S2 mirrors?

I think the Citroen mirrors actually sit in an indentation in the door (will nip down and check later), so I don't think you'll be able to retrofit them (they're also about £170 each apparently, which strikes me as another good reason not to do it! ).

However, there was an article a while back on PH by a guy who'd changed the CX mirrors on his Griff for VW (Corrado I think) mirrors which might be a better option (and also unique on an S I'd think).

I'll see if I can find the article and post a link to it.

[RichardR]

Here's the article. One of the pictures shows the indentation in the door for the CX mirror that I mentioned.

[S2 Giles]

Hi

I have an S2 with electric mirrors, these are the square type that i think were used on some of the wedges and maybe the FHC 280i. They arnt the most atractive but IMO look a damn sight better than the floppy ears and they sit above window edge so can be fully used for both sides.
The electric mirror switch is next to ciggy lighter by my left knee !

they just bolt onto the door without any indent etc

[RichardR]

S2 Giles said: Hi

I have an S2 with electric mirrors, these are the square type that i think were used on some of the wedges and maybe the FHC 280i.

I think these might be Ford mirrors, as used on the Capri.

[shnozz]

TVRless said: Thanks for the help guys

This S3 (and others already seen) is definitely an S3 (long doors) and the interior is S3 style, but still uses the S2 rotary switches and ugly door mirrors - and wooden dash absent. (having seen S3 wooden dashes - not a worry as they all flake off before your eyes - one less job!)

Thanks Roy for the Merlin Motorsports tip - bigger mirrors might bring up line of sight enough so will call them.

I agree with comments - cracks probably due to someone being caught out on a wet day and a rear end slide!

I would really like to upgrade to the S3 Citroen mirrors as they are a) more attractive, and b) sit above window line, therefore passenger mirror can be used. I am not worried about electrical (as nowhere to put switch!) as long as I can move glass with thumb that's good enough. Will they cover the hole left by the S2 mirrors?

my car is exactly the same as the one you describe - its an S3 with the shite mirrors, rotary switches etc. As Psychobert said early in the thread, our cars are only 5 apart on number plates but completely different vis a vis mirrors, interiors etc. Typical TVR

I did enquire about changing the mirrors - LeeBee is the person to speak to. Do a search on the S forum re mirrors and you may find the thread and contact details via Leebee's profile. It wasnt a cheap job though as the later mirrors wont fill the holes left by the shitreon ones. I could probably give you a little more information when i have a bit more time but little rushed today as off to le mans later and need to check the S over...

edited to add pic

note radioactive handbrake!





>> Edited by shnozz on Thursday 12th June 11:30

[TVRless]

Wow, thanks everyone for the responses!

Dern - yes that's exactly the interior I've got (except in Mushroom/green piping)

Richard - thanks for the tip - I'm not impressed with the price either - more of a last resort! I assume if the later mirrors won't fit, then the Corrado ones won't either, but I've printed the article just in case.

Giles - no chance of some piccies of your mirrors?

Shnozz - thanks for the tip re: LeeBee, and have fun at LeMans!

God this waiting for Saturday to collect is pure agony - I'm having so much trouble concentrating on work! Apparently the TVR's name is 'Trevor' - no doubt it's not the first one to be named so!

[DustyC]

Even the first one was. It was built by Trevor Wilinson. Thats where the name TreVoR comes from.

You think its agony waiting to pick up the car? You should try waiting for Le Mans!
No chance of getting any work done!

edited to add URL

>> Edited by DustyC on Thursday 12th June 14:05

[TVRless]

Shnozz

Just seen edit to include piccy of your interior - like the chrome dials, handbrake and gearknob...

Checked Leven - only seen handbrake for S - where d'ya get the rest from?

[RichardR]

shnozz said:note radioactive handbrake!

[chin up]

TVRless, good luck with it. For knockout TVR bodywork try PRWood motorbodies. They're in essex and I saw an 's' that had been totally resprayed by them and have to say it looked absolutely fantastic.

[Podie]

PR Woods is in Westcliff on Sea, and having seen examples of his work... I'd definately consider going there!

Where exactly are these cracks... "top of the wing" doesn't really give us an idea... they could be quite normal if located around the boot lid area..

[TVRless]

Thanks for help and tip re: PR Woods.

I have now purchased the car, brought it back Saturday morning, and got sunburnt bringing it home!

What a weekend - cannot remove grin from face without surgery!

A couple more questions if I may?

Gearbox a little crunchy at times (esp. reverse, when I can find it!), and clutch bites at bottom of travel. Is the ford clutch an auto-adjuster and therefore assume at end of natural, or can I adjust bite position?

Second, need to buy car cap to cover hood (no garage ) and will pay £150 for official cover, unless anyone knows of cheaper but just as good option?

And yes, I will post piccies when I get them off the camera, and assuming getting piccies onto fotango.com is easy!

[M@H]

TVRless said:
Gearbox a little crunchy at times (esp. reverse, when I can find it!), and clutch bites at bottom of travel. Is the ford clutch an auto-adjuster and therefore assume at end of natural, or can I adjust bite position?

Sounds like a problem with the hydraulics.. check the fluid level in the Master Cylinder reservoir. I had this problem and within a matter of days couldn't change gear, the slave cylinder was knackered (which seems a fairly common fault) and needed replacing as it was weeping fluid onto the ground.

(have a look for lost brake/hydro fluid under the car too)

Cheers
Matt.

[Yellabelly]

TVRless or is it now "NolongerTVRless"

With regards to a car cap you can buy a real cheapy at H-lfords or real expensive at Leven (£150). I bought a full heavy duty cover from www.classicadditions.co.uk for £153 inc lock cable and delivery, delivered in 24 hours it is good quality and does the job well.
Best of luck with the new lady, now is the time to be topless