Restoration

[flyingplumvr6]

Carpmart said:

So, two questions spring to mind, is it a 3000M or a 2500M? Second, how much did you pay?

It is indeed a 3000M, but I couldn't possibly disclose the price! I've secured a deal with a deposit and agreed a collection date though, so no going back now!

[whitewolf]

glad to see its not gone to the scrappy

a fair bit of money and work involved but you know you'll be happy with the end result

[jpa]

Nice one, well done. At least it will stop the missus rolling her eyes next time I go up to the lakes as I always stop to see if it is still there!

Good luck with it.

[Dave_M]

Very pleased it will be saved

[Seabass]

Good work that man... Did you look at the chassis at all?

[jellison]

Good stuff - but really you should have insisted on checking the chassis as if this is gone and i'd say it is a likely 50/50 it will be about 3.5-5k for a new one an dall the wishbones - the rest is fairly straight forward, it is all about the chassis at this price level of restoration.

That is a 2500M bonnet on it though (I had one on my 3000M after I needed a replacement - looks meaner!). I prefer the TR engine to the Essex but that is personnel preference.

Good luck.

I do wonder where mine is now.........

[thegamekeeper]

What is the difference between a 2500M bonnet and a 3000M?

[jellison]

thegamekeeper said:

What is the difference between a 2500M bonnet and a 3000M?

The numberplate goes across the big gaping hole in the middle of the bonnet on a 3000 (has a beam glassed in to created and upper and lower opening) and the 2500M has the twin NASA ducts

[Adrian@]

Sorry, my understanding is that the bonnets run across the range on all engine sizes..1st 40ish cars have the number plate sized lower vent and top vents square markers...quickly there is a factory kit (screw on) that converts this to a wide mouth version...then you have wide mouth version with top vents,square markers...then wide mouth with top vents, pointed markers...wide mouth no vents pointed markers...and late bonnet....there are several different mouldings that bring air across from the top vents to the heater box. Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Friday 16th July 10:50

[jellison]

99% of 3000M (certainly the later one without the side vents) have the 2 grill front and not vents.

This (have any bonnet you want) I think may have only been till they dropped the side vent tub (bit 70's)?

[flyingplumvr6]

jellison said:

Good stuff - but really you should have insisted on checking the chassis as if this is gone and i'd say it is a likely 50/50 it will be about 3.5-5k for a new one an dall the wishbones - the rest is fairly straight forward, it is all about the chassis at this price level of restoration.

That is a 2500M bonnet on it though (I had one on my 3000M after I needed a replacement - looks meaner!). I prefer the TR engine to the Essex but that is personnel preference.

Good luck.

I do wonder where mine is now.........

I inspected the chassis as best I could. Both outriggers have been replaced at some point, along with the rear subframe section (due to the old dodgy soundproofing). There's obviously going to be an amount of work, but I approached it with the view of 'what's a basket case TVR worth to me?'. It's also had a new engine and bonnet, so that might answer the bonnet query, although my thoughts were the same as Adrian's on this.

[jellison]

Cool- lets hope you can save the main part of the chassis (make a jig to replace any bits that are shagged).

Have you seen the Carolina Rodshop Griff rebuild - give you a good idea of how bad they can get!?

[flyingplumvr6]

jellison said:

Cool- lets hope you can save the main part of the chassis (make a jig to replace any bits that are shagged).

Have you seen the Carolina Rodshop Griff rebuild - give you a good idea of how bad they can get!?

Just had a look - here's hoping it's not quite that bad! (I'll prepare myself for the worst though).

[Adrian@]

jellison said:

99% of 3000M (certainly the later one without the side vents) have the 2 grill front and not vents.

This (have any bonnet you want) I think may have only been till they dropped the side vent tub (bit 70's)?

This how internet myths get started, LOL...early cars 71-76 come with black lower sills and it is an option to have the engine CC size PLUS the 'M' (the same as the Vixens) just in front of the doors in the black sill, the shell vents finish late 74 and as do chrome bumpers (I had a factory letter retro fitting black bumpers and late seats to a pre motor show built car that the customer took delivery on the day after the show and moaned)...all of this irrespective of engine size.
Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Friday 16th July 18:54

[aruck]

Just found this thread! Great news.. I used to go to Bowness several times and year and was always gutted to see this car. Has any progress been made with the restoration?

[flyingplum]

Not much progress yet - a house move and the all the work that comes with it has jumped the queue! On a positive, I've now got the space I need for the car, so restoration should begin later this summer.

[Fiscracer]

I'll be interested to know whether the end result is worth more than the restoration costs......my experience is you'll be very lucky if you see a return, but I wish you luck.

[ATE399J]

Fiscracer said:

I'll be interested to know whether the end result is worth more than the restoration costs......my experience is you'll be very lucky if you see a return, but I wish you luck.

Does that matter?

[Fiscracer]

ATE399J said:

Does that matter?

Not if you have money to burn.

It's not as if they're rare. If you can buy a better one for half the money it costs to restore............even if you do it yourself

[TVR_owner]

Fiscracer said:

Not if you have money to burn.

It's not as if they're rare. If you can buy a better one for half the money it costs to restore............even if you do it yourself

Folk restore things well because they want too. Commercial restoration, unless the buyer is aleady placed is not viable.

Are they rare, real terms yes they are.

Is an 1800S rare enough to spend 1000 hours of your life restoring - obviously is for you because its what you want.

Knowing how well something has been restored is the trick.