R745 NTT - Anyone know it?
Discussion
Just picked up this 1997 Halcyon Atlantis 400 as a bit of a project. Wondered if anyone knew the car as it has a PH smiley in the back.
It needs a lot of love and some of the choice mods burning, but it has Tuscan seats and mirrors and plenty of potential.
Probably start a thread in readers cars next week but just thought i'd try and find some history as it's come with no paperwork.
It needs a lot of love and some of the choice mods burning, but it has Tuscan seats and mirrors and plenty of potential.
Probably start a thread in readers cars next week but just thought i'd try and find some history as it's come with no paperwork.
Hot1 said:
Did you get this from eBay? The car looks familiar! How much work needs doing?
Yep, came from eBay. Paintwork is shot, windows don't work, been off the road for god knows how long. 100k miles + (not sure exact figure....odo's jammed) and after we won it we found out it's a Cat C total loss from 2002, so we haggled accordingly 
Pretty sure the T/L is bodywork related, though something suspicious is going on with the outriggers as they feel very thin - like they've been rebuilt with different size tubing to normal.No issue at all with any of that - bought the car knowing it needs stripping down and rebuilding, and that's what I'll do.
Engine....runs beautifully! I've never heard an RV8 run as sweetly! I'll pop it on the dyno at some point and see just what sort of health it's in, but mechanically the whole thing seems good.
Tuscan seats look nice, but they're pretty uncomfortable! It's had Corrado mirrors fitted too, but not very well. There are quite a few mods like the extra front lights, Halfords speakers adorning the doors which will all get ripped out, but otherwise it's really nice. Should be finished for Bring it Home in Blackpool next year
JonathanT said:
looks good, what wheels have you got on it?
I'd never seen them before. They're branded 'Ultralite' but no idea who makes them. They're correctly staggered, but the fronts are 17's which I'm worried might be a bit big. Tyres have such a low profile on them I'm worried it'll drive a bit rough!Normally don't like A/M wheels on TVRs but these do work. 5 stud conversion with 16in Spiders was a possibility but may well keep these instead.
TimJM said:
Where did you buy it from (location not website)?
It looks like one I used to drive past every Sunday for the last couple of years (at least) sitting outside next to the old Pear Tree pub in Brownhills West.
Always thought it was a shame just sitting there but noticed it has gone now.
Yup, sounds like the one. That picture was taken in a road down the side. It was a right old Steptoe's yard too!It looks like one I used to drive past every Sunday for the last couple of years (at least) sitting outside next to the old Pear Tree pub in Brownhills West.
Always thought it was a shame just sitting there but noticed it has gone now.
Been there about two years apparently, but he's decided not to bother doing it up and put it on eBay as it was. Then once we'd HPI'd it prior to travelling up we found it was a Cat C from 2002. I think the car was originally from Exeter area, but I think it's been in Merseyside in the last few years.
TimJM said:
Yes, that's the one. Just worked out where your picture was taken from. That fenced off area behind is the car park to the old pub. It must be the same one - I recall it has some dodgy after burner rear light conversion.
I can certainly confirm that it has been sitting there without moving for some time (I would say two years).
Other than that not much help - good to see this has been taken on now though rather than rotting away year after year in all weather.
Yes, it's got a set of Fiesta lexus-style rear lamps, which will be promptly ripped out and jumped on. It's also had an attack of Ripspeed/Vibe Halfords audio flu. A dose of Asperbin should sort that out!I can certainly confirm that it has been sitting there without moving for some time (I would say two years).
Other than that not much help - good to see this has been taken on now though rather than rotting away year after year in all weather.
Surprisingly it's looking rusty, but no rustier than the average R reg Chimaera. However the outrigger tubes feel....odd. It'll all be in nut & bolt form in time, so we'll find out then!
TimJM said:
Has the car had another shunt since Dec 2006?
The reason I ask is in the Dec 2006 pic (when it looked well) it has clear indicator lens covers, but in the now picture they are back to orange. I wouldn't have thought somebody would go this way out of choice especially since they seemed keen on adding the clear lens afterburner rear lights. Just seems a bit odd. Don't know if there is another story there?
May well have done, although can't see any evidence of one. It's possible somebody either preferred the original lamps, or perhaps the guy inbetween V8FRM and the guy we bought it from could have removed them for another car or something?The reason I ask is in the Dec 2006 pic (when it looked well) it has clear indicator lens covers, but in the now picture they are back to orange. I wouldn't have thought somebody would go this way out of choice especially since they seemed keen on adding the clear lens afterburner rear lights. Just seems a bit odd. Don't know if there is another story there?
It's changed so dramatically since that picture of it in it's former glory that it doesn't surprise me they've changed too.
TimJM said:
What sort of time frame for the transformation are we talking about? I would be very interested to hear how the work progresses and the horrors that lie in reviving such a car.
A respray has been agreed (in principle) today, and we've started removing some of the tat we found inside, like Vibe 6x9 speakers (apologies to anyone with Vibe speakers!)I'm just about to start putting a blog on the Facebook page, which I won't link you to directly as I don't want to be see as advertising on the board, but there's a link in my profile to the page.
It seems we've been lucky straight away here....Simon mentioned in his email it was a sorted car he regrets selling. It's fallen on some hard times as we can see, but it'll get there.
Pics as promised (you might wanna put on some specs with greasey lens' Simon!):
I really don't want to put people off hunting these sorts of cars out. I might come across a bit like it's all a joke, but deep down I'm as excited to pick this up as any TVR.
I really don't want to put people off hunting these sorts of cars out. I might come across a bit like it's all a joke, but deep down I'm as excited to pick this up as any TVR.
Edited by Kitchski on Wednesday 10th February 13:36
V8Firm said:
Those lights! Front and back! I'm not a stickler for originality but they do cross the line. IMHO. Wheels are not too bad and have to say that I prefer estorils that were fitted to R745 from new to the std ones on my current chim. I'm already looking for some replacements.. Seats are probably best fitted to a Tuscan. Would also be interested as to why indicators were changed back to orange.....unusual. Prefer white and another thing for me to change on mine.
Anyway I am finding this very interesting, and quite personal! It's
like being re-united with an old flame who has fallen on hard times.....how well will she scrub up? She was always a go'er!
Cheers
Yeah, the rear lamps have to go! I know lots of people like them, but not me! Not sure what to put in there yet, though. Front indicators we're perplexed by. Can only assume a previous owner didn't like the clears, or they took them for use on another Chim?Anyway I am finding this very interesting, and quite personal! It's
like being re-united with an old flame who has fallen on hard times.....how well will she scrub up? She was always a go'er!
Cheers
Wheels we also wanted Estorils, but having spent some time with it like it is, they've really grown on us. Seats I like....they're not comfy because someone has packed an immense amount of foam into them, but I like the look. The very last Chims had them fitted, so they're kind of OE+
Glad you're finding it interesting. My old Chim of 4-5 years is on here being used by an active member, but I haven't contacted them as it's a bit too painful! I didn't want to sell it, I had to sell it! But this one takes the edge off a bit!
Goaty Bill said:
Kitchski said:
Yeah, the rear lamps have to go! I know lots of people like them, but not me! Not sure what to put in there yet, though. Front indicators we're perplexed by. Can only assume a previous owner didn't like the clears, or they took them for use on another Chim?
<snipped>
Couldn't agree more about the rears lights. Dumped in the nearest bin would be my first choice.<snipped>
But, amber front indicators are quite standard for a 97/98 'R'.
In fact, if memory serves, the clears were either optional (later) or made their appearance on some 'special' in late '99/'00, and then (I think) stayed as the 'norm'.
All the new cars I remember looking at in early-mid '99 had amber indicators.
I recently saw a totally untouched original, very low mileage '99/S 4.5 that was identical to mine for paint, lights (indicators amber), body mouldings and interior fittings (aside from the interior trim colours).
It just confirms that I haven't (quite) lost my mind somewhere along the way
Only they haven't because.....
123kev said:
I owned the car for 3 years if you need to talk to me i will fill you in on everything i did with the car it was looked after very well and was a sold with a tear in my eye. Please contact me and i will fill in the missing details for you
....this man filled us in on why they've changed!Thanks for getting in touch again, Kevin. We're piecing together a right little story on this car and it's finally going to have the restoration you wanted it to!
Cheers
Quick update....
We assessed the engine on the dyno yesterday:
Oh dear:
So there goes the (slight) hope that this sweet sounding engine might be the result of a rebuild and be in rude health!
It really does run sweetly, but it also turns out it's barely got enough grunt to turn the power steering pump
We assessed the engine on the dyno yesterday:
Oh dear:
So there goes the (slight) hope that this sweet sounding engine might be the result of a rebuild and be in rude health!
It really does run sweetly, but it also turns out it's barely got enough grunt to turn the power steering pump
Edited by Kitchski on Wednesday 10th February 13:37
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff