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Hi Guys
I'm not a very active poster because i'm relatively new to TVR ownership (2yrs), but i do read the forums a lot. I am thinking about doing some work to my 1995 4.0 Chim and wondered if you could help.
My car is about as standard as it could be. It has been well looked after and was in much better condition than 3 other cars i looked at for the same price (£6,500). I haven't done anything apart from regular services, changed a brake calliper and some immobiliser relay issues. I have been toying with the idea of a Cerbera but can't justify it at the moment as i work abroad. I like the idea of keeping my car standard and i like fixing simple things on it, but if i am going to make some upgrades i want to do it all. This is where your wealth of knowledge would really help me. First of all here's a worklist of the things i want to do:
- Chassis off, not had any problems with rust (apparently older ones are made from better steel) but it could do with a coat of whatever
- Upgrade suspension - Gaz golds
- Upgrade brakes
- Renew brake lines
- Engine inspection & service, possibly replace crankshaft, flexible hoses
- Possibly some kind of induction kit, i'm not power hungry but i'm open to sensible upgrade suggestions
- Y-Piece & Exhaust?
- Differential inspection, oil change
- Full respray (change the colour completely)
- Replace rear light covers
- Replace front lights and put covers over
- Full interior re-trim, including a possible option to lower the driver's seat/change seats, aluminium dash + leven stalks
- Estoril wheels or alternative
- Upgrade stereo system
I know this is going to be expensive and more than the car will be worth at the end of this process, but i love this car and see myself owning it for a long time. Question is just how expensive?? If you could comment against each item i would be very grateful.
Having found out how much you guys think each item should cost, i'm going to ask for some quotes for the whole project and see what kind of discount i can wangle. Do you have any recommendations of places that would be willing to take on a project like this? Do you think i would be better working with specialists in each area? I live near Chester but i'm willing to travel and leave the car for as long as is needed.
Any previous experiences with this kind of project most welcome. Would travel to talk to someone with any advice to offer and buy you a pint for your troubles!
Keep it real guys - thanks a lot.
Simon
I'm not a very active poster because i'm relatively new to TVR ownership (2yrs), but i do read the forums a lot. I am thinking about doing some work to my 1995 4.0 Chim and wondered if you could help.
My car is about as standard as it could be. It has been well looked after and was in much better condition than 3 other cars i looked at for the same price (£6,500). I haven't done anything apart from regular services, changed a brake calliper and some immobiliser relay issues. I have been toying with the idea of a Cerbera but can't justify it at the moment as i work abroad. I like the idea of keeping my car standard and i like fixing simple things on it, but if i am going to make some upgrades i want to do it all. This is where your wealth of knowledge would really help me. First of all here's a worklist of the things i want to do:
- Chassis off, not had any problems with rust (apparently older ones are made from better steel) but it could do with a coat of whatever
- Upgrade suspension - Gaz golds
- Upgrade brakes
- Renew brake lines
- Engine inspection & service, possibly replace crankshaft, flexible hoses
- Possibly some kind of induction kit, i'm not power hungry but i'm open to sensible upgrade suggestions
- Y-Piece & Exhaust?
- Differential inspection, oil change
- Full respray (change the colour completely)
- Replace rear light covers
- Replace front lights and put covers over
- Full interior re-trim, including a possible option to lower the driver's seat/change seats, aluminium dash + leven stalks
- Estoril wheels or alternative
- Upgrade stereo system
I know this is going to be expensive and more than the car will be worth at the end of this process, but i love this car and see myself owning it for a long time. Question is just how expensive?? If you could comment against each item i would be very grateful.
Having found out how much you guys think each item should cost, i'm going to ask for some quotes for the whole project and see what kind of discount i can wangle. Do you have any recommendations of places that would be willing to take on a project like this? Do you think i would be better working with specialists in each area? I live near Chester but i'm willing to travel and leave the car for as long as is needed.
Any previous experiences with this kind of project most welcome. Would travel to talk to someone with any advice to offer and buy you a pint for your troubles!
Keep it real guys - thanks a lot.
Simon
Thought as much chaps! Thanks for the rough estimate. I think i'll try to keep it as simple and original as possible, although having said it's in good condition it's by no means concourse and i would imagine that's where the real money is for originality. I want to drive the car for miles and miles, planning a few big road trips. The forward part of the dash needs re-trimming, but i think that can wait a bit longer. I'm also 6'7 so i'm going to look into modifying the seats as best i can, it's a bit of an issue when the hood is up.... The paint is the only other thing. I have a few stone chips on the bonnet, but the worst is behind the rear wheels. Might get a quote for just these panels. So little bits here and there but like for like...
So with a budget burning a hole in my pocket, i might look for a well sorted Cerbera and start the car collection!
So with a budget burning a hole in my pocket, i might look for a well sorted Cerbera and start the car collection!
Mine don't have the box section, i've already had a look if there was anything relatively easy to do. Pedals are adjusted right back, which requires me to think about the shoes i wear when driving, but otherwise i'm extremely comfortable in there (better than some other cars i have driven - rover 75 particularly bad). I just need an extra inch or two of headroom. I don't mind about the recline as long as they don't make me sit too bolt upright, because that may decrease the headroom. The only thing is i would like to keep the forward/backward movement as my dad drives it and he's not so much of a giant.
Lotus Elise you say? what year?
Thanks
Lotus Elise you say? what year?
Thanks
Thanks guys, very helpful.
Might take a trip to Telford, they might be interested in replacing the leather on the dash at the same time. I'm reliably informed the windscreen needs removing to do this and it will cost around 400 quid all in. If there's a possibility of new seats as well i might look into full re-trim, might be worth doing it all together while seats are out and dash is in bits as well. Probably should replace cracked veneers at the same....... this is where my problem lies! where does it stop!
Ta
Might take a trip to Telford, they might be interested in replacing the leather on the dash at the same time. I'm reliably informed the windscreen needs removing to do this and it will cost around 400 quid all in. If there's a possibility of new seats as well i might look into full re-trim, might be worth doing it all together while seats are out and dash is in bits as well. Probably should replace cracked veneers at the same....... this is where my problem lies! where does it stop!
Ta
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