TVR S1 new owner needs advice
Discussion
Hello Everybody,
Although I joined Pistonheads in 2010 when I was considering buying a TVR I never followed through with the idea but now I have. I have owned many classic cars in the past(please click on my profile to see a few) including TVR's 2.8 Tasmin convertible & Coupe & a 400se and I have a problem I cannot stop buying cars on ebay also was looking for a bit of fun so I bought sight unseen a 1988 TVR S1 which I have not taken delivery yet so it is "fingers crossed".
I an 6 foot 7 inches big but on a diet and live in Spain but might be moving to Florida which dictated to me the year of manufacture of the car of my choice to get it in to the US as a classic to get around many of their import duties I picked a TVR S because I have never owned one in the past and rightly or wrongly wanted something easy to maintain.
So any advice would be appreciated My main thoughts are to replace the seats to protect the originals as I think the sun over here and my weight will kill the leather also smaller seats would give me more room also I was considering replacing the steering wheel with something to give more room although I am nervous about not having PAS, the 1982 2.8 Tasmin coupe that I owned did not have PAS and I found it very heavy I am hoping that the later TVR S is not as bad.
So the upshot is has anyone got good advice for me especially tricks to get in to it if you are big.
Simon
Although I joined Pistonheads in 2010 when I was considering buying a TVR I never followed through with the idea but now I have. I have owned many classic cars in the past(please click on my profile to see a few) including TVR's 2.8 Tasmin convertible & Coupe & a 400se and I have a problem I cannot stop buying cars on ebay also was looking for a bit of fun so I bought sight unseen a 1988 TVR S1 which I have not taken delivery yet so it is "fingers crossed".
I an 6 foot 7 inches big but on a diet and live in Spain but might be moving to Florida which dictated to me the year of manufacture of the car of my choice to get it in to the US as a classic to get around many of their import duties I picked a TVR S because I have never owned one in the past and rightly or wrongly wanted something easy to maintain.
So any advice would be appreciated My main thoughts are to replace the seats to protect the originals as I think the sun over here and my weight will kill the leather also smaller seats would give me more room also I was considering replacing the steering wheel with something to give more room although I am nervous about not having PAS, the 1982 2.8 Tasmin coupe that I owned did not have PAS and I found it very heavy I am hoping that the later TVR S is not as bad.
So the upshot is has anyone got good advice for me especially tricks to get in to it if you are big.
Simon
Edited by simslee on Saturday 17th August 22:31
Edited by simslee on Saturday 17th August 23:03
Good choice of car Simon...you will not Regret it.
Check out the map link at the top of the Forum as we have S owners in The US and Spain.
The S seats are very good and probably best for room. Just use leather conditioner to protect against the sun.
Don't worry they are easy to look after and this site is great for advice. Also forget pas, as you will not need it above 5 mph as you want the S's great feedback thru the wheel.
Enjoy it
Check out the map link at the top of the Forum as we have S owners in The US and Spain.
The S seats are very good and probably best for room. Just use leather conditioner to protect against the sun.
Don't worry they are easy to look after and this site is great for advice. Also forget pas, as you will not need it above 5 mph as you want the S's great feedback thru the wheel.
Enjoy it
Edited by AutoAndy on Saturday 17th August 22:55
Edited by AutoAndy on Saturday 17th August 22:56
Thank you, Yes I put a lot of thought in to this, I was looking for a usable classic which is rare, cheap to run, individualistic and fun If I ever get there I think it will be great in the USA and show my Britishness, there cannot be too many in the USA
Edited by simslee on Saturday 17th August 23:18
Congratulations on buying the S! It looks like a nice example too. They are a very rare sight in the USA because they were never formally imported here. There are a couple of Canadian cars that have been brought in, and a lovely little S1 in St. Louis that I owned until recently.
Be prepared to talk to someone about the car every time you take it out. Hardly anyone knows what a TVR is, except for teenagers that play video games. The seats should be fine if cared for, but Miata seats fit if you want to change them. Getting in and out is difficult for big guys because the doors are so short and there isn't anything to safely grab to lower/raise yourself. A smaller steering wheel will help, but parking might be a workout. Spare parts are not too hard to find at the national chains, but of course anything special needs to come from the old Country.
If you need help importing, give me a shout. It's easy if it has passed the 25yr mark (check the V5) but there will still be duty.
David
Be prepared to talk to someone about the car every time you take it out. Hardly anyone knows what a TVR is, except for teenagers that play video games. The seats should be fine if cared for, but Miata seats fit if you want to change them. Getting in and out is difficult for big guys because the doors are so short and there isn't anything to safely grab to lower/raise yourself. A smaller steering wheel will help, but parking might be a workout. Spare parts are not too hard to find at the national chains, but of course anything special needs to come from the old Country.
If you need help importing, give me a shout. It's easy if it has passed the 25yr mark (check the V5) but there will still be duty.
David
Hi Simon, I live in Murcia, where are you based? I have a cover over my S to protect it from the sun and as Andy say's put plenty of leather conditioner on the seat's to stop them going dry. For room I don't think you can improve on the original S seat's. Living here the roof is off most of the time which makes it easier to get in and out of the car. Anyway, enjoy your S, i'm sure you will!
Spanish S2 said:
Hi Simon, I live in Murcia, where are you based? I have a cover over my S to protect it from the sun and as Andy say's put plenty of leather conditioner on the seat's to stop them going dry. For room I don't think you can improve on the original S seat's. Living here the roof is off most of the time which makes it easier to get in and out of the car. Anyway, enjoy your S, i'm sure you will!
Hello, I am in Mijas Costa, Malaga yes it looks like the original seats might be the best option but I have killed many Jaguar seats in the past, how do you get on with the Guarda Civil they like hanging around on roundabouts collecting fines where I live and they will see me coming from a mile away in an S Loach1 said:
Congratulations on buying the S! It looks like a nice example too. They are a very rare sight in the USA because they were never formally imported here. There are a couple of Canadian cars that have been brought in, and a lovely little S1 in St. Louis that I owned until recently.
Be prepared to talk to someone about the car every time you take it out. Hardly anyone knows what a TVR is, except for teenagers that play video games. The seats should be fine if cared for, but Miata seats fit if you want to change them. Getting in and out is difficult for big guys because the doors are so short and there isn't anything to safely grab to lower/raise yourself. A smaller steering wheel will help, but parking might be a workout. Spare parts are not too hard to find at the national chains, but of course anything special needs to come from the old Country.
If you need help importing, give me a shout. It's easy if it has passed the 25yr mark (check the V5) but there will still be duty.
David
Hi David thank you for you reply going to the US is dependant on a business venture and has a 50/50 chance, I know that it will look different over there but many of my cars that I have owned have been classics and very individual so I am happy about that. I am hoping and optimistic that I will be able to get in and out as I have owned TVR's in the past and Peter Wheeler was the same height as me, I had a brief look at Miata seats and will bare them in mind.Be prepared to talk to someone about the car every time you take it out. Hardly anyone knows what a TVR is, except for teenagers that play video games. The seats should be fine if cared for, but Miata seats fit if you want to change them. Getting in and out is difficult for big guys because the doors are so short and there isn't anything to safely grab to lower/raise yourself. A smaller steering wheel will help, but parking might be a workout. Spare parts are not too hard to find at the national chains, but of course anything special needs to come from the old Country.
If you need help importing, give me a shout. It's easy if it has passed the 25yr mark (check the V5) but there will still be duty.
David
Welcome to S ownership. I bought Miata/MX5 seats for my S,( as mine had collapsed )on recommendation from Bountyhunter who is much taller than me, and he, for his car reduced the amount of foam in the seat baae to allow him to sit lower. If you need more info on this you should be able to find him on here or the Chimaera or AMG Mercedes forums. I am 11 inches shorter than you and the MX5 seats were a very easy fit and give me the perfect ride height.
S2Mike said:
Welcome to S ownership. I bought Miata/MX5 seats for my S,( as mine had collapsed )on recommendation from Bountyhunter who is much taller than me, and he, for his car reduced the amount of foam in the seat baae to allow him to sit lower. If you need more info on this you should be able to find him on here or the Chimaera or AMG Mercedes forums. I am 11 inches shorter than you and the MX5 seats were a very easy fit and give me the perfect ride height.
Thank you for the advice I will definitely track down Bountyhunter and have already looked in to the Miata seats which do seem a good path to follow as it would be a shame to damage the originals that appear to be in very good order, I know that I should fit in to the car but do not think that it will be the most graceful sight getting in and out. I am looking in to flat bottomed steering wheels to give extra leg clearance but still keeping the leverage for parking. simslee said:
Hello, I am in Mijas Costa, Malaga yes it looks like the original seats might be the best option but I have killed many Jaguar seats in the past, how do you get on with the Guarda Civil they like hanging around on roundabouts collecting fines where I live and they will see me coming from a mile away in an S
Not seen much of the Guardia this summer, but on two occasion's that I've been out in the S I've drove passed them and not been stopped!Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff