MOT failure chassis rot - what to do?
Discussion
After 8 years of ownership my V8S has failed its MOT because of rust in the outriggers and probably the chassis as well. It is being inspected to assess the full extent. I would obviously like to get it repaired/ replaced if possible but I have been warned that it may end up costing more than the car is worth. If this is the case could anyone suggest options of what I can do. I would hate there to be one less V8S in the world but are there other options? Any thoughts much appreciated whilst I wait for the news. Thanks
Giles
Giles
Sorry to hear about your rotten chassis, but l suppose you knew it was on the cards?. As for getting a body off repair really depends on a few things
1, how much you cherish the car, most tvr owners love their cars as much as the wife.
2, cash flow, can you afford to pay someone else to do the work?
3, are you good with your hands, have tools, a garage, and time is on your side. It could take a while if you undertake the repairs yourself.
?????? Good luck.
Prices of chassis repairs are going up every few years so getting it done is an investment for your cars future and if done correctly will last and pay you back in big grins from the glorious V8 sound track !!!!!
1, how much you cherish the car, most tvr owners love their cars as much as the wife.
2, cash flow, can you afford to pay someone else to do the work?
3, are you good with your hands, have tools, a garage, and time is on your side. It could take a while if you undertake the repairs yourself.
?????? Good luck.
Prices of chassis repairs are going up every few years so getting it done is an investment for your cars future and if done correctly will last and pay you back in big grins from the glorious V8 sound track !!!!!
Don't "necessarily" panic capt Manwering....
Generally the outriggers suffer more than the rest of the chassis....that's why everyone talks about them.
Had mine done few years ago and the guys managed to do it by a partial body lift only, rather than removal....
So, if you are worried, sell me your v8S for scrap value and I will get it repaired for a few hundred quid and have a nice v8 to compare to my v6....
.... Mmmmm I like that idea....
Generally the outriggers suffer more than the rest of the chassis....that's why everyone talks about them.
Had mine done few years ago and the guys managed to do it by a partial body lift only, rather than removal....
So, if you are worried, sell me your v8S for scrap value and I will get it repaired for a few hundred quid and have a nice v8 to compare to my v6....
.... Mmmmm I like that idea....I've just had my outriggers done on an S3. Sailed through the MOT only to have rusted through 6 months later in the summer.
Central TVR did a great job, great friendly service. Both sides done and the rest of the chassis in A1 condition. I'm sure we'll all have our own recommendations though.
Central TVR did a great job, great friendly service. Both sides done and the rest of the chassis in A1 condition. I'm sure we'll all have our own recommendations though.
"more info" button not working, perhaps they don't have one at the moment?
David Gerald (S2/3 chassis, not V8)
Of course that would be just the start, you couldn't put skanky wishbones, tank cradle, trailing arms etc. on a nice new chassis..could you?
David Gerald (S2/3 chassis, not V8)
Of course that would be just the start, you couldn't put skanky wishbones, tank cradle, trailing arms etc. on a nice new chassis..could you?
BHGi said:
could anyone suggest options of what I can do. I would hate there to be one less V8S in the world but are there other options?
You could donate the car the Phillpot Living Car Museum where "we" will restore it to its former glory, cherish and care for it for generations to come (and give it a good blast every so often) Edited by phillpot on Friday 22 November 08:11
BHGi said:
After 8 years of ownership my V8S has failed its MOT because of rust in the outriggers and probably the chassis as well. It is being inspected to assess the full extent. I would obviously like to get it repaired/ replaced if possible but I have been warned that it may end up costing more than the car is worth. If this is the case could anyone suggest options of what I can do. I would hate there to be one less V8S in the world but are there other options? Any thoughts much appreciated whilst I wait for the news. Thanks
Giles
Personally I would repair the car if it were mine, just to save a piece of history. I'm in Sussex too, if you decide it's too much for you please let me know as I would save it, rather than break it. Giles
phillpot said:
"more info" button not working, perhaps they don't have one at the moment?
David Gerald (S2/3 chassis, not V8)
If you click on the photo the 'more info' page comes up.David Gerald (S2/3 chassis, not V8)
Edited by phillpot on Friday 22 November 08:11
I keep reading of outrigger repairs costing in the region of £1500-£2000, so I tell you what, I'll give you £2000 for it, sight unseen. Really though the repair is going to cost you less than the value of the car, you can't go wrong getting it repaired even if you sell it on after getting it done.
Edited to add, is that UKBob's ex car? If yes, forget my offer
Edited to add, is that UKBob's ex car? If yes, forget my offer
Edited by Oldred_V8S on Friday 22 November 10:31
Mine went from being sound and clean to the next year a little more like cheese, very surprised with the quite sudden change.
Anyhow, I had the offending corners cut off without a bodylift and the cost was in the region of £250. Passed the MOT and the next MOT and looks sound. Obviously this was done as a friend hence the low price (not a full outrigger, that wasn't needed).
It's very much worth talking to people.
Clearly, you cannot tell what the chassis is like unless you lift the body though.
Anyhow, I had the offending corners cut off without a bodylift and the cost was in the region of £250. Passed the MOT and the next MOT and looks sound. Obviously this was done as a friend hence the low price (not a full outrigger, that wasn't needed).
It's very much worth talking to people.
Clearly, you cannot tell what the chassis is like unless you lift the body though.
We've got a V8S due in for a full refurb shortly. Involves taking the body off completely, stripping the chassis right down, blasting it, zinc-spraying it, coating it and rebuilding it changing parts along the way that need doing. Not cheap (though obviously we're exceptional VFM 
) because of the amount of man hours that go into each car. It's not a quick job, if you want it done right.
That said, it's also possible to just raise the body, repair/replace the outriggers and refit it, IF the rot is confined to the outriggers. It quite often is, but the issue comes when you think you're spending £1000-£2000 on having that done, and then for another couple of grand you can have the whole chassis sorted, because no matter how good your outriggers are, the rest of the chassis will follow one day. It really depends what your long term plans for the car are.
Always welcome to bring it down if you want to have a better look underneath. We're not far from you.
) because of the amount of man hours that go into each car. It's not a quick job, if you want it done right.That said, it's also possible to just raise the body, repair/replace the outriggers and refit it, IF the rot is confined to the outriggers. It quite often is, but the issue comes when you think you're spending £1000-£2000 on having that done, and then for another couple of grand you can have the whole chassis sorted, because no matter how good your outriggers are, the rest of the chassis will follow one day. It really depends what your long term plans for the car are.
Always welcome to bring it down if you want to have a better look underneath. We're not far from you.
I did mine last summer after the MOT chap finally spotted the rust (to be honest it had got that bad you couldn't miss it!). I google and found a local mobile car welder who specialises in classic cars. I did a partial lift on the drive, bought some 3mm walled tube, paid the chap £300 and a day and a half later it was done. Several coats of paint later, it sailed through its MOT.
My advice is to research locally for a mobile welder and partially lift the body if you feel able and if the rust is not too extensive!
From This:
To This:
My advice is to research locally for a mobile welder and partially lift the body if you feel able and if the rust is not too extensive!
From This:
To This:
Repaired my own in September this year.
Have a look at this link NeilS3 sent me
http://www.tvrssw.com/#/chassis/4578340782
Have a look at this link NeilS3 sent me
http://www.tvrssw.com/#/chassis/4578340782
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