Is it an S3???

[allan-m]

Hi Guys
Will be looking at another TVR tommorow (2/7/09) my question to the S guru's out there is - the car i am looking at is described as an s3, my beleif is that if it is an s3 on a K plate it will have fog lamps below the bumper level, is this the case? my s2 had no fog lamps below the bumper, judging from the limited picture i have this car does not have fog lamps, can this still be an s3?
what are the distinguishing features of an s3?

Thanks All

[Barkychoc]

I don't think all S3's have them - welcome to the world of TVR!
The dash is significantly different in the S3 with the 4 gauges in a horizontal line in front of the gearlever.

[dougc]

Door length will be the givaway I think. I don't know of any S2s with long doors or S3s with short doors.

Come to think of it, was the 2 even in production on a K?

[bridgdav]

Bonnet could be a replacement..

Check for:

Dash, dials & Door length.

[markbigears]

On a K plate it "should" have lower driving lights as this would have been a runout model. Another easy way to see if its a late car, take a look at the heater controls on the dash, the sliders will be recessed in to the dash and not a plastic cover as per older models.

Edited by markbigears on Saturday 1st August 23:22

[allan-m]

Thanks guys wish me luck!!

[Barkychoc]

I'd recommend you buy on condition alone, as long as it doesn't have some stupid combination don't get hung up about dials, doors etc.

[bridgdav]

markbigears said:

On a K plate it "should" have lower driving lights as this would have been a runout model.

Oi... WTF is a runout model..?

I prefer to call them, the Final production run - best & most sorted S3's in TVR history.
Having all the fixes and amendments to production standards applied...

The S4 was a stepping stone change before using the chassis on the Chimeara.

[phillpot]

On the original vehicle order form for my S3 is listed " S3C bonnet £350" so would guess some early 3's didn't have the additional driving lamps ?

If you don't have a car to compare with I believe you can tell a long door by the fact the window will wind down totally out of site, on short doors a couple of inches always stays visible.

Which ever model it is I'd say condition is far more important, if it sems a fair price buy it and get

HTH Mike.

[Brendon NZ]

Alan...if its the one on http://carandclassic.co.uk/car/C104854/...then its definitely a S3 & probably an S3C....late model with S4 gilled bonnet & no bonnet scoop....just like mine..!!
Surprised is still a S3 with a K reg however..?
It looks ok in the pictures & sounds like its been driven reguarly.
Good luck.

[Road2Ruin]

Indeed, my S3 doesnt have driving lamps or elctric mirrors. However it does have the longer doors electric boot release. TVR eh!

[bridgdav]

My S3 - K reg. Standard Bonnet, long doors, driving lamps (not an S3C - never was) One of the last - there are a few out there.

[markbigears]

Interesting car Dave, I wonder what the build date was as oppose to the registered date?

[bridgdav]

Pre delivery inspection date was 28/9/92. Having 24 Miles on the clock.

I wouldn't have thought it was sitting around for too long before the sale.

Bought from the TVR Centre in Barnet. Registered 29/9/92.

[jimed]

Interesting - it must have been one of the absolute last S3's as they needed to have cats if 'first used' after 1.8.1992 so presumably it had been 'used' somehow and presumably reg'd before the pre-delivery inspection date?? (Is that how it would work?)
Jim

[allan-m]

Thanks guys
Pleased to say i am now the proud owner of a TVR again! love it!! only faults i can find are the lower fog lamps are corroded and it will not accelerate above 70mph, it starts to hesitate and misfire when hot, drove it from Kingston to Leamington! loved it!! cant stop looking at it - sad eh!!! any idea's Guys?
Thank you for all your help - hope to see you at a future meet.

[ketvrin]

congratulations on your purchase, I'm sure you will not regret it...

now... pictures...

K

oh and dont forget to add you details to the owners wiki at the top of this forum

[Jed-S]

First step I'd do is get yourself one of the Gunson/Draper fault code reader for the Ford and set the car in service mode. Then check the timing, this is often out.

Some people have success disconnecting the throttle pot to place the ECU in service mode but I've not had much reliable success that way.

Good luck.

[Bobhon]

allan-m said:

Thanks guys
Pleased to say i am now the proud owner of a TVR again! love it!! only faults i can find are the lower fog lamps are corroded and it will not accelerate above 70mph, it starts to hesitate and misfire when hot, drove it from Kingston to Leamington! loved it!! cant stop looking at it - sad eh!!! any idea's Guys?
Thank you for all your help - hope to see you at a future meet.

Leamington, as in Spa?? So that's another S that's made it's way to the midlands. I'm in Solihull with my S2 and Phillpot (MIke) isn't too far away.
If we all went to the WWM TVRCC mtg then we could show a reasonable presence.
Let me know if you fancy going, 1st or 3rd Sunday in the month.

[chard]

Why not try realignment of the flux capacitor?

Edited by chard on Wednesday 5th August 16:32