She's gota go...
Discussion
The other day you would have all seen a post I “was” going to post…………but lifting the body this weekend, spilling petrol all over myself as I drained the fuel tanks………..I asked myself a question last night over a bottle of red………….Glen, is this what you signed up for…………..in short no it isn’t 
As you are aware I bought the wee beastie as a tax’d and mot’d rolling restoration with a view to enjoy the noise, the driving and complete the odd jobs as I went
What wasn’t in the plan was a total rebuild……….and whilst it sounds exciting to rebuild I actually wanted to have a car I can drive and enjoy with a “bit” of tinkering on the side.
At first given some of the problems that cropped I rolled with the punches…………so thought about rebuilding in a lighter, smoother, less fussy theme………….given she’d already been modified I felt this was not impacting the originality, keep things simple I thought………….like selling the engine / SC etc to have a 5.0 running on carbs etc……………..a Wedge Superleggera was my vision
So with the engine issues last week what do I have in my garage today……………I now have a stripped out car, in bits, that when I look at the to do list or sorting the wiring……….sorting the chassis…….and now sorting the engine plus all the stuff I’ve not mentioned…………the costs associate to rectifying this ever growing list I simply have to say STOP……………………there is too much now to do and way more than I wanted to spend
I know TVR ownership is a tough road but this has stretched me to the point of no return I’m afraid
So decision made……….it’s got to go………….but how she goes I will leave it up the PH collective, thoughts please.
In short I face a difficult choice……………..do I strip her for parts as she is worth more in bits than as a total car and I may recoup some £££ as there is no way she is worth anything like now vs what I paid……………but doing this would kill another wedge and she is one of the first 25 DHC ever
Or do I sell her “as is” no questions asked……….no reasonable offer refused………….and take it on the chin and lose my shirt?
So that’s where I’m at………..no turning back..........thoughts on direction please everyone :-(
As you are aware I bought the wee beastie as a tax’d and mot’d rolling restoration with a view to enjoy the noise, the driving and complete the odd jobs as I went
What wasn’t in the plan was a total rebuild……….and whilst it sounds exciting to rebuild I actually wanted to have a car I can drive and enjoy with a “bit” of tinkering on the side.
At first given some of the problems that cropped I rolled with the punches…………so thought about rebuilding in a lighter, smoother, less fussy theme………….given she’d already been modified I felt this was not impacting the originality, keep things simple I thought………….like selling the engine / SC etc to have a 5.0 running on carbs etc……………..a Wedge Superleggera was my vision
So with the engine issues last week what do I have in my garage today……………I now have a stripped out car, in bits, that when I look at the to do list or sorting the wiring……….sorting the chassis…….and now sorting the engine plus all the stuff I’ve not mentioned…………the costs associate to rectifying this ever growing list I simply have to say STOP……………………there is too much now to do and way more than I wanted to spend
I know TVR ownership is a tough road but this has stretched me to the point of no return I’m afraid
So decision made……….it’s got to go………….but how she goes I will leave it up the PH collective, thoughts please.
In short I face a difficult choice……………..do I strip her for parts as she is worth more in bits than as a total car and I may recoup some £££ as there is no way she is worth anything like now vs what I paid……………but doing this would kill another wedge and she is one of the first 25 DHC ever
Or do I sell her “as is” no questions asked……….no reasonable offer refused………….and take it on the chin and lose my shirt?
So that’s where I’m at………..no turning back..........thoughts on direction please everyone :-(
gmw9666 said:
she is worth more in bits than as a total car
Unfortunately you don't actually know that to be true; the only way you'll find out is to commit yourself to breaking it and once you've sold a few bits there'll be no easy road back and you could end up stuck with a big pile of bits that will be worth even less.A cooking 350i engine isn't really worth a lot more than any SD1 or Landrover engine; the LT77 box is as common as muck as is the back axle.
Not many poeple want to have bodyshells or panels lying around taking up space; the exhaust will probably only appeal to a few people as will the seats and wheels (and unless they're mint most people wouild probably rather refurb their existing ones).
Seeing as that 350 DHC minus engine, box and wheels was only making £250 or so I can't see folk queueing up to take bits off your hands.
My advice would be to drop the shell back on and sell it as-is, or else bite the bullet and treat it as your hobby for the next year or so. So you don't get to drive it this year but you can look forward to several years of a theoretically sorted and reliable car that will owe you less the longer you keep it.
There doesn't have to be a lot of expense in money terms, it's the time you need to be free with.
Glen, really disappointed it's gone so wrong for you so quickly. Given the fact that you did buy it as a runner and were only planning to "fettle" it, quote "Tony and Liam, I promise I'll take care of the old girl and give her some winter fettle time :-)", it did seem a very brave leap forward to rip out the wiring and then strip the body. I think the majority of our Wedges are no where near as perfect as we would like them to be but speaking for myself I'll live with the issues and slightly dodgy and botched wiring as long as I can drive it and it's road legal.
If I was in your position and money was not a big issue then personally I'd be far happier selling it to someone as a job lot if the intention was to sort it and put it back together. Everyone's circumstances are different however so it's just my view, and many others may have a different opinion.
If I was in your position and money was not a big issue then personally I'd be far happier selling it to someone as a job lot if the intention was to sort it and put it back together. Everyone's circumstances are different however so it's just my view, and many others may have a different opinion.
Sorry to hear about this fella you have not had a good first experience with Wedges...
Got to say that a so called special with SC was always going to be troubled path in my opinion, but thats history.
So a couple of thoughts / questions...
Now the body is partially off what does the chassis look like? If its solid then its probably worth saving, although blocks of wood is not a good sign...
When I did the Gredge upgrade project I found it worthwhile to take your time, do a lot of research / options appraisal with realistic costings then set a budget if its worthwhile to restore / upgrade. If not either sell as a non running project and take the £ hit, or consider selling the parts, if you have the time and space to strip it.
Whatever you decide, do it after a lot of thought and discussion with people who have been down this road. Good luck
Got to say that a so called special with SC was always going to be troubled path in my opinion, but thats history.
So a couple of thoughts / questions...
Now the body is partially off what does the chassis look like? If its solid then its probably worth saving, although blocks of wood is not a good sign...
When I did the Gredge upgrade project I found it worthwhile to take your time, do a lot of research / options appraisal with realistic costings then set a budget if its worthwhile to restore / upgrade. If not either sell as a non running project and take the £ hit, or consider selling the parts, if you have the time and space to strip it.
Whatever you decide, do it after a lot of thought and discussion with people who have been down this road. Good luck
Hi mate...Dont know what to suggest really...Either way i think its going to cost money or you are going to loose money..It might of been a different kettle if you bought a project with the view to restore but buying a running car to enjoy that ends up a money pit is not a very good feeling...It was a bit like that for me when i bought the 280...If i had sat down and planned it from the start instead of trying to squeeze more power out instead of just buying a bigger engined car in the first place then i would not of wasted 9K on a car thats worth 2K...A VERY hard lesson...My plan is to remove the sills on my 350i to make them removable but there is a niggling voice in the back of my mind that is not looking forward to what i MIGHT find even though everything looks ok from what i can see....I will be having a better look tomorrow with an endoscope.
Sorry i can't be more positive...Normally i would say.."Keep ya chin up and crack on"...But I'm not sure its a road you wanted to venture down in the first place...
If the engine wasn't in need of a rebuild then the chassis could probably be brushed up and re-painted, Providing there is no heavy corrosion or holes anywhere..The wiring tidied up and all put back together...Sorry mate I'm not sure what the answer is...Ziga
Sorry i can't be more positive...Normally i would say.."Keep ya chin up and crack on"...But I'm not sure its a road you wanted to venture down in the first place...
If the engine wasn't in need of a rebuild then the chassis could probably be brushed up and re-painted, Providing there is no heavy corrosion or holes anywhere..The wiring tidied up and all put back together...Sorry mate I'm not sure what the answer is...Ziga
Wedg1e said:
You do know that things tend to look even worse when viewed through an endoscope, don't you 
...Yes mate...I learnt that lesson when someone put one down Delilah's bores..It was an oribble sight that wasn't arf as bad as it looked..I just want to have a butchers at areas i can't see at the moment..Really sorry to hear you are having a change of heart Glen..certainly as the car you have is liked by so many!
I guess you either just have to carry on and do the bare minimum or as you say draw a line in the sand and cut your losses.
If i relate it to my project, if i had just bought the car then chances are i probably wouldnt have done it! The money and time i have invested are based upon the love i have for it. I have a bond with my car that has come from years of ownership. When its a new car and the sh!t hits the fan, its easy to walk away...
If it were me i would think about it for a few days...if you are going to repair it, do it properly as you dont want to have to do it again in a few years!
I would say that once your in your rhythm with the build it flys along...they are pretty simple cars.
As i said, if you want to chat just message me.
Good luck
I guess you either just have to carry on and do the bare minimum or as you say draw a line in the sand and cut your losses.
If i relate it to my project, if i had just bought the car then chances are i probably wouldnt have done it! The money and time i have invested are based upon the love i have for it. I have a bond with my car that has come from years of ownership. When its a new car and the sh!t hits the fan, its easy to walk away...
If it were me i would think about it for a few days...if you are going to repair it, do it properly as you dont want to have to do it again in a few years!
I would say that once your in your rhythm with the build it flys along...they are pretty simple cars.
As i said, if you want to chat just message me.
Good luck
Edited by matt-man on Monday 7th April 15:01
I think Glen your probably disapointed that you cant enjoy the car this year.Like has been said it all depends on circumstances funds,storage etc.If it were me Id be on the lookout for maybe a cheap fhc so as to enjoy the tvr meets and social gatherings this year etc.Then when funds allow because you enjoy a tinker,restore the beast in your own time,and maybe sell the fhc at a later stage.All the best and sorry youve had a bad start into tvr ownership.Sean
If you can take a time out..before making any big decisions, you may feel differently later? Also, you may be surprised to learn that many of us have been in a similar situation! Sure, it's not ideal..but maybe if you can set out a plan, there's lots of help and advice on here. Nothings impossible..
Bobby Shaftoe said:
Heads are also probably worth a bit depending on how big the big valves are with 43mm Inlet 37mm Exhaust being the best case.
you're talking stage 3 at those sizes, only a stage 2 on mine.So everyone.......huge support and thanks for all the remarks........not one single annoying one out of the above, you are all such gents.
I think everyone is voting for me to suck it up, be a man, take it on the chin, one for the lads, pony up the dollar......etc etc I get the idea :-)
You're a hard bunch lol
digesting everything.....I think you are all saying moving forward really is the only way
What I think I will do is take a good few days off from the garage to let the old grey matter re-cover, they do say absence makes the heart grow stronger lol
I've tallied up the "bits" of interest / of value.....think everyone might be right......can't imagine this lot being worth that much so may as well plough on
Bits I can think off = SS manifolds / system, Stage 2 heads, gearbox & bell housing, LSD diff and uprated drive shafts, alloy rad and fans, 15" OZ Split rims and new tyres, WMS Alloy calipers & vented discs, chassis / V5
So off to pub I think is the next thing for me to do
Really appreciate all the comments of support, quite heart warming
gmw9666 said:
Really appreciate all the comments of support, quite heart warming
This is what i love about this "Fraternity'...I very nearly gave up when i bought my first Wedge...http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...
Turned out it was a rusty fuel tank where the car had sat for 11 years, It contaminated the whole fuel system which is expensive on a K-Jetronic set up.
But with the support and guidance of all the nice people on here i finally pulled through....Although if i had the chance to do it all again i would save my money and buy a big arsh 450se...Yummy...
However i learnt a great deal from my experience which has gone on to help others...Just gotta do the same now with the V8...Its been said a hundred if not a thousand times..."TVR's get under your skin and you can't help but to love them"...We are all here to help....Cheers...Ziga
I don't know what to say except go on
Wedge+FAQ+Articles
then scroll down to the section: "Restoration Projects" and read them all for some inspiration.
Don't forget - we'll all be on here to help.
Wedge+FAQ+Articles
then scroll down to the section: "Restoration Projects" and read them all for some inspiration.
Don't forget - we'll all be on here to help.
In all honesty try and think 20 to 25 years from now yes I know its a long time but humour me a little take the average wedge and the general build quality at that time and no I am not just talking about TVRs there.
The rate of depletion on numbers goes on so the overall numbers drop each year.
There will come a point when the values will rise higher than inflation and I am sure some would say that's already happening but I don't follow the Wedge prices much.
However over on the classics forum there is no way we would look at any pre 80s car in that situation a parts car.
If she was a 3000S or a Taimar she would be seen as a good restoration project body good new engine need sort electrics and hey presto a nice car.
On the earlier cars such as the Granturas and Vixens and Tuscans a V5 half a frame no bonnet and a shell covered in stress cracks and a few boxes of bits and what do we see
Yes you got it a Restoration project 5 years later lots of blood sweat and tears and out roles a beautiful car that brings great pleasure.
Was it worth the 1000 hours spent and money spent well ask an accountant and the answer is a big NO just like when you ask the guy who climbs up Everest 5 min at the summit and back down.
We see that in the classics as well often sold on after 12 months and a few shows no not for a profit but to start another project.
I have just written this to remind you the days will come when Wedges will be rare and cherished and far fewer in numbers than they are today
Glen only you can decide
A
The rate of depletion on numbers goes on so the overall numbers drop each year.
There will come a point when the values will rise higher than inflation and I am sure some would say that's already happening but I don't follow the Wedge prices much.
However over on the classics forum there is no way we would look at any pre 80s car in that situation a parts car.
If she was a 3000S or a Taimar she would be seen as a good restoration project body good new engine need sort electrics and hey presto a nice car.
On the earlier cars such as the Granturas and Vixens and Tuscans a V5 half a frame no bonnet and a shell covered in stress cracks and a few boxes of bits and what do we see
Yes you got it a Restoration project 5 years later lots of blood sweat and tears and out roles a beautiful car that brings great pleasure.
Was it worth the 1000 hours spent and money spent well ask an accountant and the answer is a big NO just like when you ask the guy who climbs up Everest 5 min at the summit and back down.
We see that in the classics as well often sold on after 12 months and a few shows no not for a profit but to start another project.
I have just written this to remind you the days will come when Wedges will be rare and cherished and far fewer in numbers than they are today
Glen only you can decide
A
Glen, I know EXACTLY what you mean, ive spent the last 5 1/2 years restoring and modifying an old mini, spending over 8k, when i bought my 280 i was sure i didnt want to buy a car that was going to cost me that much money again. my wedge was good fun for the first 3 weeks, then the exhaust drone started to give me a headache after a few miles, the roof started leaking, now the wiring loom has started causing problems. At times ive said ive had enough, its going. it doesnt make me smile as much as the mini does, its slower than my daily drive (diesel skoda) but when i do drive it, theres something about it that makes me want more.
you need to decide if your going to do the work, keep it and spend more on it than its worth because you love it, or just get rid.
if you decide to break it, could i have first refusal on the wheels to make my old b
h look a bit nicer?
littlewooly
you need to decide if your going to do the work, keep it and spend more on it than its worth because you love it, or just get rid.
if you decide to break it, could i have first refusal on the wheels to make my old b
h look a bit nicer? littlewooly
As a veteran of taking on big projects...
Be realistic, take small steps and get the damn thing running! My SEAC is a long way off being completed, it has next to no interior, a dodgy roof and a non original engine. However it's taxed, insured, MOTed and drivable so puts a smile on my face despite having cost a fortune and taken an age.
I'll paint/polish/fettle it in due course but ultimately the fun is in the driving and getting out and meeting people. Sounds like you need some inspiration; how about dropping the body back on, stuffing in a cheapie LR 3.9 on carbs if necessary, rewiring enough to get it running then go out and have some noisy fun!
You've got a lovely looking car that'll get you loads of attention and you'll get loads of support from this fab forum and the people who contribute to it.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Be realistic, take small steps and get the damn thing running! My SEAC is a long way off being completed, it has next to no interior, a dodgy roof and a non original engine. However it's taxed, insured, MOTed and drivable so puts a smile on my face despite having cost a fortune and taken an age.
I'll paint/polish/fettle it in due course but ultimately the fun is in the driving and getting out and meeting people. Sounds like you need some inspiration; how about dropping the body back on, stuffing in a cheapie LR 3.9 on carbs if necessary, rewiring enough to get it running then go out and have some noisy fun!
You've got a lovely looking car that'll get you loads of attention and you'll get loads of support from this fab forum and the people who contribute to it.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
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