350i on the bay of fleas...

[Wedg1e]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-350i-excellent-condi...

I dunno, is it just me or do a few things not seem quite kosher...?

55K miles yet 'has had a new chassis'.

SD1 tail lamps in a 1987 shell

De-seamed - only the 'US-spec' cars had the joints filled in this early

Wrong wheels

Not an original-style boot spoiler

Gleaming paint but tired interior and engine bay painted black which is always a giveaway for a colour change

Earlier style doors with the Tasmin's original TR7 door release above the armrest rather than behind the pull as would be usual on an E-plate V8

Unusual juxtaposition of the coolant header tank and injection resistor pack - they're usually the other way around. Washer bottle on the offside. Also seems to be lacking the usual moulded depression in the nearside wheelarch where the resistor pack normally sits.

I'm wondering if this was a 280i that has had an engine transplant? Or an early car that has somehow acquired an '86/7 registration?

[ElvisWedgely]

Yes, it seems bit of a pick and mix.

Tony. TCB.

[mrzigazaga]

Looks like a late 280i S3/US spec although the early 350i did have that bonnet and the same interior but the rear bumper and mirror pods are a later 350i by the look of it, Not sure what year the Zender spoiler was fitted..The servo looks like the mk2 Capri type that were fitted to the 280i..Looks like the battery went where the back to front expansion tank is..Not sure what that heavy scar is above it?..The matrix feed is singular and most 350i i have seen are twin in that position..My 280i had an O/S in and a N/S out, It looks like a 280i S3 with a V8 transplant and a few random bits stuck on it...Like you say, Why re-spray it and leave the scabby interior..

[marcus1875]

Would this not have had power steering fitted as standard as well? My 1982 280i doesn't but i thought all the later ones and v8's had this?
Marcus

[Wedg1e]

OK, maybe I was a bit harsh... The interior isn't THAT bad, apart from the seat rip the seats just look used as does the steering wheel, but the rest of the trim doesn't seem to bad (veneers etc.).

I did think it odd that the seller mentions he wants a Z3/4; so what? I 'want' an Aston Martin, a supermodel girlfriend and a helicopter but selling my TVR isn't going to make that happen.

I wonder if the 'scar' on the n/s inner wing is where the bonnet has been rubbing?

It could of course be one of TVRs famous bitsas: shell lying around for three or four years, spare bonnet in one corner, nick the wheels off the apprentice's car...

[V8 Fettler]

Buy on condition, the history is (almost) irrelevant at typical 350i prices, providing the seller has clear ownership of course. Think of it as a kitcar.

Z3/Z4 comment is probably a hint at a swap

[Wedg1e]

V8 Fettler said:

Buy on condition, the history is (almost) irrelevant at typical 350i prices, providing the seller has clear ownership of course. Think of it as a kitcar.

Z3/Z4 comment is probably a hint at a swap

Fair points

[mrzigazaga]

The wheels look like they have been refurbed to a good standard...The seats could be re-trimmed at an affordable price providing the bolsters are good..Wonder what the reserve is..Its got to be worth a good 2.5-3K...Surely...You can get a 1998 Z3 for under 2K...

[tweety]

I've asked a few questions so will see what the answers are and dependant on that I may go have a look as its not far from me...if anyone is interested let me know.....

Cheers, Al.

[MethylatedSpirit]

My pet hate: people putting v8 badges on Tvrs

Exhaust isn't to my taste either.

The comment about the chassis, he could have meant an outrigger repair and got confused... Or simply had a new chassis.



It's a car that would only need minor fettling to make it look really great, and don't need to worry about MOT until next year!

[tweety]

Had a response from the owner, he knows of no reason for the differneces but has loads of paperwork and approx 25 MOTs....It's only 5 miles from me so if anyones interested I'll try and have a look....

Could it have been some sort of development mule later sold on by the factory?

Oh and the battery is in the boot...

Cheers, Al.

[mrzigazaga]

tweety said:

Oh and the battery is in the boot...

Definitely sounds like a 280 shell...

[tweety]

The owner has early pics of the car which show it looking exactly as it does now other than it's had several styles of wheels.....I suppose this wouldn't show any evidence of an engine transplant though.....

Cheers, Al.

[MethylatedSpirit]

Free Car Check Report for E543 ---
Vehicle Identification

Manufacturer: Tvr
Model: Not available
Year: 1987
Colour: Red
Fuel Type: Petrol
Engine Size (CC): 3500
VIN: Not available
V5C Issued: Not available
Tax

Tax Status: Licence Not Due
Expiry Date: 01/07/2015
Registration Date: 17/06/1991
6 Month Cost: £Not available
12 Month Cost: £Not available


1987 car... But not registered until 1991?


A years tax too. That alone would cost more than £200

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Sunday 10th August 21:01

[superwedge]

something funny here, looks like too me that the e reg car was in a smash, and some peanut has re-shell it with a 280 body,and swap some parts engine ect;s,and yet there some more peanuts bidding on it,

[Wedg1e]

Oh dear, the seller isn't doing too well on the old feedback score: several items mysteriously never arrived... to my mind they sold for so little he'd have effectively been paying people to take them off him!

[earlybay]

MethylatedSpirit said:

Free Car Check Report for E543 ---
Vehicle Identification

Manufacturer: Tvr
Model: Not available
Year: 1987
Colour: Red
Fuel Type: Petrol
Engine Size (CC): 3500
VIN: Not available
V5C Issued: Not available
Tax

Tax Status: Licence Not Due
Expiry Date: 01/07/2015
Registration Date: 17/06/1991
6 Month Cost: £Not available
12 Month Cost: £Not available


1987 car... But not registered until 1991?


A years tax too. That alone would cost more than £200

Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Sunday 10th August 21:01

Also never seen a 350i capacity listed as exactly 3500 ??

[Wedg1e]

earlybay said:

Also never seen a 350i capacity listed as exactly 3500 ??

Usually down to whoever filled in the factory registration application to DVLA.

[GOG440]

Wedg1e said:

earlybay said:

Also never seen a 350i capacity listed as exactly 3500 ??

Usually down to whoever filled in the factory registration application to DVLA.

Mine is down as exactly 3500.

[tweety]

The seller has sent me some older pics of the car in which it looks exactly the same apart from the wheels, in a couple it has anthracite Spiders, so the pics not that early and the other couple it has Azev/Borbet chunky 5-spokes....so these pics don't really show alot other than its been like it for a while, oh and by the way I've not put them on here because the quality isn't great, nor the way they've been scanned to me...could still be a good/interesting buy dependent on price....

Cheers, Al.