New Owner - Red Tasmin
Discussion
Here’s my new Tasmin S1 FHC. Isn’t it pretty?
The history is a bit sketchy but essentially it was last taxed in 1989 and was then off the road undergoing a complete rebuild, which apparently concluded around 2000. This included chassis work and replacement outriggers, and a respray in VW Tornado Red. It has been in dry storage since. Recorded mileage is 35,800.
Mechanically it seems to be pretty good, apart from the rear brakes which are binding and it’s pulling to the right under braking. The clutch is juddering, but given the mileage I’m hoping that is down to either the binding rear brakes, or a badly adjusted clutch cable or both, rather than a dodgy clutch. Either way it does seem to be improving as I use it.
First jobs on getting it home included fitting a new battery and fuel filter, and making a start on the total wiring chaos under the dash.
A bunch of wires just came away in my hand due to a badly assembled (botched) connector. I got a new one and replaced the faulty side. A couple of hours with the soldering iron, heat shrink and split flexi conduit and it is now much tidier and more reliable.
The paint work is very good and has polished up nicely. On the downside, the interior can best be described as resembling a neglected dog kennel. I spent several hours cleaning it and there is a little improvement. As you can see from the photo, the handbrake is in the wrong position. All I can think of here is that the last owner fitted the lever assembly to the outside of the chassis spine and only realised his mistake when he tried to re-fit the body. Rather than lift the body off and do it again, he simply cut a chunk out of the tub and continued to lower the body onto the chassis. Any other suggestions? Now the question is; can I unbolt the lever assembly, and somehow or other re-fit it to the inside of the spine without having to find a ramp or drop the gearbox?
Next up, in addition to work on the brakes, is an oil and filter change, new spark plugs and air filter, new rotor arm and dizzy cap, and adjust the noisy tappets.
Once it is running reliably, the main project for the winter is to do something about the awful interior. Hence my earlier post for pictures of your interiors. I’m leaning towards a combination of black and red, maybe with some grey to lighten to scheme, but I’m open to ideas and all suggestions are welcome.
I know the bumpers aren’t “right” but I’m not too bothered about that as I think I prefer the smooth finish to the fluted ones. At some stage I may chop of the wrap-round corners on the rear one, but that’s well into the future.
As far as “originality” goes I have a fairly pragmatic view. I want the car the be the way I want it, not as someone else wanted it. I take the view that if I’d been lucky enough to have ordered the car from new, then TVR would have built it to my specification and so “my spec” would have been “original”.
10 years of running a V8S has meant I’ve learnt a bit about TVR’s, but I’m sure I still have lots to learn about Wedges, so I hope you’ll all chip in with help and advice as the months go by and the problems manifest themselves.
Finally I’d like to thank everyone on here who has helped me in my search and answered lots and lots of questions. You know who you are so I’ll spare you the embarrassment of name-checking you.
The history is a bit sketchy but essentially it was last taxed in 1989 and was then off the road undergoing a complete rebuild, which apparently concluded around 2000. This included chassis work and replacement outriggers, and a respray in VW Tornado Red. It has been in dry storage since. Recorded mileage is 35,800.
Mechanically it seems to be pretty good, apart from the rear brakes which are binding and it’s pulling to the right under braking. The clutch is juddering, but given the mileage I’m hoping that is down to either the binding rear brakes, or a badly adjusted clutch cable or both, rather than a dodgy clutch. Either way it does seem to be improving as I use it.
First jobs on getting it home included fitting a new battery and fuel filter, and making a start on the total wiring chaos under the dash.
A bunch of wires just came away in my hand due to a badly assembled (botched) connector. I got a new one and replaced the faulty side. A couple of hours with the soldering iron, heat shrink and split flexi conduit and it is now much tidier and more reliable.
The paint work is very good and has polished up nicely. On the downside, the interior can best be described as resembling a neglected dog kennel. I spent several hours cleaning it and there is a little improvement. As you can see from the photo, the handbrake is in the wrong position. All I can think of here is that the last owner fitted the lever assembly to the outside of the chassis spine and only realised his mistake when he tried to re-fit the body. Rather than lift the body off and do it again, he simply cut a chunk out of the tub and continued to lower the body onto the chassis. Any other suggestions? Now the question is; can I unbolt the lever assembly, and somehow or other re-fit it to the inside of the spine without having to find a ramp or drop the gearbox?
Next up, in addition to work on the brakes, is an oil and filter change, new spark plugs and air filter, new rotor arm and dizzy cap, and adjust the noisy tappets.
Once it is running reliably, the main project for the winter is to do something about the awful interior. Hence my earlier post for pictures of your interiors. I’m leaning towards a combination of black and red, maybe with some grey to lighten to scheme, but I’m open to ideas and all suggestions are welcome.
I know the bumpers aren’t “right” but I’m not too bothered about that as I think I prefer the smooth finish to the fluted ones. At some stage I may chop of the wrap-round corners on the rear one, but that’s well into the future.
As far as “originality” goes I have a fairly pragmatic view. I want the car the be the way I want it, not as someone else wanted it. I take the view that if I’d been lucky enough to have ordered the car from new, then TVR would have built it to my specification and so “my spec” would have been “original”.
10 years of running a V8S has meant I’ve learnt a bit about TVR’s, but I’m sure I still have lots to learn about Wedges, so I hope you’ll all chip in with help and advice as the months go by and the problems manifest themselves.
Finally I’d like to thank everyone on here who has helped me in my search and answered lots and lots of questions. You know who you are so I’ll spare you the embarrassment of name-checking you.
Hi Joe...Finally..
I was thinking that i could make a handbrake gaiter that covers it like the "S"...If it works that is...At least that way it wouldn't mean too much faffing about...
I think black with red inners would look nice on the seats..Red carpet with black or grey trim..Black with red edged over mats...Red gaiters..Red cover where your left elbow rests on the tunnel cover..
Not sure how much carpet you need for an FHC...A DHC takes around 9 metres..There are lots of carpet options..Superwool is a nice pile and at only £15 per metre its not too expensive..Or there is the original Wilton carpet which comes out to around £50-60 per meter...The dash and tranny cover could just be okay with a clean...The vinyl looks okay...
I was thinking that i could make a handbrake gaiter that covers it like the "S"...If it works that is...At least that way it wouldn't mean too much faffing about...
I think black with red inners would look nice on the seats..Red carpet with black or grey trim..Black with red edged over mats...Red gaiters..Red cover where your left elbow rests on the tunnel cover..
Not sure how much carpet you need for an FHC...A DHC takes around 9 metres..There are lots of carpet options..Superwool is a nice pile and at only £15 per metre its not too expensive..Or there is the original Wilton carpet which comes out to around £50-60 per meter...The dash and tranny cover could just be okay with a clean...The vinyl looks okay...
mrzigazaga said:
.....I was thinking that i could make a handbrake gaiter that covers it like the "S"...If it works that is...
Thanks. The handbrake certainly works in that position but I'm not happy with the way the transmission tunnel cover is cut away. If I can't re-position the lever then I may have to put up with it as is, and see what I can do to improve the look of the transmission tunnel cover.Thanks for the trim suggestions. Those were the sort of colours I was thinking about. I was also wondering if a grey carpet and head-lining might work.
Hi Joe, I have an early 280i dh and its interior is also like yours but also ripped, i like the early interior and also want to keep it original so if you have anything you are selling or binning i would be interested in the seat cover, headrest cover and door trim covers when you start, thanks.
Looks very nice and just needs some TLC by the looks of it, I have bought a 350i and started to do her up also like yours she was sat around for a few years so changed brakes and nearly all oils done plus quite a few other bits, next will be interior refurb and then re-spray
If your up for a trip we are planning a Wedge tour of Spain on the back of this years trip as it was so good and I think MK1 fan is up for it as well so you could have double bubble S tour and Wedge tour
If your up for a trip we are planning a Wedge tour of Spain on the back of this years trip as it was so good and I think MK1 fan is up for it as well so you could have double bubble S tour and Wedge tour
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff