One of the very first 390SE's - needs saving ...
Discussion
For those that havent seen it, this has to be one of the very first 390SE's - registered Nov '84 - Ive thought long and hard about taking it on but theres no way realistically I can do it - the last MOT online is from 2010 and looks a bit of a horror story - all the suspension looks rotten together with no doubt the chassis - its been standing for last 7 years ...
I love the thought its probably got one of the 'mythical' early Andy Rouse engines and is very original, but a realistic price is more like £3 - 3.5K - long way off what the dealer is asking ...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-TVR-390-3-9-2dr-RA...
I love the thought its probably got one of the 'mythical' early Andy Rouse engines and is very original, but a realistic price is more like £3 - 3.5K - long way off what the dealer is asking ...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-TVR-390-3-9-2dr-RA...
yes I agree - way overpriced i think - I havent been to see it - spoke to him on the phone and he said someone was coming to look over the Xmas break ...assume they didnt like what they saw ... problem for him as a dealer is that the market is small - it will probably only sell to an enthusiast and we all tend to know the huge amount of work and money involved to rescue it ...
Come on folks get real, it is all relative to what you are going to do with it.
If you are thinking of complete restoration, at the end of the day the 3k difference will be nothing compared to what will be spent, however by the end of the work you will end up with a very rare early example and that 3k will seem long time back.
Think of it as a act of mercy. Maybe Glenn can take it on when he as finished the SEAC
I have always believed he is the Wedge Messiah.
If you are thinking of complete restoration, at the end of the day the 3k difference will be nothing compared to what will be spent, however by the end of the work you will end up with a very rare early example and that 3k will seem long time back.
Think of it as a act of mercy. Maybe Glenn can take it on when he as finished the SEAC
I have always believed he is the Wedge Messiah.Agreed there should be a premium but it's the restorer who will be putting in all the investment. At the end the premium might be £3-4k but the investment along the way probably £10-20k.
So to my mind as an unrestored car, the premium should be £500 or so above normal market value as per the current condition.
It will probably come down to time, how long can the dealer afford to hold it as stock rather than turning a profit and moving on?
So to my mind as an unrestored car, the premium should be £500 or so above normal market value as per the current condition.
It will probably come down to time, how long can the dealer afford to hold it as stock rather than turning a profit and moving on?
OK so an update ... I couldnt resist going to have a look....and ...
Well, so as far as I can see it is a genuine early 390SE - all the right body parts (rear under spoiler, right fromt splitter that flows into flares at the lead of the front wheel arches, twin exhaust pipes), but biggest issue for me was the engine number - a bog standard '30A' SD1 number (30A02510) - I had been expecting an 'ARETVR..' or similar ...The chassis number is also interesting in that its the old style (ie pre intro of long chassis numbers) but has '390' added to the end - DH5894RI390.
On engine bay plate it shows it as DH5894RI390-2 anyone seen this format before ? does the 2 mean second car built ? Perhaps in true TVR style we'll never know ....
Theres lots of receipts that verify this chassis / engine number going back to one from TVR centre Barnet from 1988 so I would guess its always had that engine ...
Last thing to say though - its very very knackered old wedge - so sad to see - interior wet and wrecked, all paint mat and even showing white through in places, different shades all over .. and it wouldnt start when tried ... such a shame to see and Im really not sure who is going to take something like that on - and the dealer holding out for silly money (I mentioned to him I thought 2.5k was about tops for it ...)
I still hope someone saves it ...
Well, so as far as I can see it is a genuine early 390SE - all the right body parts (rear under spoiler, right fromt splitter that flows into flares at the lead of the front wheel arches, twin exhaust pipes), but biggest issue for me was the engine number - a bog standard '30A' SD1 number (30A02510) - I had been expecting an 'ARETVR..' or similar ...The chassis number is also interesting in that its the old style (ie pre intro of long chassis numbers) but has '390' added to the end - DH5894RI390.
On engine bay plate it shows it as DH5894RI390-2 anyone seen this format before ? does the 2 mean second car built ? Perhaps in true TVR style we'll never know ....
Theres lots of receipts that verify this chassis / engine number going back to one from TVR centre Barnet from 1988 so I would guess its always had that engine ...
Last thing to say though - its very very knackered old wedge - so sad to see - interior wet and wrecked, all paint mat and even showing white through in places, different shades all over .. and it wouldnt start when tried ... such a shame to see and Im really not sure who is going to take something like that on - and the dealer holding out for silly money (I mentioned to him I thought 2.5k was about tops for it ...)
I still hope someone saves it ...
From the photos, you can tell the paint and the trim are beyond saving. Even assuming that the engine and chassis are perfect and need no work (which obviously wont be the case) then you could easily be looking at £10k to make it presentable.
You are well into decent Chim money then, and if the engine and/or Chassis require any more than minor attention, you could easily see another £5 disappear.
However, the killer is this. On another thread there is a link to a 350se for sale at auction. There are few details, but the photos make it look like a decent sound car that you could buy and enjoy without spending anything (well, much) on. The auction guide price is £4,000 to £6,000.
OK, so I know the car that is the subject of this thread is an early 390. Even so, anyone would be nuts to spend £6,000 on this very tired basket case which wont even start, when the same money could get you a really nice and tidy 350.
I rather fear that this 390 will be broken for parts, which is any traders fall back plan. Hopefully I am wrong and he will drop the price by moving the decimal point over and someone will take it on.
You are well into decent Chim money then, and if the engine and/or Chassis require any more than minor attention, you could easily see another £5 disappear.
However, the killer is this. On another thread there is a link to a 350se for sale at auction. There are few details, but the photos make it look like a decent sound car that you could buy and enjoy without spending anything (well, much) on. The auction guide price is £4,000 to £6,000.
OK, so I know the car that is the subject of this thread is an early 390. Even so, anyone would be nuts to spend £6,000 on this very tired basket case which wont even start, when the same money could get you a really nice and tidy 350.
I rather fear that this 390 will be broken for parts, which is any traders fall back plan. Hopefully I am wrong and he will drop the price by moving the decimal point over and someone will take it on.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff