New to TVR world
Discussion
Hello all.
I am on the verge of buying a 1983 B Reg 280i. Wanting a restoration project to keep me occupied in spare time, is there anything that I should be looking out for before buying ? I know for a fact that the convet' roof needs replacing and a few other things also ( nothing structual hopefully !! )
One thing that is worrying me, is what to expect from the chassis !! I have test driven it and it seems solid and stable but are there any telling signs that would warn of future chassis headaches ???????
Thanks and hope to hear from you.
Dom.
I am on the verge of buying a 1983 B Reg 280i. Wanting a restoration project to keep me occupied in spare time, is there anything that I should be looking out for before buying ? I know for a fact that the convet' roof needs replacing and a few other things also ( nothing structual hopefully !! )
One thing that is worrying me, is what to expect from the chassis !! I have test driven it and it seems solid and stable but are there any telling signs that would warn of future chassis headaches ???????
Thanks and hope to hear from you.
Dom.
Hi,
Glad to see a new face on the site! Always a pleasure!
Chassis wise I'm sure that most of the guys will say 'outriggers, outriggers outriggers' Any load bearing point on the chassis, although I'm probably 'teaching you to suck eggs!'
If you're that concerned about your own capabilties in assessment I'm sure that there are TVR specilaists or even one of the guys on here that live locally ill be able to help. I am a novice so can't be of that much help on these matters.
Good luck..........however, try and plum for a 350i FHC if you're going for that shape, the 280i doesn't hold a candle to oit in terms of performance.
Glad to see a new face on the site! Always a pleasure!
Chassis wise I'm sure that most of the guys will say 'outriggers, outriggers outriggers' Any load bearing point on the chassis, although I'm probably 'teaching you to suck eggs!'
If you're that concerned about your own capabilties in assessment I'm sure that there are TVR specilaists or even one of the guys on here that live locally ill be able to help. I am a novice so can't be of that much help on these matters.
Good luck..........however, try and plum for a 350i FHC if you're going for that shape, the 280i doesn't hold a candle to oit in terms of performance.
I won't comment on V6 v V8, as some poor soul on here might be hoping to sell you their car.
If you really want to frighten yourself, look up york33's thread on his
home body-off resto' project on his 280i.
You really need to have the car up on a ramp to have a good look at the chassis, but as others have said, it's the outriggers (especially just at the rear of the front wheelarches) that need close scrutiny. They are pretty well hidden by the sills, but you should be able to squeeze a hand in there and have a good feel around. If the area is full of damp muck and rust, then that might be bad news.
There isn't much that can't be put right in your own garage, but don't think of putting a V8 in later, as it won't fit that chassis.
Replacement hoods are very expensive, in relation to what you're likely paying for the car.
Have a look at Mikeb's excellent site for info on these cars:
www.pixeltechnology.co.uk/wedge/welcome.html
Also the Steve Heath 'bible' will prove a great help.
(Posts on PH as 'shpub'.)
If you really want to frighten yourself, look up york33's thread on his
home body-off resto' project on his 280i.
You really need to have the car up on a ramp to have a good look at the chassis, but as others have said, it's the outriggers (especially just at the rear of the front wheelarches) that need close scrutiny. They are pretty well hidden by the sills, but you should be able to squeeze a hand in there and have a good feel around. If the area is full of damp muck and rust, then that might be bad news.
There isn't much that can't be put right in your own garage, but don't think of putting a V8 in later, as it won't fit that chassis.
Replacement hoods are very expensive, in relation to what you're likely paying for the car.
Have a look at Mikeb's excellent site for info on these cars:
www.pixeltechnology.co.uk/wedge/welcome.html
Also the Steve Heath 'bible' will prove a great help.
(Posts on PH as 'shpub'.)
Cheers Guys, most helpful.
I have had a feel around ( as much as possible ) on the underneath and it all seems dry - no muck and no damp feeling. Hopefully this is a good omen but I want to be sure before I buy.
I will be going to look at it again on Saturday this week with a pair of wheel ramps and jacks to get slightly more visability of the underside.
As for waiting for a good 350i - I havent driven a manual for 7 years !!!!!! so the relatively low performance option of a 280i is better for me until I want another, bigger, faster one - which no doubt i will !!!!
Thanks again guys.
Dom.
I have had a feel around ( as much as possible ) on the underneath and it all seems dry - no muck and no damp feeling. Hopefully this is a good omen but I want to be sure before I buy.
I will be going to look at it again on Saturday this week with a pair of wheel ramps and jacks to get slightly more visability of the underside.
As for waiting for a good 350i - I havent driven a manual for 7 years !!!!!! so the relatively low performance option of a 280i is better for me until I want another, bigger, faster one - which no doubt i will !!!!
Thanks again guys.
Dom.
My 350i was bought as a rolling restoration. Just found the drivers seat belt cable stalk on the transmission tunnel corroded inside the plastic wasn't at all obvious. Renewel led to bottem of the B post which was totally corroded away, easy renewal but awkward to get at it if the side trim fitting screws and the plates behind are also corroded.
Had a development today from the garage where it is - they have had more interest in it and it has now turned into 1st come, 1st to get the 280i !!!!!!!
I have decided to go over there tomorrow after work ( if they have still got it !! )have a quick prod with a screwdriver all the chassis areas I can see - if results are good then give him the money and wayhey it shoud be mine.
Not too worried if the chassis is knackered - have a mate who has offered to help me restore if needed
This is of course, depending on the other 'bidders' not beating me to it which I can say, I really hope they dont.
Hopefully this time Saturday, I shall own my 1st Trevor
I have decided to go over there tomorrow after work ( if they have still got it !! )have a quick prod with a screwdriver all the chassis areas I can see - if results are good then give him the money and wayhey it shoud be mine.
Not too worried if the chassis is knackered - have a mate who has offered to help me restore if needed
This is of course, depending on the other 'bidders' not beating me to it which I can say, I really hope they dont.
Hopefully this time Saturday, I shall own my 1st Trevor
Unfortunately no, I didnt drive it home 
My good mate did the honours whilst I followed in my Civic 1.6 hehe. I tried to keep up !!
There was a bit of confusion regarding my insurance, as it turns out I am not yet insured for it which is bitterly frustrating as it is sat on my driveway waiting to be driven.
I had a look at the chassis and outriggers, no visable signs of rust and the protection coat is still there ( cracked in places but not a worrying site.
I shall keep you posted on progress and hopefully get a few photos on here of me baby
My good mate did the honours whilst I followed in my Civic 1.6 hehe. I tried to keep up !!
There was a bit of confusion regarding my insurance, as it turns out I am not yet insured for it which is bitterly frustrating as it is sat on my driveway waiting to be driven.
I had a look at the chassis and outriggers, no visable signs of rust and the protection coat is still there ( cracked in places but not a worrying site.
I shall keep you posted on progress and hopefully get a few photos on here of me baby
I have started a website for my 280i.
please have a look if you want and tell me what you think of my purchase - more photos will be added so keep looking.
www.iframe.co.uk/sireatalot/
please have a look if you want and tell me what you think of my purchase - more photos will be added so keep looking.
www.iframe.co.uk/sireatalot/
Sireatalot said:
I have started a website for my 280i.
please have a look if you want and tell me what you think of my purchase - more photos will be added so keep looking.
www.iframe.co.uk/sireatalot/
Useful beer fridge in the garage there...
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