280/350i fixed head coupes
Discussion
Chris71 said:
Do they have a hatch by any chance? Will I get wet if it rains? 
Rain still comes in via the bulkhead or the door frames, so yes do expect to get a bit wet. Best bet if you ever did want a replacement glass htach is to find one the old wedges that get (sadly) broken for spares. Not many fhcs around these days, I had one of only half a dozen (I think) at the last BBWF.Scroll down the page here;
About 3/4 of the way down.
http://www.pixeltechnology.co.uk/wedge/buyersguide...
About 3/4 of the way down.
http://www.pixeltechnology.co.uk/wedge/buyersguide...
Edited by pwd95 on Friday 22 June 14:21
[quote=Chris71]So, they do open up like a normal hatch back to put stuff in? How much can you get in there.
quote]
No, there is a knob to pull inside (ahem Mrs) to open it. The hatch is just a fragile piece of glass without a frame that you gingerly work your fingers undernesth to lift up, hoping the gas struts hold it there.
There is no depth to the "luggage area" as it is all axle and fuel tanks underneath. You would be foolish to carry anything with any weight as it would fly forward and take your head off in the event of having to brake sharply.
.........and the spare wheel squeaks as it rubs against the frame.
Survival rates are a testament to how successfull and well loved these FHCs are.
Hope this helps.
Mark
Plastic TVR v Galvanized steel 944? No brainer IMHO.
quote]
No, there is a knob to pull inside (ahem Mrs) to open it. The hatch is just a fragile piece of glass without a frame that you gingerly work your fingers undernesth to lift up, hoping the gas struts hold it there.
There is no depth to the "luggage area" as it is all axle and fuel tanks underneath. You would be foolish to carry anything with any weight as it would fly forward and take your head off in the event of having to brake sharply.
.........and the spare wheel squeaks as it rubs against the frame.
Survival rates are a testament to how successfull and well loved these FHCs are.
Hope this helps.
Mark
Plastic TVR v Galvanized steel 944? No brainer IMHO.
Edited by bobble350 on Friday 22 June 14:33
Chris71 said:
So, they do open up like a normal hatch back to put stuff in? How much can you get in there.
Bit academic now, as I think I've decided a 944 would be better as a used and abused daily driver, but still, makes the Tasmin quite a practical proposition.
Hate to admit it but I've often considered a 944 as a worthy substituteBit academic now, as I think I've decided a 944 would be better as a used and abused daily driver, but still, makes the Tasmin quite a practical proposition.
James MK said:
Chris71 said:
So, they do open up like a normal hatch back to put stuff in? How much can you get in there.
Bit academic now, as I think I've decided a 944 would be better as a used and abused daily driver, but still, makes the Tasmin quite a practical proposition.
Hate to admit it but I've often considered a 944 as a worthy substituteBit academic now, as I think I've decided a 944 would be better as a used and abused daily driver, but still, makes the Tasmin quite a practical proposition.
Had thought about the GRP vs steel aspect, but the 944's are still holding up pretty well and old GRP isn't without it's faults. Would be more of a consideration if I was handy with fiberglass!
But, you can get a mountain bike or a weeks camping gear in a 944. I'd go for the tiv every time (except probably with a V8 and no roof) if it was a weekend toy, but everyday for 14,000 miles a year?
Hmmm... not much support from the FHC owners!
Well mine is a +2. As a result the rear platform is higher than the other fixed heads to make space for the twin seats and tanks. This gives deep but limited space either side of the spare. (Some people ditch the spare and carry tyre weld instead.) Not huge space but enough to stick a laptop and other gubbins if you need to keep stuff out of view in either side. You can also put things on top of the platform. (With my old FHC I used to use a cut down dog guard in order to stop stuff flying forward in an accident. I have never had a problem with the gas struts. They hold the glass open even in the wind. The rear can hold more than you might imagine.
I too have been tempted by 944s - particularly because I have 2 young children. However, I would miss the sound, drama, looks, badge, ease of servicing and low cost of parts. Ford and Jag parts are easy to source and relatively cheap. Most things can be fixed quite simply and don't require your car to be plugged into a NASA computer to do it.
Oh - and mine is for sale! (Was that too obvious an ending?)
Whatever! You can have a look here...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Tasmin-2-8i-V6-FHC-2-2-c... wow - long link!
Well mine is a +2. As a result the rear platform is higher than the other fixed heads to make space for the twin seats and tanks. This gives deep but limited space either side of the spare. (Some people ditch the spare and carry tyre weld instead.) Not huge space but enough to stick a laptop and other gubbins if you need to keep stuff out of view in either side. You can also put things on top of the platform. (With my old FHC I used to use a cut down dog guard in order to stop stuff flying forward in an accident. I have never had a problem with the gas struts. They hold the glass open even in the wind. The rear can hold more than you might imagine.
I too have been tempted by 944s - particularly because I have 2 young children. However, I would miss the sound, drama, looks, badge, ease of servicing and low cost of parts. Ford and Jag parts are easy to source and relatively cheap. Most things can be fixed quite simply and don't require your car to be plugged into a NASA computer to do it.
Oh - and mine is for sale! (Was that too obvious an ending?)
Whatever! You can have a look here...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Tasmin-2-8i-V6-FHC-2-2-c... wow - long link!
Nads said:
Hmmm... not much support from the FHC owners!
Well mine is a +2. As a result the rear platform is higher than the other fixed heads to make space for the twin seats and tanks. This gives deep but limited space either side of the spare. (Some people ditch the spare and carry tyre weld instead.) Not huge space but enough to stick a laptop and other gubbins if you need to keep stuff out of view in either side. You can also put things on top of the platform. (With my old FHC I used to use a cut down dog guard in order to stop stuff flying forward in an accident. I have never had a problem with the gas struts. They hold the glass open even in the wind. The rear can hold more than you might imagine.
I too have been tempted by 944s - particularly because I have 2 young children. However, I would miss the sound, drama, looks, badge, ease of servicing and low cost of parts. Ford and Jag parts are easy to source and relatively cheap. Most things can be fixed quite simply and don't require your car to be plugged into a NASA computer to do it.
Oh - and mine is for sale! (Was that too obvious an ending?)
Whatever! You can have a look here...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Tasmin-2-8i-V6-FHC-2-2-c... wow - long link!
Shame you're selling, what are thinking of getting instead?Well mine is a +2. As a result the rear platform is higher than the other fixed heads to make space for the twin seats and tanks. This gives deep but limited space either side of the spare. (Some people ditch the spare and carry tyre weld instead.) Not huge space but enough to stick a laptop and other gubbins if you need to keep stuff out of view in either side. You can also put things on top of the platform. (With my old FHC I used to use a cut down dog guard in order to stop stuff flying forward in an accident. I have never had a problem with the gas struts. They hold the glass open even in the wind. The rear can hold more than you might imagine.
I too have been tempted by 944s - particularly because I have 2 young children. However, I would miss the sound, drama, looks, badge, ease of servicing and low cost of parts. Ford and Jag parts are easy to source and relatively cheap. Most things can be fixed quite simply and don't require your car to be plugged into a NASA computer to do it.
Oh - and mine is for sale! (Was that too obvious an ending?)
Whatever! You can have a look here...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Tasmin-2-8i-V6-FHC-2-2-c... wow - long link!
[quote=Wedg1e
Aye, pity about the 30 hours labour to change the clutch though...
[/quote]
Is that to fiddle with the long drive shaft thingy on the 944, or to remove and refit the engine and box on a 350?
BTW, nice looking car Nads, a 2+2 could almost tempt me back. Does the petrol filler right back there overcome the problem of the drivers seat belt stinking of petrol?
Aye, pity about the 30 hours labour to change the clutch though...
[/quote]
Is that to fiddle with the long drive shaft thingy on the 944, or to remove and refit the engine and box on a 350?
BTW, nice looking car Nads, a 2+2 could almost tempt me back. Does the petrol filler right back there overcome the problem of the drivers seat belt stinking of petrol?
I have a 350i coupe here in Canada, I have carried tons of stuff in the back. With the hatch open (and protected with some padding) I have carried a tea trolley, I have also carried lumber (but be sure to support any heavy long items that stick out such that they don't rest on the rear body work), I have carried sod for the lawn (on plastic of course), oh, and again with the hatch open I carried 4 wheels and tyres for my XK8 - but I had to disconnect the struts to get it to lift high enough for them to fit.
I drive it year round, and will break 300,000 km some time in the next week or so.
Great daily driver, reasonable carrying capacity, has had some recent reliability issues, but most have not been the cars fault...
944 is nice - but I personaly wouldn't take it over the TVR.
I drive it year round, and will break 300,000 km some time in the next week or so.
Great daily driver, reasonable carrying capacity, has had some recent reliability issues, but most have not been the cars fault...
944 is nice - but I personaly wouldn't take it over the TVR.
Chris71 said:
But, you can get a mountain bike or a weeks camping gear in a 944. I'd go for the tiv every time (except probably with a V8 and no roof) if it was a weekend toy, but everyday for 14,000 miles a year?
I had a white 350i FHC with a beautiful claret leather interior as a daily driver (C398AYG) and two of us went camping for a week in it. Biggest problem that I remember was trying to get the rear window to seal properly to stop it misting up/freezing in the winter. Very quiet cruiser at substantial speeds. Air con was nice.
Ive had a 350i FHC for 4 years and it has never leaked once. Drove it a 1000 miles to the alps in the rain and snow not a drop of wet got in. Plus enough space to take 2 peoples big ski bags and enough sweets and red bull for the journey too!
Hell of a GT car....
For sale too if someone wants to enter it in the Gumball ;-)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Hell of a GT car....
For sale too if someone wants to enter it in the Gumball ;-)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
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