Mystery 1984 show car (350i)? help needed..

[sprevett]

My early 350i appears to be one of the 'show cars' that the factory prepared for promo purposes. The above pics show a tag I found on the wiring loom with the VIN number (5879)and V8 Conv Motor Show written underneath. I later found writing on the inside of the door panel saying 'Red Mo Show' and someone's initials. I also today found a 'signature' inside the leather gear lever gaiter 'Angela' who i guess was the trimmer. All very curious, but I would love to know if Angela or the signatory on the door panel are known to anyone or if anyone can shed any light on this car? It seems odd that the chassis number (DH 5879R1) matches the registration number (B879TYG) too? does anyone else have this? The car is Arctic White and was sold to a Mr John Hillyard-Miller of Chelsea, London on 19th October 1984 by HHC, Harrogate. I have been told previously that motor show cars were given extra time thru production and extra paint/finishing but again can anyone comment on that? It certainly has very good paintwork, still.

Perhaps it was also used for ad photos? It matches the white convertible in the early magazine ads for the Mk1 350i - the main identifier being the door mirror types which it stilll has, although I appreciate that could apply to a number of cars from that time.

Any info from ex-factory people or ex-HHC staff would be much appreciated.

[sprevett]

have also found another signature on inside of centre console on the fibreglass - 'Mick'

So, so far my Trevor has been built by Mick and Angela. Lovely. I wonder who else? Do you think if you remove a door panel from a BMW it would say 'Fritz'? No. exactly. It woud simply say ' warranty void if removed' or something equally Teutonic.....

[Wedg1e]

When I was working on my steering I found, on the underside of the car's nose, the signatures of the three guys who laid-up the GRP for the bodyshell.
It's that kind of touch that makes me reluctant to sell my Wedge even though I haven't driven it for two years.

[grahamw48]

Wedg1e said:

When I was working on my steering I found, on the underside of the car's nose, the signatures of the three guys who laid-up the GRP for the bodyshell.
It's that kind of touch that makes me reluctant to sell my Wedge even though I haven't driven it for two years.

Come on Ian...sort it out...you can't turn up to Wedgefest on a blinkin motorbike.

[JR]

I had a very similar car which was rumoured to be the motorshow car the following year. Also white, the vents at the front of the bonnet were no longer and it had the later mirrors. It was a hard top fully loaded with air-con, (full leather inc the boot lining) a fancy alarm system that even worked from inside a pub and PAS.

[sprevett]

of course one problem when trying to trace these things is that there are so many shows in any given year, so trying to find out if it was shown and where aint easy! The British Motor Show is the obvious choice but I don't know whether TVR also used others like Geneva, Paris etc too? Also I have assumed it would have been shown in 1984 but I suppose 1983 could be a possibility, but I'm not sure exactly when the 350i was launched.....does anyone know?

[JR]

IIRC the earliest 350i cars are 1983 so probable launched at the 1982 Motorshow. My former car had (has?) a later reg than yours, C398 AYG. Oliver is probably the best person to speak to regarding Motorshow cars. I remember that my car was displayed on an elevated, angled rotating turntable but do not remember at which shows.

[mark387mw]

JR said:

My former car had (has?) a later reg than yours, C398 AYG.

Excuse the thread hijack, my car is formally known as C399AYG

Edited by mark387mw on Tuesday 9th June 21:46

[TVR_owner]

sprevett said:

of course one problem when trying to trace these things is that there are so many shows in any given year, so trying to find out if it was shown and where aint easy! The British Motor Show is the obvious choice but I don't know whether TVR also used others like Geneva, Paris etc too? Also I have assumed it would have been shown in 1984 but I suppose 1983 could be a possibility, but I'm not sure exactly when the 350i was launched.....does anyone know?

There is a Y reg 350i, 1983.

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Here's what I believe is the potted history of the early 350i if it helps!

Feb 83 Chassis num DH5447R1. First 350i Development/prototype car.
March 83 Chassis num DH5466R1. First 350i Press car, at this time the new model had not been announced.
June 83 Chassis num DH5507R1. Yet another press car (Wonder what happened to the first one!!!!)

July 83 Chassis num DH5524R1. First production 350i Convertible. My car!

The records seem a bit vauge after that!

Not certain when the first Fixedhead 350i was made!
Sept 83 Chassis num 2FH5546R12 First 350i +2

Oct 83 Motorfair London. This was the first showing to the public at a show of the 350i

Oct 83 Chassis num 2FH5571F1 First Fixedhead 350i Press car

[sprevett]

thanks Mr Tank - useful info.

[Wedg1e]

grahamw48 said:

Come on Ian...sort it out...you can't turn up to Wedgefest on a blinkin motorbike.

Run out of time, not done a damn thing to it Might have a ride over on the bike, will see what weather & wimmin dictate