A Rare Beast- TVR V8S Series
Discussion
Hi All
I'm new here and am about to embark on my first TVR experience and have my heart set on an S. I also feel a strong urge to get into a 3000M 3000S but obviously weary of the age of these and given my inexperience with them is it a good place to start?
Anyway I've been scouring the net for a V8S as these just seem to be superb with the all the refinements you could ask for from a car of that era for a budget of £7000- £8000. But being so rare I can't find one since I narrowly missed out on one about 2 weeks ago on carandclassic website.
Firstly, anyone know of one that's going that isn't advertised on the net?
Secondly, am I right to be weary of considering the M series as an introduction to (classic) TVRs and just stick with the S?
Any advice much appreciated.
Rob
I'm new here and am about to embark on my first TVR experience and have my heart set on an S. I also feel a strong urge to get into a 3000M 3000S but obviously weary of the age of these and given my inexperience with them is it a good place to start?
Anyway I've been scouring the net for a V8S as these just seem to be superb with the all the refinements you could ask for from a car of that era for a budget of £7000- £8000. But being so rare I can't find one since I narrowly missed out on one about 2 weeks ago on carandclassic website.
Firstly, anyone know of one that's going that isn't advertised on the net?
Secondly, am I right to be weary of considering the M series as an introduction to (classic) TVRs and just stick with the S?
Any advice much appreciated.
Rob
Hi & welcome,
For specific advice on models you'd be better posting in the S Series (V8S) or classic (3000M/S) sections of the forum.
My tuppence worth is it depends what you want. We have a 3000M and an S3C. Had them about a year now. For either it's all about condition. Either model is old enough to need some TLC.
If you want performance and open top motoring then the V8S is your thing. Also has the benefit of being newer but that also means you got more electrical/electronic stuff to worry about. If you're considering a 3000M then don't rule out the V6 if you don't want the full-on V8 noise and performance. They still don't hang about.
The M is much easier to work on with better access but will probably need more regular maintenance and fiddling with to keep on top of things. Lots of grease nipples for example! Much more of a classic car experience.
If you can get to Weston Park this weekend there is the S Club gathering were you'll be able to see all varieties of S and get lots of helpful advice. Check out the S Series section for info.
For both the M and the S the forums on here are fantastically helpful with some great people providing a lot of help and support.
Hope this helps, don't hesitate to ask if you have questions (feel free to pm me)
Pick the right car and you won't regret it.
Have fun,
Gary
Edited to big up V6 S's
For specific advice on models you'd be better posting in the S Series (V8S) or classic (3000M/S) sections of the forum.
My tuppence worth is it depends what you want. We have a 3000M and an S3C. Had them about a year now. For either it's all about condition. Either model is old enough to need some TLC.
If you want performance and open top motoring then the V8S is your thing. Also has the benefit of being newer but that also means you got more electrical/electronic stuff to worry about. If you're considering a 3000M then don't rule out the V6 if you don't want the full-on V8 noise and performance. They still don't hang about.
The M is much easier to work on with better access but will probably need more regular maintenance and fiddling with to keep on top of things. Lots of grease nipples for example! Much more of a classic car experience.
If you can get to Weston Park this weekend there is the S Club gathering were you'll be able to see all varieties of S and get lots of helpful advice. Check out the S Series section for info.
For both the M and the S the forums on here are fantastically helpful with some great people providing a lot of help and support.
Hope this helps, don't hesitate to ask if you have questions (feel free to pm me)
Pick the right car and you won't regret it.
Have fun,
Gary
Edited to big up V6 S's
Edited by GadgeS3C on Thursday 23 June 18:12
Edited by GadgeS3C on Thursday 23 June 20:35
^^^ Echo Gary's comments above.
Haven't owned a 3000 series car but would imagine one of these to be a typical classic experience. They were of an era when TVR raided the major manufacturer's parts bins, so spares should be fairly easy to come by. They can be made to go too! At Goodwood this month, met a guy from Somerset who had a Vixen with the Kent V6 pushing out 240 horses!
I have owned a V8S - my first TVR. It must have been good, as I'm now on my 3rd Tiv. I had a TVR Power V8 cam upgrade and was a pretty quick car. More electronics with the RV8 engine - - old hat stuff now though. The biggest focus for me was the electrics/ignition. The pre-serp distributor with the ignition amplifier mounted on the dizzy body suffered from heat stress - particularly using pattern rather than OE parts. I have seen a bespoke amplifier mounted on the NS wing, which probably mitigated the heat issue.
I had several comment from Griff 500 drivers as to how quick it was through the gears.
Main thing now is to check the chassis and rear trailing arms for corrosion....most of the S cars are 20+ years old now. Good luck with your search.
Nick
Haven't owned a 3000 series car but would imagine one of these to be a typical classic experience. They were of an era when TVR raided the major manufacturer's parts bins, so spares should be fairly easy to come by. They can be made to go too! At Goodwood this month, met a guy from Somerset who had a Vixen with the Kent V6 pushing out 240 horses!
I have owned a V8S - my first TVR. It must have been good, as I'm now on my 3rd Tiv. I had a TVR Power V8 cam upgrade and was a pretty quick car. More electronics with the RV8 engine - - old hat stuff now though. The biggest focus for me was the electrics/ignition. The pre-serp distributor with the ignition amplifier mounted on the dizzy body suffered from heat stress - particularly using pattern rather than OE parts. I have seen a bespoke amplifier mounted on the NS wing, which probably mitigated the heat issue.
I had several comment from Griff 500 drivers as to how quick it was through the gears.
Main thing now is to check the chassis and rear trailing arms for corrosion....most of the S cars are 20+ years old now. Good luck with your search.
Nick
gizzardio said:
Firstly, anyone know of one that's going that isn't advertised on the net?
Secondly, am I right to be weary of considering the M series as an introduction to (classic) TVRs and just stick with the S?
Any advice much appreciated.
Rob
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=11&t=948892&mid=63289&nmt=SCH2011Secondly, am I right to be weary of considering the M series as an introduction to (classic) TVRs and just stick with the S?
Any advice much appreciated.
Rob
Just down the road from you - all THIS weekend...THE S event (S Club Heaven) - more advice than you can shake a stick at.
Hi
thanks first of all for swift responses to my posting. I'll take your advice Gadge and put this into the S Series section aswell.
From what you've said I reckon that whether I opt for a M or an S is pretty much personal preference and it just depends on the history and care taken over its life which is reassuring.
As phillpot asked, I'm not particularly precious about the V8 engine, but I was more attracted to the features the V8S had like disc brakes all round which just seems right on a sports car. I test drove a S3 a few weeks back and even though it might have been the particular car, the brakes didn't feel that precise or solid.
Anyway, there's a very pretty 3000S right here on Pistonheads which I'm interested in but have asked the owner to send it to a local classic car specialist for an inspection before I go down to look. One thing I'm noticing is the tendency of these cars to be down south thus miles away from Manchester where I am! I foresee a bit of travelling cross country before this venture is over...
Gutted I cant make that S Series meet this weekend as I'm down in london. ah well, maybe I'll be taking my own next year...!
thanks first of all for swift responses to my posting. I'll take your advice Gadge and put this into the S Series section aswell.
From what you've said I reckon that whether I opt for a M or an S is pretty much personal preference and it just depends on the history and care taken over its life which is reassuring.
As phillpot asked, I'm not particularly precious about the V8 engine, but I was more attracted to the features the V8S had like disc brakes all round which just seems right on a sports car. I test drove a S3 a few weeks back and even though it might have been the particular car, the brakes didn't feel that precise or solid.
Anyway, there's a very pretty 3000S right here on Pistonheads which I'm interested in but have asked the owner to send it to a local classic car specialist for an inspection before I go down to look. One thing I'm noticing is the tendency of these cars to be down south thus miles away from Manchester where I am! I foresee a bit of travelling cross country before this venture is over...
Gutted I cant make that S Series meet this weekend as I'm down in london. ah well, maybe I'll be taking my own next year...!
gizzardio, have you been in touch with Track V Road in Clitheroe? They have a very nice M in stock, or at least they did a week ago. Give them a ring, ask for Craig, and I'm sure he will help you get hold of what you are looking for. They are good guys up there and have their ears pretty close to the ground and tend to know where all the decent cars are.
Our 3000M came from Ramsbottom so they are about up North. But the older ones take a bit of tracking down. Worth looking at a few.
Our S3C has four pot calipers & bigger disk upgrade on the fronts, standard drum rears and it feels very solid on the brakes, much more so than the 3000M (all standard).
Gary
Our S3C has four pot calipers & bigger disk upgrade on the fronts, standard drum rears and it feels very solid on the brakes, much more so than the 3000M (all standard).
Gary
phillpot said:
nawarne said:
Kent V6
Kent engines were the 4 cylinder pushrods (eg 1600M), V4 & 6's were designated Essex 
Nick
Edited by nawarne on Friday 24th June 17:41
gizzardio said:
From what you've said I reckon that whether I opt for a M or an S is pretty much personal preference and it just depends on the history and care taken over its life which is reassuring.
For a year or so we had both a 3000S and an S1 (280S).My 280S was newer (only a few years old), more refined, had 5 speeds, wind up windows, the hard top roof and Fuel Injection. These days check the condition of the out riggers and the trailling arms.
Dad's 3000S was an early prototype without a boot - which made removing the side screens tricky, a 5 speed box can be retro fitted, and the roof can be raised at Traffic lights. One area to check was the frame of the windscreen. It is also suggest on the M series that the diff carrier needs asking about.
Although I might get thrown out of the Griffith club for suggesting it
, but at your budget is a Chimaera possible, or desirable?
Well I would like to but at this rate I'm waiting for months before one comes available and I really wanted to be driving round in this weather! Well I could always change up a V6 for V8 next year and use the V6 as a nice introduction.
Just had a guy tell me he's happy to take his Taimar down for inspection at a TVR specialist this weekend so all being well, I might end up going for this... I'll let you know.
thanks again for input people.
Rob
Just had a guy tell me he's happy to take his Taimar down for inspection at a TVR specialist this weekend so all being well, I might end up going for this... I'll let you know.
thanks again for input people.
Rob
Have you considered a Wedge which came after the M series and produced at the same time as the S's? Within your price bracket as M's seem to have crept up and similar to V8S's for a good one. You could also get a Chimp for that money but they are the most common Tiv, although none are "common".
M's tend to need more checks on nuts and bolts, generally less so the newer you get. Electrics and electronics more complicated also the newer you get. I drove my Taimar daily for about 8 years (early 90's) and the electrics were always letting me down but always an easy fix as the wires are easy to get to and wiring is a doddle. Usually earthing problems.
Only the 3000S in the M series are convertible, the rest have a fixed roof although do get a sunroof. S's are convertible as are majority of Wedges.
BBWF is on this weekend near Stratford so maybe worth a visit.
FFG
M's tend to need more checks on nuts and bolts, generally less so the newer you get. Electrics and electronics more complicated also the newer you get. I drove my Taimar daily for about 8 years (early 90's) and the electrics were always letting me down but always an easy fix as the wires are easy to get to and wiring is a doddle. Usually earthing problems.
Only the 3000S in the M series are convertible, the rest have a fixed roof although do get a sunroof. S's are convertible as are majority of Wedges.
BBWF is on this weekend near Stratford so maybe worth a visit.
FFG
Cheers for that. I actually saw this at the weekend as it was down the road. Cant say anymore than that really as it wouldn't be fair on the seller.
Thanks again for the spot and mention.
To FFG, I havent considered the wedge even though i know they are a decent motor as I do have my heart set on an S or M and am sure i'll find the one i want. Can't always explain the desire for a certain car with logic as i've tried to explain to my missus!
Thanks again for the spot and mention.
To FFG, I havent considered the wedge even though i know they are a decent motor as I do have my heart set on an S or M and am sure i'll find the one i want. Can't always explain the desire for a certain car with logic as i've tried to explain to my missus!
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff