Vixen gear lever

[tomtrout]

Although I have nothing locally to compare with I have noticed in quite a few pics of Vixen interiors that the gear lever is often quite short. They often look the same length or even shorter than the hand brake lever.Do people tend to shorten their original levers or were there several different versions? I think mine is probably original and I'm happy to retain it as it is but presumably the "throw" will be quite long with such a lever.Also does anybody have a pic of an original steering wheel? I understand they are rare but I would like to look out for something as near to the original as possible.My car is a very early S2.

[Moto]

Andy,

Likewise, my S3 has the long gear lever compared to other Vixens that I've seen. Foxdog (a previous owner of my car) upgraded it in the 80's to a Ford 2000E gearbox as apparently it is stronger (possibly needed due to modifying the engine) than the standard one and the gear ratio's are closer. I have always presumed this explains a longer gear lever.

From a driving it, I have to say that it's a lovely gearbox to use - very positive, clean changes and the long gear lever feels remarkably comfortable.

Regards the steering wheel, I think it was originally a Moto-lita black leather with chrome spokes 13.5" wheel, made for TVR. When I spoke to Steve Reid 6 mths ago, he had one for sale - might be worth a call. Just check out your boss as I found I needed to machine the back down on the Moto-lita Triumph boss to allow the horn contact to work correctly.

Moto

[tomtrout]

Thanks Steve. I have'nt had a close look at the gearbox as yet, just taken it out and stuck it at the back of the garage but I will have a closer look at it to check if it might be the 2000e box as you suggest.

[tomtrout]

You were right Steve, it is fitted with the 2000E box. I was toying with the idea of a type 9 box but I think I will try and live with what I've already got and see if i like it. I won't be doing many motorway miles so the four speed will probably be fine for my purposes. Come to think of it I won't be doing "any" miles for a long time yet!

[jpa]

Hi tomtrout,

Your current wheel is the same as the mota-lita on my early S3. Mine was black painted as yours is. Do you think your car came with that wheel originally?

What does the earlier wheel look like? Do you have any pics?

Paul.

[Astacus]

My lateish series 1 steering wheel looks like this. I don't know whether its original or not.



Unfortunately its pretty much had it. There are splits in the inner ring between the screw holes and the edge, for nearly all the screws, and the leather has chunks out of it.

Its a long time off, but I am hoping to replace it either with a similar Mota Lita item or a wood rimmed wheel

Edited by Astacus on Sunday 16th January 00:50

[tomtrout]

The black motolita came with the car but know idea what it left Blackpool with. My car is fitted with a wooden dash but I don't know if original cars ever had wooden rimmed steering wheels fitted as well.

[foxdog]

This is the wheel from my S3,it's the original small boss but did not come with a horn push which I am on the look out for.

Steve have you fitted the sun roof yet if not can you plese give me the dimentions as my car has a glass one which I wish to replace with a Britax.

Alan

[url]

[Moto]

Alan,

It's still sitting on the bench awaiting a re-dye to black, so no problem getting any dimensions. What do you want, the opening in the fibreglass or dimensions of the sunroof trim. If anything in particular just let me know.

Steve

[foxdog]

Hi Steve sorry it is the opening in the fibreglass I wanted.

Thanks Alan

Moto said:

Alan,

It's still sitting on the bench awaiting a re-dye to black, so no problem getting any dimensions. What do you want, the opening in the fibreglass or dimensions of the sunroof trim. If anything in particular just let me know.

Steve

[Moto]

Alan, The opening is 439mm front to back. Side to side it's 771mm at the front but tapers down slightly to 765mm at the rear. This is probably just the cut out not being quite square but I guess it's possible that it's may be required to slow the slide backwards as it tightens in the taper.

Steve

[tivmadandy]

Astacus said:

My lateish series 1 steering wheel looks like this. I don't know whether its original or not.



Unfortunately its pretty much had it. There are splits in the inner ring between the screw holes and the edge, for nearly all the screws, and the leather has chunks out of it.

Its a long time off, but I am hoping to replace it either with a similar Mota Lita item or a wood rimmed wheel

Edited by Astacus on Sunday 16th January 00:50

Hi

Yes, the steering wheel shown in your picture is of the non original type.

If you contact me I will send you a picture of the correct one that is in my series 1 Vixen.

Andy Honey 07815 876105

[Astacus]

tivmadandy said:

Hi

Yes, the steering wheel shown in your picture is of the non original type.

If you contact me I will send you a picture of the correct one that is in my series 1 Vixen.

Andy Honey 07815 876105

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the offer. i am always on the lookout for pictures of orginal S1s to give me an idea of what mine is supposed to look like. Its quite a challenge starting from only about ten boxes of oily bits!

ETA just noticed you are new to the forum, Welcome.

Edited by Astacus on Thursday 27th January 20:26