Cerbera chassis

[lechatster]

Hello

I'm hoping to get a little advice. I have a 1997 Cerbera with a corroded chassis - I hadn't owned it that long before the corrosion was enough to stop it making it through the MOT (why the extent of the corrosion wasn't spotted in the pre-purchase inspection is a question for another day...). It has been appraised by one of the big name TVR specialists and the advice is to have a full chassis restoration. I've searched the forums for chassis repairs and there are lots of results but I'd like to know of anyone's specific experience of having chassis repairs made to a Cerbera. I understand that it's a major undertaking and I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons of biting the bullet and committing to the restoration or selling. I'm a bit of a newbie and I'd appreciate any advice!

Thanks,

Lechatster

[Boatbuoy]

Fear not, it can all be repaired, that's the beauty of box and tube section. First step (if you haven't already done so) is to clear an hour in your diary, make a tea/coffee/pour a beer, and watch the recent episode of Wheeler Dealers (find it here: http://youtu.be/iyIBUWBOn1I )

However, ignore the fact that in the programe they replaced the chassis instead of reparing it (this was done to save the programe makers time), also don't budget to their costings - this has already been discussed in the associated thread (find it here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )

Lots of info in that lot. There's quite a few people here that have already done, are in the middle of, or planning (like me) a chassis refurb. Are you planning on doing the work yourself or farming it all out?

Regards,
Olly

[M3John]

A lot of info can be obtained from this recent thread.
Grab your self a cuppa and read on....


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[lechatster]

Boatbuoy said:

Fear not, it can all be repaired, that's the beauty of box and tube section. First step (if you haven't already done so) is to clear an hour in your diary, make a tea/coffee/pour a beer, and watch the recent episode of Wheeler Dealers (find it here: http://youtu.be/iyIBUWBOn1I )

However, ignore the fact that in the programe they replaced the chassis instead of reparing it (this was done to save the programe makers time), also don't budget to their costings - this has already been discussed in the associated thread (find it here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )

Lots of info in that lot. There's quite a few people here that have already done, are in the middle of, or planning (like me) a chassis refurb. Are you planning on doing the work yourself or farming it all out?

Regards,
Olly

Ah magic, how did I miss that thread? I'll take a look. I'm not going to do the work myself - nowhere near competent enough for that!

Thanks

[lechatster]

M3John said:

A lot of info can be obtained from this recent thread.
Grab your self a cuppa and read on....


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Excellent, I'll read it tonight. Thanks!

[anonymous-user]

lechatster said:

Boatbuoy said:

Fear not, it can all be repaired, that's the beauty of box and tube section. First step (if you haven't already done so) is to clear an hour in your diary, make a tea/coffee/pour a beer, and watch the recent episode of Wheeler Dealers (find it here: http://youtu.be/iyIBUWBOn1I )

However, ignore the fact that in the programe they replaced the chassis instead of reparing it (this was done to save the programe makers time), also don't budget to their costings - this has already been discussed in the associated thread (find it here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )

Lots of info in that lot. There's quite a few people here that have already done, are in the middle of, or planning (like me) a chassis refurb. Are you planning on doing the work yourself or farming it all out?

Regards,
Olly

Ah magic, how did I miss that thread? I'll take a look. I'm not going to do the work myself - nowhere near competent enough for that!

Thanks

I see M3John's linked my thread!

Sounds like we're in similar boats Olly, Im not technical nor a mechanic, so when I saw the corrosion on mine, under years of waxoyl, it was a bit of bad moment. My chassis has required almost the entire front end to be rebuilt from the mounting points under the dashboard to the radiator and was a big undertaking. Im not 100% sure of the costs yet, but I guess Im looking at £6k, but includes a few add ons. If I was doing this again, Id probably take the WD route of using a previously repaired chassis in part-ex for your own. RT Racing did that for the WD programme and Richard always seems to have a cerb chassis or two for these situations. You might even end up with the original WD chassis ;-)

As for taking it apart, there's a great thread here that I followed to begin the body off process and found it to be pretty comprehensive and quite simple to understand.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
TVR liked to do things differrently, so not every car is exactly the same as I found out on the day we lifted the body...but its hard to say what you may find outside of the guide.

There's a few things that the guide doesn't tell you, like keeping a few hundred seal-able freezer bags of assorted sizes to put every single nut, bolt & washer in, and labelled to let you know where they came from! Take photos of everything and label them on a PC asap after taking them so you remember whats what.

While the body is off, there's a load of other jobs that could be done and are probably wise to do, replace fuel lines, oil lines, air con lines, get the steering rack, gearbox & brake calipers refurbished, replace clutch slave cylinder, refurb coilovers or buy new ones, new heat sheilding to the engine bay and transmission tunnel.....etc.

[gerradiuk]

Depends where you are in Uk but these people seem to have a very good reputation for chassis repairs.
http://www.willowsportscars.co.uk/chassis_repair.h...

[kstearn]

I can certainly thumbs up for Willow sports cars, Nick put my Cerb on the ramp last Monday and was really honest about the state and what was required.
Problem is when someone has a reputation for good, honest, solid, reliable work, there is the inevitable waiting list.
I booked my car in, onto the list in early December, all being well Nick says end of May early June, and I'm no.6,just when my MOT runs out. Should be in for 3/4 months but i'm looking around late August, what with Summer hols etc. His prices are well competitive but as mentioned in other threads you gotta change the stuff you can't get access to, such as bushes, mounts, boots, gaitors, ball joints, drop links, brake lines, fuel lines, not to mention consumable like pads, nuts, bolts, washers, oil, coolant, heat blanket plus anything else you get an urge for.
Suffice to say its a big list, but if your on a waiting list you have time to maybe pick up a bargain part in the many special offers (not) that are sometimes available.
It is unfortunately something that cannot be passed over, or not dealt with properly, you have to decide if the car is a keeper, because if you have paid top price then, you will be out of pocket, considerably, I reckon I could be in to Willow sports cars for between 6 and 10k.
Depends on my engine, a speed 6 that to me runs sweet as a nut, so i plan on a bit of a service only this time, but if anything untoward is found then i'll be at the upper end of my estimate, fingers crossed, I hope you take up the challenge and save another, but difficult choices have to be made.
All the best.
Karl

[Alistair H.]

As the previous two boys have said. Willow are top guys. However the waiting list is long.

Cerbie is about a week away from coming home after a long visit. I just need to swap my wallet contents and a kidney to get it back!

[Byker28i]

I've had mine done. Lets face it they'll all need doing soon so it's a price we'll have to pay.

As said - it's a complete strip down, don't be fooled by anyone saying it can be done any other way. Then factor in some extra cash for replacing the brake lines, fuel lines, bushes etc as you might as well replace them whilst they are easy to get at.

Have a look at the Neil Garner open day pics - that's mine on the ramp to show off the underneath.

[matty1275]

book it in with richard at RT.
then the job will be done right

[lechatster]

Thanks for the information. It's interesting and very helpful to hear your recommendations. I've got a lot of reading to do, clearly! I'll take a look at all the threads/videos and hopefully I'll have a better idea of what I'm dealing with.
Cheers

[Gazzab]

Sadly there have beenany tales of Tvr inspections from one of the experts but his approach is to lay on a duvet cover to try and peer under the car!

[Cerbieherts]

Yikes!!! Scary stuff...

[lechatster]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the advice. I'm still researching all the options - it's endless...
Does anybody know who Str8six use for their chassis repairs? It seems it's done off-site.

[Alistair H.]

Willow.