Potential new Cerbera owner
Discussion
Afternoon all. I am seriously considering taking the plunge and joining the TVR owners club. I have called about 2, but both have been gone or under offer at the point that I have (the good ones seem to go very quickly!).
I’ve seen one that I may go travel to drive at DT performance cars. It has had an engine rebuild in 2014 (by APM automotive), only covering 3000 miles since. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. It has also had a lot of restoration work, including the chassis reconditioned, suspension replaced etc etc. These all seem like good things, but only having covered 3000 miles in 7 odd years seems a little concerning. That being said, I am led to believe that there are lots of receipts in the interim for servicing (including a £3000 service in 2017).
Another slight area of concern is the most recent owner who is apparently a retired engineer and has done a lot of work himself on the car (which is not unfeasible), so lots of receipts for parts but no invoices for labour. Also that it has had a lot of time on SORN as the previous owner ‘didn’t believe in road tax’.
As it stands, the car is not a complete no go. I am interested to go look at it and drive it. I would only progress with a full inspection by a TVR specialist. Guess my questions are:
1. Am I mad and should I hold out for one with a more straightforward history? (The 2 that I just missed seemed to be exactly that and at a similar, or even lower, price point).
2. Anybody know the car?
3. Anybody know of APM automotive and are able to vouch for their work?
4. Any other V8 cerberas out there that I should be considering? I think I would prefer a 4.5 in order to sort induction and get a map (if not already done), but have read that condition is king!
Many thanks!
I’ve seen one that I may go travel to drive at DT performance cars. It has had an engine rebuild in 2014 (by APM automotive), only covering 3000 miles since. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. It has also had a lot of restoration work, including the chassis reconditioned, suspension replaced etc etc. These all seem like good things, but only having covered 3000 miles in 7 odd years seems a little concerning. That being said, I am led to believe that there are lots of receipts in the interim for servicing (including a £3000 service in 2017).
Another slight area of concern is the most recent owner who is apparently a retired engineer and has done a lot of work himself on the car (which is not unfeasible), so lots of receipts for parts but no invoices for labour. Also that it has had a lot of time on SORN as the previous owner ‘didn’t believe in road tax’.
As it stands, the car is not a complete no go. I am interested to go look at it and drive it. I would only progress with a full inspection by a TVR specialist. Guess my questions are:
1. Am I mad and should I hold out for one with a more straightforward history? (The 2 that I just missed seemed to be exactly that and at a similar, or even lower, price point).
2. Anybody know the car?
3. Anybody know of APM automotive and are able to vouch for their work?
4. Any other V8 cerberas out there that I should be considering? I think I would prefer a 4.5 in order to sort induction and get a map (if not already done), but have read that condition is king!
Many thanks!
130idvg said:
Am I Mad...
I dunno but it certainly helps!! 
As most of these cars are circa 20yrs old now, condition is key. There are a lot of owners here who are very competent mechanics, so I wouldn't be too put off by someone doing their own spanner work. You can see the list of receipts but if you're at all concerned about the quality of workmanship, you could always get the car over to one of the specialists, who can perform an appraisal for you.
4.5 V8... It's a bigger engine, so it must be better, eh??
FWIW - The 4.2 is no slouch and neither is the 4.0 Speed6. Try and take a couple out for a test drive, so you can make an informed decision rather than making any assumptions.APM - I've not used them personally (I'm sure others here have) but the main thing is the name doesn't ring any alarm bells.
HTH
M
. Driving history - well mines had very little in the last two years - because well Covid...
Engine rebuild by Andy at APM is good, one of the three I was looking at to do mine. Worth asking what exactly was done.
Chassis recondition - what does that mean? Just a touch up or full body off outrigger replacement?
So thats a 97 4.2? Mine once mapped and sorted was 380bhp, a good similar 4.5 is around 420bhp, but you wouldn't notice on the road.
Headlights have been changed as a 97 would have had the single headlight, rear lights upgraded to the aftermarket ones.
18" Spider wheels, different front door speakers, aluminium dash, aluminium gear leaver surround, 4.2 inlets sprayed silver and the green airboxes and engine covers are a personal choice but would get attention at shows. Same for the green calipers
It's had some money spent on it.
Engine rebuild by Andy at APM is good, one of the three I was looking at to do mine. Worth asking what exactly was done.
Chassis recondition - what does that mean? Just a touch up or full body off outrigger replacement?
So thats a 97 4.2? Mine once mapped and sorted was 380bhp, a good similar 4.5 is around 420bhp, but you wouldn't notice on the road.
Headlights have been changed as a 97 would have had the single headlight, rear lights upgraded to the aftermarket ones.
18" Spider wheels, different front door speakers, aluminium dash, aluminium gear leaver surround, 4.2 inlets sprayed silver and the green airboxes and engine covers are a personal choice but would get attention at shows. Same for the green calipers
It's had some money spent on it.
Edited by Byker28i on Tuesday 19th October 07:57
Hi Dave,
Andy is a good chap. Text him that you want to talk about it and I'm sure you'll be able to sort out a suitable natter slot.
Car has some lovely little quirks on it which make me think that it has, indeed, been taken care of. An engineer's home project could be a find or a disaster so give him a ring.
(Says the numptie who has had his on the Jacks for 40 months !!)
Find out who did the chassis work on it to see exactly what was done.
It's not cheap
BUT
a few, cheap phone calls will save you a nightmare of future costs !
Best of Luck
Andy is a good chap. Text him that you want to talk about it and I'm sure you'll be able to sort out a suitable natter slot.
Car has some lovely little quirks on it which make me think that it has, indeed, been taken care of. An engineer's home project could be a find or a disaster so give him a ring.
(Says the numptie who has had his on the Jacks for 40 months !!)
Find out who did the chassis work on it to see exactly what was done.
It's not cheap
BUT
a few, cheap phone calls will save you a nightmare of future costs !
Best of Luck
DuncanM said:
FarmyardPants said:
ukkid35 said:
"perfect oil pressure"
So they've spent £6 on a new oil pressure relief valve spring - well done
At least they removed the old one first So they've spent £6 on a new oil pressure relief valve spring - well done
A spring won't hide poor oil pressure will it? I wouldn't have thought so, not for long anyway.
FarmyardPants said:
DuncanM said:
FarmyardPants said:
ukkid35 said:
"perfect oil pressure"
So they've spent £6 on a new oil pressure relief valve spring - well done
At least they removed the old one first So they've spent £6 on a new oil pressure relief valve spring - well done
A spring won't hide poor oil pressure will it? I wouldn't have thought so, not for long anyway.
more than this did anyway
I saw j18ufo 9 years ago but not sure how relevant any info would be bearing in mind it seems to have been virtually totally rebuilt according to the advert. It's done 6k miles in those 9 years.
check whos done all the recomission work though .. there's lots to go wrong if it's not been done by someone who knows how a cerbera is supposed to go back together.
check whos done all the recomission work though .. there's lots to go wrong if it's not been done by someone who knows how a cerbera is supposed to go back together.
130idvg said:
Afternoon all. I am seriously considering taking the plunge and joining the TVR owners club. I have called about 2, but both have been gone or under offer at the point that I have (the good ones seem to go very quickly!).
I’ve seen one that I may go travel to drive at DT performance cars. It has had an engine rebuild in 2014 (by APM automotive), only covering 3000 miles since. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. It has also had a lot of restoration work, including the chassis reconditioned, suspension replaced etc etc. These all seem like good things, but only having covered 3000 miles in 7 odd years seems a little concerning. That being said, I am led to believe that there are lots of receipts in the interim for servicing (including a £3000 service in 2017).
Another slight area of concern is the most recent owner who is apparently a retired engineer and has done a lot of work himself on the car (which is not unfeasible), so lots of receipts for parts but no invoices for labour. Also that it has had a lot of time on SORN as the previous owner ‘didn’t believe in road tax’.
As it stands, the car is not a complete no go. I am interested to go look at it and drive it. I would only progress with a full inspection by a TVR specialist. Guess my questions are:
1. Am I mad and should I hold out for one with a more straightforward history? (The 2 that I just missed seemed to be exactly that and at a similar, or even lower, price point).
2. Anybody know the car?
3. Anybody know of APM automotive and are able to vouch for their work?
4. Any other V8 cerberas out there that I should be considering? I think I would prefer a 4.5 in order to sort induction and get a map (if not already done), but have read that condition is king!
Many thanks!
They are great cars. They are also pretty simple believe it or not. I’ve seen one that I may go travel to drive at DT performance cars. It has had an engine rebuild in 2014 (by APM automotive), only covering 3000 miles since. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. It has also had a lot of restoration work, including the chassis reconditioned, suspension replaced etc etc. These all seem like good things, but only having covered 3000 miles in 7 odd years seems a little concerning. That being said, I am led to believe that there are lots of receipts in the interim for servicing (including a £3000 service in 2017).
Another slight area of concern is the most recent owner who is apparently a retired engineer and has done a lot of work himself on the car (which is not unfeasible), so lots of receipts for parts but no invoices for labour. Also that it has had a lot of time on SORN as the previous owner ‘didn’t believe in road tax’.
As it stands, the car is not a complete no go. I am interested to go look at it and drive it. I would only progress with a full inspection by a TVR specialist. Guess my questions are:
1. Am I mad and should I hold out for one with a more straightforward history? (The 2 that I just missed seemed to be exactly that and at a similar, or even lower, price point).
2. Anybody know the car?
3. Anybody know of APM automotive and are able to vouch for their work?
4. Any other V8 cerberas out there that I should be considering? I think I would prefer a 4.5 in order to sort induction and get a map (if not already done), but have read that condition is king!
Many thanks!
People don't always get to drive them much but I bought mine with OK history (because I missed my last that I sold years ago) and then set about making it right. They can gobble up the pounds but the engines V8's are generally strong. If the previous owner is technically minded then there is no reason to worry about their work. I have a Chimaera as well that was looked after by a good Indie here in Kent but the previous owner was a retired engineer. Even the Indie said that he was a very clever/gifted man. I'd be more worried about the chassis...
As for APM. Andy looked after my cars when I was alot younger. He had just set up APM and I can say that he really knows his stuff and if the car was serviced there, call him, he may have insight into it's condition. He is really good and very thoughtful in the work he did for me.
Mine is a 4.5 that has been tickled .. it is like a rocket. But... so are the standard 4.2's Speed Sixes etc but again they are all really good engines (I loved my Tuscan and that had the SS obviously)..sounded incredible and went like stink.
I'd just get the car surveyed by someone that knows what they are looking at or indeed get it to a TVR Indie close by.
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