Bought a 4.5 Cerb today
Discussion
Well, my beloved Chimaera went to a new home today. So rather than feeling sorry for myself I rushed out and bought a 98 4.5 Cerb with the money
Not a great deal of history with it, but for the money I have taken a risk woth taking in my mind. Did a HPI check and got a print off from DVLA on MoT history etc.
The plan is for me to keep this for a long while to build up history
MoT failure on weeping rear O/S shock, play in upper steering UJ and slight play in n/s fron anti-roll ball joint linkage.
Needs a service badly, but runs OK. Chassis solid, but it is very dry and rusty. Prodded like a mad man with my screwdriver and hammer but seemed solid enough. In dire need of a strip and waxoyl though.
Has a sports exhaust too
A few scratches to contend with (its been living in a barn, with boxes on it), but at 23 k miles and halcyon heather paint it looks rather nice.
So my plan is:
1) strip chassis and black waxoyl
2) fit replacement shocks, drop link. The steering UJ was only an advisory.
Take it for an MoT, get in on the road and the down to Paul at Prestige Performance for a service
It's still on the old V5, as the guy I bought it off ran it about on his trade plates for a year, but never registered it. But I managed to contact the previous owner who allayed My fears.
Will feel a bit better when I get the old V5 off to DVLA though
So I have some queries,
1) How big a job is the front ARB ball-joint linkage replacement?
2) I cant afford a complete set of new shocks for it yet, but will in the future as my priority is just to make it safe and get a good service done. Does anybody know of pair of any used serviceable std rear dampers for sale that I can use in the interim to get me through the MoT?
I feel a bit ovewhelemed with what I've just gone and done, but only time will tell if I've made the right decision...
All advice very much appreciated
Cheers
Nick
Ready for Midlands (not a brill quality piccie)!
Not a great deal of history with it, but for the money I have taken a risk woth taking in my mind. Did a HPI check and got a print off from DVLA on MoT history etc.
The plan is for me to keep this for a long while to build up history
MoT failure on weeping rear O/S shock, play in upper steering UJ and slight play in n/s fron anti-roll ball joint linkage.
Needs a service badly, but runs OK. Chassis solid, but it is very dry and rusty. Prodded like a mad man with my screwdriver and hammer but seemed solid enough. In dire need of a strip and waxoyl though.
Has a sports exhaust too
A few scratches to contend with (its been living in a barn, with boxes on it), but at 23 k miles and halcyon heather paint it looks rather nice.
So my plan is:
1) strip chassis and black waxoyl
2) fit replacement shocks, drop link. The steering UJ was only an advisory.
Take it for an MoT, get in on the road and the down to Paul at Prestige Performance for a service
It's still on the old V5, as the guy I bought it off ran it about on his trade plates for a year, but never registered it. But I managed to contact the previous owner who allayed My fears.
Will feel a bit better when I get the old V5 off to DVLA though
So I have some queries,
1) How big a job is the front ARB ball-joint linkage replacement?
2) I cant afford a complete set of new shocks for it yet, but will in the future as my priority is just to make it safe and get a good service done. Does anybody know of pair of any used serviceable std rear dampers for sale that I can use in the interim to get me through the MoT?
I feel a bit ovewhelemed with what I've just gone and done, but only time will tell if I've made the right decision...
All advice very much appreciated
Cheers
Nick
Ready for Midlands (not a brill quality piccie)!
A brave move indeed but one that is likely to reap rich rewards, too. 
Hope all goes well for you but it does sound your going about it with the right attitude and your starting point IMO is a lot better than that of those who pay top dollar for a 'minter' - it's the bits you can't see into that you need to worry about and a few grand saved on the initial purchase go a long way to alleviate any fears...
Hope all goes well for you but it does sound your going about it with the right attitude and your starting point IMO is a lot better than that of those who pay top dollar for a 'minter' - it's the bits you can't see into that you need to worry about and a few grand saved on the initial purchase go a long way to alleviate any fears...(So I have some queries,
1) How big a job is the front ARB ball-joint linkage replacement?)
I'd go for these! this is what I'll be doing......eventually.
https://delta.securesslhost.net/~shenglt/catalog/i...
PS, nice colour.
1) How big a job is the front ARB ball-joint linkage replacement?)
I'd go for these! this is what I'll be doing......eventually.
https://delta.securesslhost.net/~shenglt/catalog/i...
PS, nice colour.
vroom said:
Well, my beloved Chimaera went to a new home today. So rather than feeling sorry for myself I rushed out and bought a 98 4.5 Cerb with the money
Not a great deal of history with it, but for the money I have taken a risk woth taking in my mind. Did a HPI check and got a print off from DVLA on MoT history etc.
Has a sports exhaust too
A few scratches to contend with (its been living in a barn, with boxes on it), but at 23 k miles and halcyon heather paint it looks rather nice.
Fantastic! Not a great deal of history with it, but for the money I have taken a risk woth taking in my mind. Did a HPI check and got a print off from DVLA on MoT history etc.
Has a sports exhaust too
A few scratches to contend with (its been living in a barn, with boxes on it), but at 23 k miles and halcyon heather paint it looks rather nice.
Lovely colour
I have just done a similar thing - although in slightly different order - I have the Cerbera - and will probably have to sell the Chimaera this summer.
I wonder how many people are there out there buying unloved Cerberas and setting them free!?
Good luck with your lovely car!
Thanks everyone for the thumbs up and advice
I didn't sleep well last night worrying whether I had done the right thing...
Went to see Paul at Prestige today (not in car no MoT!) and he put my mind at rest a bit.
Managed to get some paint mixed too, so have sorted all the scratches & chips.
Will whip the wheels off tomorrow, to have a look again and probably start work on it next week.
For the time being it will just have to take pride and place on my drive
I didn't sleep well last night worrying whether I had done the right thing...
Went to see Paul at Prestige today (not in car no MoT!) and he put my mind at rest a bit.
Managed to get some paint mixed too, so have sorted all the scratches & chips.
Will whip the wheels off tomorrow, to have a look again and probably start work on it next week.
For the time being it will just have to take pride and place on my drive
Congratulations, as others have said you're clearly an enthusiast.
Service history is only a 'problem' if you sell. I doubt I will ever sell mine (but I do have it serviced).
Whatever, welcome to the club, they are truly fantastic when everything's set up right and IMO vastly underrated.
Service history is only a 'problem' if you sell. I doubt I will ever sell mine (but I do have it serviced).
Whatever, welcome to the club, they are truly fantastic when everything's set up right and IMO vastly underrated.
vroom said:
My view is if I keep it for 4 years or so, I will have built up a reasonable amount of receipts etc., so at least people will see it's been looked after during my ownership.
Then again this one might be for keeps - but I said that with my previous 5 TVRs!
Happy days!
I agree - what is the point of receipts over a copuple of years old. They prove nothing re the current condition of the car. Receipts over the last couple of years however prove that its well maintained.Then again this one might be for keeps - but I said that with my previous 5 TVRs!
Happy days!
vroom said:
My view is if I keep it for 4 years or so, I will have built up a reasonable amount of receipts etc., so at least people will see it's been looked after during my ownership.
Then again this one might be for keeps - but I said that with my previous 5 TVRs!
Happy days!
Do you still need the rear shocks?Then again this one might be for keeps - but I said that with my previous 5 TVRs!
Happy days!
I am having mine updated to Nitron at the moment but the old ones were fully servicable you are welcome to them so long as the garage has not thrown them out yet.
I will call him tomorrow and ask him to put them aside if possible.
Chaps,
Thanks very much for the offer from both of you, yes I am in need of some.
Please let me know either way.
I guess I am in a position where I don't want to spend too much on shocks at this stage, i.e until I find out what else the car needs. No doubt there will be some horrors lurking just around the corner!
Some good news today though, stripped the nsf chassis and outrigger to the rear, yet whilst very rusty is still in tact.
So will treat and waxyoil, fit new drop link (and shock (hopefully)!), then move to the offside!
See pic
Cheers Nick
Thanks very much for the offer from both of you, yes I am in need of some.
Please let me know either way.
I guess I am in a position where I don't want to spend too much on shocks at this stage, i.e until I find out what else the car needs. No doubt there will be some horrors lurking just around the corner!
Some good news today though, stripped the nsf chassis and outrigger to the rear, yet whilst very rusty is still in tact.
So will treat and waxyoil, fit new drop link (and shock (hopefully)!), then move to the offside!
See pic
Cheers Nick
Edited by vroom on Monday 7th June 00:07
Edited by vroom on Monday 7th June 00:08
Well done....nice to see an unloved car receive some well deserved attention...
I have some surplus standard hoses I took off my cerb if they are any use..
Paul is a decent sort, knows his stuff ..
Good luck with it hope to see her around..I live in Nuneaton..not sure how close you are?
I have some surplus standard hoses I took off my cerb if they are any use..
Paul is a decent sort, knows his stuff ..
Good luck with it hope to see her around..I live in Nuneaton..not sure how close you are?
Well done - beautiful colour! Wish mine was that colour. No hang on - it is! a bit of a polish and wax and it comes up looking stunning, with the blue highlights running through the purple.
Loads of people who see my car out and about, remark on how striking that colour is. Prepare yourself for impromptu conversations in car parks and petrol stations!
Prepare yourself also for so-called friends who try to convince you that it's pink and therefore somewhat effeminate. Try to bear in mind they are only jealous because they don't have a car that matches their shoes and handbag.
Loads of people who see my car out and about, remark on how striking that colour is. Prepare yourself for impromptu conversations in car parks and petrol stations!
Prepare yourself also for so-called friends who try to convince you that it's pink and therefore somewhat effeminate. Try to bear in mind they are only jealous because they don't have a car that matches their shoes and handbag.
Halcyon Heather. Predominantly purple, with a hint of blue.
ICI JEJ6B - I've done my homework.
Whilst working on it on my drive I got interrupted numerous times about the colour!
A couple of kids asked if I had re-sprayed my Chimaera, bless!
Just to say I am overwhelmed by the generosity shown by everyone on here - all contributions appreciated.
I hope that I will be able to help others in the future.
Thanks
Nick
ICI JEJ6B - I've done my homework.
Whilst working on it on my drive I got interrupted numerous times about the colour!
A couple of kids asked if I had re-sprayed my Chimaera, bless!
Just to say I am overwhelmed by the generosity shown by everyone on here - all contributions appreciated.
I hope that I will be able to help others in the future.
Thanks
Nick
Edited by vroom on Wednesday 30th June 00:24
Edited by vroom on Wednesday 30th June 13:57
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff