Finally - Looking at a Tam tomorrow
Discussion
Almost time - after a 6 year hiatus, I have finally saved enough to buy another Tamora, so we're travelling all the way from the Welsh border to Norwich tomorrow to look at this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
Does anyone know this car?
My wife keeps trying to steer me towards a Z4M, but I just know it will not be the same experience when driving - I think she worries about availability of TVR parts....
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
Does anyone know this car?
My wife keeps trying to steer me towards a Z4M, but I just know it will not be the same experience when driving - I think she worries about availability of TVR parts....
I don't know this Tamora, but it looks absolutely stunning. It looks to me like a bargin at £17,000, but it has been for sale for a number of months.
The bison interior looks emaculate for it's age and use.
Has it had a rebuild is the big question ? if not then I'd lump in a power 4.3 or 4.5 at a later date.
It looks good, so hope the trip to Norwich is successful for you.
The bison interior looks emaculate for it's age and use.
Has it had a rebuild is the big question ? if not then I'd lump in a power 4.3 or 4.5 at a later date.
It looks good, so hope the trip to Norwich is successful for you.
TVRWazzock said:
I don't know this Tamora, but it looks absolutely stunning. It looks to me like a bargin at £17,000, but it has been for sale for a number of months.
The bison interior looks emaculate for it's age and use.
Has it had a rebuild is the big question ? if not then I'd lump in a power 4.3 or 4.5 at a later date.
It looks good, so hope the trip to Norwich is successful for you.
Cheers The bison interior looks emaculate for it's age and use.
Has it had a rebuild is the big question ? if not then I'd lump in a power 4.3 or 4.5 at a later date.
It looks good, so hope the trip to Norwich is successful for you.
I would love to find a Tam that already has the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade, but there isn't a whole lot of choice out there, and this example seems like a good 'sweet spot' - I want one with good bodywork and interior, so I don't have to spend any money in that area, but I plan to get the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade next year and perhaps have bushes changed with new poly's and perhaps Nitrons - and of course the sports exhaust. I guess I am looking for a good solid base to work on...
madbadger said:
Well done Chris. Be good to have you back in the club. Hope the car is a good one.
Thank you! It will be good to be back. I will have no problem walking away if there's something wrong with it, I know exactly how they should drive and feel - something you never seem to forget..chris watton said:
Cheers
I would love to find a Tam that already has the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade, but there isn't a whole lot of choice out there, and this example seems like a good 'sweet spot' - I want one with good bodywork and interior, so I don't have to spend any money in that area, but I plan to get the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade next year and perhaps have bushes changed with new poly's and perhaps Nitrons - and of course the sports exhaust. I guess I am looking for a good solid base to work on...
Ed who lives in bath has had the power 4.3 rebuild in his Tamora.I would love to find a Tam that already has the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade, but there isn't a whole lot of choice out there, and this example seems like a good 'sweet spot' - I want one with good bodywork and interior, so I don't have to spend any money in that area, but I plan to get the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade next year and perhaps have bushes changed with new poly's and perhaps Nitrons - and of course the sports exhaust. I guess I am looking for a good solid base to work on...
I bought my 2002 Tamora in 2005 for £22500. Just spent over £10,000 on a full interior retrim and full respray in Spectra Flair Silver because my bison interior was tatty, and it needed a front end respray. I had a 4.0L Red Rose rebuild/upgrade in 2007, but the power 4.3 and 4.5 where not available then. I will lump in a power 4.5 later
Usefull additions are the ACT air box, Nitrons, and alloy radiator.
TVRWazzock said:
Ed who lives in bath has had the power 4.3 rebuild in his Tamora.
I bought my 2002 Tamora in 2005 for £22500. Just spent over £10,000 on a full interior retrim and full respray in Spectra Flair Silver because my bison interior was tatty, and it needed a front end respray. I had a 4.0L Red Rose rebuild/upgrade in 2007, but the power 4.3 and 4.5 where not available then. I will lump in a power 4.5 later
Usefull additions are the ACT air box, Nitrons, and alloy radiator.
Thanks for that. I bought my 2002 Tamora in 2004 and that was £28k! I know how 'thin' the bison interior is, doesn't seem to wear too well.I bought my 2002 Tamora in 2005 for £22500. Just spent over £10,000 on a full interior retrim and full respray in Spectra Flair Silver because my bison interior was tatty, and it needed a front end respray. I had a 4.0L Red Rose rebuild/upgrade in 2007, but the power 4.3 and 4.5 where not available then. I will lump in a power 4.5 later
Usefull additions are the ACT air box, Nitrons, and alloy radiator.
I anticipate spending £10-12k on the mechanical and handling upgrades, which is why I want a decent example to start with.
Initially, at the start of this year I had my heart set on a Cobra (that you make yourself..) with an LS3 engine, as I thought this would be the closest thing I could get to a Tamora. But when I seen them in the flesh on the Gardner Douglas stand, I just didn't have the same feeling I had when I seen a Tamora for the first time. I then did a bit of research to see if another Tam would be viable (had assumed that because TVR is no more, getting parts and servicing would be a nightmare - it's bad enough for my wife's MGF Trophy!). It seems there are plenty of decent places to go to get the TVR sorted, TVR Power especially - so I settled on another Tam - I never once tired or got bored of the one I sold.
ETA - Ed very kindly emailed me to offer me a go in his 4.3 Tam when I'm ready.
chris watton said:
Cheers
I would love to find a Tam that already has the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade, but there isn't a whole lot of choice out there, and this example seems like a good 'sweet spot' - I want one with good bodywork and interior, so I don't have to spend any money in that area, but I plan to get the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade next year and perhaps have bushes changed with new poly's and perhaps Nitrons - and of course the sports exhaust. I guess I am looking for a good solid base to work on...
Nice car Chris and the colour looks even better in the flesh. You'll be very lucky indeed to find a 4.3 Tamora. There's only 5 registered on PH I think and 1 off them's mine. The difference is night and day it's such a nicer engine to drive I'm glad I made the move.I would love to find a Tam that already has the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade, but there isn't a whole lot of choice out there, and this example seems like a good 'sweet spot' - I want one with good bodywork and interior, so I don't have to spend any money in that area, but I plan to get the TVR Power 4.3 upgrade next year and perhaps have bushes changed with new poly's and perhaps Nitrons - and of course the sports exhaust. I guess I am looking for a good solid base to work on...
Hope the car is what you want it to be and all the boxes are ticked. You be joining a very rare group of individuals... The Tamora Squadron! Lol
Buzz
Well, we just got back. Set off at 7 this morning and got there for past 11.00.
I admit that on the drive up, I wondered if I'd still love the Tamora when I see an example again in the flesh for the first time since 2007, and convinced myself I wouldn't buy it because no car ever faces a close up inspection, after looking at pictures on the internet - reality always seems dash hopes..
However, When we pulled up, and I seen it for the first time, squatting next to a jet black Z4M, my reservations and fears were unfounded. What a pretty little car it is still (and always will be, I think) - it really was no competition, I didn't even ask to test drive the Z4 - it looked too much like every other roadster we see. The Tamora, to me at least, still looked as beautiful and elegant as I remember - I felt guilty for ever having doubts..
The blue looked great, again, I was worried that it would look to 'feminine' in the flesh, perhaps too much like a baby blue, but it actually looked quite stunning with the colour complementing the curves perfectly, Phew.
The bodywork and wheels are near perfect (not quite, but not bad at all) - I was so sure that the front would be peppered with stone chips, as mine was, despite a recent front end re spray, but it really was like new. I can only assume it has had a recent paint job (am sure the bonnet vent was black for this year) and, judging by the history, all service bills and stamps, MOT's etc were all there and all carried out by the same garage, Kerridges.
Inside there are no rips or rough patches on the seats and bolsters - the blue leather seems to be of a higher quality than what was in my first Tam. Some of leather and carpet are not perfect, but nothing that a professional upholsterer couldn't put right with the correct leather treatment - it was very acceptable.
Upon starting the engine, I was surprised at how quiet it seemed. I was so used to the TVR Power sports exhausts and expected to hear pops, crackles and bangs - this must be one of the first things to be addressed. Engine sounded very sweet, revved well gear changes were more precise than I remember and the clutch and gearbox seemed to be in very good order through the rev range.
Conclusion - I bought it! Eventually getting it for a very fair price with 6 month warranty and road tax. I pick it up next weekend, and I am sure I shall thoroughly enjoy the 4 hour drive home.
So, as from next week, I am a Tamora owner once more - and this car is in for a treat...
(according to this site, there are only 240 Tams out there!
http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/tvr_tamora )
I admit that on the drive up, I wondered if I'd still love the Tamora when I see an example again in the flesh for the first time since 2007, and convinced myself I wouldn't buy it because no car ever faces a close up inspection, after looking at pictures on the internet - reality always seems dash hopes..
However, When we pulled up, and I seen it for the first time, squatting next to a jet black Z4M, my reservations and fears were unfounded. What a pretty little car it is still (and always will be, I think) - it really was no competition, I didn't even ask to test drive the Z4 - it looked too much like every other roadster we see. The Tamora, to me at least, still looked as beautiful and elegant as I remember - I felt guilty for ever having doubts..
The blue looked great, again, I was worried that it would look to 'feminine' in the flesh, perhaps too much like a baby blue, but it actually looked quite stunning with the colour complementing the curves perfectly, Phew.
The bodywork and wheels are near perfect (not quite, but not bad at all) - I was so sure that the front would be peppered with stone chips, as mine was, despite a recent front end re spray, but it really was like new. I can only assume it has had a recent paint job (am sure the bonnet vent was black for this year) and, judging by the history, all service bills and stamps, MOT's etc were all there and all carried out by the same garage, Kerridges.
Inside there are no rips or rough patches on the seats and bolsters - the blue leather seems to be of a higher quality than what was in my first Tam. Some of leather and carpet are not perfect, but nothing that a professional upholsterer couldn't put right with the correct leather treatment - it was very acceptable.
Upon starting the engine, I was surprised at how quiet it seemed. I was so used to the TVR Power sports exhausts and expected to hear pops, crackles and bangs - this must be one of the first things to be addressed. Engine sounded very sweet, revved well gear changes were more precise than I remember and the clutch and gearbox seemed to be in very good order through the rev range.
Conclusion - I bought it! Eventually getting it for a very fair price with 6 month warranty and road tax. I pick it up next weekend, and I am sure I shall thoroughly enjoy the 4 hour drive home.
So, as from next week, I am a Tamora owner once more - and this car is in for a treat...
(according to this site, there are only 240 Tams out there!
http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/tvr_tamora )
Edited by chris watton on Sunday 29th September 18:18
until you pick it up 
Thanks guys! Madbadger, you may well be right.
Just been sorting some quotes for insurance, my last premium for a Tamora was around £580, but now it's around £300, so that is a nice surprise.
It's funny, there are very few convertibles built since the last decade that fit the small light body/big engine bill for such money. (aside from Cobra replicas and stuff costing at least twice as much, and usually twice the weight..)
I guess with cars this (relatively) simple, the recipe stays the same - if it ain't broke...
My 17 year old step son is also quite exited, and is coming with me to pick it up.
Do you guys still go to shows? I remember stuff like this:
Gaydon:
Silverstone:
and Pistonfest:
Just been sorting some quotes for insurance, my last premium for a Tamora was around £580, but now it's around £300, so that is a nice surprise.
It's funny, there are very few convertibles built since the last decade that fit the small light body/big engine bill for such money. (aside from Cobra replicas and stuff costing at least twice as much, and usually twice the weight..)
I guess with cars this (relatively) simple, the recipe stays the same - if it ain't broke...
My 17 year old step son is also quite exited, and is coming with me to pick it up.
Do you guys still go to shows? I remember stuff like this:
Gaydon:
Silverstone:
and Pistonfest:
God, TVRs are good looking cars aren't they.
Tamoras used to get a bad press looks wise for some reason but they've really grown on me.
Your new one looks fantastic. And so much car for such relatively small money.
Don't know how you'll make it to the weekend. Just remember waiting is half the fun!
(currently TVR-less but still check the Classifieds all the time, do all ex-TVR owners do that?)
Tamoras used to get a bad press looks wise for some reason but they've really grown on me.
Your new one looks fantastic. And so much car for such relatively small money.
Don't know how you'll make it to the weekend. Just remember waiting is half the fun!
(currently TVR-less but still check the Classifieds all the time, do all ex-TVR owners do that?)
TVRWazzock said:
My Gaydon memories from 2006.
As an aside, my Tamora original colour was Platinum Silver:
but now is Spectra Flair Silver:
For getting spare parts, is TVR Power THE place to go, or are there others?
chris watton said:
Lovelt car. I have to admit that it was always with more than a light tinge of sadness when looking through my old pics and remembering the adventures we had. Now, we can make some new ones!
For getting spare parts, is TVR Power THE place to go, or are there others?
I get my Tamora serviced here:For getting spare parts, is TVR Power THE place to go, or are there others?
http://www.tvrssw.com/
and parts here:
http://www.mlperformanceparts.co.uk/
Colin and Neil are ex-Dulfords/tvrcarparts and share the same premises.
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