My T350 convertible (Tamora) conversion project
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm embarking on a little project.... I've been looking for a project car for some time, had to be 6 cylinders, RWD, sporty and with a targa or soft top. I've been a long time fan of Alfa Romeos and currently have 3, and was considering a massive project using a 1991 spider and their V6, and then later a custom built car based on the duettotanta concept: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4871352480_d0c... which lead to a tube frame donor car for the fibreglass shell, which lead to TVR!
I've always had a soft spot for TVR's, and loved especially the Sagaris and T350, but when I discovered you could put a T350 front on a Tamora fairly easily, the path was set. I could have bought a good Tamora and started to cut it up, but that was a bit barbaric! And as I was going to be cutting the front and rear off, it made sense to start with a salvage car, and it saves a TVR from the graveyard, which can only be a great thing, surely!?
So I found a 2 options and traveled 500 miles round trip to view them, and one grabbed me straight away. A 2005 Tamora in Alloy Pearl (metallic light blue) with Prussian and Portland interior (navy and grey). The car was- aside from what I consider light accident damage- in excellent condition. No signs of chassis rust, clear evidence of waxoiling, everything was clean and seemingly well maintained and the interior immaculate. Unfortunately the car was separated from it's history but I have traced that it was last sold in June 2011 by James Agger with 18,000miles and I believe a FSH. It was crashed about 6 months later with 20,700 miles and written off as Cat D.
I understand it's not black and white with insurance companies, but really can't figure how it was in their financial interests to not repair the car! The damage is for the most part superficial, but at least it opened a door for me! New Radiator, A/C heat exchanger, mounting bracket and fog light, plus fibreglass repairs to front and rear, and it would have lived on. I'd priced up the bits to repair it as a Tamora and paint it at 4000 pounds.
Anyway, let's look at some pictures!
And then, here's what we're aiming for.........
(not my best photoshop effort)
(someone else's better effort)
Along the way I'll be asking for some opinions and suggestions, so I hope you guys like the project!
I'm embarking on a little project.... I've been looking for a project car for some time, had to be 6 cylinders, RWD, sporty and with a targa or soft top. I've been a long time fan of Alfa Romeos and currently have 3, and was considering a massive project using a 1991 spider and their V6, and then later a custom built car based on the duettotanta concept: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4871352480_d0c... which lead to a tube frame donor car for the fibreglass shell, which lead to TVR!
I've always had a soft spot for TVR's, and loved especially the Sagaris and T350, but when I discovered you could put a T350 front on a Tamora fairly easily, the path was set. I could have bought a good Tamora and started to cut it up, but that was a bit barbaric! And as I was going to be cutting the front and rear off, it made sense to start with a salvage car, and it saves a TVR from the graveyard, which can only be a great thing, surely!?
So I found a 2 options and traveled 500 miles round trip to view them, and one grabbed me straight away. A 2005 Tamora in Alloy Pearl (metallic light blue) with Prussian and Portland interior (navy and grey). The car was- aside from what I consider light accident damage- in excellent condition. No signs of chassis rust, clear evidence of waxoiling, everything was clean and seemingly well maintained and the interior immaculate. Unfortunately the car was separated from it's history but I have traced that it was last sold in June 2011 by James Agger with 18,000miles and I believe a FSH. It was crashed about 6 months later with 20,700 miles and written off as Cat D.
I understand it's not black and white with insurance companies, but really can't figure how it was in their financial interests to not repair the car! The damage is for the most part superficial, but at least it opened a door for me! New Radiator, A/C heat exchanger, mounting bracket and fog light, plus fibreglass repairs to front and rear, and it would have lived on. I'd priced up the bits to repair it as a Tamora and paint it at 4000 pounds.
Anyway, let's look at some pictures!
And then, here's what we're aiming for.........
(not my best photoshop effort)
(someone else's better effort)
Along the way I'll be asking for some opinions and suggestions, so I hope you guys like the project!
Edited by ChrisPap on Friday 10th August 23:43
Hi Guys,
thanks for the positive response. To be honest, after spending some time with a few, the look of the Tamora, especially the Mk2 front, grew on me. The back isn't too bad either , but it is very fussy for my taste with the big, round ass, boot spoiler, small lights, and then cluttered exhaust/numberplate/diffuser deal. I'm sure it could be cleaned up but I'd decided at that stage to embark on a different project that started with a pre damaged car- ie blank slate!
Now here's the first question I'm asking of the audience:
Should I leave the tail lights standard full length, or shorten the 'boomerang' and shuffle things around a bit? I like the bigger gap to the corners of the lower diffuser plate, but not sure about the overall look. I swing on this depending on mood. Anyway, check out my dodgy photoshop skills and if you'd be so kind, tell me what you think....
thanks for the positive response. To be honest, after spending some time with a few, the look of the Tamora, especially the Mk2 front, grew on me. The back isn't too bad either , but it is very fussy for my taste with the big, round ass, boot spoiler, small lights, and then cluttered exhaust/numberplate/diffuser deal. I'm sure it could be cleaned up but I'd decided at that stage to embark on a different project that started with a pre damaged car- ie blank slate!
Now here's the first question I'm asking of the audience:
Should I leave the tail lights standard full length, or shorten the 'boomerang' and shuffle things around a bit? I like the bigger gap to the corners of the lower diffuser plate, but not sure about the overall look. I swing on this depending on mood. Anyway, check out my dodgy photoshop skills and if you'd be so kind, tell me what you think....
Actually, that brings to the next point. The shorter lights tie in with a different diffuser. I'm originally wasn't sure about the body coloured diffuser and exhaust cover, so thought about a black one, or even totally different and more conventional one. That got me thinking that the bottom part of the lights was too close to the diffuser edge, hence moving the light lense up and away. Check out these poorly crafted images:
But I'm also coming around to the idea of keeping it all standard, which is why I'm asking you, the studio audience, to help me decide!
But I'm also coming around to the idea of keeping it all standard, which is why I'm asking you, the studio audience, to help me decide!
Yeah, I get 'fallen off' thing. It's unconventional but once you're used to a T350 having the body coloured exhaust panel, it can look strange when it goes missing. Think I might be keeping that standard.
I need to get to some TVR meets and look at a few cars and particularly colours. Where can I find details on meets? I'm based in Buckingham.
As the car is going to get a full respray when done, I'm thinking about colour. I don't mind the original Alloy Pearl, but I do think it might be a bit... calm. As you can see by some of my photoshop focus, I'm looking towards a medium metallic blue. Maybe Laser Blue?
I'm looking at some shade of blue to go with the existing dark blue roof and interior, but am I being too conservative?! Would the blue work with any other colours? Maybe silver, red or even green? I think it might work with the flip blue/green, but I'm having a hard time convincing the Mrs!
I need to get to some TVR meets and look at a few cars and particularly colours. Where can I find details on meets? I'm based in Buckingham.
As the car is going to get a full respray when done, I'm thinking about colour. I don't mind the original Alloy Pearl, but I do think it might be a bit... calm. As you can see by some of my photoshop focus, I'm looking towards a medium metallic blue. Maybe Laser Blue?
I'm looking at some shade of blue to go with the existing dark blue roof and interior, but am I being too conservative?! Would the blue work with any other colours? Maybe silver, red or even green? I think it might work with the flip blue/green, but I'm having a hard time convincing the Mrs!
Do you mean a bit like this Pete?
Don't think I'll be adding a Sag spoiler. I love the Sag but not sure if it suits the less aggressive lines of a 350 but even less again on a convertible....
Red Bull Blue is not a bad shout, but I know there is at least one Tam350 front conversion in RBB already.
Just found a colour called Zircon Blue which isn't bad, but a similar shade to Laser Blue.
There's a little something in the back of my mind saying metallic orange or even the metallic green from the racng green Sag would work with blue, but I'd have to do something about the portland grey highlights and carpet piping I think. The quest continues.
Wonder what a full interior re-trim would cost, or if anyone would want to swap....
Don't think I'll be adding a Sag spoiler. I love the Sag but not sure if it suits the less aggressive lines of a 350 but even less again on a convertible....
Red Bull Blue is not a bad shout, but I know there is at least one Tam350 front conversion in RBB already.
Just found a colour called Zircon Blue which isn't bad, but a similar shade to Laser Blue.
There's a little something in the back of my mind saying metallic orange or even the metallic green from the racng green Sag would work with blue, but I'd have to do something about the portland grey highlights and carpet piping I think. The quest continues.
Wonder what a full interior re-trim would cost, or if anyone would want to swap....
Plasticman could do that for you you. Have you seen his personal T350? It has a lot of Sag styling cues.
Below is a teaser of my car taken yesterday. Hopefully it'll be done by next weekend....
Think I'm going to paint it silver or dark silver. Now to find a paint shop!
Below is a teaser of my car taken yesterday. Hopefully it'll be done by next weekend....
Think I'm going to paint it silver or dark silver. Now to find a paint shop!
Edited by ChrisPap on Saturday 11th August 16:30
FactoryPilot said:
Looks fantastic mate. I always thought the Tamora to be a very pretty car but the back end let it down (only my opinion).
I Didn't like the Tam at first, thought it looked too 90's, but I got a whole new appreciation once I'd spent a little time with it. The front of the Mk2 is fine, and I think the standard rear could be made to look a lot better by getting rid of the diffuser panel and number plate/exhaust cover, and possible replacing the two rear lights with a single, bigger unit from an Alfa Mito. The standard rear end is too fusy IMO. But that's a project for someone else.... Or next time!DonkeyApple said:
I'm looking forward to seeing this new creation. For me, the T350 is the best looking of the T cars and it also appears that it will work very well as a convertible.
Are you tempted to add some form of roll cage/hoop?
I've got high hopes too. Hoefully there'll be more to see on Wednesday!Are you tempted to add some form of roll cage/hoop?
I'm not tempted to add roll hoops, but then nor am I tempted to roll it!
The only thing I am still tempted to do is shorten the rear lights.
And I think I've found my colour too! Alfa Stromboli Grey:
Edited by ChrisPap on Saturday 25th August 18:38
I know Spectraflair is great. Will be getting a quote for that too, but I think it's quite pricey?
Don, I know it's a dull colour (better for a porka?) but it does a few things I need-
It goes with the current blue interior
it will go with a possible future re-trim when I save up again
It hides scratches and swirl marks unbelievably well
It hides dirt.
Hang on, don't you have a dark silver Sag?
FP, do you like Orange? The Sagora is already orange
Buzz, More pictures will follow when the car is in better state, on Wednesday.
Don, I know it's a dull colour (better for a porka?) but it does a few things I need-
It goes with the current blue interior
it will go with a possible future re-trim when I save up again
It hides scratches and swirl marks unbelievably well
It hides dirt.
Hang on, don't you have a dark silver Sag?
FP, do you like Orange? The Sagora is already orange
Buzz, More pictures will follow when the car is in better state, on Wednesday.
GTrr, I was hot on a shade of blue for a good while, but had a few concerns about keeping it clean and swirl mark free (my last blue and current black car are HARD work!)
And I think lighter shades suit the T350 more. I am still open to suggestion though!
I'm still thinking about this though: Rear light shortening.... Just think it looks better.... Sacralidge!
And I think lighter shades suit the T350 more. I am still open to suggestion though!
I'm still thinking about this though: Rear light shortening.... Just think it looks better.... Sacralidge!
Don, your car looks amazing! I've got a few pics of it saved, but maybe before it was re-done? But I know Spectraflair is hard to get right with a camera. Love the wheels too.
I think you're the first TVR guy that likes the short lights!
What's the LED conversion you speak of? Will do a search...
I think you're the first TVR guy that likes the short lights!
What's the LED conversion you speak of? Will do a search...
As plastic said, the roof and windows plus sheet were all present during work, and we took them off for the photos. It's only light dust which is unavoidable in any sort of body shop. It'll be worse when it goes for paint! But a quick vacuum will sort it all out in no time.
Thanks for all the positive comments. I thought there might be more people decrying the chopping up of a Tamora, But I guess although they have their fans, the Tamora look didn't set the world alight!
I've spent a load of cash this week, more than I'd bargained for really, but now have all new lights, and bits and pices to get on with the build now. And I treated myself to LED taillights, brake lights, and rear indicators, as well as the new Bi-Halogen headlamps. pretty excited about those! I plan to convert them to Xenon bulbs too. So the high beam will work on it's on for daytime flashing, but when the headlights are on, both the Halogen High beam will come on and the Xenon projector lamps reflector will 'flip up' to give lots of light!
I've also come full circle on colours coming back to blue (ish).
While at TVR Power yesterday I saw a Tuscan in a aqua/green flip paint (though it didn't photograph well- looks very blue) that I currently suspect is called Chameleon Green? I love the silver/grey I had picked out, but I fear it's just a bit too eurobox dull for this car!
obligatory picture maddness attached...
Thanks for all the positive comments. I thought there might be more people decrying the chopping up of a Tamora, But I guess although they have their fans, the Tamora look didn't set the world alight!
I've spent a load of cash this week, more than I'd bargained for really, but now have all new lights, and bits and pices to get on with the build now. And I treated myself to LED taillights, brake lights, and rear indicators, as well as the new Bi-Halogen headlamps. pretty excited about those! I plan to convert them to Xenon bulbs too. So the high beam will work on it's on for daytime flashing, but when the headlights are on, both the Halogen High beam will come on and the Xenon projector lamps reflector will 'flip up' to give lots of light!
I've also come full circle on colours coming back to blue (ish).
While at TVR Power yesterday I saw a Tuscan in a aqua/green flip paint (though it didn't photograph well- looks very blue) that I currently suspect is called Chameleon Green? I love the silver/grey I had picked out, but I fear it's just a bit too eurobox dull for this car!
obligatory picture maddness attached...
BCA said:
The Tuscan is Halcyon Atlantis Blue.
I do Like Halcyon Atlantis, but that is just a straight blue isn't it? The Tuscan I saw flipped to green. The camera just doesn't show it.I'm not 100% what the colour is called so I'd appreciate help to nail the name or paint code.
road hog said:
just to check but have you considered yellow.???
would also consider "reflex charcoal" or the "swordfish colour".
car looking good ,excellent idea for a conversion.
Did consider a yellow, looks great, but it's not for me. would also consider "reflex charcoal" or the "swordfish colour".
car looking good ,excellent idea for a conversion.
Reflex charcoal too dark, swordfish colour doesn't go with my blue interior.
A little bit more photoshop madness tonight!Maybe I can get a gig at autocar magazine!
What we should have one day:
and my new brake light set up. These turned up today from SVC along with the Bi-Halogen dip/main and Halogen Main beams and the rest of the LED rear lamps.
And I've done a funky Gif of the two stage LED lamps:
The rear lamps I think will be laid out like this:
What we should have one day:
and my new brake light set up. These turned up today from SVC along with the Bi-Halogen dip/main and Halogen Main beams and the rest of the LED rear lamps.
And I've done a funky Gif of the two stage LED lamps:
The rear lamps I think will be laid out like this:
m3coupe said:
Hi Chris, how's the project going? Any more pictures of the car?
Quick question, where did you find it? Was it a private sale? I'm looking for a tuscan to bring back from the grave, either as a Tuscan with all my favourite parts from both versions or as a Sagaris conversion.
The ones I've found from TVR Glen/Dean have been repaired and I've been warned off there repair jobs by someone we both know!
Quick question, where did you find it? Was it a private sale? I'm looking for a tuscan to bring back from the grave, either as a Tuscan with all my favourite parts from both versions or as a Sagaris conversion.
The ones I've found from TVR Glen/Dean have been repaired and I've been warned off there repair jobs by someone we both know!
Hi m3,
nothing new lately. I'm overseas for work but I think the car has had a bit of finishing work lately but no real visual changes.
I found the car advertised on here actually. Bought it from TVR Dean. I have been told (and seen in his extensive yard) that he basically has the damaged car/donor car market sewn up.
I've not seen a finished repair job by them and so wouldn't like to comment of the quality or otherwise of the finished job.
Rebuilding a car from cat D to your exact spec is more expensive in my case than just buying a regular car, and that's before you consider the ridiculous cat D stigma in this country and it's effect on resale value etc. But if it's a car that you can't buy (like a T350 Spider), or you're going to keep for years and enjoy, then you pay what you can to get what you want.
Edited by ChrisPap on Thursday 30th August 12:35
Don, I thought there might be a limit to how much I could change the tamora/T350 before I got lynched! But I think it does remain an option if I can figure out what to do with the reflector? I'll look at it some more now that the car is back and I can look at the real thing.
Zippee, I can get one tomorrow. It's a bit dark out there now!
Zippee, I can get one tomorrow. It's a bit dark out there now!
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff